Gylles Smyth

2003 CLK55

Purchased 2010 with ~75K miles, currently 115K.

At time of purchase:
Replaced head gasket and a suspension bushing.

Since then:
Normal A and B services;
One set of replacement tires;
Replaced a few tail lights;
Replaced a control arm;
Passenger seat headrest stopped working.


In addition to daily driving, the car has been tracked at Pacific Raceways and Ridge Motorsports Park. Far and away the most reliable car I've owned, and repairs are comparatively inexpensive.

sick430

Ive had the car since 03 and bought it was less than 30K Miles, its been pretty good to me. Just passed 118,XXX and running stronger than ever thanks to a 55 swap!!!!!

1. motor mounts (twice, once with new engine)
2. rear diff (was all my fault, was having a little to much fun)
3. flex disc (I want to say front once, rear twice)
4. rebuilt rear Axles (Had them out for diff)
5. Wheel bearings
6. MAF (Three times, used K&N which caused for 2 to fail)
7. Transmission service every 70K with MB synthetic
8. New Cabrio roof (was cut to steal camera bag, $10K)
9. Crank position sensor
10. Battery twice
11. Water pump (twice)
12. Shocks
13. Lots of normal oil and fluid changes.
14. Add more sets of rear tires than I would like to admit to.

Calgary-CLK

2002 CLK430 W208

The car currently has about 118,000kms...was well maintained by original owner and was always serviced at the dealer I work at.

Things that have gone on it are:

1) Both valve covers at 85,000
2) Front Springs, drag links and tie rods at 96,000
3) FR Xenon Bulb and Ballast at 102,000kms
4) An on-going exhaust problem. Removed rear cats, front cat just started rattling

Other than that, it has never seen a tow-truck...pretty good in my books! LOL

c32kompressor

2003 CLK55 AMG
currently has 161,000 miles.
replaced passanger control arm
both valve covers.
cps
maf
radiator.
just supercharged it this past weekend, idles better than stock did
car is crazy fast now

Redcab

Saw my old post and got nostalgic

Red 430 sold to a buddy who always wanted it after the odometer turned 200K. Still running strong for him.

Bought a 2008 CLK 63 AMG with 14K miles on the odometer. Have driven it now for 2 summers and just passed 21K miles. Fantastic ride.

Convertable top seemed to close less smoothly than my 430 so I had the local MB dealer service and replace the latch. No change...but it was probably never a malfunction in the first place.

Replacing 1 gas spring on the convertible partition. This is the part that keeps the partition down to meet the convertible top limit switch.

So far (1st 2 years of ownership) the car has needed virtually nothing. I couldn't be happier

Scott Simoncic

First problem ever in a clk just happened... My Brake Light Switch just went at 65K... Luckily I purchased one when I first bought my 430 three years ago just in case mine failed, and thankfully it fits my CLK 55 AMG as well, so I had it ready to go just sitting in a drawer. I think it was $25 or $30 bucks.

bigtimeny1

99 clk 430, 192,600 miles. Actually runs great. Bought it about 3 weeks ago. Only issue I have is with the notorious transmission flare when shifting from 2-3rd gear automatic. I would love to fix this myself if I can but the weather here right now has been below zero lol. hoping for spring soon. I do notice that I have to roll the passenger window just a little bit then back up after the door has been opened to get a tight seal so rain or water doesn't get in from the car wash lol and the rear sunshade looks like a piece of the arm snapped off on the sliding part but looks like I could super glue it back together when the weather improves. Also the esp switch for traction control seems to be broken and doesn't work but I have found a replacement switch on eBay for 10 bucks. Also missing the cup holder in the center console, guessing it was broken. Just spent 300 bucks on inner and outer wheel bearings on both sides, that was pretty cheap because I knew someone that worked there. All minor problems, with the mileage I have I am so surprised on how smooth the engine runs even the transmission except for that little glitch which I am hoping is only a cheap easy repair.

insame1

Bigtimney1 you are in the wrong forum (this is the AMG section) but in response to the window issues. It is because you got a pre face lift model. The 99 did get the auto window as far as I know. Face lifted models have a feature where the window comes down slightly when you open the door.

bigtimeny1

I thought I was in the right place lol. My car has amg on the rear bumper, on the dash on by the glove box and under the hood on the motor cover. Seems to have been put on by the factory?

Scott Simoncic

I have a CLK 55 AMG, there are no emblems on the dash, there is an emblem on the rear deckled opposite the CLK 55 emblem, and yes, under the hood on the engine cover.... However, there never was a CLK 430 AMG, there was a C 43 AMG. Sounds like someone bought a c43 or CLK 55 engine cover / Airbox (it does add a small amount of power) they also bought an AMG badge for the back of your car and one for the dash... There was, however, never a CLK 430 AMG, so these parts were never put on from factory, possibly a dealership, most likely a third party dealership and not a Mercedes Dealer. You can leave these on, however you do not have a true AMG built car, there are MANY other parts that make a real AMG... Suspension, brakes, bigger engine, beefier transmission, driveshaft, rear diff, external oil cooler, camshafts, stronger engine internals, engine tuning, transmission tuning, Napa Leather, gauge cluster, etc...

bigtimeny1

Im confused. I can run the vin online and it shows amg options? I also noticed another clk that is a 320? with the same badges and same color as my car although it is a different model. Anyways, what is the real fix to the notorious 2-3 shift flare on the 722.6 transmissions? I have seen multiple answers from new electro conductor plate to a new sleeves in the valve body to replacing the whole valve body with new solenoids.

