The Goalkeeper

Hi everyone, this will be my very first Merc purchase. What are the pros and cons of this car? Please tell me there's more good things than bad because I don't want to be disappointed!

The Goalkeeper

This is the car .what do you guys think?

LowRydeR

The interior rattles and squeaks drove me crazy.

The Goalkeeper

hmm so a little wd40 here and there huh

BlackOnBlackCLK

The car looks clean how many miles? I don't have any interior rattles or noises I don't know if they are common or not I've had two clk's and they were very reliable. Just keep up on your maintenance and have the trans service done and you should have years of trouble free use.

ahmed18881

if gas is not a issue id recommend a clk430, or a clk55... i had a 98 clk320 and now a 01 clk430 the difference in power satisfying!! btw the color is very nice... as said b4 don't miss service schedules change the tranny oil twice a year and for sure it will last without headaches...

Discgolfer74

I agree! Especially now... Before I bought my '03, I was looking at some '01 430s, and they were only priced around $12-$13K. Just check for signs of excessive wear, code malfunctions, poors steering or breaking.

Just be prepared... You are buying a Mercedes-Benz, probably one of the greatest cars ever made! I'm sure the price is sweet, but when it comes to repairs, it WILL cost you! DON'T BUY A FIXER-UPPER! Just read through some threads to see how much some repairs have cost.

eg: Service B (Oil Change) $425

Oh yeah, don't think about using anything other than premium fuel.

Other than that, welcome to MBWorld! My wife calls it a cult, but there is a bit of an obsession with a Benz and his/her owner.

Let us know what you decided!

The Goalkeeper

It's got 40 k miles, clean interior, no scratches/dings/dents.
The dealer wants $16999 for it but I can hopefully get it for much lower than that.

Is that a good deal?

BTW, does it really cost $425 just to change the oil in this car? What kind of oil do you guys use? What's the annual cost of maintaining this car?

LOL sorry for all the questions but I really want to get this car, when I saw it on the lot I kinda fell in love.

BlackOnBlackCLK

16,999 might be a little high I would say 15,000 would be a good price.
Oil change at the dealer is very expensive I change my own. I use Mobil1. Oil and filter cost about $50.00

SaintMiles

If you haven't bouhgt it yet, WAIT. You Will get a better deal and you WILL be able to get a CLK. But probably a 430 or 55 for that amount(or close).

Also know that I had my car for 4 years and have spent very little on parts. I maintained it myself, very easily. Oil changes, brake replacement, belt and belt tensioner(see how I saved over $175 on that one), window regulator, motor mounts(although you might pay for this one if you're not really mechanically interested), and Sparkplugs(tedious, but easy, just take your ime). These are all doable by someone interested in doing them.

So.....an Oil Change will run about 55-70 dollars.
Parts don't have to come from the dealer. If you need MB Parts, look online and you'll find them much cheaper. Or even if you must buy at the Dealer, you are saving a thousand and more in the longterm by doing this easy maintenance.

I have written a short thread on my experiences wth my car. "What you need to know when you buy a used CLK"

Find a Sweet One. Some dude just bought a CLK55 on here just NOW for 15 g's.

$16,999 is too much for that car. Buy from an owner.

Hey maybe that dude will sell you his last car for that or less.

SaintMiles

Yeah, I just looked the pictures of the car agian and......
Well, it lookes kinda gay. with it's color and little chrome trim.
I don't know.

It will never look sporty. Even tinted, lowered, and sweet Wheels.

Sorry Blue owners. Really. Loose the little chrome trim.

a 430 or a 55 is beckoning.

ZEEK

im selling my 01 320 for 15k. 16,999 is too high for that car.

The Goalkeeper

Nope I haven't bought anythimg yet which is why I came to these forums. Turns out there are great experts in here. You know your *****. So what price should I be going for? 10-15 k?

In your "What you need to know when you buy a used CLK" thread you mentioned flushing the tranny fluid. Around how many miles should I change it?

