advice needed, do i or dont i? clk 320 cab...

[remoh]

Hi,

I've driven a 230cab about a year ago and basically had trouble returning it to its owner...

I've decided that the time has come for me to ditch my current (i'm sorry to utter the V word in your forum) vauxhall omega elite (top of the range allegedly, thats why the cambelt went and vx refused assistance), the abymsial vauxhall dealer attitude and bills (i mean the avg service is often 300 quid, a cambelt a mere 400 and brake disks, anyone would of thought i'd bought an f355...

With my happy 230 memory still in my brain i've done some searching and come across a nice looking 2000 clk 320 cab and was wondering what things i should be looking out for in general on this range (ie 230 or 320, or if my insurers are feeling nice, a 430)....

Also can anyone tell me avg costs? When the big bills start to arrive (ie major changes such as belts etc)? And in general whats it like owning one of these? I'm a bit of a mile monster, i avg anywhere from 15kpa to 20 kpa, i know that in terms of a merc isnt much but still thought i'd mention it....I know that servicing is based on your driving style etc..


The other car i have seen for 2 grand more is a 1 year old 330ci from that other well known german car maker, with half the milage...


Hope you guys can advise....

Mark

Spec as follows :-

Car Make: Mercedes Benz
Car Model: CLK CLK320 Avantgarde Cabriolet 2d Auto
Colour: Emerald Black Metallic
First Registered: 01/01/2000
Engine Size: 3199
Miles: 30000
Owners from new: 1
Price: £ 23995.00
Electric Memory Seats x 2, Biege Leather, Adjustable Seat Lumbar Support, Electric Folding Mirrors, Park Distance Control Front and Rear, Climate Control, 6 CD Autochanger, Auto Tiptronic Gearbox, Cruise Control, Xenon Headlamps, Electric Convertible Roof, Facelift Model, Full Main Agent Service History, Headlamp Wash, Heated Seats, Multi Function Steering Wheel.

 

[Robbo]

The guys are going to hate me for this, but I would get the beemer. Newer car, still under warranty, better chassis than the W208, faster and more fun to drive. IMO W208 CLKs are too expensive for what you get. dont get me wrong, the CLK is a lovely car, but I would choose the beemer.

Thes days I also worry about owning a merc out of warranty with all of the reliability issues that seem to be around. I am going to try to extend the warranty on mine for as long as possible.

flame away guys

Cheers, Robbo

 

[sasha]

It's as simple as this, if you are buying a car in order for you to enjoy the driving experience then buy the BMW.

If you are buying the car for others to enjoy your driving experience (image, impact, waft and style) then buy the CLK.

If you are going to do motorway miles don't buy a cabriolet.

If you don't like throwing away money on depreciation then don't buy a merc or bmw less than 4-5 years old.

Against this simple decision flow I ended up with a 1999 CLK320, the girls don't know the difference between this and the latest SL, it loves the motorway and EVERYONE has a BMW coupe.

Extra bonus, the CLK Sport edition (>1999) is also insurance group 16 which is tres helpful if you live in Zone 1 London.

p.s. the car I really wanted but couldn't afford was the M-Coupe...

 

[sasha]

Regards your specific quesitions

I chose the 320 over the 230K as the book says they consume the same (avg ~27mpg), however I have never achieved more than 24mpg in the 320.

City driving is even worse.

In terms of power the 320 is potent enough, big reliability has not yet proved a problem, although it goes in for its first service with me this weekend (Tony Purslows), I'll let you know how I get on, on top of the service this is the list of stuff I'll be looking into

- occasionally inelegant gear changes from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 1st (I so hope this is just me being paranoid)

- windscreen wiper (with new rubber) is too loud

- fuel gauge indicator sometimes "loses pressure" and shows less fuel (weird but true, and I know the fuel tank isn't pressurised but the indicator behaves this way)

- window sometimes doesn't shut flush (common problem with frameless window, guides need realigning)

- when floored in a low gear a small "thonk" can be heard in the door (see above?)

