Oxygen

Great forums, I've been reading for a while and already learned alot of stuff.

My familiy owns two W220's (55 and a 500) and I've always wanted one, and I've been getting sick of my Grand Cherokee lately...

I just got a great new job so I will have plenty of money to pay for the car.

I'm looking for a 2000 to 2002 CLK320 (Prefered), nothing older because I don't really like the steering wheel and otherthings, makes it look a little old. I'm looking for one that comes with the factory xenons (Are they Auto-Leveling btw??)

I've been looking at AutoTrader and such, couple of options there. There was a 2000 CLK320 with 153,000 miles on it for $15,000, but that's alittle too much in my book.

Any suggestions?

King320

Yeh, i got a 98 CLK 320 with 95k for $15,000. It runs really well, but i would stay away from anything 150k plus. Also, if you're picky about cosmetic paint conditions, do not buy a black one without seeing it in person. I bough mine off of ebay and it came with a ton of swirls that took me a LONG time to get out. It looks better than most black cars now but im thinking i may repaint the hood. I agree on the steering wheel issue, but for the money its almost cheaper to have Steve retrofit a command system into a 98 or 99. Best of luck!

midget fidger

best suggestion: get a 430 instead also, im not sure, but did you mean that $15k was too much for that car, or did you mean that the mileage was too high? if it was the price, then you might have a tough time finding a 2000-2002 in that range. not sure if you might want to follow what king320 said and get an older one but upgrade the parts whenever you can (newer body kit, wheels, steering wheel/comand, blinking mirrors, etc). the easiest thing to do is get the newer one though. if you go with an 02, you could probably find one that still has the original factory warranty for another year or so.

Oxygen

Yes, I was thinking about a COMMAND system in mine too, most of the ones that I've looked at do not come with one. It's not CRUCIAL for me to have one, but it could be nice because otherwise I would have to put in an Alpine or a Pioneer unit.

Who is this Steve and what does/can he do?

Oxygen

No, the price is no problem. I am looking to spend around $24,000.

I don't need the 430 because that's more gas money and more insurance money. I am sticking to a CLK320.

vraa

Steve is from the N-Lands and he installs LOTS of stuff for Mercedes'. He routinely makes trips around the world.

In my books, he's a top notch guy and a great person.

Oxygen

I'm also looking for a nice exhaust, possibly an Eisenhaus.

King320

Eisenhaus is the company that retails Eisenmann exhausts in the US, Eisenmann exhausts are the best you'll find

Oxygen

I hope it'll be quicker than my buddy's Z28 Camaro V6.

midget fidger

Yeah, more gas indeed. On the insurance though, call up your company and check with them. A while ago on www.progressive.com, I compared the rate for my CLK320 and a brand new SLK55 AMG and it was only like $50-$100 more every 6 months. If speed doesn't really matter, then yeah go with the 320...if that camaro is anything like my friend's 3.5L firebird, a 320 can easily take him. If speed matters, test drive a 430 and see if it's worth it, because you dont wanna be kicking yourself later on :p

Andy Lin

You are right. The auto-levelling is he default for factory Xenons head lights! It is also the safety codes in Europe.

Oxygen

Great!

Couple of more questions if you don't mind please...

1. The LCD in the speedometer, does it provide all the same functions as the on my S-Class? Does it have the Digital Speedometer also? If some one does not mind, if you could snap a couple pictures for me of all teh different functions of it, that would be awesome.

2. Any alternatives to the outdated-looking climate control unit?

3. Where do I pick up the chrome rings that go around the gauges? Seen them a couple of times on here, looks awesome.

4. Do you get air vents for the rear seats that come out of the center console?

5. The single wiper blade... is that good? It seems so strange.

6. If some one could snap a couple of pictures of the interior at night, I would like to see what the lighting on the instrumentation / climate / radio / shift gate is.

Thank you all so much for your help!

Oxygen

Bump?

No one here has a CLK?!

mmgrad

check on ebay... lotta good finds there...

Oxygen

I was refering to my questions above...

GrantWinTX

Try http://www.formymercedes.com/clk-classW208.asp for the chrome rings around the aircon controls and other good stuff!

mmgrad

1. yes, prob everything except tire pressure monitoring, adaptive cruise, etc...
2. no, unless u want the euro style rotary dials...
3. Steve can get them for you, its a Euro thing
4. no, only from underneath the seats...
5. yes, its good... and looks sweet... like nothing else out there
6. the lights are orangie.... nothing fancy...

Oxygen

Sweet!

Yeah, the orange/yellowish access is probably the same color as on my S500. It's a very pleasant color, very easy on the eyes at night.

Do they give you ambient lighting like on the S-Class? Little light from under neath the rear view mirror, very dim lights in the footwells?

Oxygen

Erm, I found that CLK on AutoTrader... what the hell is wrong with the front bumper? Is it missing something in the middle?

scorchie

The display in the center of the cluster only supports digital speedometer on 2001+ models.

I don't know what year S-class you have, so I can't say whether it has all the functions. It seems a 2002 CLK has more functionality in the display than a 2000 S-class. It varies by year.

-s-

mmgrad

yes, its missing this center piece near the bottom... it pops off easily... some dealer take it off the car while sitting on the lot, so they don't get it jacked or lose it on a test drive... it does look a little empty without it

Luthor

I have one for sale. Click the link in my signature for more information.

E55Freak

Unfortunately, I realized mine was missing after I bought my car. I wasn't educated enough about the 430, at the time. oh well, it's still a sweet car.

Oxygen

OKay I am seriously considering the CLk430 because alot of them come with COMAND and they pretty AMG body kit / rims.

Couple more questions...

Do they have automatic headlights? (On/Off with lighting conditions)

Do they have a rain sensor?

What do you guys pay for insurance on yours?

brianw430

If you are interested, I have a 99 CLK430 for sale. Drop me a note if you want more details than is found in classifieds. I just purchased a 55, so I am selling the 430. Great car, lots of power and I have done a few things to it, lowered, amp, sub, new speakers etc.

As fars as I know, mine does not have auto lights. Mine does have rain sensing wipers, rear sunshade and CD changer.

Insurance will vary greatly based on venue, age, driving record, multiple car/home discount etc.