CLK430 info please
Discussion
The missus has seen a CLK430 2Dr Conv. Avantgarde Auto sat.nav. (I believe it's got "tip" in the description somewhere too) in a dealers down the road and wants to buy it.
I know nothing about Mercedes, having owned American vehicles for the last 20 years !
Very basic, I know, but what do all the numbers and words mean ?
I'm ok with "Convertible", "sat.nav" and "auto" but the rest ??? Seems it's got AMG wheels but not sure of the relevance ? Its a 43K miles on a "Y" and up for £16K ?
I can not find another one for sale anywhere, so have nothing to compare it to.
Any help, advise or buying tips appreciated.
I know nothing about Mercedes, having owned American vehicles for the last 20 years !
Very basic, I know, but what do all the numbers and words mean ?
I'm ok with "Convertible", "sat.nav" and "auto" but the rest ??? Seems it's got AMG wheels but not sure of the relevance ? Its a 43K miles on a "Y" and up for £16K ?
I can not find another one for sale anywhere, so have nothing to compare it to.
Any help, advise or buying tips appreciated.
Seems a fairly reasonable price.
430 models means it should have a 4.3 V8 if im not correct, good performance but worse mpg and insurance compared to other models.
AMG is the tuning arm of Mercedes, wheels are will be nice on that car but shouldn't affect value.
"Tip" is tiptronic transmission, not really something you would probably use, just means you can change gear by tapping the gearstick as well as being an auto.
You could probably beat the dealer down to 15k ish on that car
Just make sure its got full service history and test the roof before you buy
Regards
Bob
430 models means it should have a 4.3 V8 if im not correct, good performance but worse mpg and insurance compared to other models.
AMG is the tuning arm of Mercedes, wheels are will be nice on that car but shouldn't affect value.
"Tip" is tiptronic transmission, not really something you would probably use, just means you can change gear by tapping the gearstick as well as being an auto.
You could probably beat the dealer down to 15k ish on that car
Just make sure its got full service history and test the roof before you buy
Regards
Bob
Thanks,
Used to v8's, in fact that's a baby one compared to those I currently havew and have previously owned
Tiptronic, sounds expensive if/when it goes wrong.
Aware of AMG but no badges other than on the wheels, so not sure why they are on it ?
Avantgarde - whats that ?
I e-mailed bloodyniceben hoping to find out any reliability issues or things to look for as it is 6ish years old now. The roof would be first on my list.... So if, in the meantime, anyone can add anything, it would be much appreciated - was going down tomorrow so hope to be armed with some mone-off ideas
Used to v8's, in fact that's a baby one compared to those I currently havew and have previously owned
Tiptronic, sounds expensive if/when it goes wrong.
Aware of AMG but no badges other than on the wheels, so not sure why they are on it ?
Avantgarde - whats that ?
I e-mailed bloodyniceben hoping to find out any reliability issues or things to look for as it is 6ish years old now. The roof would be first on my list.... So if, in the meantime, anyone can add anything, it would be much appreciated - was going down tomorrow so hope to be armed with some mone-off ideas
Tiptronic is standard on pretty much all mercs - ive got a 2001 C class estate with it, plus another C I used to have also had it.
I wouldn't worry too much about it going wrong because like I said nearly any new ish merc will have it plus i've never heard of any problems. You know on some auto cars they have another couple of gears marked 2 and 3 - this is basically a digital version of that.
AMG wheels will have been fitted as an extra by a previous owner at some point, certainly not a bad thing however you may want to check that they are genuine AMG - some companies produce replica AMG wheels that are a fraction of the price but are often poorer quality and are heavier.
Avantgarde is a variation of the model, others are classic and sport I think - Avantgarde is a good one tho!
Regards
Robert
I wouldn't worry too much about it going wrong because like I said nearly any new ish merc will have it plus i've never heard of any problems. You know on some auto cars they have another couple of gears marked 2 and 3 - this is basically a digital version of that.
AMG wheels will have been fitted as an extra by a previous owner at some point, certainly not a bad thing however you may want to check that they are genuine AMG - some companies produce replica AMG wheels that are a fraction of the price but are often poorer quality and are heavier.
Avantgarde is a variation of the model, others are classic and sport I think - Avantgarde is a good one tho!
