CLK350 2009 buyers guide

[CLK350Greg]

Hi all,

Thinking of returning to the Mercedes world. Looking at a CLK 350 convertible model year 2009.

I understand this is post the most of the engine problems?

What are they generally like to live with?

The stereo on it doesn't work, but I was going to place it with with an apple car play compatible one anyway, any recommendations? It has the Harmon/Kardon sub woofers do these all work with after market stereos?

Thanks in advance Greg

 

[Eddy77]

I have a 2008 CLK350 convertible. It’s my summer / weekend car as my daily is a 5 series. In all honesty I wouldn’t consider one as a daily driver. They’re not massively comfortable and there is a fair amount of scuttle shake which makes itself known with the roof up. The roof twitches and squeaks around so doesn’t feel very refined. With the roof down on a sunny day it’s glorious. You don’t really notice the scuttle shake as much and of course the roof doesn’t squeak. Engine is fabulous. Pulls fairly linearly up to the red line. Around town 22-24mpg. 31 on motorway. £675 RFL.

So my summary: a great second car for use on sunny days with the roof down. In the winter it feels old, a bit creaky and not that refined due to the roof rattles / squeaks. Mine has done 60k miles with a service every year from new. It’s pretty mint and has not thrown any surprise bills over the 8 years I’ve had it. Standard command sat nav is terrible. If hifi matters, go aftermarket: the sat nav etc is comically bad by modern standards. I don’t worry about music too much and use my phone for navigation.

Will I ever sell mine? Nope. Love it. But only as a Sunday car.

Hope that helps! Last point….a 2009 car will not have the balance shaft issue and once that is removed from the equation the engines have no major issues really. There’s always the chance it could throw a big bill from the engine or gearbox but if you service it regularly including the gear box, should be fine. Try one and see how you find the roof up refinement.

 

[CLK350Greg]

Thanks Eddy,

Very helpful, it will be my daily driver, I have never had a convertible before, happy to make some compromises (currently driving a diesel Alfa Giulietta) which is very rattly and unrefined on the motorway, fully expecting the leap in fuel usage as well

Had a test drive of a CLK200 (most local one to me) wasn't as comfortable as I remember Mercedes being but nothing I am unwilling to put up with.

 

[Eddy77]

Comfort is a very personal thing. I’m 6ft 1 and find the seats unsupportive. But my wife loves the seats so we’re all different. I also can’t abide rattles and squeaks so my tolerance of the roof twitching is probably not great! I love the car but if you’ve been driving something more modern it does feel its age. That said, it’s a modern classic now and still looks great. If you get one, go for the sport version as it just sits better on the road.

 

[Neiltodd]

I had a 2008 CLK 280 Cabrio, it was v comfortable and very refined/squeak free with the roof. I would have happily used it as my daily.

 

[W1ghty]

Get the subframe checked , there have been some issues of failure .
I’ve had the CLK200 for 12 years and been all over France , Spain and the Alps in it . Lovely car even on 8 hours of motorway . But I would agree with other comments it can look or feel a bit dated , but I don’t care about stuff like that .

Make sure the roof all works there are some new sensor shortages/end of production starting to feed through .
Should be the 5g gearbox ?? Service every 40k miles . Budget £250 at a specialist

 

[IanW]

I've had my CLK coupe for 14 years now, and still find the seats comfortable. However, a few years ago I changed the 'Elegance' suspension for the 'Avantgarde' which is noticeably stiffer. If it's comfort you want, then Elegance is the way to go.

Minor detail: check that the metal key unlocks both the drivers door and the boot. The locks are seldom used and have a habit of seizing.

Ian.

 

[CLK350Greg]

Thanks all, purchased a 350 sport yesterday and drove it from Brighton to Nottingham (found a few minor issues below and may create new thread for them). but over all very happy. The front left suspension has a squeak (I suspect a shock? probably wait for the MOT to tell me) the comfort and refinement I am happy with after one day impressed and happy.

Problems after advice for.

Stereo - command - takes 20 min to start up, and can be intermittent I actually at the moment really like the system (although its dated) and would look to the future getting a Apple car play using Aux (if this is possible currently Aux is an old iPod connection) - are there know problems with these?

Sub woofer - on the back seat one works one doesn't, would I need to replace the whole unit or just have a tinker? known problem.

Drivers wing mirror doesn't fold or fold out feels like the mechanism has failed can it be dismantled and repaired or am I looking at replacing?

Siren - on the receipts it shows the alarm siren has been removed a few years ago and not replaced, If I replace with a second hand one from eBay can I just plug in and it will work or will it require a computer to get it all talking (currently I have no warnings saying there are alarm problems I assume it has been disabled or potentially fitted - I will try to break in later and find out if there is a siren )

Many thanks Greg

 

[CLK350Greg]

Get the subframe checked , there have been some issues of failure .
I’ve had the CLK200 for 12 years and been all over France , Spain and the Alps in it . Lovely car even on 8 hours of motorway . But I would agree with other comments it can look or feel a bit dated , but I don’t care about stuff like that .
View attachment 141303
Make sure the roof all works there are some new sensor shortages/end of production starting to feed through .
Should be the 5g gearbox ?? Service every 40k miles . Budget £250 at a specialist

I have the 7 speed box, so far the roof works well, but will find out how to sub it etc and do this through out the year to keep it working

 

[W1ghty]

I have the 7 speed box, so far the roof works well, but will find out how to sub it etc and do this through out the year to keep it working

Glad you are pleased with it buddy , let’s have some pics .
The 7 speed box is the same 40k service schedule , not a lot more than the 5g to service .

 

[IanW]

Siren/alarm:
A common problem. After a few years the rechargeable NiMH batteries leak and the acid destroys the unit. It's mounted at the rear of the nearside front wheel arch, behind the plastic wheel arch liner. If present, it's held in place with a Torx security bolt. A search on the forum will bring up more details.
The easiest thing is to do nothing. If you really feel the need to replace it, the part number is A1718202526. They are found on other M-B models and some Chryslers. Bear in mind that a second hand unit will also have a reduced life expectancy due to impending battery leakage. Ideally, replace the battery before installing.
The unit does not need to be programmed to your car to work, but I suspect that they be re-programmed to change the number of beeps on lock/unlock. There's a lot of components in them for something that just drives a siren!
Ian.

 

[CLK350Greg]

Siren/alarm:
A common problem. After a few years the rechargeable NiMH batteries leak and the acid destroys the unit. It's mounted at the rear of the nearside front wheel arch, behind the plastic wheel arch liner. If present, it's held in place with a Torx security bolt. A search on the forum will bring up more details.
The easiest thing is to do nothing. If you really feel the need to replace it, the part number is A1718202526. They are found on other M-B models and some Chryslers. Bear in mind that a second hand unit will also have a reduced life expectancy due to impending battery leakage. Ideally, replace the battery before installing.
The unit does not need to be programmed to your car to work, but I suspect that they be re-programmed to change the number of beeps on lock/unlock. There's a lot of components in them for something that just drives a siren!
Ian.

thanks, all makes sense, in that case can I just fit any 12V siren?

 

[IanW]

can I just fit any 12V siren?

Only sirens with the given part number will work. Quite a few on Ebay, or try one of the M-B breakers like Dronsfields.