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?

 

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.

 

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..

 

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

 

Great info! Thanks
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?

 

i have a cab and totally love it!!!! wouldn't have it any other way

 

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.

 

You can find these on eBay and are not OEM. DEPO and another company with the name "Eagle" in it make a couple different ones. DEPO makes the cheese grater style backing projector while the other has an angel eye option. Both styles come in chrome and black.

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.

 

thanks guys!

 

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.