Darren_0203

I'm looking to pick one up this week with 80k miles, and was wondering how long I can expect it to last without having to do major maintenance, like motor/tranny repairs. I've seen the suv's up there pushing 200k and running strong and know there reliable but I don't know about these. If I buy it I'd like to have it for awhile. It is a gorgeous car.


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FinnAussie

Mine has 377k Km, is that high enough

Darren_0203

That's pretty high! Did you have any major problems?


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FinnAussie

A few oil leaks here and there, but that's about it

dkaf

My 2002 has 144,000 miles. Nothing major. Small oil leak, routine stuff. It's my all season daily driver.

DaSkorpion

w208 CLK55 AMG - 176,xxx miles and still going strong.

GatorMB

Im @ 145,00 and just purchased about 10 months now,
I started with service, A
plugs and wires
lifters right bank plus oil pressure relief valve

bullet proof strong, easy timing chain thread coming.

Cheers, Gator

legofc

I was a the dealer yesterday and they asked me how many miles the car had already run, i told them around 90k they said that it was still like new then so i asked them how come you consider 90K miles new they told me that the engine was built to run at least 300k miles.

boxeswithknobs

FYI, what got me into the CLKs was finding a 430 on a FSBO used car lot with 188k - and it was in FABULOUS shape - you would have had no clue. I have a co-worker with a CLK with 189k on it - a DD with no obvious wear or issues - he just bought an E-class too.

I bought my CLK55 two years ago at 66k, always garaged, I'm at 79k now, only things I had to address were valve cover seals, some light bulbs, a an fluid change. Next service is 2600 miles out and I'm very happy with the reliability.

Mike

ATLibo

this feedback is excellent.

after acquiring the VMI. i purchased a mint 03 clk55 amg 71k miles, last night. fully loaded. -completely unmolested-

downtownandy

Bump. Any updates on high mileage results for any clk drivers? Im looking at either a 60k mile clk430 or a 120k mile 55 amg. Same price.

Chadzu

My '01 clk55 has 145k miles. Aside from normal wear items it runs great.
I would suspect that after driving the 55 the choice will be much easier for you!

MarcusF

Unless the 430 is a 2001 or 2002, I wouldn’t consider it. The 55 comes with the heated multicontour front seats and rain-sensing wipers standard, plus I’ve never seen a 55 without Xenons. That would mean the 430 would need the K3, K4 option and the $740 multicontour seat option (the K3 also includes the rear sunshade, which is nice) just to even the non-performance equipment list.

As for high mileage, if the car has been maintained, either will be fine.

If you're worried about maintenance, except for brakes, they cost the same. The 55 will need $60 worth of oil cooler o-rings at some point. The 430 doesn't have the oil cooler, so its not an issue. Other than that, both cars will have the same issues. The non-routine maintenance items will include (1) the $5 transmission harness o-ring, (2) the rear diff seal (which has probably been done), (3) the temperature/clock pixels (the temperature side is an easy fix and I turned the instrument cluster clock off as my radio has one), and (4) the $20 brake light switch.

Most other issues fall into the "could happen, maybe, sometimes on some cars" type problems.

downtownandy

Marcus, Why not consider a 430 of the 99 or 00 years? Just curious. The 60k miles less sounds really appealing to me. But if it really doesn't make a difference because the cars will last longer than 250k+ then I'll probably go with the AMG.

MarcusF

Am I really going to have to say this in front of a crowd? Really? What if the early guys single me out for assassination?

Now, this isn’t a flame against the early model CLK. I’m going to list a lot of stuff, but the pre-2001 models are wonderful cars. It’s just that "I personally" would only buy a 2001/2002.

That’s said, in 1999 the side blinkers were in the fenders, the window molding was steel or chrome or something other than the later versions, the door handles were a different color than the rest of the body, the 320 burl walnut interior wood trim was used, the older style instrument cluster was used, dual one touch windows weren’t available, they had the older non-touch shift style transmissions, and they didn’t have multifunction steering wheels.

