CLK Buying Advice

[David Jones]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and new to the potential of owning a Mercedes. Had always just considered them as way out of my price range. However, I've suddenly realised that I have fallen in love with the look of the CLK hard top coupe and the love affair is growing now that I've discovered lots of examples over 4/5 years old selling at less than £10k.

So I am now seriously considering getting one but I know nothing at all about Mercedes and am hoping that some of you may be able to offer me some advice.

I'm not too bothered by performance. Current cars are a Korean people carrier and a Chevvy Matiz so anything is likely to be a step up from them! I do want a reasonable overall cost of ownership taking in to account fuel costs, vehicle tax and servicing costs. So far the CLK220 and 270 CDi look pretty good to me and I've heard that Mercedes diesel engines go on for years. But is the difference in mpg between diesel and petrol just about in balance with the higher cost of the diesel i.e. if a petrol engined car was doing 5-10 mpg less than the equivalent diesel then it might make more sense to go for the petrol. I definitely want an automatic. I did try a '53 CLK270 manual the other day and the gearbox and clutch was really heavy and horrible. Don't know if it was just a bad example.

So I would be really grateful for any advice people can offer about this, in particular any years/models etc. that I should definitely avoid.

Many thanks in advance

David

 

[bobby]

Welcome and best of luck! I'm sure someone wioll be along soon who can answer your questions - have you tried searching the site?

 

[gbjeppm]

There was a facelift to W209 CLK in 2005, easiest way to spot that is the dash, and audio systems.

If funds will allow, I would suggest trying for one of these if possible, although the pre facelift are fine.

As for fuel consumption, I have a CLK320 (although previous shape) and average 25mpg. I would expect the 270 CDI to get 40, perhaps somebody can confirm.

You will pay a premium for the diesel, but if you don't do many miles, the larger petrol engined cars can be a bargain.

 

[rf065]

The build quality & rustproofing are supposedly better on the facelifted models from 2005 on, if you can stretch that far.

Russ

 

[David Jones]

Cheers for the quick responses Russ and Matt.

Russ - what age is your 220CDi? What sort of mpg are you getting and are there any issues? How about servicing costs. Are Mercs absolute no-nos for getting servicing done anywhere other than a dealer?

Matt - beautiful looking car. I toyed briefly with the idea of a Cabriolet but hard top is definitely the best option for me.

Both - is the 2005 facelift distinguished by the radiator grill having the Mercedes star in the middle of it?

Thanks again.

David

 

[David Jones]

Cheers for the welcome Bobby. Yes, I did a search but couldn't refine it enough to get the sort of information I was after.

Thanks
David

 

[gbjeppm]

Both - is the 2005 facelift distinguished by the radiator grill having the Mercedes star in the middle of it?

No, both pre and post facelift W209 models have the star in the grill, the W208 old model which I have does not.

I will try and post some pictures to show the difference.

 

[David Jones]

Thanks Matt. Getting confused now with these Ws. What do W208 and W209 mean? I haven't noticed these used in any of the car models or descriptions on AutoTrader etc. Sorry if it's a dumb question but as I said, I know absolutely nothing about Mercedes except that I think I'd like one!!

Cheers
David

 

[gbjeppm]

This one is a pre-facelift, see the interior centre console as an example

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...el=CLK&min_pr=&max_pr=14000&max_mileage=40000

This one is a post facelift

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...NZ&model=CLK&min_pr=&max_pr=14000&max_mileage=

As you can see the dash and centre console are different

 

[gbjeppm]

Thanks Matt. Getting confused now with these Ws. What do W208 and W209 mean? I haven't noticed these used in any of the car models or descriptions on AutoTrader etc. Sorry if it's a dumb question but as I said, I know absolutely nothing about Mercedes except that I think I'd like one!!

Cheers
David

This will help you, decipher all of the W codes, it is the Mercedes model code, and is the first 4 digits of the Vin number, that can be found on the windscreen on the passenger side.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_CLK-Class

 

[rf065]

Cheers for the quick responses Russ and Matt.

Russ - what age is your 220CDi? What sort of mpg are you getting and are there any issues? How about servicing costs.

Mine is from Dec 05.
Around town I get about 30mpg, on motorways usually about 45mpg.
If you really want to drive slow and get maximum mpg while pi$$ing off everyone else on the motorway, then my best so far is 59.1mpg.

Only problem I've had was when the turbo went. MB replaced the turbo, intercooler, pre cat & inlet hoses etc as everything was contaminated with oil.
When I got it back it was burning oil & I've had to return it a couple of times until the valve stem oil seals were replaced. Had it back 3 weeks now and the oil level has stayed the same so hopefully all is now well.

All this was carried out under warranty, or else it may have required a mortgage to pay for it at MB prices. The last B service was £468 and that was with me supplying my own Mobil 1. Other than the turbo going, it has been faultless and a very enjoyable car to own.

Russ

 

[BarryS]

My 270CDi gets 40 -45MPG easily and it's not driven slowly, Performs well too. Only downside is diesel smoke and noise when starting and idling but on the move it's silent. I think you would really like it - my sugestion is the W209 model if possible (merc star in grill), although others prefer the earlier W208 shape so it's personal taste. And you'll have to accept the pre-facelift I guess for the price range you mention, which is no big deal. After purchase, there is a member on this forum, Alfie, who can fit a COMAND sat nav which is a pricey but nice feature.

 

[pammy]

Hi and welcome. The CLK is a good car and there are some bargains around at the mo. You mentioned you had tried a manual, try the auto - you will be pleasantly surprised. The autobox on MBs of that age are far superior to their manual boxes. The auto's are very smooth and effective.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Dieselman]

You mentioned you had tried a manual, try the auto - you will be pleasantly surprised.

Is the clutch lighter on those then.?

 

[pammy]

Is the clutch lighter on those then.?

Much....behave!!!!

 

[MSG2004]

There was a facelift to W209 CLK in 2005, easiest way to spot that is the dash, and audio systems.

If funds will allow, I would suggest trying for one of these if possible, although the pre facelift are fine.

As for fuel consumption, I have a CLK320 (although previous shape) and average 25mpg. I would expect the 270 CDI to get 40, perhaps somebody can confirm.

You will pay a premium for the diesel, but if you don't do many miles, the larger petrol engined cars can be a bargain.

Hi

The face lifted version is from2004, the o4 pate as my nephew at the tender age of 20 has bought the 270cdi, Avantgarde, about 40mpg, AMG's, lether/etc - abot 15kcash i think & the cars in black.

I've driven the 320 petrol for 2 weeks in 2005 as my mb was in the garage - it is a gass uzzler but very, very quick.

Then i dove my brothers clk,320 cdi, o7 - uicker than the petrol & about 30 mpg.

The facelifted models as you said are better all round & hold their valuse well - the new clk is due iv the uk June 2009

Good luck

 

[BaldGuy]

I average 25 mpg in my 500 and on a run 30... its quick, comfortable and may be for sale soon if i dont get a job :-(

 

[David Jones]

Hi everyone and thanks to you all for your interest and advice. It's really appreciated. I think having heard all this and the research I've done so far, it will definitely be a 220 or 270 CDi. Will have to see if I can stretch to post facelift.

Cheers all

David

 

[gbjeppm]

Let us know how you get on.

 

[grober]

I expect you know the 270 5 cylinder diesel engine stopped with the 2005 facelift being replaced by the 220 4 cylinder and 320 v6 diesels?? A pity because it had just the right blend of performance/economy for the car IMHO.