Imported CLK

[AdamBoyse]

Hi
I've decided to upgrade from my C200 to a 2001 CLK320 and have found what looks like a great car. It's from Mercedes Direct so I have some protection should it all go pear shaped but before I take the plunge I checked it over and noticed a few things that I need advice on.

1. Is it imported? The dealer was a bit vague about this but thought that it might be. Does anyone know how to check if the car's an import? I do have the VIN number.

2. If it is an import, is it covered by the Mercedes Moblio warranty?

3. Service history. Since registration in Sept 2001, the car's done only 13500 miles and has had one A service. It says its due a B in about 6000 miles. I could be wrong but I'd have thought that it would have had more services than this in 2 and a half years.

I know, I'm probably paranoid but before I part with the cash, I want to be sure I'm not going to end up with a dodgy import missing services. Other than that, it's a superb spec - leather, heated/electric seats, parktronic, climate, CD changer, Xenons etc...

Thanks!
Adam

 

[jaymanek]

1) Easy is the vin number on the windscreen near the bottom or is it on the a pillar. If in windscreen then Uk car, if on A pillar then not.
2) I believe so, best to check with MB direct, they should know!
3) Possible as it works on the assist system. On imports you really have to look at condition etc. At that mileage it should be as new completely with no wear on steering wheel, gear lever, brake pedal etc...

Jay

 

[esox]

Hi
3. Service history. Since registration in Sept 2001, the car's done only 13500 miles and has had one A service. It says its due a B in about 6000 miles. I could be wrong but I'd have thought that it would have had more services than this in 2 and a half years.


Thanks!
Adam

That sounds right,mine is 2 years old and has done8800M,first (A)service was at 7500M after 20 months,ASSYST may say XXXXM to next service but if very low usage will call for service early.

 

[AdamBoyse]

Thanks for your help.
It sounds like everything's OK.

 

[saorbust]

VIN Number isn't a guaranteed method - I imported several cars and you can specify the Visible VIN option as part of the order, thus it looks like a UK Car. Other bits are lockable wheel nuts, but then thats easy to fix.

Best bet is to do the HPI Check, although even that isn't foolproof.

Quoting the original factory order number to someone in MB Bremen would probably give you the only real way of knowing. It's on the card at the back of the service book. Oh, and if it is an import - get the VAT receipt...

 

[Dave Kerr]

Adam,

I imported my C220 from Holland last March '03 the Euro garages are experts at what a UK car should have as standard, so it has everything that is standard here plus whatever options are standard in Holland, no one would ever know my car came form Holland other than I have left the number plate holders on with BAAN Mercedes on just to annoy the stealership in Worcester.
On registering my car the DVLA had to crawl all over it because they didn't know where the vin plate was, they told me every MB car they see has it in a different place, mine is under the drivers seat on the cross member.
Give the vin number to an MB service agent they will know straight away whether it is an overpriced UK car or one that has come from our more reasonably priced Euro garages.

 

[Maff]

If the CLK you are looking at has the alarm disable button on the centre console then your OK. I imported a CLK430 Cab and sold it straight onto a UK MB dealer (at profit! ) and they would only take the car if it had the alarm disable button on the dash. They said this is the only 'real' difference between Euro and UK CLK's. They woundn't touch it otherwise.

Hope this helps,

Matt.

 

[pwhite8314]

Best bet is to do the HPI Check, although even that isn't foolproof.

Far from foolproof; my last 2 cars (a TT & SLK) were both imports, and neither were marked as such on the HPI check. I'm not sure where they get their info from, but if you speak to any dealer, they don't trust HPI to check for an import.

ASFAIK, any MB dealer will be able to see on their system whether it's an import; certainly whenever I had to order any parts for my SLK, I had to go through the 'it's not on the system sir, is it an import' routine. Of course, the wheel was also on the left, so that was a dead give away!

 

[guydewdney]

. I imported a CLK430 Cab and sold it straight onto a UK MB dealer (at profit! ) and they would only take the car if it had the alarm disable button on the dash. Matt.

for sale, 1 stick on real feel alarm disable button - £5

Plus 1 imported CLK

who actually has checked their disable button works?

 

[MainMan]

If you order an imported Merc to UK spec then there should be no difference between that car and a car bought from a UK dealer. They're built on the same line. I was under the impression that the only way you could tell was by looking at the dealer's PDI stamp in the service book. It indicates the first dealership by number. If it's not a UK dealer then the car's an import. If the car's only done 13,500 then it would only have had one A service and the B would be due at about 20,000, so that looks OK.

 

[AdamBoyse]

Thanks again for all the feedback. I'll go and check over the car again. According to the option codes that Mercedes gave me, it's a full UK spec car with COC papers and VIN plate under windsheild. It's also the first car I've ever seen with the additional trunk locking mechanism (code 884).

I'm pretty relaxed if it is an import - I just want to get Mercedes to confirm in writing that it's covered for the Mobilo Life warranty.

 

[SilverSaloon]

what switch swiches off the alarm then? dont thing i have this on my CLK

although i dont have a manual to find out.... whats the button that looks like a car being towed and with a hook? is that the alarm off switch>?

 

[sym]

what switch swiches off the alarm then? dont thing i have this on my CLK

although i dont have a manual to find out.... whats the button that looks like a car being towed and with a hook? is that the alarm off switch>?

Yes - turns off either tilt protection, or interior protection, depending which side you push !

S.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Yes - turns off either tilt protection, or interior protection, depending which side you push !

S.

ahh! i think i only have 1 setting on the switch.... looks like a Hook... is that the tilt? what sort of alarm do u think i have then in the car; i have what looks like sensors on each side of the top of the dash

 

[pwhite8314]

The dealer will certainly be able to tell you, especially if it's a late 2001 car, as it'll still be under warranty. If it was an import, the warranty ran out after a year.

Also, AFAIK, all Mercs are covered pan-Europe for Mobilife as long as they've been serviced by Mercedes.