Thinking about buying a clk convertible What should i know?
Discussion
Evening all.
I've been looking at the face lift model clk convertible the past week or so.
Seems there are lot of different engine sizes, what's the best of the bunch?
Model wise I,d like lots of extras sport or amg spec with a bit of poke.
The car will be used mostly as a second car.
I'm not worried about mpg although I just sold my 450 Chimaera which was rather heavy and addictive to drive regularly, I'm not expecting a clk to give the same grin factor but maybe being slightly more affordable than the low mpg the chimaera was returning.
The car will be used mostly as a second car.
Never had much to do with Auto apart from a couple of 4x4,s and noticed most seem to be 7 speed autos
What's this like to drive?
Basically more imfo you can give the better really, including know faults.
Thanks
I've been looking at the face lift model clk convertible the past week or so.
Seems there are lot of different engine sizes, what's the best of the bunch?
Model wise I,d like lots of extras sport or amg spec with a bit of poke.
The car will be used mostly as a second car.
I'm not worried about mpg although I just sold my 450 Chimaera which was rather heavy and addictive to drive regularly, I'm not expecting a clk to give the same grin factor but maybe being slightly more affordable than the low mpg the chimaera was returning.
The car will be used mostly as a second car.
Never had much to do with Auto apart from a couple of 4x4,s and noticed most seem to be 7 speed autos
What's this like to drive?
Basically more imfo you can give the better really, including know faults.
Thanks
Quite like the look of this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221877885048?_trksid=p20...
Whats the 3.0 engine like? I expect its quite a heavy car and whats the auto like to drive?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221877885048?_trksid=p20...
Whats the 3.0 engine like? I expect its quite a heavy car and whats the auto like to drive?
I bought one in June and did a tonne of homework. Mine is a 2008 CLK350 Sport convertible. Really lovely car with all the AMG bits. Looks great.
Things to watch out for are mainly related to the engines in the V6 variants. From 2005 to 2007 there were big issues with balance shaft issues which resulted in catastrophic engine failures and complete rebuilds. This is a real issue on these cars but thankfully you can easily check whether the one you are buying falls in the danger zone. All you need is the engine number and you can check online. Google is your friend but mail me if you need a hand.
Otherwise not much to worry about. Just check all the electrics work and that the auto box is smooth in operation. The box is sealed for life but recommendation is to change the oil every 30-40k miles to avoid problems. I'm about to do mine as it happens.
Worth seeking out a 350 over a 280 as prices are not much different, nor is mpg. Remember it's £495 tax a year if you buy one after the 2005 tax changeover. Insurance is pretty cheap for me...38 years old and clean history. I insure the CLK and my Mondeo for £550 a year total on a combined multi car policy.
Avoid the 200 kompressor....it's too slow.
Things to watch out for are mainly related to the engines in the V6 variants. From 2005 to 2007 there were big issues with balance shaft issues which resulted in catastrophic engine failures and complete rebuilds. This is a real issue on these cars but thankfully you can easily check whether the one you are buying falls in the danger zone. All you need is the engine number and you can check online. Google is your friend but mail me if you need a hand.
Otherwise not much to worry about. Just check all the electrics work and that the auto box is smooth in operation. The box is sealed for life but recommendation is to change the oil every 30-40k miles to avoid problems. I'm about to do mine as it happens.
Worth seeking out a 350 over a 280 as prices are not much different, nor is mpg. Remember it's £495 tax a year if you buy one after the 2005 tax changeover. Insurance is pretty cheap for me...38 years old and clean history. I insure the CLK and my Mondeo for £550 a year total on a combined multi car policy.
Avoid the 200 kompressor....it's too slow.
Just a few more thoughts after a few months of ownership.
Auto box
Not the cars greatest feature IMHO. In full auto mode I find it a little slow witted. Mine has the seven speed box. Manual aka tiptronic mode is pretty good and I drive it in that most of the time. In manual mode it respond quickly to your inputs and works well. Auto just feels a bit lazy to respond, especially on kick down. It's fine around town but on a spirited drive I always have it in manual.
