CLK-Class (W208) 1998-2002: CLK 200, CLK 230K, CLK 320, CLK 430 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

CLK Expectations

Old Jan 21, 2003 | 05:26 PM
  #1  
Jettaflavor's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Dover, NH
2001 VW Jetta
Question CLK Expectations

Hey peeps! I'm thinking about purchasing a CLK, but I'm also looking at a BMW 3-series. Both are used. In regards to the CLK,
what is:

1. The maintenance like after 40,000 miles
2. The "mod-ability" of the car - add ons etc
3. Do they make power chips for the car?
4. What is a Power Pulley?
5. Should I buy the high model, or the lower model, and mod it?

Anythoughts, on the CLK, or BMW, are GREATLY appreciated. Also, are there more lively forums out there for mercedes vehicles?
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2003 | 05:31 PM
  #2  
awe_seattle's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
MB CLK 320 2000
CLK RULESSSSSSSSSS

too many BMW's out there :P

just a thought
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2003 | 07:17 PM
  #3  
mmgrad's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 9
From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
agreed, there are too many 3-series around. but then again, in so cal, there are CLKs all over the place too, but still less than 3series.

MBs are quite reliable, so I wouldn't worry too much about it, but buy an extended warranty if its possible.

CLKs mods are expensive, but then again so is the car.

Lots will say, get a 55, cause that rules. i would go for a 430 and mod it with a s/c later. spread out the expenses if possible. Chipping won't do a whole lot

and, i'm sure some members here will be kind of upset that you even compare the CLK to the 3-series... 2 very different cars.

thats my opinion.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 01:23 AM
  #4  
funky102's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: the OC, So Cal
2000 CLK 320
Originally posted by mmgrad


and, i'm sure some members here will be kind of upset that you even compare the CLK to the 3-series... 2 very different cars.

As those annual reports that tally the best cars in each category, states, the 3 series is "near luxury" and the CLK is "luxury."
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 06:21 AM
  #5  
theine's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 1
From: Genoa, NV
2014 GLK250 BlueTec & 2009 ML320 BlueTec
Smile

Maintenance after 40K: No sweat.
Mod-ability: Just browse this forum.
Power chips: Don't work on benzo's.
Power pulleys: Lighter pulleys for your alternator, power steering and water pump. Gives you an extra 13 HP.
High or low model: Show me the money.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2003 | 12:13 AM
  #6  
karl k's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Re: CLK Expectations

Originally posted by Jettaflavor
Hey peeps! I'm thinking about purchasing a CLK, but I'm also looking at a BMW 3-series. Both are used. In regards to the CLK,
what is:

1. The maintenance like after 40,000 miles
2. The "mod-ability" of the car - add ons etc
3. Do they make power chips for the car?
4. What is a Power Pulley?
5. Should I buy the high model, or the lower model, and mod it?

Anythoughts, on the CLK, or BMW, are GREATLY appreciated. Also, are there more lively forums out there for mercedes vehicles?
Buy the "high" model - AMG did the mods for you!
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2003 | 03:26 PM
  #7  
jimdy's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
clk500
Talking

The CLK will be in the shop less then the 3-series. Seems like my friends with 3-series are always bringing their cars into the shop for little stuff. But that is just what I noticed.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2003 | 03:55 PM
  #8  
Adonis's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Chgo
CLK 320
The CLK will be worth more than the same retail priced bmw3 in terms trade & sale value
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 24, 2003 | 04:06 PM
  #9  
LowRydeR's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Re: Re: CLK Expectations

Originally posted by karl k
Buy the "high" model - AMG did the mods for you!
If you're not satisfied with the look of a CLK, you can always mod it out, there are many aftermakret tuners for Mercedes.

-Bruce
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2003 | 10:00 PM
  #10  
braincuttermd's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
I had a 3 (among other BMWs) before buying my CLK 430. The build quality difference between the BMW (which I like very much) and the Mercedes is large. The BMWs are nice, but the MBs are just way out of their league. With the AMG options, the MBs are nearly as sporting as the BMWs, but the MBs are just much better made and much more solid.

I can't comment on the 320 because I never drove one, but the 430 is a fun car and gobs of power with the V8.

I never drove the CLK 55, but if you can spare the extra cash, go for that. Otherwise, get a 430, like the previous poster said, AMG did most of the mods for you.

Of course, many of the guys on the board will disagree with that statement and continue to mod out the CLK even more. As you can see from many of the pics on this board, the CLK accepts mods very well and looks very racy with the aftermarket stuff.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2003 | 08:26 PM
  #11  
FrankW's Avatar
MBworld Guru
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
I had a 2000 328Ci, but for a used car I would go with the MB. Unless the used BMW you are looking at is really new and in really good condition. Most of these 3-series are driven hard and the % of them being in an accident before is greater than MB.

Try not to go for the used AMG because IMO they probably holds the same reason for not getting the used Bimmer (driven hard, might had accidents, etc)
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2003 | 10:34 PM
  #12  
braincuttermd's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
I'd have to agree with Frank W. I beat the crap out of my BMWs. I don't exactly baby my MB, but it has only seen redline a few times while the BMW was pushed to redline almost every other time I drove it (I was much younger back in the days!).
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2003 | 03:04 AM
  #13  
karl k's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
BMWs are meant to be driving like the ULTIMATE machine...and AMGs are NOT for sunday drivers.

They are designed to be driven!
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:03 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE