Hi and hope you can help

[Camo]

Hi Guys/Gals,

Just discovered this forum, thank heaven's for the web. The name's Paul, 38, live down in Dorset, married, 2 boys both grown up so time for dad to have some fun

Just looking at buying my first MB and hope you can help with some advise on a '98 CLK 320 Elegance with 110K on the clock with 19" AMG alloys,leather etc,etc,etc asking £5000. What do I need to look out for regarding problem areas? I have also been told by my insurance company, Direct Line, that I need to have a Tracker fitted, any advise.

Thanks in advance for any help or advise

 

[recycled]

it is a good choice, check for service history and make sure the electrics all work . is it a coupe or a cab? gearboxes can worry as well though not too common and check the front for tyre wear

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Welcom eto the forum!!

Sounds like a nice car.

The best advice I can give is to ask Directline to confirm excactly which models of Tracker (or other brand) is actually required before fitting. It can get expensive to have to fit a second unit the next day. Guess who learnt the hard way??!!

Also, you'll find other insurers won't insist on it - not useful if you're part way through an existing Directline policy I know!!

 

[Camo]

recycled, it's a Coupe. Dazzler- I have asked DL and they have said any approved one is ok, yeah I know, that's what I thought. They did mention RAC's one but wondered if anyone here uses/recommends a company or device. Taking the car for a test drive Sat morning:bannana:

Another question- Being 10 years old, the car that is, what should have been replaced, the cam belt? I've heard the Cats are pricey. I meant to say that this is from a dealer with warranty

 

[television]

Hello Paul and welcome..MB insurance did not ask for it on my 2002 SL and their price was good,, but you too like me lives in sunny Dorset

 

[Geezer]

If your insurance company is insisting on a Tracker on a car that old then go elsewhere. Plus go through R Points and get up to £120 cashback. :bannana:

I pay next to nowt for my insurances nowadays, eg, contents insurance for £18 pa.

 

[recycled]

recycled, it's a Coupe. Dazzler- I have asked DL and they have said any approved one is ok, yeah I know, that's what I thought. They did mention RAC's one but wondered if anyone here uses/recommends a company or device. Taking the car for a test drive Sat morning:bannana:

Another question- Being 10 years old, the car that is, what should have been replaced, the cam belt? I've heard the Cats are pricey. I meant to say that this is from a dealer with warranty

it uses a chain and no belts.good for 150-200k miles. watch out for rattles on cold starts and any sudden clunks or thuds coming form the exhaust manifold area . cats are pricey and i think you may have four or at least two

 

[Camo]

Hi Television, nice down here ain't it My insurance is only £420 fully covered etc so quite happy to stay with them, just the Tracker is being a pain. May have to negotiate

 

[television]

Hi Television, nice down here ain't it My insurance is only £420 fully covered etc so quite happy to stay with them, just the Tracker is being a pain. May have to negotiate

As the others have said the value of the car does necessitate a tracker they must have made a mistake

 

[Camo]

it uses a chain and no belts.good for 150-200k miles. watch out for rattles on cold starts and any sudden clunks or thuds coming form the exhaust manifold area . cats are pricey and i think you may have four or at least two

Will defo check on how many Cats, how long do they usually last? Sorry for some of these questions, but first time to buy a nice motor and all my previous cars have been run in to the ground Television- It's not the price of the car, just what it is. Highly nickable I suppose, I'm surprised but will speak with them again in the morning

 

[television]

The 320 engine is one of the best in the world

they can get CAT problems in the lower 2 , there are 4.

if the lower CATs get noisy most take them away and they all pass the MOT,, mine did

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It's the model of tracking device rather than the brand you really need to watch. During the quote they said "any", when I called back to transfer cover it was specific models.

Once I spoke to the right person they were very helpful about it but it was a stressfull period that could have been avoided if only they didn't say "any". They checked the tapes and said they were in the wrong.

 

[Geezer]

Hi Television, nice down here ain't it My insurance is only £420 fully covered etc so quite happy to stay with them, just the Tracker is being a pain. May have to negotiate

Sorry, but I think £420 is way OTT plus a Tracker. However, I don't know how old you are or your driving record!

 

[grober]

A tracker for a car with a declared value of £5000 -They're havin' a laugh. Go elsewhere for insurance. What to lookout for? well for a car 10 years old -everything-especially body condition I would look at the warranty being offered very closely! Things that come to mind- recent spark plug change-- there are 12 of them not all very accessible- harmonic balancer been changed they break up and can wreck the timing case/sump? a comprehensive service history- not necessarily with MB but with a good specialist- Mercs last well but will blow up as fast as the next car if not looked after- make sure you are not inheriting the previous owners problems. If you don't feel up to assessing the car yourself get it professionally inspected if after your your own inspection/test drive you like the car. An honest dealer won't object. Good luck.

 

[Vickster]

When I got a quote online from DL for my £7k SLK 230, they said a tracker was needed! Maybe it's an MB thing? Having said that, I think my dad was asked the same for his 2l turbo Forester...perhaps it's their standard policy for any car with any sort of performance, most odd However, they will still quote without, probably best just to phone and ask why it's needed

 

[fredfloggle]

If your insurance company is insisting on a Tracker on a car that old then go elsewhere. Plus go through R Points and get up to £120 cashback. :bannana:

I pay next to nowt for my insurances nowadays, eg, contents insurance for £18 pa.

Good prices, do they pay out if your claim?

I couldn't insure the contents of a garden shed for £18 pa.

 

[fredfloggle]

Hi Television, nice down here ain't it My insurance is only £420 fully covered etc so quite happy to stay with them, just the Tracker is being a pain. May have to negotiate

I'm with DL , paying over £100 less, for 2003 220CDi , when I first took out insurance with them, the model of the car (within reason) didn't make a lot of difference.
To be fair they have been good with claims etc and I think their price is neither cheap or expensive.

Surprised about the tracker though.

 

[wemorgan]

Norwich Union will fit a Tracker free if you use their pay-as-you-drive insurance. For the first year your insurance premium is capped to be no greater than if you took out their standard policy.

On the CLK look for:
rust on the rear wheel arch
faulty MAF sensor: acceleration should be rapid on kick-down
if the next service is due (with engine on press R button twice quickly), negotiate a discount

 

[gbjeppm]

Also make sure there it runs very smoothly at idle, and the power comes in smoothly under acceleration, if not it could be the the HT leads, they are not cheap. MB wanted £500 to change mine, but an indy should be quite a bit cheaper.

One of the all time great engines though , but I am biased

Agree on the tracker, get a quote elsewhere, I pay a lot less than you with Esure, with no tracker on a cabriolet.

 

[fredfloggle]

Norwich Union will fit a Tracker free if you use their pay-as-you-drive insurance. For the first year your insurance premium is capped to be no greater than if you took out their standard policy.

On the CLK look for:
rust on the rear wheel arch
faulty MAF sensor: acceleration should be rapid on kick-down
if the next service is due (with engine on press R button twice quickly), negotiate a discount

I'd think very carefully about NU's PAYD Insurance.....
https://www.cosic.esat.kuleuven.be/publications/article-944.pdf