CLK or C class coupe, HELP????

[amzchhabra]

CLK270 CDI without a doubt, having owned both a C220 CDI Coupe, and the CLK270 CDI, the CLK was a much better car. There was little economy difference between the two and the drive of the 270 was a lot nicer...

An average run in the CLK:

Unfortunately my CLK has now been replaced with a CLS320 CDI, and I haven't seen anything over 36mpg, think I am being too heavy with the right foot...

 

[marting]

Hi Mr Ice
I have a W209 CLK 270CDi currently for sale which you're more than welcome to try if you want!! Let me know - you won't be disappointed!!

 

[IceBoy]

Marting,

Thanks for the offer, not looking to purchase until Feb and doing my research now.

IceBoy

 

[marting]

No Probs, let me know if you need any help!!

 

[ukcodger]

Agree with all comments praising 270 CDI CLK economy. My dash looked just like that dash shot above....50/52 mpg on a longer run.
The 5 cylinder engine was a little rough though compared to 4 or 6 cylinder cars.

270 CDI was still a lovely car. Agree go post 2004 for better body protection also Valeo rad issue was sorted by late 2004.

My more recent 320 CDI CLK (V6) is much smoother but only returns 41/42 on a long run.

 

[paraglajder]

Hi everyone.

I've decided to bring this topic back to life, because I am having the same dilemma. Thank you very much for all your posts, they are very helpful.

I am thinking between a CLK or C - class coupe from years 2005 - 2006. That is my budget...

Here is what a local car mechanic told me:

1. To avoid a TDI engine because it didn't had an intercooler (I don't know what that is though) according to him, the CDI is the way to go and the C220 is a great engine when it comes to quality

2. To avoid a car with automatic transmission. Other automatic transmission car owners told me that the smallest failure is very pricey - around 1000 Euros, so that scared me away from automatic transmission..

So I am going to buy a used car and this is why I need to think about the car quality because I wouldn't like to go to a mechanic all the time...

What if I get a Mercedes CLK 270 with manual transmission, will this be the safest option? Which car is more durable and with less faults - the CLK or the C coupe (C220, C200 etc)?

Either way, the car which I am going to buy will probably have more than 150 000 kilometers...

I am traveling to buy the car in 4 days so ANY advice is HIGHLY appreciated!
Thank you in advance!

 

[GP801]

Are you in the UK? Not many CLKs with manual transmission. perhaps more C Coupes but Im not sure. The MB autobox is about as good as it gets and pretty trouble free as long as its had the required fluid changes. CLK is a much classier option - in my opinion of course. The diesels are very good but don't dismiss the 200K. If you do a low mileage it may be more suitable. Very smooth and costs less to buy.
Our CLK 200K is now 12 years old. Had it from new. Apart from an airbag module and alarm siren its needed nothing other than routine maintenance. Still on the original battery.

 

[paraglajder]

Are you in the UK? Not many CLKs with manual transmission. perhaps more C Coupes but Im not sure. The MB autobox is about as good as it gets and pretty trouble free as long as its had the required fluid changes. CLK is a much classier option - in my opinion of course. The diesels are very good but don't dismiss the 200K. If you do a low mileage it may be more suitable. Very smooth and costs less to buy.
Our CLK 200K is now 12 years old. Had it from new. Apart from an airbag module and alarm siren its needed nothing other than routine maintenance. Still on the original battery.

Thank you for your reply.

I am located in Macedonia and was about to go to Bulgaria where they sell used cars at large. There are many rumors that they sell cars which are not 100% fit, which brought me to be scared of the automatic transmission failure which does occur in automatic vehicles brought from there...

How often do you change the fluid in the transmission?

 

[Ricks Cafe]

I wouldn`t worry about the auto gear box. Mine has 133000 miles and is as sweet as a nut.

 

[paraglajder]

I wouldn`t worry about the auto gear box. Mine has 133000 miles and is as sweet as a nut.

Thank you for the info. Which year is the car?

By the way, in case there is some problem with the auto gear box is there is a way to hide it from us, buyers ?

 

[GP801]

Fluid change roughly every 60,000km. Many do not bother with it though and possibly this is what causes some of the issues you have heard about.

 

[paraglajder]

Fluid change roughly every 60,000km. Many do not bother with it though and possibly this is what causes some of the issues you have heard about.

I agree. I've talked to some people with automatics, and they are like: "Naah, you don't need to do anything like changing the liquid or similar" -.-

How can I know if the car was taken care of, if the user had changed the liquid regularly as he should?

Thanks...