Other things I have found....the tech all feels last generation. Mine is fully loaded with command, and all the toys. But I find the interface complicated to use compared to more modern cars. Remember the basic design is well,over a decade old. It all works fine, but it's nowhere near as intuitive as a more modern car!
ALL OF THAT SAID....I love the car. It's a Sunday car for me...garaged in the week. It gets an incredible response wherever I take it. Family and friends are astounded at the value and everyone agrees it is a stunning car to look at, especially with the roof down.
My last bit of advice....if this is going to be a Sunday car, make sure you hunt out a sport version and a decent engine. The sport kit transforms the cars looks and it sits so much better on the road with e bigger wheels and lowered suspension. The subtle body kit transforms the profile too. Mine is chromite black (metallic midnight blue to you and I) with cream leather. All polished up it looks the dogs danglies! Here is mine
I paid £12k for mine this summer. 30,000 miles, totally showroom condition, every extra added from new....with the balance of a Mercedes tier 1 warranty included. Original sales invoice was for £51k back in 2008. A lot of car for the money.
Auto box
Not the cars greatest feature IMHO. In full auto mode I find it a little slow witted. Mine has the seven speed box. Manual aka tiptronic mode is pretty good and I drive it in that most of the time. In manual mode it respond quickly to your inputs and works well. Auto just feels a bit lazy to respond, especially on kick down. It's fine around town but on a spirited drive I always have it in manual.
Other things I have found....the tech all feels last generation. Mine is fully loaded with command, and all the toys. But I find the interface complicated to use compared to more modern cars. Remember the basic design is well,over a decade old. It all works fine, but it's nowhere near as intuitive as a more modern car!
ALL OF THAT SAID....I love the car. It's a Sunday car for me...garaged in the week. It gets an incredible response wherever I take it. Family and friends are astounded at the value and everyone agrees it is a stunning car to look at, especially with the roof down.
My last bit of advice....if this is going to be a Sunday car, make sure you hunt out a sport version and a decent engine. The sport kit transforms the cars looks and it sits so much better on the road with e bigger wheels and lowered suspension. The subtle body kit transforms the profile too. Mine is chromite black (metallic midnight blue to you and I) with cream leather. All polished up it looks the dogs danglies! Here is mine
I paid £12k for mine this summer. 30,000 miles, totally showroom condition, every extra added from new....with the balance of a Mercedes tier 1 warranty included. Original sales invoice was for £51k back in 2008. A lot of car for the money.
Edited by eddy77 on Saturday 19th September 07:45
Edited by eddy77 on Saturday 19th September 07:49
2005 was the facelift year, CLK240 replaced by CLK280, CLK320 replaced by CLK350 and I think the CLK500 was replaced with the 5.5L engine although still a CLK500.
You can get the revised model on the old tax rates, just makes sure it was registered before 23 March 2006. You should be able to pick up a 55-reg or early 06-reg
I also agree the sport kit looks great, and for some reason I really like these in bright red which is a rare colour.
You can get the revised model on the old tax rates, just makes sure it was registered before 23 March 2006. You should be able to pick up a 55-reg or early 06-reg
I also agree the sport kit looks great, and for some reason I really like these in bright red which is a rare colour.
A 55 variant could be good value too 63 s still command lots
Minor face lift in 2008 better command and aircon
Apart from sports kit
Xenon is nice as h7 lights are. It great
Heated seats not standard on all heated and vented even better
Hardman kardon sound system
Memory seats
Pre 2008) v 6 can have another problem google valeo oil cooler shared engine and gearbox oil cooler can wreck both
Covered by my warranty if you by from a dealer
Great cars
Minor face lift in 2008 better command and aircon
Apart from sports kit
Xenon is nice as h7 lights are. It great
Heated seats not standard on all heated and vented even better
Hardman kardon sound system
Memory seats
Pre 2008) v 6 can have another problem google valeo oil cooler shared engine and gearbox oil cooler can wreck both
Covered by my warranty if you by from a dealer
Great cars
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