RE: Mercedes-Benz CLK500: Spotted
Discussion
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
Not really. The 55 AMGs from this era are not shouty in the slightest. They are very discreet. Agree the the later 63s, etc are the opposite though!
How do you work that out? The CLK63 look exactly like the 55 except it has an extra set off pipes, mine now has just the one pair of pipes (I prefered the look) rather than the four.ZX10R NIN said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
Not really. The 55 AMGs from this era are not shouty in the slightest. They are very discreet. Agree the the later 63s, etc are the opposite though!
How do you work that out? The CLK63 look exactly like the 55 except it has an extra set off pipes, mine now has just the one pair of pipes (I prefered the look) rather than the four.sparks_E39 said:
I’d love a CLK 350 Sport just before the tax hike. Lovely looking things.
Like this:https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I think that the dealership selling this is run by the family that buys the trade cars from where I used to work.
Regarding the car, I had not realised what good value this generation of CLK seem to be (a fact reinforced by a quick look on autotrader). Hopefully these cars were built after the 'rust' debacle that has affected many a turn of the century Mercedes?
However, I then researched the M272 line (3.0, 3.5 and 5.5) of engines and realised one reason for their price. The engine seems to be well known for costly issues with the balance shafts and associated pieces (the V8 uses the same pieces without the actual balance shafts apparently). From what I can see, Mercedes fixed this circa 2008. Therefore, despite the higher tax, buying a 2009 or 10 might be the best bet. Alternatively, buy an earlier 3.2 or 5.0 V8 as these seem to be known as a robust engine. Perhaps someone well versed in Mercedes could advise on which petrol multilcylinder versions are the most reliable in this car?
Regarding the car, I had not realised what good value this generation of CLK seem to be (a fact reinforced by a quick look on autotrader). Hopefully these cars were built after the 'rust' debacle that has affected many a turn of the century Mercedes?
However, I then researched the M272 line (3.0, 3.5 and 5.5) of engines and realised one reason for their price. The engine seems to be well known for costly issues with the balance shafts and associated pieces (the V8 uses the same pieces without the actual balance shafts apparently). From what I can see, Mercedes fixed this circa 2008. Therefore, despite the higher tax, buying a 2009 or 10 might be the best bet. Alternatively, buy an earlier 3.2 or 5.0 V8 as these seem to be known as a robust engine. Perhaps someone well versed in Mercedes could advise on which petrol multilcylinder versions are the most reliable in this car?
mrbarnett said:
You an me both. I don't want my car pretending to be something it's not. Of course, there have been examples where it's went the other way, and I kinda like that level of modesty.
In the late 90s, the BMW 318i had a 2.0, the 320i Had a 2.2, and the 323i had a 2.5. And more recently, the BMW 325 had a 3.0, as did the Mercedes SLK280. The Jaguar X-Type's 2.0 engine was actually 2.1 etcetera etcetera...
Hard to imagine BMW and Mercedes as being described as "modest" today.
Model designations do not denote engine size.In the late 90s, the BMW 318i had a 2.0, the 320i Had a 2.2, and the 323i had a 2.5. And more recently, the BMW 325 had a 3.0, as did the Mercedes SLK280. The Jaguar X-Type's 2.0 engine was actually 2.1 etcetera etcetera...
Hard to imagine BMW and Mercedes as being described as "modest" today.
Edited by Tim bo on Sunday 28th January 08:37
ZX10R NIN said:
Do a search on the Vin number before you do - before a certain number they had crippling balancer shaft issues, the failure of which will, in one fell swoop, negate any saving on the tax.I sucked it up and bought a 2010, don’t really notice the tax, it’s only about £5 a week difference and the immaculate one owner low mileage example I got is worth it.
Until the roof went of course 😩
FerdiZ28 said:
Do a search on the Vin number before you do - before a certain number they had crippling balancer shaft issues, the failure of which will, in one fell swoop, negate any saving on the tax.
I sucked it up and bought a 2010, don’t really notice the tax, it’s only about £5 a week difference and the immaculate one owner low mileage example I got is worth it.
Until the roof went of course ??
Just realised this was mentioned earlier, apologies Stan. I sucked it up and bought a 2010, don’t really notice the tax, it’s only about £5 a week difference and the immaculate one owner low mileage example I got is worth it.
Until the roof went of course ??
Alex P said:
I think that the dealership selling this is run by the family that buys the trade cars from where I used to work.
Regarding the car, I had not realised what good value this generation of CLK seem to be (a fact reinforced by a quick look on autotrader). Hopefully these cars were built after the 'rust' debacle that has affected many a turn of the century Mercedes?
However, I then researched the M272 line (3.0, 3.5 and 5.5) of engines and realised one reason for their price. The engine seems to be well known for costly issues with the balance shafts and associated pieces (the V8 uses the same pieces without the actual balance shafts apparently). From what I can see, Mercedes fixed this circa 2008. Therefore, despite the higher tax, buying a 2009 or 10 might be the best bet. Alternatively, buy an earlier 3.2 or 5.0 V8 as these seem to be known as a robust engine. Perhaps someone well versed in Mercedes could advise on which petrol multilcylinder versions are the most reliable in this car?
The V8's never suffered the balancer shaft issues & it's very random I've had two customers suffer the issue but have supplied over 50 Mercedes with this engine don't get me wrong it's not a cheap fix £1500 if it happens to you but haggle hard & you could grab yourself a nice car also if you get one that's already had the work carried out that's a bonus too.Regarding the car, I had not realised what good value this generation of CLK seem to be (a fact reinforced by a quick look on autotrader). Hopefully these cars were built after the 'rust' debacle that has affected many a turn of the century Mercedes?
However, I then researched the M272 line (3.0, 3.5 and 5.5) of engines and realised one reason for their price. The engine seems to be well known for costly issues with the balance shafts and associated pieces (the V8 uses the same pieces without the actual balance shafts apparently). From what I can see, Mercedes fixed this circa 2008. Therefore, despite the higher tax, buying a 2009 or 10 might be the best bet. Alternatively, buy an earlier 3.2 or 5.0 V8 as these seem to be known as a robust engine. Perhaps someone well versed in Mercedes could advise on which petrol multilcylinder versions are the most reliable in this car?
ZX10R NIN said:
The V8's never suffered the balancer shaft issues & it's very random I've had two customers suffer the issue but have supplied over 50 Mercedes with this engine don't get me wrong it's not a cheap fix £1500 if it happens to you but haggle hard & you could grab yourself a nice car also if you get one that's already had the work carried out that's a bonus too.
I am not an expert and it is good to hear that the failure rate is low, but my understanding is that, because the M273 V8 does not need balancer shafts, the same gear which causes problems is used as an idler gear instead. Therefore the M273 is know for idler gear issues rather than balancer shaft issues. As with its predecessor, the M272 is a 90 degree V6 and therefore requires balancer shafts to help it run smoothly. As these large petrol engines are more common in the states, this is where much of the 'issues' seem to originate from. If the failure rate is low then these cars seem good value and a safer bet than a CL coupe or SL with active suspension/leaking boots. 
topless360 said:
5 litre V8 with a single tail pipe, now that's cool 
The modern day equivalent would have fake chrome dodecahedron shaped vertically stacked quad pipes.
Indeed! But for many years Mercedes concealed the tailpipes on all its cars, which is even better. Even one feels like one too many, especially when it is equipped with that horrid chrome surround.The modern day equivalent would have fake chrome dodecahedron shaped vertically stacked quad pipes.
Filibuster said:
Bencolem said:
Actually best find a later 06/56 plate one and enjoy the 380hp 5.5ltr version that looks identical but is a true rocket ship. That’s the real deal.
This!They are properly rare cars tough... Not a single one on PH or AT atm. So classy to have them in Elegance or Avantgarde spec and not with the AMG kit!
I found one last year and pounced. It was advertised for one day.....
There was an excellent silver W211 estate with the 5.5 engine advertised last year (around the summer) which was well under £5000. I spoke with the chap selling, as I just so happened to be visiting family who live up near Ashby de la Zouch.
Funnily enough it sold before I could even get over to look at it.
Is this one yours?
Funnily enough it sold before I could even get over to look at it.
Is this one yours?
junglie said:
There was an excellent silver W211 estate with the 5.5 engine advertised last year (around the summer) which was well under £5000. I spoke with the chap selling, as I just so happened to be visiting family who live up near Ashby de la Zouch.
Funnily enough it sold before I could even get over to look at it.
Is this one yours?
Nope, mine's a 212. Funnily enough it sold before I could even get over to look at it.
Is this one yours?
I did sell a house to a fellah with a black 211 5.5 Estate and was getting so desperate last year looking for a 350 or 500 petrol that I half-jokingly suggested I bought it off him. He wasn't interested as he tends to keep his Mercs for a long time.
Other than mine I think I've only seen one 211 and one 212 Estate advertised with that engine.
AC43 said:
And disappeared just as quickly, it would seem.Bencolem said:
Cupramax said:
Best find and 05/55 plate one and not pay over £500 road fund licence...
Actually best find a later 06/56 plate one and enjoy the 380hp 5.5ltr version that looks identical but is a true rocket ship. That’s the real deal.There's a significant difference in liveliness between the pre-facelift CLK 500 5.0 M113 with 5 speed auto, and the post-facelift CLK 500 5.5 M273 with 7 speed auto. It's well worth getting the later 5.5 as the extra performance comes with no fuel consumption penalty & half the costs at spark plug change time, plus you avoid most of the rust issues that affect many of the earlier cars which aren't fully galvanised.
M113 5.0 has SOHC 3v heads & twin spark plugs.
302hp & 339lb-ft
188 hp/ton in a 1.6 ton CLK 500
M273 5.5 has DOHC 4v heads with VVT & single spark plugs.
383hp & 391lb-ft
225 hp/ton in a 1.7 ton CLK 500...
If you can find one.
There are only about 120 CLK 500 5.5's on the road in the UK, compared with around 600 of the older 5.0's:
Post-facelift:
220CDI - 5,400
200K - 3,700
280 - 3,700
320CDI - 1,900
350 - 1,700
500 5.5 - 120
63 AMG - 75
Pre-facelift:
240 - 4,400
270CDI - 3,700
320 - 3,400
200K - 3,000
500 5.0 - 600
55AMG - 200
I wanted a CLK 500 Sport 5.5 convertible, but there are only about 50 Sport 5.5's on the road here, with approx. just 20 of those being convertibles.
I missed out on two that came up for sale in almost two years of searching - they both sold the same day they listed, at full asking price, and the pricing guides don't accurately reflect the values they actually sell for.
A third 500 Sport 5.5 convertible appeared on AutoTrader one evening, so I was there waiting on the dealer's doorstep before they opened next morning, to ensure that one didn't get away.
"Can I help you sir?
I've come to have a look at the CLK.
Wow, we only listed it last night...
I know..."
Here's a mini-review from my profile:
Ultra-rare last of the line facelift A209 500 Sport Cabriolet with the 388hp M273 32V 5.5 litre V8 & paddle shift 7 speed box - noticeably quicker, more powerful & more torquey than the older 55 AMG with its 5 speed box.
Significantly better looking than the A208, and much prettier than the A207 in our eyes...
Effortless overtaking with 0-60mph in 5 / 0-100 in under 12 / 70mph cruising at under 2000 revs & 30mpg, if you really want it to.
The sport suspension is supple yet controlled, with road noise nicely suppressed, the gearchanges as smooth as silk, and a thunderous roar available from the sports exhaust on demand.
Debadged, it's a superb sleeper car looking like a CLK 200, except once the road clears, all its V8 muscle & soundtrack is available to enjoy, and even more so with the roof down.
Another most welcome addition, bringing further complementary talents to the fleet.
Had mine for nearly two years now, and it's been great - still makes me grin every time I drive it.
CLK 500 5.5's don't come up often, but if you can find one, you won't be disappointed.
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