Discussion
Looking at ads for 1997-2000 model CLK. Just wondering how much more the AMG version would cost to keep on the road. Obviously it will use more fuel, but I am thinking running costs. The AMG version is hand built, so does it have higher upkeep, with AMG parts and so on?
Anyone owned both versions and can comment on the relative pros and cons of each would be appreciated. Even if its the W210 E Class versions, as they are similar.
How quick is the 430? I remember being burned off by one effortlessly years ago, when I had an A3 TDI, but things move on.....
Anyone owned both versions and can comment on the relative pros and cons of each would be appreciated. Even if its the W210 E Class versions, as they are similar.
How quick is the 430? I remember being burned off by one effortlessly years ago, when I had an A3 TDI, but things move on.....
The parts cost for both will be around the same it'll probably be a bit easier to get CLK55 parts not a lot goes wrong with them, rust will be the thing you really need to look for.
As a side bar I have just finished a CLK430 for a customer it's had new wings & rear quarters so no rust issues but he's fallen on hard times & has to sell PM if you're interested and I'll send you his details.
As a side bar I have just finished a CLK430 for a customer it's had new wings & rear quarters so no rust issues but he's fallen on hard times & has to sell PM if you're interested and I'll send you his details.
ZX10R NIN said:
The parts cost for both will be around the same it'll probably be a bit easier to get CLK55 parts not a lot goes wrong with them, rust will be the thing you really need to look for.
As a side bar I have just finished a CLK430 for a customer it's had new wings & rear quarters so no rust issues but he's fallen on hard times & has to sell PM if you're interested and I'll send you his details.
Thanks I will bear it in mind. I am thinking of viewing a local CLK430 on Monday. Sounds promising, two owners since 2003, 92K miles, FSH, years MOT with no advisories and promise of no rust. As a side bar I have just finished a CLK430 for a customer it's had new wings & rear quarters so no rust issues but he's fallen on hard times & has to sell PM if you're interested and I'll send you his details.
Also, looking at an EBAY auction for a CLK55AMG in Guildford, 144K miles, had one owner between 2000 and 2015 and "only tiny spots of rust".
I assume advice would be to preference the one I can actually view, rather than buy blind, even though the EBAY car is more desirable, being the AMG...
This is pretty special http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Edited by DSLiverpool on Monday 28th March 12:38
GreenArrow said:
Thanks I will bear it in mind. I am thinking of viewing a local CLK430 on Monday. Sounds promising, two owners since 2003, 92K miles, FSH, years MOT with no advisories and promise of no rust.
Also, looking at an EBAY auction for a CLK55AMG in Guildford, 144K miles, had one owner between 2000 and 2015 and "only tiny spots of rust".
I assume advice would be to preference the one I can actually view, rather than buy blind, even though the EBAY car is more desirable, being the AMG...
Yes in these cars case you always need to view & bring a magnet as you really need to give these a thorough once over, the AMG is not necessarily the more desirable one the 430 is a rare beast. Also, looking at an EBAY auction for a CLK55AMG in Guildford, 144K miles, had one owner between 2000 and 2015 and "only tiny spots of rust".
I assume advice would be to preference the one I can actually view, rather than buy blind, even though the EBAY car is more desirable, being the AMG...
One thing to note is the CLK430 comes in convertible form which may be of interest to you.
As mentioned above, both will likely have rust eg arches, boot lock. Additionally, check all electrical functions. COMAND can go wrong, seats can go wrong. Might be cheap now but everything is still expensive to fix especially if you take it to a dealer.
As mentioned above, both will likely have rust eg arches, boot lock. Additionally, check all electrical functions. COMAND can go wrong, seats can go wrong. Might be cheap now but everything is still expensive to fix especially if you take it to a dealer.
ZX10R NIN said:
GreenArrow said:
Thanks I will bear it in mind. I am thinking of viewing a local CLK430 on Monday. Sounds promising, two owners since 2003, 92K miles, FSH, years MOT with no advisories and promise of no rust.
Also, looking at an EBAY auction for a CLK55AMG in Guildford, 144K miles, had one owner between 2000 and 2015 and "only tiny spots of rust".
I assume advice would be to preference the one I can actually view, rather than buy blind, even though the EBAY car is more desirable, being the AMG...
Yes in these cars case you always need to view & bring a magnet as you really need to give these a thorough once over, the AMG is not necessarily the more desirable one the 430 is a rare beast. Also, looking at an EBAY auction for a CLK55AMG in Guildford, 144K miles, had one owner between 2000 and 2015 and "only tiny spots of rust".
I assume advice would be to preference the one I can actually view, rather than buy blind, even though the EBAY car is more desirable, being the AMG...
I am keen on the one on the following link. It just seems like a genuine car and with good history. No advisories so any rust must be well hidden....Unfortunately, despite messaging and texting the seller, no response yet...
I quite fancy a 430. As you say they are rare and I like the idea of taking off the rear badge, so with that single tail pipe it looks like a regular 230 compressor...its certainly quick enough for me. I wouldn't trust myself in a full fat AMG. I am too much of a nutter in just an MX-5!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191817311743?_trksid=p20...
ZX10R NIN said:
It seems like a nice car, the dash seems to be suffering the usual pixel rash but BBA Reman should be able to sort that out it's an Elegance model so will be a little soft suspension wise again nothing that's a deal breaker.