- a small amount of sludge in the oil cap (40K miles car, seems odd)

However, even on this 5 year old car when it is washed and polished, people still stare at it like it is Ferrari and if this is what gets you going - it has to be the cheapest pose car around...

(I'll grow up one day I know)

Sashaaa

 

[Robbo]

occasionally inelegant gear changes from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 1st (I so hope this is just me being paranoid)

I get this. I suspect it isnt too much to worry about, although let me know if it is a problem!

 

[sasha]

Originally posted by remoh
Hi,



Also can anyone tell me avg costs? When the big bills start to arrive (ie major changes such as belts etc)?

Timing belt is a chain so don't worry about it



Park Distance Control Front and Rear

IS A MUST REAR VISIBILITY IS PANTS!

 

[esox]

A few thoughts about CLK`s.Mine is a 230K,mpg is 26/27 for normal running around town/urban(allthough this can be sub-20 for very short trips) and 35/36 on a good run .Mine goes in for an A service soon @£225.I think these cars ooze class and style -its a georgeous car to look at and is an effortless confident drive.Other manufacturers can only dream of this unatainable quality/image reputation.As Sasha says the Bm is the sportier choice but i read somewhere that the 3 series was in the top 10 most sold cars last month-and thats the problem,for a car which is supposed to be a premium/high end brand there are just too many of `em.

 

[remoh]

the problem,for a car which is supposed to be a premium/high end brand there are just too many of `em. [/B][/QUOTE]

An interesting point, i have noted there are rather a few ci convertables around on the market as well, but very few clk's.....

I also in the same price bracket keep seeing sl's, obviously a bit older and a few more miles on the clock......A different kettle of fish i'm sure in terms of costs?

Choices choices.......:bannana:

 

[Flyer]

Just out of interest Mark, is that a MercedesDirect car?

 

[remoh]

Nope ad in the local paper mbdirect do have odds and sods but i keep missing them......

 

[esox]

The car`s spec you have your eye on is pretty good-its got all the essentials price doesnt seem exessive.If it was silver it`d be perfect!

 

[remoh]

It gets worse! Now seen slk

Went to my local mb dealer, and they also had a 01 y reg slk 320, 4k miles on the clock for 23k.....rather tempted...

I queried the milage and it is genuine, so it would appear....

Life is never simple!

Now completely thrown as to what to buy!

 

[esox]

Tony Purslow @ Basingstoke have on their books an 01/51 CLK230 at £23495 with only 1500 miles.(just to throw you even more)

 

[Paul Grainger]

I test drove every one of the CLK cabriolets before purchasing my 320. There's barely any difference in fuel consumption against the smaller engined cars - but a significant difference in performance. And desirability / resale value is much better. It sounds like a good deal. 1999 cabriolets are fetching >£20k on e-bay..........

Paul G

 

[remoh]

Test drove the slk320 today

I test drove every one of the CLK cabriolets before purchasing my 320. There's barely any difference in fuel consumption against the smaller engined cars - but a significant difference in performance. And desirability / resale value is much better. It sounds like a good deal. 1999 cabriolets are fetching >£20k on e-bay..........

Paul G

Thanks for everyones advice so far, the tale continues....

Test drove the slk320 today on a mixture of country city roads and dual carriageways, pleasantly suprised and very suprised when i locked it into 2nd and tested the performance....

Tomorrow is bmw 330ci test day, we shall see, i have to say from what i've seen of the merc dealer i've been dealing with (tip when buying a car....arrive early, deliberately sit near the service area and see how people are treated...) i'm impressed, the guy with the ci also has a couple of clks as well so we shall see!

Thanks once again, bit OT but can offer free cisco advice in exchange ;->

Mark

 

[aspire]

I also in the same price bracket keep seeing sl's, obviously a bit older and a few more miles on the clock......A different kettle of fish i'm sure in terms of costs?

