Thinking of buying a CLK. what to look for and best engine?

[buzzer]

Specifically a convertable. What problems do these suffer and what's the best engine? It will be a second car so fuel consumption not that important, reliability is.

Also do these rust? And if so are the later cars any better?

Cheers guys

Edited by buzzer on Sunday 25th May 08:35

[sim16v]

What sort of age are you looking at?

The W208 shape do rust, so you'll always need to check for that.

The bigger the engine, the more reliable as the V6 and V8s are pretty un stressed.

I currently have a rust free low mileage 320 AMG coupe for sale and it has been very reliable, but if I was replacing it i'd be tempted with a 430.

The usual things to go are normally cheap sensors or air flow meters, if you are unlucky you might end up with gearbox problems, but i'd say that was few and far between, more a case of unhappy owners complaining and happy owners not saying anything.

I can't comment on the later models as i've not had a great deal to do with them.

[rubystone]

W209 6.2 V8. 'Nuff said.

[cramorra]

There are excellent deals on CLKs out there in the moment and they are terrific cars - my wife has a CLK 350
as said above there is a vast difference between the early 208 and the 209 model range - the latter up to the quality you expect from benzes of old (almost) whilst the 208 can rust and has other issues
Ideally you want a facelifted 209 after 2006 if you can afford it
Personally I value the AMG sports package high on my to have list as it looks just so much better on 18" wheels with the skirts - also the exhaust sounds better - at least with a proper engine
Engine wise I would discard the 4pots as it is a heavy car and go for at least 6 cylinders - the MPG whilst different on paper will be similar in real life (unless you do not use the right pedal)
The 280 is not a lot cheaper than a 350 which is a terrific engine - in my opinion sufficient in power, well sounding and very smooth - early V6 can have issues with the transmisson oil cooler (google valeo cooler) which can be costly ow the cars are sturdy and well built (some leaks of the roofs if not serviced and noise form frameless windows) and the mentiond sensor issues
A 6.3 would be desireable if you can afford to run it and is a collectible item - but still north of 20K for a proper one - a CLK 55 will be cheaper and a nice car
Underated and rare as hens tooth is the 5.5 V 8 with 370 BPH in the CLK 500 - if you can get one of those go for it - a very fast car with the benefit of a V8 without the price tag of the AMG and faster than a 55
Tendentially V8s have better kit then V6 and some items you consider standard on a car like this is option only even on the most expensive cars(Xenon and cornering lighting on non V8, heated seats on all, command is an option only on all and does not include telephone and I pod dock (extra again) - here is a difference after face lift, too). V8 cars have multi zone climatronic, and you could get vented seats and a full leather pack and ambient lighting. The stereo is OK in standard form but if you like good sound it's woth seeking for the harman kardon kit
trim quality is good on those cars and they are fun to drice (although more bruisers than racers)
Hope this helps - let me know if specific questions 9and most of them are silver so getting a different colours adds value...)

Edited by cramorra on Monday 2nd June 00:55

[buzzer]

Thanks for that, very helpful. I will be starting to look in earnest when we get back off holiday... browsing the classifieds now though, maybe take a drive in a V6 first

[Derek Smith]

buzzer said:

Thanks for that, very helpful. I will be starting to look in earnest when we get back off holiday... browsing the classifieds now though, maybe take a drive in a V6 first

I had problems with my SLK - the V6 engine shed the teeth from the cam gear sprocket. On top of that, I suddenly had to run two rugby players around on occasion. I looked around for a V6 CLK but there were none in my price range/condition. Whilst looking I saw a 200 CLK, 1.8 supercharged, 184bhp, and thought I'd give it a test drive although, of course, with no intention of driving it. In error, I took my wife along.

The car was immaculate both inside and out and against my better judgement, and after pressure from my wife, who rather liked the car, I went and bought it. This was nearly a year ago.

I've grown to really like the car and what was going to be a stop-gap might well last considerably longer. It is the Aventguard and the set up is really confidence inducing. It can be lent on in a corner to silly extremes.

I thought I'd really miss the V6 (although not the cam socket) but at the moment I don't. The power delivery is somewhat down of course but, with the 6-speed manual, it is a really pleasant drive. Economy is a little better than the SLK, but not much. This might be a sign I've arrived at my dotage, but I'm pleased with my choice.

I've got two cars and the CLK has accrued more than twice the mileage of my Focus. It is a really pleasant car to drive both for motorways and for more testing routes.