Hello W208 folks! Couple quick questions?
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Hello W208 folks! Couple quick questions?
I recently got rid of my W220 (downgrading my lifestyle for grad school), but I have always loved the look of these CLK's and they seem pretty reasonably priced. My question(s):
Any major problems specific to the 430 or 320? Any tips on things to look for?
Pro's/Con's for cabriolet vs hard top?
Any major problems specific to the 430 or 320? Any tips on things to look for?
Pro's/Con's for cabriolet vs hard top?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2013 FIAT Abarth 500
My advice would be to get one 2001-2003 to avoid major electrical problems. Check out this page from MarcusF's website: http://www.marcusfitzhugh.com/CLK/DIY/usedCLK.html
You'll learn that he's the model guru for the 208s.
Convertible top pros:
- still looks sexy with top up or down (i.e. plenty of stares with top down)
- simple to operate
- quiet with top up or down (provided you have the wind deflector for top down)
Convertible top cons:
- fair amount of chassis flex/cowl shake (as with any convertible)
- rare occurrences of electrical/motor problems associated with convertible top can be a difficult to diagnose and fix
- possibilities of water leaks into the car as well as the top storage compartment (I haven't experienced this on my '03 yet -- been 99% airtight save for when pressure washing)
Coupe pros:
- solid body build
- can be tuned into a relatively decent power/track performer if you get the 430
Coupe cons:
- it's not the cabriolet
In my opinion, if you're going to get the 208 as a weekend cruiser get the cab; if you're looking for a trackable/DD car get the coupe. Get the 320 if you don't need too much power on tap for highway/city driving; get the 430 if you prefer some more kick and don't mind slightly lower MPG. I myself believe the 208 was made to be a cabriolet so I opted for an '03 cabrio 320 since I use mine as a DD (40 miles round trip M-F) and weekend car and get 27 MPG combined for the last 10k miles I've owned the MB.
Only problems I've had since I owned the car was a bad battery (dealer I bought the car from replaced on their dime) and a cabrio top limit switch that I effed up on account of my stupidity.
Good luck.
You'll learn that he's the model guru for the 208s.
Convertible top pros:
- still looks sexy with top up or down (i.e. plenty of stares with top down)
- simple to operate
- quiet with top up or down (provided you have the wind deflector for top down)
Convertible top cons:
- fair amount of chassis flex/cowl shake (as with any convertible)
- rare occurrences of electrical/motor problems associated with convertible top can be a difficult to diagnose and fix
- possibilities of water leaks into the car as well as the top storage compartment (I haven't experienced this on my '03 yet -- been 99% airtight save for when pressure washing)
Coupe pros:
- solid body build
- can be tuned into a relatively decent power/track performer if you get the 430
Coupe cons:
- it's not the cabriolet
In my opinion, if you're going to get the 208 as a weekend cruiser get the cab; if you're looking for a trackable/DD car get the coupe. Get the 320 if you don't need too much power on tap for highway/city driving; get the 430 if you prefer some more kick and don't mind slightly lower MPG. I myself believe the 208 was made to be a cabriolet so I opted for an '03 cabrio 320 since I use mine as a DD (40 miles round trip M-F) and weekend car and get 27 MPG combined for the last 10k miles I've owned the MB.
Only problems I've had since I owned the car was a bad battery (dealer I bought the car from replaced on their dime) and a cabrio top limit switch that I effed up on account of my stupidity.
Good luck.
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
yes knock on wood, mine is 2001 and never had a single bro..i changed the battery once and its still running and i heard about the electrical prob..
#4
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Cape Cod, Mass.
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2001 CLK 320
only problems ive ever had were the seat motors and trunk motor..i think problems in the seat motors are very common..as for the trunk motor, all i had to do was climb into the trunk, pop the trunk manually, and it worked fine after that
#5
Super Member
Thread Starter
My advice would be to get one 2001-2003 to avoid major electrical problems. Check out this page from MarcusF's website: http://www.marcusfitzhugh.com/CLK/DIY/usedCLK.html
You'll learn that he's the model guru for the 208s.