Interestingly it has 17 inch wheels, not the 16 inch that I think were standard and yes you are right, a rare beast, only 196 registered according to "how many left" with another 25 or so "SORN" in 2015. Makes it far rarer than an E55 AMG or CLK55AMG and surely the value can only rise, say 5-10 years from now? I mean less than two grand for a 155 MPH Mercedes Benz is very cheap, if the car is rust free. W124 coupes have roared away in value and whilst the 124 obviously has a following, surely clean and rust free W208s must also rise eventually, as fundamentally they are a generation newer in terms of vehicle dynamics.If I like it and then buy it will definitely remove the ghastly Pirelli P6000s from the rear and match up Uniroyals as on the front. I never driven one of these cars, but remember being very impressed with a mates' E240 estate some years ago. Lovely wafty ride as I recall, but never felt barge like. Just hope it is as clean as advertised.
ZX10R NIN said:
It seems like a nice car, the dash seems to be suffering the usual pixel rash but BBA Reman should be able to sort that out it's an Elegance model so will be a little soft suspension wise again nothing that's a deal breaker.
Isnt six grand for a 208 CLK a bit strong, it looks nice but they are bargain basement usually, just thinking if the OP bought it and wanted a change it would be half that if he wanted to flog it on ?ZX10R NIN said:
The OP is looking at one for £2000.00 which is a bit of a steal, yes 6k is strong especially for a convertible but they are going up in value the one we've just finished for a customer was valued at 4k so they're creeping up.
Yeah, can see them at four grand for a really nice one as thats in the realms of worth what someone will pay, six grand gets you to the new models.Are the convertibles worth less than the coupe ?
Update: I went to view the car yesterday. Not the best conditions due to the wonderful easter holiday weather we are having. It did stop raining however just after I arrived at the vendors. BTW, the vendor is a PH regular and I told him to look up my post about this car! I could not find any rust on this car. The sills, arches, bottom of doors, by the petrol tank, boot lip, rear light clusters, all clear. Underneath, looks like new.
The same gent owned it from 2003 to 2015 and all the invoices are for a Mercedes main agent...thousands and thousands of pounds. It is MOT'd until Jan 2017 and 9500 miles to the next service. The tyres have plenty of tread and the oil and water levels were at the max.
I had a good test drive and it drives well, the only noise I could hear was what sounds like something in the boot clanking around occasionally on right turns (something in the toolkit perhaps?)...no clonks or noises on any bumps, the bushes etc seem fine to me. All the electrics seem in order (aside from the pixel problem) and no warning lights on the dash.
I didn't want to miss out on what seems like a good honest car and we agreed a fee of £1850 and I pick the car up Friday. Really looking forward to it. It really is a lovely thing to drive, so smooth...just glides over bumpy backroads....!
The same gent owned it from 2003 to 2015 and all the invoices are for a Mercedes main agent...thousands and thousands of pounds. It is MOT'd until Jan 2017 and 9500 miles to the next service. The tyres have plenty of tread and the oil and water levels were at the max.
I had a good test drive and it drives well, the only noise I could hear was what sounds like something in the boot clanking around occasionally on right turns (something in the toolkit perhaps?)...no clonks or noises on any bumps, the bushes etc seem fine to me. All the electrics seem in order (aside from the pixel problem) and no warning lights on the dash.
I didn't want to miss out on what seems like a good honest car and we agreed a fee of £1850 and I pick the car up Friday. Really looking forward to it. It really is a lovely thing to drive, so smooth...just glides over bumpy backroads....!
Edited by greenarrow on Wednesday 30th March 18:32
ZX10R NIN said:
Well done OP I'm glad it was everything you were hoping for, now get an agreed value on the car & then enjoy it if it's to quiet for you an X Pipe is a nice subtle mod. 
Cheers, my first attempt at getting classic insurance wasn't good. Lancaster Insurance wouldn't recognise it as a classic and wanted £594?!! What the heck? I am 47 years old for pete's sake, not some boy racer. Any tips on a good insurer? I was rather hoping to pay £200 or so for a 3000 mile a year modern classic policy.I managed to get insurance for £335 through Peter Best Insurance on a classic policy.
was more than I expected. Not sure how to do this multi insurance car lark. Doing my daily Mazda 6 and his Merc on Admiral Multi car comes out at £554, in other words, slightly dearer than my current Mazda insurance with Hastings added to the cost of the classic policy for the Merc.
I guess perhaps I was naïve thinking it would only cost £150 to insurance 4.3 litres of V8 Mercedes on a classic car policy!!!
ZX10R NIN said:
Yes £150 was being a bit optimistic, now get out there & enjoy some V8 loveliness, if you need any help with parts etc feel free to message me.
Been out and about enjoying the car after giving it a polish this weekend. Very handsome beast it is and soooo clean. I have only found two or three scratches and no dents at all, which on a 16 year old car is some going. However I did find three very small rust bubbles...aggghhh!! I guess it was inevitable. Not sure how I missed them on viewing, but the worst ones are on the inside of the offside rear wheel arch...so not easy to spot at first glance...I sent you a PM with some queries, one was concerning water temperature gauge. Unlike all other cars I have owned in recent years, this one doesn't just move to the middle and sit there. It seems to take a while to reach 80.. it then hovers between 80 and 85 depending on how much welly is being given. In traffic jams however, it moves up towards the 100 mark. No higher, but still a movement which rather unnerved me on Friday. In correspondence with a Facebook Merc enthusiast, he said not to worry as his SLK320 did the same thing...is this true? I had always been led to believe that any water temp deviation from the middle normally indicated a thermostat problem. Certainly the car is losing no water and no evidence of any leaks. Its all very dry both in the engine bay and beneath...cw
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