The Goalkeeper

Here's a side profile of the merc:

Buffalo Sandman

Just bought an '02 clk55 amg with 39K miles for 20,800, including free shipping to NY from Fl. It's really sweet but the amg model costs a little more.

I would guess that the car you are looking at would go for less than 15. There was an '01 clk320 with 63k miles that could have been sold for 11,995 on ebay but didn't even sell because the reserve price wasn't met. Looked like a nice car. You may want to take your time with your purchase. Look up ebay item #200231474220.

ApproachingZero

Do you really drive an Alfa? What's wrong with that car?

I loved my CLK 430 but it was not a lot of fun. It looked great and ran really well but it just never excited me.

Looks like that clk has been lowered. Make sure it has not been modded to much engine wise.

Discgolfer74

I have to agree... blue is not becoming.


You're doing good by doing your homeowrk first! I paid $16,995 for my '03 500. Keep shopping.

Are you paying CASH or finiancing? If you're financing, banks will usually finance up to the car's NADA Trade-In Value. Here is the link: http://www.nadaguides.com/usedcars.a...item=270667572 Check with your bank to find out what the age, mileage, and price requirements are before you commit to a car.

Mine was priced so well, it didn't cost me a dime out of pocket, Taxes and Shipping included!

The Goalkeeper

yes. it's an alfa romeo 156 twin spark. there's nothing wrong with it. even with it's 2.0 engine and over 100k milles it still rides beautifully.

the reason i want a clk is because when i saw it in the lot i fell in love with its curves and design. and i know mercedes make great engines. i just figured if i can lower the price on this clk for around 13k then it would be a steal, no?

SaintMiles

That car has an adjustable suspension. Check it, it's high in the first pics, and slammed in the side view. Personally, I'm scepticle about the reliability of such a suspension, and someone's been dicking around with it.

A lot of people don't mind that, so it is a personal chioce. Obviuosly.

SaintMiles

""In your "What you need to know when you buy a used CLK" thread you mentioned flushing the tranny fluid. Around how many miles should I change it?""



Change Tranny fluid as soon as you get your CLK. Then always make sure it is full. Maybe get it flushed every 40-50k. It is most important to just make sure it is topped up. They blow up when they run dry.

430 or 55. See what that dude is doing with his 430, Boosted9603.

Wagz

go with a CLK430 or the CLK55

I just sold my CLK55 2002 with 39k miles and a 100K warranty in perfect condition for 23K.

if you are patient and look around you can find a CLK320 for around 10K, I kid you not.

you can probably find a CLK55 with 50K miles for around 18-19K as well.

not a sellers market right now with the economy and the gas prices.
these things are sitting in dealer lots and peoples garages.
Use it to your advantage and you will get one for a lot less then they are worth.
dont waste your time with a 320. go for the gusto with the CLK55

Best of Luck to you.

ApproachingZero

IMO i think the Alfa would be more fun than a CLK 320 and maybe a 430. A CLK 55 is probably better but I have never driven one. My CLK was a little numb feeling. As soon as i bought it i was looking to sell it. It was a super relaible car but I had to have more and the E55 did it for me.

As an Alfa driver you must like fun cars and i just don't know if the CLK will do it for you. I know the ALFA is no Ferrari but I bet it is fun to drive. If they start brining over to the USA i would seriously consider one as a daily driver.

thebender

I think the blue looks good

Serndipity

If you want the ulimate driving machine.....but a BMW.

Back in 2001, CLKs were gong for more than sticker.

Today, CLK coupes are a dime a dozen today (specially the V8s).

Only the CLK cabriolets are still special and turn heads .

SaintMiles

Serendipity has a mighty point.

Any BMW M machine with an actual MANUAL TRANSMISSION

I wish I thought of that 4 years ago.

By far the main drawback to this car.

But the 208 is a Great Lookin car, no dought. It's got cred with the populus fo sure.

If you want a cool friggin car that your friends will think you spent 3 times as much as you did, CLK.

Slush Box City