Chadzu

New valve body or the transgo kit. Your car may have some AMG appearance items, but That would be it.

ambit

Since last July:
95,600mi
Replaced front strut bearings (one was torn a little)
Replaced front sway bar bushings, it was squeaking.
Replaced front sway bar links. Something was making noise over bumps. Between the sway links and the strut bearings its gone now.
Replaced transmission mount
Replaced coolant temp sensor that was giving errors sometimes.

floridawriter

My 05 CLK55 has a Valeo rad as well.

ambit

While I was in there doing this work I noticed the front control arm bushings were all torn up so I replaced them all tonight
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ml#post6406517

CLKRob

'01 CLK55. 186,000 miles. Runs amazing! Great drivetrain. Replaced EGR assembly and front brakes. Had the car 5 months. Loving every time I get behind the wheel.

I'm getting a ticking noise from what sounds like the front end. 1-20mph it's very noticeable then seems to go away completely after going over 20mph. Very annoying in parking lots. Hopefully going to get this diagnosed next month, but any suggestions would be awesome!

Samito01

04 clk55 coupe.... Bought from original owner 3 months ago with only 39k miles... Zero issues so far

ambit

Since April 2015:
Hit 100,000 miles
Had an oil leak from the filler cap that caused some smoking while driving. $12 fix for a new cap from the dealer.

Replaced all 16 spark plugs at 112,000mi. Replaced the rear L/R spark plug boots, they had some weathering/rust on them.

amg_514

2003 clk55, purchased last week at a bit less than 54,000 miles


Rear bushing slightly squeaks, right hood strut doesn`t hold up the hood and a few little things that doesn`t really interfere with everyday driving

germanAMGmember

Hello members here

I have a 2008 CLK63 AMG w209 (stock not BS)
Stock engine status no mods yet
just taken other wheels with spacers
and not the 5star stock wheels

Best regards Frank

YamiR46

Update:
2001 CLK 55
221,000ish miles

Besides changing out the spark plugs/wires, and the connector by the conductor plate the car is running strong still! Well..the motor mounts are pretty worn but that is next on my list. :P

Dziner82

bought a 2001 CLK55 a couple months ago, 57,000 miles at the time, was not driven regularly and was not all that well taken care of. Issues were:
A/C does not work (still not fixed)
Lower grille insert missing (replaced)
Lower from bumper cracked (repaired)
broken suspension spring (repaired, watch out for this, both cars i looked at had broken spring in the front, one car it was obvious, the other wasn't until you really got in there to look at it)
Trans mount was collapsed (repaired)
ball joints had play (repaired)
drivers door seat adjustment wood veneer is warping/peeling
trunk button grommet torn (cant find replacement)
rear seat backrest release cables are loose/not working right (not yet repaired)
valve cover gaskets were leaking (repaired)
rear diff leak at pinion seal (repaired)
bent wheels (repaired)
also, pretty much all of the normal maintenance items were had not been replaced and were well overdue - air filters, brake rotors, brake pads, fuel filter...

clk_55

Just broke 100k on my 2002 CLK55 cabriolet. Bought 3.5 years ago with 72k on the clock.


-valve cover gaskets
-upper and lower control arms (front)
-steering shock damper
-ball joints
-sway bar bushings
-shock mount bushings
-2 new koni yellow front shocks (bought 2 for the rear for when their time comes)
-hydraulic top relay
-pixilization on gear indicator
-coolant red plastic drain plug broke before I even removed it
-drivers side running light
-washer fluid cap broke
-AC evac/charge
-brake switch sensor
-battery

To be dealt with:
-Multi contour has never worked. Think the line was just plugged by the PSE by a previous owner. Either due to a burst bladder or a broken line (replaced).
-Worlds worst case of caked on brake dust know to man (bought that way). Half way done with getting it off with Brillo pad, easy off, and water. Will apply additional clear coat if I notice any type of oxidation. Thread on this to come at some point...
-Cable on passenger side for top. Have had the replacement for years but haven't cared to replace it.

All in all this car been a tank. When I consider the amount paid vs problems, it's been the best car I've ever owned. I would love to get another AMG when I'm ready to retire my Cabriolet from being my daily. Hopefully the prices come down on the AWD AMG's cause that will be a must next time. Even though the CLK slightly impressive with my Blizzaks.

Mike in Texas

Bought 2004 CLK55 with ~43k miles in March 2015. Car came with no records, no history, no owner's manual.
After a P(ost)PI, immediately replaced power steering reservoir and O-ring to stop leak, and replaced bushing (both covered under CarMax warranty)
Crank position sensor replacement ~48k miles (covered under CarMax warranty)
And I replaced a marker light bulb and a brake light bulb, and put new engine filters in place of the nasty ones from the previous owner
Still to do: fix non-functional driver's thigh bolster or its control switch
10k miles later, the coupe is still bringing me joy

CLKRob

Still loving the 55! In 9 months and 11,000 miles, I've replaced EGR, front brakes, maf sensor, front tires and the noise coming from my wheels at low speeds, was my center cap on the rims. The rubber around the outside deteriorated to nothing and was causing the clicking sound.

Still loving the '01 55, and still daily driving it happily!