Ignorant newbie

[Mrbottomend]

Will try to be a good newbie and not bug the hell out of everyone, but will have some questions..aim to put in right place!

Have '09 CLK 320 CDI Sport for two years now...bought as Cat D off a small dealer in Brum and have always worried it might go **** over t*t mechanically at any stage, but so far, fingers crossed!! Only a turbo replacement major and tyres.

Overall it is a bit tatty and needs some tender loving care, and I intend to spend some money in next Month or two.

Has it's annoying habits, but boy, on a long run on good roads it is lovely!

Got at 77k miles and just topped 101k so 12 per year, with lots of the longer stuff so hope that's keeping the engine happy!

Have serviced reg (4 in 2 years) but guy just done a full for me says last place which did 1 x major and 2 x minor can not have changed the air filters...barstewards! and thought they were very good...will deliver them to home next time in vicinity.

Well, I will be asking q's about possible improvements/issues so please bear with.

Lastly for now one reason I love it is I think genuinely one of the best Merc lines/shapes of all time..so many boxy/chunky Mercs over time and many just lacking any style. Even now seems have gone back to chunky versus sleek in saloons/coupes...though I do covet an AMG V8 Biturbo S round the corner, it's looks are...well maybe not all time classic...whereas CLK lines are quite lush...each to own I guess!

Oh, one final...have called self Mrbottomend not cos of large rear, but cos feel a tad pauper amongst C55/E55 etc...not financially so much though that too, but power pauper! Still mine is best I've had!

 

[bob6600]

Service intervals for air filters can be high - 40-50k on some cars. Check when it was done last and when the service book says it is due next

 

[markjay]

Your 2009 car should have had its air filter changed in 2013, and again in 2017.

MB 'services' formally include only engine oil and filter change.

Everything else: fuel filter, brake fluid, ATF, etc, is called 'additional items'.

So it's quite possible to ask the garage to carry-out a 'service' but then refuse any of the additional items - so possibly that's what the seller did before selling you the car back in 2017, i.e. carried out a basic oil change and called it a 'service', while not actually replacing any of the 'additional items' that were due at the time.

 

[Mrbottomend]

Hi Bob and Mark, Thanks for replies...wasn't expecting specific answers to issues here but appreciated...will follow up on the points made..I will go the right forum/s to ask some other questions...anyway, glad to be here and if I learn anything as get a few bits and pieces done I will let you know here if think it could be of help for others! Cheers! Mrb

 

[AMGeed]

Welcome to the forum

Its possible the air filters were relatively clean and maybe just an airline blown through them.
My indy has done this with my approval.
Altogether different if you have been charged for filters and they weren't changed.

 

[Mrbottomend]

Hey AMGeed,

Thanks for welcome. Appreciated!

Well my new guy showed me the filters and said he reckoned not done for 70k! They are somewhat clogged! And yes, I think was charged but will be sure and check the invoices/service schedules the guy gave me...he had sorted a squeaky brake issue for nowt once and fitted a new turbo which all seemed great, but...anyhow, as do not wish to be a bad boy newb will leave discussion on specifics to the right forums/threads...yes, I read the sticky!

Cheers again and maybe see you around here.

 

[MissyD]

Hello and welcome

 

[E63SGem]

Hi and welcome to the forum

 

[Mrbottomend]

Hi Missy D and E63SGem, cheers!

 

[DSM10000]

Good evening and welcome!

No need to think you are "bottom end" at all. I have the same engine in a E320 and that moves along rather well, I imagine in the lighter CLK it is even more fun!

Just had the air filters changed at last service, both were full of dirt. leaves, bits of twig etc although the previous owner told me they had been changed. When was the ATF changed?

 

[PobodY]

Filters don't cost much; better to change them.

 

[Mrbottomend]

Good evening and welcome!

No need to think you are "bottom end" at all. I have the same engine in a E320 and that moves along rather well, I imagine in the lighter CLK it is even more fun!

Just had the air filters changed at last service, both were full of dirt. leaves, bits of twig etc although the previous owner told me they had been changed. When was the ATF changed?

In truth would love to go for a more powerful model/engine, but as you say it is a lovely unit, and am not complaining. Just showing a tad of green monster envy...let me assure. Love her despite her idiosyncrasies! Yes, these were clogged up bad and he said stuff growing in them! Certainly seemed to be breathing easier on run back today!

ATF - well now with the filter issues am going to check back now and see. Usually a big issue?

 

[Mrbottomend]

Filters don't cost much; better to change them.

Well done now and def better as result! Cheers!

 

[Mrbottomend]

Good evening and welcome!

No need to think you are "bottom end" at all. I have the same engine in a E320 and that moves along rather well, I imagine in the lighter CLK it is even more fun!

Just had the air filters changed at last service, both were full of dirt. leaves, bits of twig etc although the previous owner told me they had been changed. When was the ATF changed?

And yes! Can be fun in right circumstances...me and my car are allergic to two things...poor drivers, and traffic jams...we weren't made for them! ;-)

 

[DSM10000]

In truth would love to go for a more powerful model/engine, but as you say it is a lovely unit, and am not complaining. Just showing a tad of green monster envy...let me assure. Love her despite her idiosyncrasies! Yes, these were clogged up bad and he said stuff growing in them! Certainly seemed to be breathing easier on run back today!

ATF - well now with the filter issues am going to check back now and see. Usually a big issue?

ATF should have been changed at least once by now, around £200 at a good independent, not all drain the Torque convertor though so worth asking how they do it.

I can highly recommend here for an ATF change : Mercedes Benz & Smart Specialists | Prestige Car Service | Horndean, Hampshire

 

[Mrbottomend]

ATF should have been changed at least once by now, around £200 at a good independent, not all drain the Torque convertor though so worth asking how they do it.

I can highly recommend here for an ATF change : Mercedes Benz & Smart Specialists | Prestige Car Service | Horndean, Hampshire

Most kind...will check that indeed and tip for place useful too as have other things want doing and if can find a goody at reasonable bills then you're on for a beer! Going to be about a Month before I embark on program of various jobs so will be updating in case of use interest re experience with suppliers and with car.. Best and ta again!!

 

[nyteryder]

Hello and welcome

 

[Mrbottomend]

Hello and welcome

Cheers!!!

 

[Mrbottomend]

Ok, am about to embark on getting some things done and will try to report back as go through process and put in appropriate threads/forums for category of job. ATF and couple of others are top of list...DSM can you confirm Prestige good allr ound for most work and gen reasonable pricing? Anyone else add recommendations for them esp recent work?

Muchos gracias or should I say danke!

 

[Mrbottomend]

Right...ATF booked in at Prestige...most efficient on phone...unfortunately not till 8th...but...then a trip to Scotland so good timing I hope!

And maybe the Brabus fitted by then too! ???

P.S. Thanks to DSM and bang on the £200 you mentioned.