Buying Advice CLK 320 Cab Auto 2003

[KevinGP]

Hi All

I am looking at buying a 2003 CLK 320 Cab Auto

anything specific I should look out for ?

thanks

 

[markjay]

I am not familiar with the particular model, but:

- MB started galvanising their cars from (around) Q2 2003.

- The 5g autobox often develop a leak from the pilot bush (electrical connector) .

 

[Darrell]

Watching this with interest.

 

[Eddy77]

The 320 engine is great and goes forever so nothing of major concern there. The cars themselves are just c class e class mash ups from the era and there is not much of concern mechanically. Biggest issue is rust on earlier cars and electrical gremlins, especially with the roof. Just make sure all the toys and the roof work. Check for rust. Check the gear box changes smoothly. If that’s all good, it’s going to be as good as any other 17 year old Mercedes. Never risk free but there is nothing specific to this model that you need to worry about other than the above.

 

[IanW]

1. Check that it comes with 2 working key fobs. Replacements are not cheap.
2. Check that the metal key inside the fob works both doors and opens the boot.
3. Check that the front seat backrests tilt and bases slide forward when getting into the back seats.
4. Look at the crankshaft pulley, check that the embedded rubber ring hasn't started to de-bond.

Ian.

 

[KevinGP]

1. Check that it comes with 2 working key fobs. Replacements are not cheap.
2. Check that the metal key inside the fob works both doors and opens the boot.
3. Check that the front seat backrests tilt and bases slide forward when getting into the back seats.
4. Look at the crankshaft pulley, check that the embedded rubber ring hasn't started to de-bond.

Ian.

Many thanks

 

[KevinGP]

The 320 engine is great and goes forever so nothing of major concern there. The cars themselves are just c class e class mash ups from the era and there is not much of concern mechanically. Biggest issue is rust on earlier cars and electrical gremlins, especially with the roof. Just make sure all the toys and the roof work. Check for rust. Check the gear box changes smoothly. If that’s all good, it’s going to be as good as any other 17 year old Mercedes. Never risk free but there is nothing specific to this model that you need to worry about other than the above.

Thank you much appreciated

 

[Eddy77]

The 320 V6 is always said to be one of the best and strongest made by MB in more recent times. The 350 that came after it had a few major issues to begin with....320 is a stormer. Go find one and enjoy. As a long term clk owner my primary concern would be corrosion and electrics. I wouldn’t have particular concern around the mechanicals other than the usual checks that apply to any old car. You want to look for evidence of servicing, accident damage etc. But as long as it all looks good and the hood and electrics are working fine, go for it. Good news is that parts are not particularly expensive should you need stuff doing.

I’ve had my 2008 350 CLK for many years and - although I use it very little - I still love it as much as the day I got it. In fact I’ve just been out this evening roof down and it’s an awful lot of smiles for very little cash. They’re ludicrous value now. Buy one and enjoy it.

 

[KevinGP]

The 320 V6 is always said to be one of the best and strongest made by MB in more recent times. The 350 that came after it had a few major issues to begin with....320 is a stormer. Go find one and enjoy. As a long term clk owner my primary concern would be corrosion and electrics. I wouldn’t have particular concern around the mechanicals other than the usual checks that apply to any old car. You want to look for evidence of servicing, accident damage etc. But as long as it all looks good and the hood and electrics are working fine, go for it. Good news is that parts are not particularly expensive should you need stuff doing.

I’ve had my 2008 350 CLK for many years and - although I use it very little - I still love it as much as the day I got it. In fact I’ve just been out this evening roof down and it’s an awful lot of smiles for very little cash. They’re ludicrous value now. Buy one and enjoy it.

Fantastic thanks

the one I have found ticks all those boxes
Only thing I can find wrong, which is a bit odd, the air con blows coldish on the passenger dice vents but is warm in the drivers side, with both temp controls on minimum

 

[MD5]

Fantastic thanks

the one I have found ticks all those boxes
Only thing I can find wrong, which is a bit odd, the air con blows coldish on the passenger dice vents but is warm in the drivers side, with both temp controls on minimum

Google 209 stepper motor. It's a big job if they need replacing.

 

[KevinGP]

Google 209 stepper motor. It's a big job if they need replacing.

Read a lot of the stepper motor threads they all seem to have ticking noises and air flow issues
On mine the air flow seems ok and when you adjust the knob on the climate control it comes out if the correct place.

just seems to be cold one side and warm the other although if the stepper motor also controls flaps that direct cold air from the condenser it could be this ;(. Certainly looks expensive to replace due to labour.

 

[Eddy77]

Depending on the price and expected usage....you may choose to overlook the ac issue. If it’s a Sunday car for roof down trips, perhaps don’t worry too much. If it’s a daily driver then it might be more of an issue. It’s very common to have ac problems on older cars. Find me a Porsche 911 993 vintage where the advert says ice cold ac and I’ll eat my hat. Horses for courses but at a low price point I wouldn’t be massively concerned if it’s for sunny trip use only.

 

[KevinGP]

Depending on the price and expected usage....you may choose to overlook the ac issue. If it’s a Sunday car for roof down trips, perhaps don’t worry too much. If it’s a daily driver then it might be more of an issue. It’s very common to have ac problems on older cars. Find me a Porsche 911 993 vintage where the advert says ice cold ac and I’ll eat my hat. Horses for courses but at a low price point I wouldn’t be massively concerned if it’s for sunny trip use only.

Hi yes know exactly what you mean

actuallyI had a 993 cab with fully working aircon ! A rare beast

Cheers

 

[DrNick]

Doe this model have the duovalve controlling the heating? Its going back awhile but IIRC these can stick resulting in hot out of one side and cold out of the other. Easy to replace if it is the case!

Edit: Looks like they don't!

 

[Tinonline]

I thought this engine and year had cam chain issues with a manufacturer batch of faulty/poor quality cam sprockets.

The fix is expensive. You can search for the effected engine serial numbers online.

To my knowledge it impacted the clk range but was sorted around 2006-7.

 

[Chrishazle]

It's the 3l V6 petrol engine had those issues, IIRC the 320 is 3.2l (as also I believe fitted to the R170 SLK) so I believe is a different engine to the one with cam chain etc possible issues.

 

[W1ghty]

Current practice is gearbox ATF and filter change every 40k miles

 

[Eddy77]

I thought this engine and year had cam chain issues with a manufacturer batch of faulty/poor quality cam sprockets.

The fix is expensive. You can search for the effected engine serial numbers online.

To my knowledge it impacted the clk range but was sorted around 2006-7.

Nope. That was an issue with the 280 and 350 V6 engines (the M272 engines) fitted from 2005 to 2007. The OP is looking at the older 320 V6 fitted up to 2004/5 which was rock solid reliable.

Worth noting the above OP. If you end up looking at a 280 or 350 IM me as I have loads of useful info for you to help avoid buying a problem car. I went through the whole process when I bought my 350 so just ask if you get tempted by something newer from 2005-2009 in the CLK range!

 

[KevinGP]

Thanks guys I have bought the 2003 320

 

[BlackC55]

My best advice is to get it inspected by an independent MB specialist. These cars are getting on a bit and they hide their issues well. You can quite easily get a 4 figure bill if its hasn't been looked after.