W208 Chrome window surround

[smile]

I'm looking at buying a W208 CLK, I've seen one I'm quite interested in but the only thing putting me off (I'm very fussy) is that it seems to have a body-coloured surround on the side windows whilst all the others I've seen have been chrome.

My first question is, does this means it's a 'sport' trim level? As it doesn't say in the description. Or is it just an aftermarket replacement or something the previous owner may have done?

My second question is, how easy would it be to swap for a chrome surround. I imagine I could pick the trim up from a car being broken, but does lots of other trim have to be removed before you can get to it?

 

[flango]

On the W208 all the window surround trims were Chrome with the exception of the Sport model which were black. I have never seen body coloured window trim, maybe something a previous owner had done? I would imagine it would also be pretty easy to change.

Hope that helps

 

[smile]

Thanks for the quick reply. It may well be black, the car is dark blue and the pictures aren't great so hard to tell.
It's also got some side skirts on it that I haven't seen before. They don't look like the AMG style ones though, I'll try and attach a picture. Does anyone know if they were an optional extra? Or aftermarket?

 

[flango]

Yep thats a sport model and the trims will be black, looks as though the car has had a few mods, it has the facelift side skits, AMG wheels and also looks though it has been lowered, nice car and nice colour (same as mine).

Check it thoroughly though if you are interested, what engine is in it? also manual or auto?

good luck

 

[smile]

Ah okay, thanks for clarifying that.

When you say the facelift side skirts, do you mean the W209 CLK? They look pretty smart, are they a direct swap or do you think these will have been chopped down to fit?

I noticed it looks lowered. Eventually I'd like to lower the suspension on whatever CLK I end up buying to around this height. My only fear with this one is how it's been done. I'd be wanting to go for the H&R Cup Kit and do it properly. I'd put my money on this one being lowered with either chopped or aftermarket lowering springs....which I've used before in the past, but on a Merc...sounds like too much a risk to lose the magic carpet ride!

I've been looking at the 230K's which is what this one is. I'd take a 200K as well unless there's any horror stories people can fill me in on?

It's auto as well, only interested in autos really.

 

[flango]

No problem, OK here goes

The W208 CLK was face lifted in 2000 I think the year was they major upgrades were body coloured side skirts, indicators in mirrors and different instrument cluster as well as other mods.

The height of the car looks good as long as it has been done properly.

The big no no for me would be the fact the 230K engine is not best suited to the auto gearbox it's jerky, gear ratios feel wrong and it's just a mismatch for that engine particularly if you are driving hard and the supercharger is on full chat not a nice experience in my opinion, same goes for 200K which feels very underpowered compared to the 230k. If you want and auto then my advice would be go for a 320 not a 230k a much smoother engine and much better suited to an automatic box and to be fair a more refined car all round.

In terms of fuel consumption and insurance between the 230k and the 320 they are round about the same so it really makes no sense to go for a 230k over a 320 if you want an auto.

Hope that helps a little more

 

[smile]

Wow, I really can't believe I didn't notice those changes.. I'm usually pretty good on those kind of minor details!

Looks like the facelift got body coloured side trims and bumper inserts as well. Unfortunately the 2000 models and up are out of my price range. But at least most of the facelift parts are interchangeable so I could at least attempt to make it look facelifted if I wanted to.

Hmmm not great what you're saying about the 230K auto, sadly the increased engine size will be a problem for me. I'm 22 so getting insured on the 230k is bad enough. With my car history though I doubt I'll notice things like that. I've already test driven one and it felt okay to me.

I'm going to see a different one on Tuesday, looks to have a promising spec! It's an Elegance with a fair few ticked options.

 

[T7RY B]

The Avantgarde is a more sportier option than the Elegance. Stiffer suspension set up and lower and more sportier interior. Also different colour tints on the windows. Facelift models started 1999.

 

[T7RY B]

On the W208 all the window surround trims were Chrome with the exception of the Sport model which were black. I have never seen body coloured window trim, maybe something a previous owner had done? I would imagine it would also be pretty easy to change.

Hope that helps

W208 Avantgarde were black not chrome

 

[smile]

The Avantgarde is a more sportier option than the Elegance. Stiffer suspension set up and lower and more sportier interior. Also different colour tints on the windows. Facelift models started 1999.

An Avantgarde would be nice, but again, haven't seen one in my price range.

I'm going to be looking at a '99 but judging by the pictures it isn't a facelift.

I've been trying to find out the specific changes to the facelift W208 but can't find much info. I've read something suggesting they may have got front a rear aprons for the bumpers as well? Can anyone confirm this?
Was it an apron that could be added to a pre-facelift bumper? Or was it a single moulded item?

If anyone could give me a list of all the changes to the facelift that would be great.

 

[flango]

W208 Avantgarde were black not chrome

Avanteguard is chrome on the one my BIL has Will check the brochure as I still have it from 1998 as to what the spec and options were

 

[flango]

W208 Avantgarde were black not chrome

Quite correct sir AG Black as standard Chrome as an option, just shows you never stop learning

 

[smile]

Okay, after the advice received in this very thread, I've managed to find a facelift within my budget. Hopefully viewing it tomorrow.
It's an Avantgarde though, not an Elegance!

Sooo, the question is basically back to my original point. Should I not be able to live with it. Does anybody know how big/complicated a job it would be to swap out the black side window trim for a chrome one from an Elegance.

AND, same question goes for the chrome trimmed exterior door handles found on an elegance. I've noticed they have some kind of infra-red sensor in them, is this specific to the car? Or could I just swap it for a chrome one off an elegance?

 

[Shude]

AND, same question goes for the chrome trimmed exterior door handles found on an elegance. I've noticed they have some kind of infra-red sensor in them, is this specific to the car? Or could I just swap it for a chrome one off an elegance?

AFAIK the IR sensor is coded to the car and highly expensive to replace (with one that works). If it's chrome and you don't want it to be then it could be painted, much easier than the opposite!

 

[smile]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but for anyone who was interested, I finally found my car. Not my first choice of colour, not even a colour I was considering to be honest but the spec and condition vs price was too good to pass up.
Had it about a month now, no problems at all and absolutely loving it!!

Ignore the blue calipers...they won't be staying.

 

[Ted]

Looks great, and I love that colour. Just need to change the wheels!

 

[T7RY B]

It's a colour that I like too.