Well, im new to the MB world. You often find me in the japanese nissan/infiniti and subaru world.

But now i feel like driving a MB and giving it a shot.

Now no offense to all the euro owners, the cars are a beautiful piece of motor work. But i heard alot of rumors from others saying European cars break down and offten are unreliable.

My dads landrover discovery had notorious electrical problems no matter how much care he took care of the car maintenance and detail wise.

My brothers freelander that he got fresh of the lot, had its transmission go out a couple mounts after.

A friends newer (07) S series had a oil leek from driving only a couple months also.

And of course, i read reviews on the W208s and heard they had noise problems and are unreliable fresh off the lot.


But can you MB owners say that its true? I know cars break down, and euros are talked about more because their a good conversation piece, but do they break down that much and easily?

I plan on purchasing a used CLK320 or a 430. Im mainly looking towards a 430 but right now i have access to a couple 320s in my price range. Now i wish i could afford a brand new MB like some owners, but im a 19y/o student and cannot afford that luxury.

So, anything i should be looking out for when buying a used MB or a W208?

And to my understanding, the W208 is the CLK chassis code, and the numbers after are engine size correct? The only diffrence in the series of W208 just mean minor change of "dress shoes" but still the same ol car. Or does interior options, exterior options and performance options (other then engine size) differ also?

Any type of reading material that can teach me alot in the W208 chassis out there?

Anyways, sorry for the long introduction. I hope i enjoy my visit to the MB world.

Thanks
-Q

 

I was in the same boat as you when I first started looking for a car to buy. After hours of research online I found that its only a small percentage of the W208s that have major problems.

I found my 2000 CLK 430 with 61k miles a week ago. Going to pick it up thursday next week. It turns out that the guy selling it was born in the same neighborhood I was born so I got him to drop the price to 10k. I'm so excited I haven't been able to sleep the last 2 nights.

I know what you mean about being 19 years old and can't afford to buy a new one. I'm 22 and I figured this car is a great stepping stone to a new MB in the future when I graduate.

 

Spend some time reading this....

http://www.mbusa.com/pre-owned/2001/CLK320C.do

It goes over the differences between the CLK320, 430 and 55. Happy reading.

 

Welcome to the forum fellow Seattlite.

 

Make sure you check on the insurance as well. Mine increased quite a bit when I bought my CLK.

 

Weclome-

Considering you are a 19yr old student, IMO I would stay away from MB right now. ALthough yes they are affordable at this time, but remember these are very high end cars and still are. THe mere fact they are so low in price is a sort of mis-leading factor about the TCO of this car or any luxury/high end car.

Being a student without a full-time job with consistent income/time and everything else this could be a harsh time by jumping into one. If you have family help then its much better...however if you're basically on your own, you have school loans, credit stuff and career still to build, books, everyday costs even gas...think twice.

I had a friend buy a 911 porsche turbo for way cheap. When he realized maintenance and a stupid coolant bottle was upwards of 1k..he practically lost it. I reminded him the car was a 125k car, and that doesnt change...

Good luck though.

 

i got the same 02 amg but white/ash with 26k miles

 

This website is mainly about the V8's, but it has some usefull information. Just click on the links to the left.

 

My exact concern. Will a MB be so hard to do self maintenance such as fluid change, spark plugs, belts ect. Or everything i do have to be sent to a BM Stealership? Or its so exclusive local tune up shops cant even touch it? Cause thats what happend to my dad and his Landrover.

Thanks

 

actually, you have a 02' CLK430. The only 02' W208 AMG is the CLK55 AMG.

your car is clean, though. I love WHITE!