Mercedes CLK270 Advice

[anonymous-user]

I’ve decided to buy a car. As I’ll only be using it of a weekend and planning some day trips. I’ve always fancied a CLK. I’ve had plenty of Petrol cars but never a diesel and thought the 270 would be a good mix of power and mpg. I’ve seen a local CLK for sale

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309141...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/81023493...

Any help or advice on what to look out for and check on the service history? Advice is welcomed.

Thanks.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 24th September 19:13

[reddiesel]

Apart from the fact that they seem to be a favourite amongst the East European Boys I meet on various Construction Sites , I know absolutely nothing about the car other than the fact that the engine is comparatively well proven and the bodywork doesn't seem susceptible to corrosion like the previous generation was .

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307260...

This is currently the lowest mileage CLK 270 on the Autotrader and I looked it up simply as I had no idea of the value of such a Car . Personally I would ignore the Car for sale on Facebook , given the fact the mileage is listed in KM rather than Miles , there clearly could be more to it than meets the eye and at this price point I would be with a Dealer every time .

[Luke.]

Re The Facebook one, they always list kms rather than miles. God knows why they can't fix it.

And at this price point, Id def go private. The dealer's going to take a massive chunk of the asking price and you can't see who's just owned it.

[Luke.]

These look good

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308190...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308030...

[anonymous-user]

Luke. said:

Re The Facebook one, they always list kms rather than miles. God knows why they can't fix it.

And at this price point, Id def go private. The dealer's going to take a massive chunk of the asking price and you can't see who's just owned it.

I think private would be better your right. I’m just trying to find one on a limited budget.

This one looks good. VED is quite high:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308261...

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 24th September 19:50

[reddiesel]

Luke. said:

Re The Facebook one, they always list kms rather than miles. God knows why they can't fix it.

And at this price point, Id def go private. The dealer's going to take a massive chunk of the asking price and you can't see who's just owned it.

The Dealers are asking the same money as the car the OP originally posted Luke ?? If its the same money and similar mileage surely he is better off with a Dealer than a private sale as he has some comeback if things go wrong .

[culpz]

From what I've heard from these, they're pretty robust, ref the engine and everything around it. I believe you really want a facelift though, which I think is 04 onwards. Looks like all the examples so far have been anyway. I guess it's just usual car stuff other than that; look for a good service history with paperwork and etc. I'd probably stick to a petrol though, unless you're doing quite a lot of miles.

[PositronicRay]

Wheel arches are prone to corrosion.

Buy the best one you can afford. If you're spending on catchup for mercs run on a shoestring things can get expensive quickly.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mr.Nobody said:

I’ve decided to buy a car. As I’ll only be using it of a weekend and planning some day trips. I’ve always fancied a CLK. I’ve had plenty of Petrol cars but never a diesel and thought the 270 would be a good mix of power and mpg. I’ve seen a local CLK for sale

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309141...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/81023493...

Any help or advice on what to look out for and check on the service history? Advice is welcomed.

Thanks.

Edited by Mr.Nobody on Sunday 24th September 19:13

The first one you linked to has the wheels on the wrong way around (more common than you'd think) the rears are on the front with that one.

The cars themselves are nigh on bulletproof, there are some things to check for:

Make sure you get them properly warm then check to make sure you can't smell any diesel in the engine (number 5 can leak) bay.

Check the front of the rear arches as (especially on 03/04 cars) they get peppered with stones from the rear tyre, if it's light it's a £200-300 to get it sorted

On the pre facelift cars listen for a clicking from behind the dash, if you hear this it's the swirl flaps for the vents. It's a labour intensive job but very cheap parts wise.

They really respond well to a map & a replacement K&N filter you get better economy with a nice amount of go, leave the gearbox in sport so it doesn't pull away in 2nd.

I had one & put over 150k on it, it's still running strong with a smidge under 300k on the clock, I'd spend a little extra & get a nice one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309162...

BUT for 2.5k I'd go for the 320cdi as it's better overalll car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305277...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309141...

220:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308271...

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

The first one you linked to has the wheels on the wrong way around (more common than you'd think) the rears are on the front with that one.

The cars themselves are nigh on bulletproof, there are some things to check for:

Make sure you get them properly warm then check to make sure you can't smell any diesel in the engine (number 5 can leak) bay.

Check the front of the rear arches as (especially on 03/04 cars) they get peppered with stones from the rear tyre, if it's light it's a £200-300 to get it sorted

On the pre facelift cars listen for a clicking from behind the dash, if you hear this it's the swirl flaps for the vents. It's a labour intensive job but very cheap parts wise.

They really respond well to a map & a replacement K&N filter you get better economy with a nice amount of go, leave the gearbox in sport so it doesn't pull away in 2nd.

I had one & put over 150k on it, it's still running strong with a smidge under 300k on the clock, I'd spend a little extra & get a nice one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309162...

BUT for 2.5k I'd go for the 320cdi as it's better overalll car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305277...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309141...

220:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308271...

Thanks for that it’s much appreciated. I want to just look at local cars. Just go get a feel for them. You never know I may find a nice one;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145293767366?mkcid=16&a...

[ZX10R NIN]

No problem, I'm sure you'll find something.

[anonymous-user]

Tempting;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311023...

[ZX10R NIN]

Thought you were buying a Range Rover Sport.

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

Thought you were buying a Range Rover Sport.

No not after speaking to a mate of mine who owns a LR company that deals in parts. Plus as nice as that one was it needed a lot of work. They are great cars but you need big pockets.

[ZX10R NIN]

You need to workout what you actually want, you wanted an CLK, then an estate/MPV for touring the UK & finally a 4x4.

You need to know what you want your vehicle to do, you've had various threads which says to me you don't know what you want.

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

You need to workout what you actually want, you wanted an CLK, then an estate/MPV for touring the UK & finally a 4x4.

You need to know what you want your vehicle to do, you've had various threads which says to me you don't know what you want.

That’s true. I think I’m after something I can use of a weekend and do trips in so a coupe would probably fit the bill. As I’m not that keen on the whole camping in a car having tried a friends van. I think if I had the money I would buy a proper camper.

[ZX10R NIN]

In which case go for a 220cdi, they have enough go & are a nice place to be:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310223...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311063...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311033...

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

In which case go for a 220cdi, they have enough go & are a nice place to be:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310223...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311063...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311033...

I do quite like this one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311023...

Okay it will cost more to fuel but maybe easier in the long run overall. It’s not a bad car overall. The wheels don’t look right?

[oilslick]

Mr.Nobody said:

I do quite like this one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311023...

Okay it will cost more to fuel but maybe easier in the long run overall. It’s not a bad car overall. The wheels don’t look right?

Doesn't matter, you're not going to buy it and you'll be back here in a month or two asking about another rot-box for yet another family member who has £3k to spend.

[anonymous-user]

oilslick said:

Doesn't matter, you're not going to buy it and you'll be back here in a month or two asking about another rot-box for yet another family member who has £3k to spend.

Bitter much! How do you know I’m not going to buy it? What would you send my money on? I’m sorry I don’t have a massive budget but I’ve bought a house.