CLK430's

[Adam230K]

Ok, so my car search continues upon selling the 540i, which should happen this weekend.

I went to see a CLK430 yesterday and obviously i'm not going to buy it because it was very tatty, high mileage and had several issues.

1. The car has been standing for a while, but when I opened the oil cap it was yellow, not sure what this means.

2. The ABS/ESP lights were on until you moved the car, then normal operation was resumed, quite strange but still worrying.

3. hazy history and 138k miles.

4. A loud bang upon hard acceleration/deccelaration.

Ok the car was horrible but my god, its a MUCH better drive then the 5 series. The lighter steering wheel, the gorgeous crisp unconfused gearbox... it was just so much more nicer to drive. Call me Mercedes biased but thats how I feel.

So the search continues. The examples that I can see on PH/Autotrader/ebay at the moment aren't what i'd call great either. So any input from you guys, tips/advice is much appreciate as usual.

 

[d w124]

Adam:Have you seen this? Mercedes-benz clk430 2001 (y) on eBay (end time 13-Apr-10 09:50:53 BST)

 

[momomo]

Adam that does not sound like a very good example. The yellow on the oil cap normally suggests that the car has been not been driven for while and parked up as you mentioned or it sees very short journeys and the car doesn't always get up to good operating temperature.

These engines dont have gasket issues, to confirm its best to check the coolant for oil but very unlikely on these cars.

Glad you can see and feel the difference in both cars. The quality and better drive really is evident in Mercs if you return from driving another marque.

 

[wemorgan]

How much are decent CLK430 these days? The reason I ask is that CLK55 AMG seem to be competitively prices these days. Could you afford the upgrade?

 

[st4]

Adam, save for longer and look for 211 and 209 V8's as well, or if not find a nice example of the 208 430/55amg as Will has suggested.

 

[Adam230K]

I can afford upto about 15k, but I've vowed never to spend more than 5-6k on a car ever.

Reason i'm choosing the 430 over an AMG is 2 reasons, insurance and Q-Car status.

I've seen that clk on ebay and on autotrader, it does look nice but its quite a long drive... and I wont have a car soon... dont know

 

[st4]

A sensible budget. Means you'll never lose much in depreciation in absolute terms. I'd go for a CLK430 in that budget. Your money will get something nice rather than something dubious.

 

[Will]

To be honest Adam, no-one takes much notice of a CLK55 either - both are pretty 'Q' cars IMHO

CLK55s are absolute bargains at the moment - the level of equipment tends to be amongst the highest as these were the flagship model in the range

Servicing costs should be identical to a 430, save perhaps for the front brakes.

Remember - you get thicker AMG ARBs, AMG shocks/springs, brakes, exhaust system, staggered 17" wheels - plus the obvious body styling, AMG cluster/steering wheel etc - not forgetting the 5.4 litre AMG engine :bannana:

Obviously I'm a bit biased, but I wouldn't rule one out

Knowing you used to like modding your cars, you'll probably save the slight difference in purchase cost by not having to change wheels/exhaust/suspension etc.

Will

 

[bpsorrel]

Get a CLK55 and de-badge it! Only people in the know will realise what it really is!

 

[mickl]

I agree with Will...go for the CLK55.

Going back to the car you've looked at, if the oil is a yellow gunge under the filler cap then it means water/coolant has goteen into the system. It's usually called 'mayonnaise' for obvious reassons.

 

[Adam230K]

To be honest Adam, no-one takes much notice of a CLK55 either - both are pretty 'Q' cars IMHO

CLK55s are absolute bargains at the moment - the level of equipment tends to be amongst the highest as these were the flagship model in the range

Servicing costs should be identical to a 430, save perhaps for the front brakes.

Remember - you get thicker AMG ARBs, AMG shocks/springs, brakes, exhaust system, staggered 17" wheels - plus the obvious body styling, AMG cluster/steering wheel etc - not forgetting the 5.4 litre AMG engine :bannana:

Obviously I'm a bit biased, but I wouldn't rule one out

Knowing you used to like modding your cars, you'll probably save the slight difference in purchase cost by not having to change wheels/exhaust/suspension etc.

Will

I understand what you mean completely, and honestly if i was a bit older I would probably do that but the major factor here is insurance.

I'll put it into perspective:

At the moment I'm insured fully comp on the 540i for ~£900 and if i was to get the CLK, it would remain the same.

When I asked them how much it would cost to be insured on a C43 AMG, I would need to pay an extra £711.

Yes I can afford it. But i'm sorry, i'm not paying almost double the money for a car with essentially the same engine, weight/space and car characteristics.

I would hate to even think about how much extra they'd ask for if I said CLK55 AMG !

 

[GrahamC230K]

I thought you were selling up or something?

 

[Howard]

Are you going to be taking the CLK430 abroad when you leave the country for your new job ?

In the real world , the 430 CLK is as fast as a C43 anyway.

 

[Will]

Adam - you need to get some more quotes mate.

I just ran a like-for-like quote on my details (easy, as I was getting quotes for another car yesterday, just amended the car details )

Difference between a CLK430 and a CLK55 was les than 3% with all details remaining constant, other than declaring the value of the '55 as being £2k more than a 430 for the basis of a quote.

This was with Admiral - who are usually quite competitive for younger drivers - same group as Elephant etc.

Will

 

[BlackC55]

Are you going to be taking the CLK430 abroad when you leave the country for your new job ?

In the real world , the 430 CLK is as fast as a C43 anyway.

Depends who is driving it H......

 

[BlackC55]

How about a 209 500? Mega value for money and not slow either.

 

[Howard]

Depends who is driving it H......

Well , the figures suggest so ...

Two boggo standard ones , no sprintboosters etc ... should be about the same.

CLK is quoted as being quicker to 60 actually ... and we know MB are conservative with their figures.

 

[Adam230K]

Are you going to be taking the CLK430 abroad when you leave the country for your new job ?

In the real world , the 430 CLK is as fast as a C43 anyway.

Congratulations you read my advert.

Adam - you need to get some more quotes mate.

I just ran a like-for-like quote on my details (easy, as I was getting quotes for another car yesterday, just amended the car details )

Difference between a CLK430 and a CLK55 was les than 3% with all details remaining constant, other than declaring the value of the '55 as being £2k more than a 430 for the basis of a quote.

This was with Admiral - who are usually quite competitive for younger drivers - same group as Elephant etc.

Will

See, i'm with Admiral right now and the quote i previously mentioned was from them. Churchill were marginally cheaper, but not worth holding my breath over.

Just by what you've said above Will, you're making me more certain that it must be an age thing. I've got 4 years NCB and i've been driving for just over 5, going to be 24 soon. Even when I try comparison sites they are much worse than admiral/churchill , its so annoying .

How about a 209 500? Mega value for money and not slow either.

It has crossed my mind.... might have a look actually.

 

[Howard]

I did indeed read your advert Adam ...

Are you going abroad or not ? were you telling porkies in the Ebay ad ? can't stand sellers who lie ....

Or have your 'circumstances changed' suddenly ?

Anyway , good luck with the hunt .... did you get all the damage repaired on the 540 in the end ? the bodyshop said it was quite a mess ...

 

[Adam230K]

I did indeed read your advert Adam ...

Are you going abroad or not ? were you telling porkies in the Ebay ad ? can't stand sellers who lie ....

Or have your 'circumstances changed' suddenly ?

Anyway , good luck with the hunt .... did you get all the damage repaired on the 540 in the end ? the bodyshop said it was quite a mess ...

Oh dear... I'm not sure what you are talking about now... but Ok i'll go along with it.

You are going to Olly's gtg I hope? Look forward to seeing you there .