Regards
Robert
Edited by bob-in-toon on Monday 13th August 16:20
The CLK430 was the top-of-the-range convertible Mk.1 CLK in the UK, and as such comes with a lot of toys as standard (electrically adjustable seats, et al). It came with the five-speed automatic as standard, which has been in loads of Mercs over the years. The "Tipfunction" means you can have a degree of control over gear selection if you wish, but for all intents and purposes it's a totally conventional five-speed automatic.
"Avantgarde" is the trim level. The CLK convertible was only available (in the UK) in "Elegence" or "Avantgarde" trim. Both were very luxurious specification, but the Avantgarde leaned more towards the sporting. Some of the differences between Avantgarde and Elegence were:-
Blue tinted windows rather than green,
Sports suspension (IIRC, I'm not sure though),
Black wood dashboard trim rather than brown,
Grey faced instrument dials rather than black,
Less understated upolstery colour choices,
Different wheel designs (although the AMG wheel override this, see below).
The 4.3 V8 knocked out around 280bhp IIRC, and returned about 23mpg on the combined cycle.
The AMG wheels were and optional alternative to the standard design wheels. IIRC the CLK430 came with 18" wheels as standard, so the AMG's aren't any bigger, only a different design (five spoke rather than the seven-spoke Avantgarde design).
I've got the brochure at home, so if you want further details just let me know.
"Avantgarde" is the trim level. The CLK convertible was only available (in the UK) in "Elegence" or "Avantgarde" trim. Both were very luxurious specification, but the Avantgarde leaned more towards the sporting. Some of the differences between Avantgarde and Elegence were:-
Blue tinted windows rather than green,
Sports suspension (IIRC, I'm not sure though),
Black wood dashboard trim rather than brown,
Grey faced instrument dials rather than black,
Less understated upolstery colour choices,
Different wheel designs (although the AMG wheel override this, see below).
The 4.3 V8 knocked out around 280bhp IIRC, and returned about 23mpg on the combined cycle.
The AMG wheels were and optional alternative to the standard design wheels. IIRC the CLK430 came with 18" wheels as standard, so the AMG's aren't any bigger, only a different design (five spoke rather than the seven-spoke Avantgarde design).
I've got the brochure at home, so if you want further details just let me know.
Andrew D said:
I've got the brochure at home, so if you want further details just let me know.
How are you at taking pictures and posting them up
I know in the world of american vehicles it is often easy to make something appear to be something else (more expensive) by the addition of a few stickers and the like
I'll get the VIN tomorrow.... A good sign if the original owner opted for the AMG's wheels, means they probably didn't skimp on anything and likely ticked the whole options list !Thanks all, so far..... Seems well spec'd up. Just need problematic areas to look out for, stationary and whilst driving.
Edited by ws6 on Monday 13th August 16:47
Re: Avantgarde
Mercedes have 3 levels/names for marketing & pricing their normal products:
1. Classic (economy)
2. Elegance (mid-price)
3. Avantgarde (high price/fully loaded)
AMG is the specialist motorsport arm of Merecedes & indeed could be considered as the 4th or ultimate level in terms of Mercedes' marketing/pricing strategy.
For more info on the CLK series : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_CLK-Cla...
Good looking car.
Cheers
Chris
Mercedes have 3 levels/names for marketing & pricing their normal products:
1. Classic (economy)
2. Elegance (mid-price)
3. Avantgarde (high price/fully loaded)
AMG is the specialist motorsport arm of Merecedes & indeed could be considered as the 4th or ultimate level in terms of Mercedes' marketing/pricing strategy.
For more info on the CLK series : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_CLK-Cla...
Good looking car.
Cheers
Chris
well been down there, seems it has a good options list (athough think it may have more than what the dealer knows)
- AMG Single Piece Alloy Wheels
- Electric Driver's Seat with Seat/Mirror Memory
- Electric Passenger Seat with Memory
- Leather Upholstery
- Metallic Paint
- Nokia 6150 Mobile Telephone
- Xenon Headlamps (including Headlamp Wash)
- climate control (over and above standard aircon)
Full main dealer history
put it all (forgot the climate) into Glass's on-line guide and it comes out at £15,400 Anything else I need to be looking at like a MAJOR 50,000 mile service or something ?
- AMG Single Piece Alloy Wheels
- Electric Driver's Seat with Seat/Mirror Memory
- Electric Passenger Seat with Memory
- Leather Upholstery
- Metallic Paint
- Nokia 6150 Mobile Telephone
- Xenon Headlamps (including Headlamp Wash)
- climate control (over and above standard aircon)
Full main dealer history
put it all (forgot the climate) into Glass's on-line guide and it comes out at £15,400 Anything else I need to be looking at like a MAJOR 50,000 mile service or something ?
Y-reg - this means it is 2000/2001? I am unfamiliar with UK plates. With the price it seems it is a W208 series CLK (1997-2002) model year.
I drive a W208 CLK55, similar car really for many things.
All of the V6 and V8's will be automatic with a "touch shift" stick - you put it in D for drive and then tip it slightly left or right to change gears if you want (like an old joystick for video games). It works well. The 430 V8 will be nice and torquey, and it is a reliable engine. The "tip" is what they are referring to with the autobox. It does not have paddle-shifters on the wheel if that is what you are thinking.
Avantgarde means that the trim/spec level is the highest one that was available. The suspension is slightly lowered and stiffened, and the interior trim will be in likely birds-eye maple black as opposed to wooden. There are other trim features, but Avantgarde is the one you want.
Sat-Nav: this means basically it has the COMAND (COckpit Management and Display or something) - it is an intergrated electronic network between the dash, sat nav, music, steering wheel. QUite cool, but the unit will use TeleAtlas maps and will likely need to be upgraded (easy to do, just get the CD and shove it in).
AMG - the tuning arm of Mercedes-Benz owned by MB since 1999. Like M-division for BMW. They make engine modifications and a range of body kits and wheels, etc ., . There are many different types of course. The AMG wheels you mentioned will be top quality alloys basically, and not aftermarket third party (a good thing!).
Problems on this series of MB:
Rust. Make sure sure SURE you check out the interior of the arches, around the suspension, etc., . Rust is the main problem in the W208 (CLK) and W210 (E) series MB's from this era (I had two!).
The price is okay, but I can see a 2001 CLK55 AMG coupe on Autotrader with 62k miles that looks great for £15500.
Don't worry about miles. If anything, the 42k seems a little low if it is a 2001 car.
I drive a W208 CLK55, similar car really for many things.
All of the V6 and V8's will be automatic with a "touch shift" stick - you put it in D for drive and then tip it slightly left or right to change gears if you want (like an old joystick for video games). It works well. The 430 V8 will be nice and torquey, and it is a reliable engine. The "tip" is what they are referring to with the autobox. It does not have paddle-shifters on the wheel if that is what you are thinking.
Avantgarde means that the trim/spec level is the highest one that was available. The suspension is slightly lowered and stiffened, and the interior trim will be in likely birds-eye maple black as opposed to wooden. There are other trim features, but Avantgarde is the one you want.
Sat-Nav: this means basically it has the COMAND (COckpit Management and Display or something) - it is an intergrated electronic network between the dash, sat nav, music, steering wheel. QUite cool, but the unit will use TeleAtlas maps and will likely need to be upgraded (easy to do, just get the CD and shove it in).
AMG - the tuning arm of Mercedes-Benz owned by MB since 1999. Like M-division for BMW. They make engine modifications and a range of body kits and wheels, etc ., . There are many different types of course. The AMG wheels you mentioned will be top quality alloys basically, and not aftermarket third party (a good thing!).
Problems on this series of MB:
Rust. Make sure sure SURE you check out the interior of the arches, around the suspension, etc., . Rust is the main problem in the W208 (CLK) and W210 (E) series MB's from this era (I had two!).
The price is okay, but I can see a 2001 CLK55 AMG coupe on Autotrader with 62k miles that looks great for £15500.
Don't worry about miles. If anything, the 42k seems a little low if it is a 2001 car.
Whoops! I replied without reading the thread sorry 
Congrats on the car.
I recommend joining www.mbclub.co.uk if you have specific queries.
http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/view.html?lng=eng - use this site to check the original ordering spec (every order code used when the machine was bought).
Congrats on the car.
I recommend joining www.mbclub.co.uk if you have specific queries.
http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/view.html?lng=eng - use this site to check the original ordering spec (every order code used when the machine was bought).
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff