Think I am about to scrap 2005 CLK 320

[kenam]

Have a CLK320 That I bought almost 3 years back but its got a few issues and I think I am about to (heartbreakingly) scrap - maybe just posting for a sanity check!

Its had various electrical problems and (as no surprise) a heap of rust on the passenger back quarter. There is some water ingress in the boot (stinky carpets) and a broken seatbelt.

Recently it got a flat, tried to roadside remove the wheel but couldn't with hand tools (lock nut wont give enough purchase) - but right before the flat there was a good bit of noise coming from that corner (Which I thought was down to the tin baking plate corroding, which got a "temporary repair" done about 2 years back, but I fear its not and what may even have caused the flat).

The electrical issues seem to be:
No horn, o2 engine fan intermittent, random issues with windows not alway closing, sensors for ESP ("Visit workshop" warning). TBH I think all electrical issues are either related to the water ingress (which I think is due to all the rust..) or a stering column module, but hard to tell without spending 00's on a fuller investigation.


Seems I dont have many options without chucking a lot at it - any opinions before I make the call??

 

[oldguy57]

I hate to throw the towel in on cars but I would on this one. You may end up spending more on it than buying a replacement. JMO.

 

[ALFAitalia]

How old and how many miles?.....but yes its not sounding good.

 

[kenam]

Built 2004, registered 2005 about 120k miles on..

Yeah I think its time for the inevitable.. love that engine on it too and a shame as its probably got another 500,000 miles on it

 

[ALFAitalia]

Pity....mine was rust free and faultless at about 160,000 miles when I sold it.....just a humble 2002 CLK200k though.....but it seems to have vanished from the DVLA now.....

 

[kenam]

Pity....mine was rust free and faultless at about 160,000 miles when I sold it.....just a humble 2002 CLK200k though.....but it seems to have vanished from the DVLA now.....

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oh lovely too!

My body work looks great tbh - people are surprised its coming up on 20 years, especially given the inside as well (same interior), its the rear sub frame and everything underneath.. nightmare fuel lol

 

[Will]

It’s looking like a good time to move on.

It sounds as though the car has been neglected, and unless you can DIY the work it wouldn’t make economic sense to pay out for the repairs.

What would you buy instead though?

 

[ChipChop]

Lot to be said for better the devil you know with cars. For example your CLK being a 2005 model means it avoids the ludicrous April 2006 onwards RFLtax which has recently gone up to well over £700 a year.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Pre March 2006 is still £415!.....but that's better than the new top rate of £735 I guess!

 

[kenam]

yikes didnt realise tav was up that much!

 

[kenam]

It’s looking like a good time to move on.

It sounds as though the car has been neglected, and unless you can DIY the work it wouldn’t make economic sense to pay out for the repairs.

What would you buy instead though?

yeah I cant DIY the repairs and I have a lot on at the moment, so even if I could, little time..


What next - currently my criteria is "Mad estate".. but who knows what that will be... for the next month or two is on the bicyle lol

 

[Will]

yikes didnt realise tav was up that much!

I don’t think all CLKs post 2006 would be affected - some of the 231bhp 3.0L 280s are showing £395 PA (224g/km CO2)

 

[E55BOF]

I don’t think all CLKs post 2006 would be affected - some of the 231bhp 3.0L 280s are showing £395 PA (224g/km CO2)

The 350 is...

 

[Will]

The 350 is...

It’s based on the CO2 emissions, just have to look at the V5 (or look online)

Just be grateful that in another 22 years it will be VED exempt!

 

[E55BOF]

Oh, I knew before I bought it; 241g/km.

I had to have this one, though; Tanzanite blue, pale beige leather, matching half-wood steering wheel and wood on the doors and fascia - very 'Mercedes' in exaxctly the way I like best. It's only money, after all...

 

[DSM10000]

Oh, I knew before I bought it; 241g/km.

I had to have this one, though; Tanzanite blue, pale beige leather, matching half-wood steering wheel and wood on the doors and fascia - very 'Mercedes' in exaxctly the way I like best. It's only money, after all..

Less than £1 a day extra for the additional pleasure

 

[Will]

Oh, I knew before I bought it; 241g/km.

I had to have this one, though; Tanzanite blue, pale beige leather, matching half-wood steering wheel and wood on the doors and fascia - very 'Mercedes' in exaxctly the way I like best. It's only money, after all...

Could be worse - it’s not in the top tier!

Always a bugbear of mine - VED:

- No excuses for it being charged for ‘calendar months’ now that the paper discs are not being issued anymore.

- Doesn’t take into account vehicle usage. Scrap VED and stick it on fuel - make it £2 a litre or whatever. More you drive/pollute, more you pay. Drive something frugal or travel at off peak times - pay less. Drive sensibly - save money. Racking up mega miles - pay more.

40 year old classics must be a great proposition now - MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt, generally appreciating in value and classic insurance

 

[ALFAitalia]

It was always whole calendar months...discs or not....

 

[Will]

It was always whole calendar months...discs or not....

That’s my point - the reason it is done per calendar month is historic - post office had sheets of pre-printed tax discs.

No need for it to be charged like that anymore.

Same as when you buy or sell a vehicle - they only refund the whole months, and charge whole months again for the new keeper - it’s a con!

 

[Petrol Pete]

I don't think any of us would begrudge paying the VED if all of it was spent on making our roads safe and silky smooth , but........