Help out a potential owner!!!

Dec 25, 2007 | 02:35 AM

Peaktive

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Nov 2007

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Nissan Murano

Help out a potential owner!!!

Hi everyone! I would like to ask all of you clk430 owners about the model's reliability, because there is noone better to ask than the owners themselves. I am looking to buy a 2001 clk430. How often do you guys have problems? How much do you spend every year on maintenance on average? I am a student so large expenses would be very unwelcome. Please give your advise! Thanks!

Dec 25, 2007 | 02:01 PM

MarcusF

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Joined: Apr 2005

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From: SCV SoCal

2002 CLK430

Reliable is a relative term. I've found the CLK to be very reliable. Most of it depends on the previous owner. How they maintained it, whether they drove it like a maniac, what they thought constituted a "good" modification, if the car was wrecked, etc.

If you go to Signal to Noise, and select "What does this thing cost" on the left, that may be of help.

Dec 25, 2007 | 11:22 PM

Chefasaurus

Newbie

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 2

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From: Downtown Chicago, IL

Soon -- 2000 CLK430

I'm in the same boat... I totalled my 99 Nissan Maxima, and with the "pain and suffering" money from the other guy's insurance (they totalled out my car and paid off the loan amount, too), plus the money I'm getting from MY insurance for all of the stuff in my car that the body shop stole out of it, I'm using it towards the downpayment for a 00 or 02 CLK430. Both are silver, with black leather, and both have xenons. The 00 has around 61K on it, and the 02 has 46K. I'd like to know what I'm getting into, as my Maxima was more of a Maximoneypit than anything else.

Thanks!
--Evan

Last edited by Chefasaurus; Dec 25, 2007 at 11:31 PM.

Dec 26, 2007 | 07:53 AM

Chappy

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Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 9,734

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From: Hotlanta

AMG

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaktive

How much do you spend every year on maintenance on average? I am a student so large expenses would be very unwelcome. Please give your advise! Thanks!

What is a large expense? If you're buying a car w/o an extended warranty, you need funds in reserve to properly maintain and repair the car if necessary.

The cars are generally reliable - assuming the previous owner took good care of the car. But, if a computer goes out, you could be facing a $2K plus bill.

Dec 26, 2007 | 04:11 PM

DevilsAngel

Senior Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 476

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From: Orange County, CA

CLK 430

I have a 2000 clk430 and have had it for almost a year, and so far it hasn't let me down. Its a very reliable car and like MarcusF said, it all depends on the driver and how you keep up with maintenance. If its for a great deal, I say go for it!

Dec 27, 2007 | 09:24 AM

chem1441

Member

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 215

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From: Baltimore, Md

2016 C450 AMG

I think these cars are very reliable, but they are expensive to maintain and own, but ive never been stranded. Dealer $105 an hour, Indy shops around me are $80 an hour. Dealer diagnostic fee is $160, just to tell you what the problem is with the car. In the past year Ive replaced shocks, fuel filter, rotors and pads, rims, fuel level sending unit, and ball joints.... about $2100 not including the rims. I dont expect to spend that every year, but each year brings new projects. This year Im changing plugs and wires, which I think may run $500 at an Indy....much much more at the dealer.

Dec 27, 2007 | 03:26 PM

JYOO

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 379

Likes: 7

From: Los Angeles

W205 C43 AMG

ive had mines for almost 2 years, been ok so far, nothing major.
But i regret getting the v-8 the v-6 might be the better choice, especially with the gas prices and the 430 is not that powerfull anyways, just my opinion.