Convertible top pros:
- still looks sexy with top up or down (i.e. plenty of stares with top down)
- simple to operate
- quiet with top up or down (provided you have the wind deflector for top down)
Convertible top cons:
- fair amount of chassis flex/cowl shake (as with any convertible)
- rare occurrences of electrical/motor problems associated with convertible top can be a difficult to diagnose and fix
- possibilities of water leaks into the car as well as the top storage compartment (I haven't experienced this on my '03 yet -- been 99% airtight save for when pressure washing)
Coupe pros:
- solid body build
- can be tuned into a relatively decent power/track performer if you get the 430
Coupe cons:
- it's not the cabriolet
In my opinion, if you're going to get the 208 as a weekend cruiser get the cab; if you're looking for a trackable/DD car get the coupe. Get the 320 if you don't need too much power on tap for highway/city driving; get the 430 if you prefer some more kick and don't mind slightly lower MPG. I myself believe the 208 was made to be a cabriolet so I opted for an '03 cabrio 320 since I use mine as a DD (40 miles round trip M-F) and weekend car and get 27 MPG combined for the last 10k miles I've owned the MB.
Only problems I've had since I owned the car was a bad battery (dealer I bought the car from replaced on their dime) and a cabrio top limit switch that I effed up on account of my stupidity.
Good luck.
You'll learn that he's the model guru for the 208s.
Convertible top pros:
- still looks sexy with top up or down (i.e. plenty of stares with top down)
- simple to operate
- quiet with top up or down (provided you have the wind deflector for top down)
Convertible top cons:
- fair amount of chassis flex/cowl shake (as with any convertible)
- rare occurrences of electrical/motor problems associated with convertible top can be a difficult to diagnose and fix
- possibilities of water leaks into the car as well as the top storage compartment (I haven't experienced this on my '03 yet -- been 99% airtight save for when pressure washing)
Coupe pros:
- solid body build
- can be tuned into a relatively decent power/track performer if you get the 430
Coupe cons:
- it's not the cabriolet
In my opinion, if you're going to get the 208 as a weekend cruiser get the cab; if you're looking for a trackable/DD car get the coupe. Get the 320 if you don't need too much power on tap for highway/city driving; get the 430 if you prefer some more kick and don't mind slightly lower MPG. I myself believe the 208 was made to be a cabriolet so I opted for an '03 cabrio 320 since I use mine as a DD (40 miles round trip M-F) and weekend car and get 27 MPG combined for the last 10k miles I've owned the MB.
Only problems I've had since I owned the car was a bad battery (dealer I bought the car from replaced on their dime) and a cabrio top limit switch that I effed up on account of my stupidity.
Good luck.
I'm equally in love with the hard top and convertible, and to be honest I might go for the cabriolet and hope to find a salvaged hard-top. I think it would be really fun to have both, but that's far down the road.
So I've seen a few W208's with updated headlights that really set them off and keep them looking like a late model coupe as it already does. Is this a mod using late model E or C-class lights or are these after market specifically made for this model?
Will my braubus style staggered 20's from my S-Class fit the W208?
Last edited by LAWYER2; 07-12-2010 at 08:46 PM.
#7
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Syd, Australia
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2012 C63
Another negative about the cabrio or any convertible is trunk space. The canvas does take up a fair amount of room. If you play golf, you'll understand why this is important. Apart from that, I think they look as great as the coupes.
Trending Topics
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2013 FIAT Abarth 500
So I've seen a few W208's with updated headlights that really set them off and keep them looking like a late model coupe as it already does. Is this a mod using late model E or C-class lights or are these after market specifically made for this model?
Will my braubus style staggered 20's from my S-Class fit the W208?
Will my braubus style staggered 20's from my S-Class fit the W208?
No, your Brabus wheels will not mount up to a W208 and in my opinion I wouldn't go with anything bigger than 18s; possibly 19s if you want to go for an aggressive fitment.
#10
the S Class 20s will fit with spacers and longer bolts! Tires sizes will be different than the S class. I have done it many times!
Spacers needed: 8-10mm fronts/12-20mm rears (depends on your taste)
The cheaper CLKs will typically have 100,000+ miles.....
Mine just reached 130,000 and the water pump and motor mounts have failed, other than that, its been a strong daily beater for the past 6 years!
The CLK 430 v8 is twin-ignition and remember that it has 16 sparkplugs and 16 sparkplug cables!
the 6 cyl is also twin ignition.....but
CLK 430/AMG55 > CLK 320
Want to buy my 430??? im ready for a CLS_550.
Spacers needed: 8-10mm fronts/12-20mm rears (depends on your taste)
The cheaper CLKs will typically have 100,000+ miles.....
Mine just reached 130,000 and the water pump and motor mounts have failed, other than that, its been a strong daily beater for the past 6 years!
The CLK 430 v8 is twin-ignition and remember that it has 16 sparkplugs and 16 sparkplug cables!
the 6 cyl is also twin ignition.....but
CLK 430/AMG55 > CLK 320
Want to buy my 430??? im ready for a CLS_550.
Last edited by SoCalw11w123; 07-13-2010 at 10:26 PM.