10 year old Merc CLK Convertable - am I mad?

negg

Be careful with Merc prices if you are looking in Glasses/Parkers guides. They usually quote the price for an automatic which is unusual since prices are usually for a manual. Don't look at the price in there and add a bit on because it is an auto!

Inactive

A car of this type/history/mileage will not be reflected in any guide, it is what it is, the dealer will be well aware of it's real value.

DKLS

Why not, go for it and enjoy.

My ex was an MSE stylee when it came to cars, insisting I drive non turbo diesels, which were like driving the motoring equivalent of a lobotomy, when I dumped her I traded in for a car that does sub 25mpg purely out of spite.

I had forgotton that you can actually have fun whilst driving, and actually do a safe overtake without planning for it for 2 weeks in advance.

GAILEY

I'm with DKLS - if you want it go for it and enjoy it...it's a sensible investment if it doesn't break the bank and gives you a good feeling when you drive it;)

Quietmanc

Definitely join a Mercedes forum and ask for info.This one seems to be pretty good,and generally quick replies.


http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

goldspanners

my mate has a silver 230 clk w reg. it looks great inside and out, unitl you look closer.
plenty of rust starting to show around the front and rear badges and boot lock.
the digital displays on the dashboard have all failed so dont read properly.
but its a great looking car with the top down and for a 4 cylinder it sounds nice and is comfortable to drive with all the toys in it.

hes only had a few things wrong with his that i can remember, leaking fuel filter,battery and the exhaust. the fuel filter was an easy fix, the battery cost £100 from halfords and the exhaust could only be done using mercedes parts, no aftermarket available and i cant remember the exact price but it was around £400 for just one part of the exhaust, it worked out cheaper to have a stainless one made up for it.

just make sure everything works.and theres no rust.

harveybobbles

Not long sold a Y reg Avantgarde auto done 70k for 6995 in silver.
Front and rear arches start to rot. As will around the bonnet badge and boot lock.
Watch out for rear spring/shocker problems.

Apart from that they seem ok. Oh yeah and they are dull as ditch water to drive...

gilbert_and_sullivan

Mechanically it may well be a fine car...you'll have to ask on the MB forum if it might have a Valeo radiator...if it does they are known to fail and leak coolant into the auto gearbox completely destroying said box....very expensive...if it does have the affected rad it's worth replacing for peace of mind.

The big question mark on these cars is rust, it might be OK, and rust free, or it might have been extensively and temporarily painted with various new panels by MB themselves under warranty if it has full MB service history...or indeed it might have had a quick cover up job, you must check very carefully.
I have seen these cars with the whole front end riddled with rust, along the front bonnet line (perforated) around the headlights, all wheel arches, bootlid, door shuts and surrounds etc and that's without going underneath the car.
Not all will be going rusty and a well cared for example is a very nice car.

And a 320 goes like hell, not initially but when other cars are running out of steam these are just starting to warm up, kickdown overtaking can be quite breathtaking.

goldspanners

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

The big question mark on these cars is rust, it might be OK, and rust free, or it might have been extensively and temporarily painted with various new panels by MB themselves under warranty if it has full MB service history...or indeed it might have had a quick cover up job, you must check very carefully.
I have seen these cars with the whole front end riddled with rust, along the front bonnet line (perforated) around the headlights, all wheel arches, bootlid, door shuts and surrounds etc and that's without going underneath the car.
Not all will be going rusty and a well cared for example is a very nice car.

i know one person who had a 320 slk and i know someone who still has one, both the same age, one owner had to get rid as it was going to need extensive welding next MOT time underneath.the car wasnt even 5 years old at the time.

the other owner has owned since the same time as other owner had thiers and thier model is fine, no rust showing on outside and sails through every MOT.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Mechanically it may well be a fine car...you'll have to ask on the MB forum if it might have a Valeo radiator...if it does they are known to fail and leak coolant into the auto gearbox completely destroying said box....very expensive...if it does have the affected rad it's worth replacing for peace of mind.

The valeo leak is a problem with W211s only, not this, which is a W208. The valeo problem doesn't destroy the autobox, it destroys only the torque convertor. The gearbox is unaffected.

You're correct about the rust though. OP, pull back the door seals at the top, to check for rust. Also check the wheel arches. Panels for these cars are bolt-on, and easy to replace (typically pattern replacements are about £70 each).

The engines are rock solid, however check if this model is affected by failing harmonic balancers on the fanbelt. I know some earlier V6 engines were, I'm not sure about this one. It isn't a difficult or expensive fix.

Oh, and don't get it serviced at Mercedes, find a Merc specialist, plenty around.