New member Alert

[Rik430]

Hello to you all! I’m Rick. New to the forum and I’ve just purchased a beautiful (almost) immaculate CLK430. It has just two previous owners, full MB service history and I’m thrilled with it. I will upload some pictures when It’s a bit lighter. This is the first CLK I’ve owned. So if there is anyone that knows these cars is there anything I should be looking out for? Hope to speak with some of you soon and maybe when we can we will meet up?? Hope your all safe and had a good Christmas?! Thanks Rik

 

[W1ghty]

Welcome buddy , looking forward to the pics

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hello and welcome to you.

 

[Sweetooth]

Hi and welcome

 

[zipdip]

Welcome aboard Rik

 

[SpikyMikey]

Welcome!

 

[MissyD]

Hello and welcome

 

[Ben1413]

Welcome, I am new myself! !

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hello to you all! I’m Rick. New to the forum and I’ve just purchased a beautiful (almost) immaculate CLK430. It has just two previous owners, full MB service history and I’m thrilled with it. I will upload some pictures when It’s a bit lighter. This is the first CLK I’ve owned. So if there is anyone that knows these cars is there anything I should be looking out for? Hope to speak with some of you soon and maybe when we can we will meet up?? Hope your all safe and had a good Christmas?! Thanks Rik

Welcome Rik, and congratulations on your new car, it sounds like a peach!

 

[AMGeed]

Welcome to the forum Rik.

 

[Rik430]

Here’s a couple of pictures of my new (old) CLK430. Being that it’s in such good condition I’m not planning to do anything over the top. Just sort the exhaust out and refurb the wheels. I mite in the near future replace the steering wheel as the one fitted has faded from the sun. Hope you all like it?

 

[MrGreedy]

If you have a look on this forum at both self treatment of steering wheels and getting a pro out to do a refurb, you will be gob smacked at the quality of the finish. Some amazing work. I don't have the post to hand to link, but the guy who did it bought the dye kit off eBay from a specialist in leather dyes, did an amazing job and was something in the £20 range price wise.

For alloys, a standard powder coat will be more robust than a diamond cut. I can't tell on my phone if those alloys are originally diamond cut, but if they are, they are silver on silver and so a fully standard powder coat would look virtually identical. Alex225 had his S class alloys recent diamond cut, and went for a light grey on the inside of the run to accentuate the diamond cut, rather than leaving it all silver. Worth looking at his thread and amaze at the quality of his car cleaning. He also has some good photos of before and after leather treatment by a mobile pro.

If you can arrange it, Lepsons in Gillingham for alloy refurb is one of the best in the country. I wish I'd been able to get mine done there, but Coronavirus scuppered my chances of tying it in with a trip to family close by, so I went with Speedwells east Birmingham.

 

[MrGreedy]

Love the car by the way. Looks lovely condition and I'm a bit jealous

 

[Rik430]

If you have a look on this forum at both self treatment of steering wheels and getting a pro out to do a refurb, you will be gob smacked at the quality of the finish. Some amazing work. I don't have the post to hand to link, but the guy who did it bought the dye kit off eBay from a specialist in leather dyes, did an amazing job and was something in the £20 range price wise.

For alloys, a standard powder coat will be more robust than a diamond cut. I can't tell on my phone if those alloys are originally diamond cut, but if they are, they are silver on silver and so a fully standard powder coat would look virtually identical. Alex225 had his S class alloys recent diamond cut, and went for a light grey on the inside of the run to accentuate the diamond cut, rather than leaving it all silver. Worth looking at his thread and amaze at the quality of his car cleaning. He also has some good photos of before and after leather treatment by a mobile pro.

If you can arrange it, Lepsons in Gillingham for alloy refurb is one of the best in the country. I wish I'd been able to get mine done there, but Coronavirus scuppered my chances of tying it in with a trip to family close by, so I went with Speedwells east Birmingham.

Hi,
Thanks for your advice on the wheels and especially the steering wheel! I was looking at getting a replacement wheel at a cost of £200! So that was a huge money saver right there! And thanks for yoir compliments. I think I did well finding it. Especially after spending over 2 years holding out to get one that I wanted instead of just buying one for the sake of wanting one

 

[MrGreedy]

Yeah, it seems to be either very lucky right time right place, or a significant search. I was looking for an E320 w211 for 6-9 months with a very strong budget, but in the end went for a later w212 at the top end of my w211 budget in better condition with lower mileage and more kit because they were far more plentiful in decent condition. I do love those older CLKs though and love the colour; looks the same as my old w203.

If the headlights are polycarbonate instead of glass, I put a post on here about sanding and then spraying with 2k clearcoat to bring them back as new, as the plastic lenses of this era tend to yellow and show chips readily. £20 for the can of clearcoat. A cheap fix and this way is THE way to repair the plastic lenses; not polishing them and applying an aftermarket coating, which is not at good at 2k.

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome, Rik, lovely motor you've got there.

 

[Rik430]

Yeah, it seems to be either very lucky right time right place, or a significant search. I was looking for an E320 w211 for 6-9 months with a very strong budget, but in the end went for a later w212 at the top end of my w211 budget in better condition with lower mileage and more kit because they were far more plentiful in decent condition. I do love those older CLKs though and love the colour; looks the same as my old w203.

If the headlights are polycarbonate instead of glass, I put a post on here about sanding and then spraying with 2k clearcoat to bring them back as new, as the plastic lenses of this era tend to yellow and show chips readily. £20 for the can of clearcoat. A cheap fix and this way is THE way to repair the plastic lenses; not polishing them and applying an aftermarket coating, which is not at good at 2k.

that’s a nice little tip for the headlights! According to the service history the headlights had been replaced back in 2014 due to them being dis coloured it was failed on the mot. So there not too bad for now but will definitely need some attention in due course

 

[Rik430]

I never noticed this before...... but can anyone else see by looking at the picture of the car from the left side the front wheel seems to be sitting wider than the rear wheels? It maybe just an optical illusion but In the morning I’ll check to see if the rears have been fitted to the front in error?

 

[Rik430]

I downloaded my 430’s data using the MB VIN number website. I’m very impressed with the amount of options that are on my car

 

[Rik430]

Hello to all and thank you for your warm welcome and great hints and tips. Little update on the 430, I’ve sourced a mobile trim restorer to come and sort the discoloured steering wheel along with a few other little bits that need a some tlc. I’ve also got a new set of rims that I think suit the car much better. And Over the next two weeks I’m having the engine fully serviced (oil, all the filters and plugs) plus the gearbox with a new conductor plate. I’m also replacing the water pump, tensioners, V belt, MAF sensor, fuel pump and ignition leads. Once all that’s done next will be to upgrade the brakes, suspension and finally the all important exhaust system with secondary cat delete. PS this car is what I call a license loser! I’m so happy with it!