Choices choices.......:bannana:

This is more-or-less the decision-making i went through about 6 months ago. I was set on a CLK230 or 320 (but coupe) for about £20k, and then noticed the SL320 situation: 6 or 7 year old examples for that sort of price. I've asked my local dealers about running costs, and been told the CLK B service is £315, and for the SL, £460. Extra warranty may also be dearer, but I'm converted! I have to keep saving, for a few months, but I'm heading for the SL club, I hope!

Derek

 

[vito113]

Traitor! Depart to the Beemer forum NOW!

The guys are going to hate me for this, but I would get the beemer. Newer car, still under warranty, better chassis than the W208, faster and more fun to drive. IMO W208 CLKs are too expensive for what you get. dont get me wrong, the CLK is a lovely car, but I would choose the beemer.

Thes days I also worry about owning a merc out of warranty with all of the reliability issues that seem to be around. I am going to try to extend the warranty on mine for as long as possible.

flame away guys

Cheers, Robbo

CLK320… mmmmm!!!!! I'm coming over all moist!

 

[remoh]

CLK320… mmmmm!!!!! I'm coming over all moist!

hehehehehehe...

Hmmm now about that sl55 that you have mr dealer.....LOL

I'll do an honest test drive tomorrow, I've already had a weekend in a 230k cab and loved it, the slk320 today seemed interesting but didnt dare push it too much as its a lot of engine in not a lot of car....and it was somewhat greasy and the salesman didnt have a spare pair ;->

M

 

[remoh]

The story continues....progress!!

First of all thanks once again for everyones kind advice so far....

I've basically stumbled across the clk cab that i want, in the colour i want....obs black, with the toy i want, ie the sat nav/command...

I've got MBdirect shipping it to their site from its current location on a no obligation trial....

Has anyone bought from mbdirect and if so whats the craig with regards to avg discounting on the forecourt price ?

Just mooching through the mb site, and have found similiar without command for nearly 3 or 4k less and a few miles difference....That much of a desirable option if you dont want to nail 3rd party stuff into ones lovely new car?

Finally, the holy grail......depreciation, what if i ramp this car up to 24k would i expect to loose on the basis of everyones experience?


Mark
ps when this saga's over, I'll bribe with beers, I'm settled on MB now just got to find the right one...me budgets 30k

spec as follows :-








2002 CLK 230 KOMPRESSOR Cabriolet Avantgarde
Obsidian Black with Orion Grey/dark Grey

Detailed Information
Registered: 2002/02
Mileage: 8126
Price: £29999
Body style: Cabriolet
Engine capacity: 2295cc
Transmission: Automatic
Engine: Petrol

Benefits of Approved Used Programme
Used car warranty cover
Roadside assistance cover
Multi-point check
Vehicle history and mileage checks
MOT test failure cover
Tyre protection cover
Exchange Plan
Accident Management Cover
Servicing


Equipment



Air conditioning

Alloy wheels (4) - 7 spoke 7J x 16

5-speed automatic transmission with Tipfunction

Automatically dimming rear-view mirror

CD Changer

Headlamp wash

High capacity battery

Sports suspension

Black

Airbags - front sidebags

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP®) with Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)

Additional deadlock for boot

Bird's-eye maple wood trim

:bannana: Cockpit Management and Navigation Display (COMAND) :bannana:

Heated screen wash system

Rain sensing wiper

Telephone pre-wiring with hands-free facility and telephone aerial on roof

 

[saorbust]

Nice !

I've had the luck to own several CLK's - I'd definately go for the 320 if possible. The engine is so much more refined and doesn't sound 'harsh'. Additionally with the cabriolet you need the bigger engine - its so heavy it will feel like a 230K Coupe. I had a 320 Coupe previously - the difference in the feel of the power is incredible, so much so I wished I'd ordered a 430.

As for MPG - really depends what mileage you do and the type of journey. I did mainly motorway mileage - averaged nearly 30MPG with it - although I never put in supermarket fuel, and in fact stuck with Esso.

With CLK's - you must have PTS, Auto, Leather and Metallic Paint. Otherwise its a nightmare to sell on. That spec looks great - go for it.

Clarky.