In 2000 the side blinkers were moved from the fender to the mirrors, the window molding was changed to Black Hematite, the interiors got black Birdseye maple trim, two-tone leather seats became available, the door handles were painted the same color as the body, dual direction one touch windows were added, Tele-Aid was introduced, the multifunction steering wheel was added, the instrument cluster was redesigned and included the dash display, COMAND was available, and touch shift transmissions (with the roller bearing rather than the brass bushing) were added. Sounds great huh? The next year the engine electronics received a major upgrade.

In 2001 ME 2.0 was out and ME 2.8 was in. I would take a 2001/2002 JUST for that upgrade. It’s true lots of little parts that no one cares about were upgraded with ME 2.8. However, some more noticeable parts were included – like the larger throttle body and higher flow injectors. The CLK430’s ME 2.8 throttle body is the same "size" as the CLK55 part. When laid on a counter, you can see the difference between the two, but they are both 74 mm units. The 2000 and earlier ME 2.0 throttle body is a 69 mm unit. The 2001/2002 throttle body was also used on the 500 engines. 1130780249 is the Mercedes-Benz part number. The Bosch part number is 0280156016 and people have tried to use them on earlier cars (the plug is completely different). The upgraded injectors were higher flow units and those exact same parts (part number 1130780249 ) were later used on the 500.

In addition to the go-fast parts, 2001 models got further transmission upgrades, a one touch sunroof, the windows drop about a half-inch when the doors are opened (so they don’t hang every time the door is opened or closed), the redesigned thin-spoke AMG wheels were released, the smart key was redesigned, and they got enhanced Tele-Aid functions that no one can currently use (remote unlocking, diagnostics and alarm notification).

The only difference between the 2001 and the 2002 that I know of is the center caps on the wheels were different.

OGCLK320

I just bought a Black on Black 01 CLK 55 with 160k for 4k figured I couldn't beat the price for a beautiful 208 AMG and the car has cleaned up very well. Will be doing routine maintenance; Plugs and wires, motor and trans mount, valve cover gaskets. and all fluids changed. Car runs great and couldn't be happier with the deal. Go for the 55 if it is clean. These things are a blast to drive. Night and day over a 430 as stated above.

downtownandy

$4k.. wow what a steal. Wish I could find one for that.

OGCLK320

I have always kept my eye out for 208 55s. I just happen to be looking the morning the guy posted it. Bought it that day. If you stay patient you can find killer deals. This one had a check engine light and the seats didn't work or the trunk. I fixed all of it for under 100 bucks. The check engine light was a vacuum hose on the map sensor the seats just needed new fuses.. (For the time being) and the trunk was missing a couple trim pieces and the little button that tells the car if the trunk Is open or closed. All of it fixed. I know the 208s like the back of my hand now and felt super comfortable buying a somewhat high mileage 55 for that price.

Sandsini

Good opportunity for a first post!


I just purchased a 2001 CLK55 last week with 153K miles on it. The car was properly maintained with a lot of records and looks brand new inside and out. I am VERY happy with the car, though as a brand new owner, I can't really attest to the longevity of these cars other than I couldn't imagine another car that would hold up this well and feel as solid and refined with this many miles on it.


Cheers,
Eric

Jons95c36amg

My Clk55 has 84k miles. Doesnt use any oil. Maybe 1/2 qt in 8k miles. Car has alot of life in it.

downtownandy

Well I ended up buying the CLK 55 this weekend. 121k miles, needs a couple things done. Sunroof won't close properly, passenger seat won't go forward or backwards, other minor things. Got it for $7500 as is.

Miiike

Hi everyone,

i m about to buy a Clk 55 amg 2004 that has 115000 miles.
i checked its carfax and it seems fine, so now i m going to check it through an authorized workshop.
But still i needed to know your opinion about the engine life and in case there is something in particular i need to check on the car ...

Oh yesterday too the seller told me that its Air Conditioning isn't cooling
Any tricky thing I need to do if I test drive ...

Thank you all !

CharlyE500

How much they are asking ? AC could be a expensive to fix.

bobbyjo9

Check to make sure it doesn't still have the Valero radiator. If the cooler fails you'll be looking at $$$ for a trans.

YamiR46

I just hit 204k on my 01.. and it's running very strong with no issues. Just got new coil overs and a bunch of other stuff for it as well!