Decisions, decisions...

[Geezer]

I love my 2004 W209 CLK 200 Avantgard Cabriolet but I do find occasionally that it lacks the necessary grunt.

As I see it, I have two options

• Chop it in for a model with a larger engine.
• Get it chipped, remapped or whatever you call it.

The first option is clear and would cost me a lot of dosh. What would guys push me towards? Forget the 55 and 500 - too much to run. 320?

Don't know about the second option. How much would it cost? What improvement in performance could I expect? What would you experts recommend?

 

[Will]

Definately chop it in another model

It'll be cheaper and better in the long run. A remap will add nothing to the value of your car and it'll cost more to insure. It's unlikely to gain much performance either.

Something like a 320 will be much smoother and more powerful. Go for it

Will

 

[wemorgan]

I'm with Will on this.

The 320 V6 was fast enough and refined enough for me, whilst still being quite efficient.

 

[elpeterol]

Agreed the 6 cylinder engines are great.

 

[Adam230K]

I'll break up my thoughts into 2 parts:

Opinion: I prefer my forced induction engine to any boring, characterless, linear power delivering, awful sounding V6. I got ~12bhp by chipping, which cost me under £200, well worth it imo.

Fact: It will also cost you less to run than the 320, no matter what anyone will tell you the series of kompressor engines that MB manufacture all consume less than their v6's (which shows much more in the urban cycles), and the kompressor engined models also cost less to service and insure.

 

[Geezer]

Oh dear, after the first three replies I was set to upgrade. Now I'm not so sure.

Any other comments, particularly on chipping this car and what I can expect?

 

[Will]

In all honesty, a 200K will always be a 200K - the gains from chipping will be minimal. As Adam has mentioned, he only achieved 12bhp on 230 Kompressor model (which I believe had a custom stainless steel exhaust and hi-flow cats etc?) - the theroretical gains on yours could be even less.

If you've got the itch for more power, you really need to upgrade. A cabriolet is supposed to be smooth, powerful etc - not really suited to the 4-cylinder engine IMHO. Fair enough they provide a solution to reasonable performance on a budget, but the six-cylinder engines and above were the money-no-object choice for those who wanted extra power and refinement. This was of course when the cars were new, and the difference in price between entry-level and higher spec cars narrows as they get older. A good time to upgrade IMHO.

Go and test drive a 320 - that should help you decide, but IMHO the correct and definitive answer is to upgrade

'There's no replacement for displacement'

Will

 

[Howard]

Do you want to stay 209 or would you be happy to go 208 ?

430 gets my vote ( obviously )

 

[Geezer]

I would want to stay with the 209 and get something newer. Was it 2005 when the facelift was introduced?

 

[Robbo]

Opinion: I prefer my forced induction engine to any boring, characterless, linear power delivering, awful sounding V6.

Think you might be in the minority here

 

[wemorgan]

Will your budget stretch to £20k:

2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 350 AVANTGARDE

The 350 V6 looks to be good on paper:
268bhp, 0-60mph 6.5s, 241g/km Group L

does it also come with the 7sp gearbox?

 

[JasM]

Just upgrade to a W209 with a larger engine, performance mods won't satisfy you in the long term and you will have wasted money on mods.

Even i'm thinking of upgrading to a larger engined model, the only thing thats putting me off is the insurance, so i may have to wait a bit more longer.

 

[Geezer]

That looks nice. Is the 350 engine better than the 320?

Sorry for all the questions.

 

[JasM]

That looks nice. Is the 350 engine better than the 320?

Sorry for all the questions.

Yes the 350 produces 268 HP whereas the 320 produces 218 HP.

 

[wemorgan]

It's also one of the later generation V6 engines, whilst the 320 has been around for many years. So the 350 gives more power than the 320 but the same efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

For comparison:

Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet - 200K Elegance 2d (03) - Facts & Figures - Parker's
Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet - 320 Elegance 2d Tip Auto - Facts & Figures - Parker's
Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet - 350 Elegance 2d Tip Auto - Facts & Figures - Parker's

 

[tanlod]

you could go for the CLK320 CDI.

 

[Dryce]

Opinion: I prefer my forced induction engine to any boring, characterless, linear power delivering, awful sounding V6. I got ~12bhp by chipping, which cost me under £200, well worth it imo.

My 2-cents:

I disagree completely. I refer to SWMBO's SLK230 as 'the tractor'. The 4 cylinder supercharged lump has some charm to be sure - but when you put your foot down it's quicker but significantly less audibly satisfying than my E240 (which is a slug).

Personally I'd pick the V6 of the I4 + Kompressor.

 

[lynall]

320 v6 is a thirsty old girl, been using wifes w203 320 for a couple of days to work and back and its roughly 1 to 2 mpg better than my 430, driven the same route same speed and same times of day and night, 22/23 for the 320 and 20/21 for the 430.

Wasnt there some fault on the 350 with the camshaft or similiar?

google 112 engine problems and you wont find much.



Lynall

 

[Geezer]

you could go for the CLK320 CDI.

I don't think they do a diesel cabrio.

 

[Geezer]

OK, I'm convinced, upgrade it is. I reckon mine is worth around £12K on trade in. MB offered me that against a well equipped 05 320 cabrio today which I may have gone for had it been the facelift model.

So, the hunt begins. I'll have around £10K on top of the trade in allowance.