dacksand

After lusting after the CLK since 98, I'm finally taking the plunge. I have two choices and I wonder if I could get your opinions:

(1) 99 320, lease buyout from colleague, 35,000 miles (warranty expires in April), silver/charcoal, k3, cd changer, $27,000 - drawback is that this guy has been putting 87 octane fuel in it - why, I do not know...... or

(2) 2002 320, 25K miles, warranty will expire w/ miles before time I think, silver/ash, k3, cd, multi contour seats (?), $37,000 (private party trying to sell before he has to trade it in)

So my dilemna is, is $10K worth 3 years newer, ~20K mile warranty, 10K fewer miles?

Your thoughts and comments will be much appreciated...

tango

i think it dependant on ur personal needs... if you are goin to own this bad ***** for a long period of time... then i say go for the newer one.. but if you are just goin to have this car as ur periodic toy then choose the 87 octane one to save urself some funds for the next toy

CLKeith430

87 octane? Is that guy on crack? If he's going to treat his car that way, who know how that will affect the car longterm. Why take a chance on a car that wasn't taken care of, you should know this by the way feed his car. It like feeding your child unhealthy food when the doctor tells not to. Spend the extra money if you can afford it, that way you won't have regrets about taking any unforseen chances.

Petie

i was thinking about it as i was skimming over it, and i was factoring in the price difference as an issue, as the older ones definitely had more problems, but damn......87 octane?!?!?!? scratch that car off the list, the engine is not made for 87 octane, who knows what kind of damage has been done to it if he doesnt even know what kind of gas to put in the car.....

mmgrad

go with the '02. updated styling, less problems, longer warranty period, and it may even still qualify for extended warranty.

he put 87 octane cause it was a lease and he didn't care for performance, so 87 octane will save him money and leave the troubles it creates to the new owner.

if you gonna take the plunge, go with the '02.

Adonis

i was faced with a similar delima. i choose to go with the 2k2. i just bought an extended warranty. Which ever you choose you're still gonna be a benz owner. woo hoo!

djamer

I would recommend 02' CLK. Like the other posts, the CLK has improved in some of the glitches from the previous years and 87' grade gasoline..what the ****? geez, some people!!@!

Anyhow, I bought mine used also. It's a 02' 320, no complaints..i always wanted one, and thankfully, it was a good choice.. good luck w/ your purchase and let us know how it goes..cheers..

djamer

Martin

Go for the 2002, MB updated the styling in 2001 and has worked out a lot of bugs.

As for the 87 gas not my choice either and it probably indicates that the owner has abused the car! In theory the knock sensors will take care of the 87 gas. I place more faith in MB than an owner thats real cheap so thats another vote for the 02.

theine

The 2002 makes more common sense.

dacksand

Thanks for all of the good advice. I was leaning toward the 2002 and now that is definitely the way I'll go.

I'm sure I'll have more questions once I'm actually driving it.

Thanks again.

mikeyclk

I just bought a used '99 CLK320 and am curious what type of problems they have had? Mine has 23k miles on it...

tango

maybe the owner of that 87octane clk does feed his/her child with unhealthy food all the time haha:o

dacksand

I bought the 2002 CLK on Friday afternoon. Damn. The perfect combination of sport and luxury. I don't know why I waited this long. I'm so glad I own a Benz and not BMW..........almost bought the 5 series. Thank God I thought it through.....

LAMAY123

Congrats and enjoy your car...