CLK opinios - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

deportes · #1 07-06-2013, 12:52 PM

Need to buy a CLK for the wife, she wants that body style in convertible. Any idea on best model to buy for 10,000.00

ps2cho · #2 07-06-2013, 06:16 PM

for 10k and convertible, you'll have to stick to W208. Stay with 2000-2002 to get the Flexible service schedule and fixed cam. Find the nicest W208 you can get. We are very happy with ours.

deportes · #3 07-06-2013, 06:24 PM

Thank you for your reply, what is a flexible schedule and a fixed cam?

thanks.

ps2cho · #4 07-07-2013, 09:22 PM

FSS means you can go anywhere from ~8-12k on mobil1 0-40 synthetic the system calculates based on oil conditions. Now I am more awake, it was harmonic balancer sorry, not cam issues. 2002 was the last year of the 208's so they pretty much got most things fixed by 2000. Plenty of people with well over 250k miles on the M112 V6. Very robust engine.

richard28 · #5 07-08-2013, 10:50 AM

I have a 1999 clk320 convertible, and my wife loves it. It's her daily driver, 177,000 miles we've put on it since new. Engine is very peppy, handling is great, especially in the curves. Check the air conditioning diagnostics -do a search - our unit is no longer blowing ice cold, even after I just replaced the duo valve; apparently failures are not uncommon after 10-12 years. Also check for oil leaking from valve cover gaskets and oil pressure port [on front of the engine, below and to the left of the oil filter housing].

deportes · #6 07-08-2013, 02:22 PM

Thank you guys for the reponses, she found a 2001 clk conv. in silver for 6600 or a 1999 clk320 convertible that looks pretty clean with 113K miles in blue/purple for 6800, both in same condition!

I was aware of the harmonic balancer issues, I can always replace it if we get it.

72junky · #7 01-21-2017, 08:29 PM

Hi,

If you find a good one you will enjoy it. Friends of mine have passed around a '99 coupe and it has 330k. showing some age, but, the engine has never been opened! I was looking hard for a '95 W124 E300 diesel, but, after driving that car... well, we just bought a CLK320 cabrio and love it. Purchased in Atlanta with 73k documented miles in excellent condition. Be patient there are good ones out there and this a good time of year to get deals on soft tops.

good luck.

Brian

72junky · #8 01-21-2017, 09:24 PM

Hi Deportes,

Things to check:
1. open roof, but, stop before the clam shell lowers. check the hydraulic cylinders on both sides (in the pockets by the shoulder belt pockets) for leaks. rebuilt/exchange are available, several hours work.
2. get under the car and check for leaks at rear main/transmission, water pump, and rear diff.
4. the seams on both front seats where the side bolster joins the upper panel, they split, design flaw. new seat covers are $775 and expect to spend several $100 to install unless you have that experience.
4. the headlights have the "environmental wiring" that dies. if it has zenon lights the harnesses are available on ebay for less than $50. But, if it has halogens, new Hella's are $400 shipped at ********. replacement harnesses are not available. at least none that I have found.
5. The valve covers are also a normal leak point. not a hard job with the right tools and gaskets are available here. With the right tools, a couple hours with beer.

Don't know what part of the country you are in, but, there are ones showing up here in the southeast pretty reasonable. Remember they are 14 to 19 years old and things are aging, even on the good ones. I have replaced several plastic engine area components due to deterioration. but, the OEM parts from MB have been cheap, $20 to $30.

Brian

Benz Mondi · #9 01-24-2017, 08:45 PM

Find a 2002 CLK430 with as low miles as you can find and interior condition that satisfies you- assuming all the other important features work in the car. My car is a 2002 but was actually made in 2003, one of the last made. Been a great car, even with some of the repairs that I posted here. The only ones I had a mechanic do was the cable replacement for the top (semi-automatic) and the water pump.

I fixed the: passenger seat that would not move, throttle position sensor, and rear driver's side window. That one took a whole weekend because it was my first time with a CLK. Now I could do the fix in under 3 hours. I use sheep skin in all my cars so I didn't repair the side bolster that had parted at the seams. It's easy to live with.