CLK 320 Winter Hack

[lordlee]

As usual at this time of year the Pork goes into slumber mode in the garage and a new hack is bought to use throughout the winter months. This is one of my favourite times of year as the classifieds can be perused at length with a fairly open mind of what I fancy. This year I fancied a coupe for around 2k that was a bit less tiresome than last years scooby estate. I settled on a german built coupe and set my sights on the usual suspects. I narrowed the search down to E46 330 or CLK 320. I was initially very reticent on the Merc as I have seen many a rusty CLK knocking around. However the first couple of E46's I went to see were rusty around the rear arches which wasnt something I wa expecting. I then went and saw a few CLK's which were a mixed bunch at this price point. I did however appreciate the easy driving characteristics of the CLK so I found myself increasingly leaning towards the three pointed star. A chance encounter on ebay led me to the one I now own, it had a very poor ad with little information and the dirty red colour wasnt really what I was after. A quick phonecall revealed that they had owned the car for 7 years and were the 2nd owners - it was fully serviced by a local indy and everything worked and there was only one tiny rust spot on the whole car. I didn't really believe it was goinng to be up to much but when she mentioned that she had been offered £1500 for it as a trade in for their new CLS I thought it worth a look. I was pleasantly suprised to find a very honest car on my arrival and one that was, for once, as described over the phone. Bar the slightly tired looking alloys the rest of the car was in excellent original condition and indeed everything did work! After a short test drive and a run through the paperwork I left with a shiny red CLK for a mere £1400 - Bargain.

I have since done the following:

Sand and restore Headlights
Replace H7 bulbs with Philips Extreme 100%
Check all brakes and repaint calipers in silver
Replace tyres with Michelin Primacy – far better than awful P6000’s
Clean and Restore orion grey leather + steering wheel with gliptone products – excellent results
Fit white LED Canbus number plate lights
Silver indicator bulbs front and rear
Clean engine bay thoroughly
Replace door speaker and tweeter – both blown
Repair passenger heated mirror – loose/corroded connection
Replace all interior bulbs with white LED bulbs
Replace OSF damper
Replace Cabin filter

Jobs to do:
Fix squeaky leather trim
Remove and clean engine cover
Fit chrome vent rings
Fit SLK style beige/white heater controls
Replace/refurb genuine 16” alloys
Remove and thoroughly clean rear light clusters
Identify rattle in passenger door – check for loose bolts inside rubber gromits on door bottom
Install belkin ipod FM transmitter
Replace pedal rubber for brake with new OE

[Not Ideal]

That looks mint - top purchase.

Was the work easy enough to do..??

[djt100]

had a 3 year old one of these years ago and really liked it, they do like a drink if i remember, thinking the next car may be another one of these but the 200 or 230 if i can find a non rusty one.

[lordlee]

Not Ideal said:

That looks mint - top purchase.

Was the work easy enough to do..??

Thank you, its nice when someone else appreciates the things you have and especially when you have worked hard to get them looking nice again. I really enjoy light restoration and its nice to be able to visit scrapyards again!!
I can't help myself when it comes to paintwork - it needs a mop really (if you are anal like myself) but it came up beautifully using Autoglym Paint Renovator followed by Dodo Juice Lime Prime and then a good coat of Collinite 476s. Oh and a KlearKote glaze on top. The red looks very glossy and positively wet at night. Its a shame that the corrosion on the lip of the alloys takes the shine off the car as a whole at the minute.

[lordlee]

In Fact I have completed these last weekend. See picture
Fit chrome vent rings and gear surround
Fit SLK beige/white heater controls
Also removed and thoroughly cleaned rear light clusters

[Not Ideal]

Good stuff - keep the updates coming.

[lordlee]

djt100 said:

had a 3 year old one of these years ago and really liked it, they do like a drink if i remember, thinking the next car may be another one of these but the 200 or 230 if i can find a non rusty one.

The 320 really is the one to go for - its the same fuel economy of the 230 but without the raucous engine and with more power. Its also ideally suited to the auto box. Trust me you wouldnt want a manual CLK as they still have the foot operated parking brake which is a complete nightmare when it comes to hill starts etc. You have to look hard for non rusty ones but they are out there.

[wackojacko]

Something a little different in Red, not sure I'm a fan of the colour though..... the CLK's are pretty good on the hole. My Mum has a CLK430 and that is quite nice to drive, not to soft and not to sporty .... Just right

[lordlee]

I know what you mean about the red but I actually really like it now. It polishes up so nicely and I think red is coming back in as a car colour, it also looks really nice with the contrasting grey interior. If you saw it in the flesh you would probably say it looks nicer. I will try and get some better photos up.

[Otispunkmeyer]

erm pics are absolutely tiny! like they would still look tiny on a 160x120 mobile phone screen!

sounds top notch though, and I quite like merc's red. It works well on some of their cars. The new C-Class wagon is one example, with the chrome trim round the windows.

[renmure]

lordlee said:

Its also ideally suited to the auto box.

I have had my CLK 320 cabrio for about 5 years now, which makes it the longest owned of any of my cars. It only does about 3k miles / year but the main reason it has survived the (too) frequent culls is exactly for that reason. It just seems to waft along gracefully and effortlessly which I suppose is exactly what it is supposed to do.

[lordlee]

[lordlee]

[lordlee]

Thanks for the loan of my parents house to get the car cleaned this weekend. My outdoor tap isnt working so no jet wash at mine.
Had a right result this weekend - popped down to my local scrapyard on Saturday and picked up an auto dimming rear view mirror with ambient lighting and an AMG pedal set for £10. The mirror is over £300 from Mercedes new. Its plug and play so just a straight swap for my existing mirror. Got it from a W210 2001 model. Would like to fit the footwell lighting next.

Edited by lordlee on Sunday 4th December 18:57

[stabbed rat]

A bloke in one of these stopped me at some traffic lights recently to compliment me on my number plate, once the lights went green he tore off with the most awesome roar! I think he had an after market exhaust on though.

Car looks nice and congrats on your recent bargains

[lordlee]

stabbed rat said:

A bloke in one of these stopped me at some traffic lights recently to compliment me on my number plate, once the lights went green he tore off with the most awesome roar! I think he had an after market exhaust on though.

Car looks nice and congrats on your recent bargains

Thank you. It would sound nice with a little less restriction on the exhaust I must admit. Its just nice to have a car that I can tinker with. Thats the thing I miss most in the spring/summer when the cab comes out again. Then its more polishing and little upkeep jobs.

[bazza1000]

That's one very nice winter hack, good buy

[lordlee]

As i didn't want to do what the rest of the world seem to and buy a Mercedes and stick 18" AMG reps on it (no offence if you have I just think some cars should be left near stock) I found a set of wheels that are usually found on W203 C-Classes but were an option on CLK's. Quite lucky as they were only £150 with two nearly new tyres and two worn ones. The rims themselves are 16" and completely immaculate. I cant wait to get the corroded ones that are on the car off and replaced.

[lordlee]

Alloys on. Very pleased with the overall look as it still looks nice and stock but I feel these wheels suit the car better. Anyway I am sure you can make your own minds up on whether they look better to you...

[mwstewart]

I think it looked better on the period wheels...