First Impressions after 3 weeks of ownership CLK320 31K miles
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 38
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2001 E430 Sport 34K, 2002 E320 (38K) ,1999 CLK320, sold, 2003 BMW 540ia (26K) sold
First Impressions after 3 weeks of ownership CLK320 31K miles
Car has only 31K, one woman owner, city car, sat around alot in a garage.
Problems with mirror, seat, sunroof, leaky fuel pump, erratic fuel gauge issue, rear brakes grind, pads fine, rear engine seal leaking.
Some problems due to disuse while original owner away for many months at a time but alot of electrical gremlins that others report, fixes can be very costly. Even Indy mechanics prefer throwing parts than repairing.
Paid to have the rear engine seal replaced and transmission fluid and filter renewed.
The car is uber comfortable and somewhat complicated electrically.
Mercedes parts depts. are not very helpful at all. I have called four in Southern Cal, AFTER attempting to identify part on EPC without much success.
Fit and finish is not quite as good as my '91 300E, and car has a bit more rattles but nothing too bad. Then again its a coupe with frameless window.
Suspension is very good, seating position can be perfectly tailored to fit, gets superb grade. Brake feel is not nearly as good as 3 series BMW, will change the rear rotors as they are lipped with Meyle, for cost savings, next week with Akebono Euro pads, fronts already done.
Steering more luxury than performance at least with stock wheels and H rated tires, no match for the 3 series.
The looks and overall quality are better than BMW 3 series as is the luxury feel but is not as taught or controlled with much less road feedback and connection. Maybe Bilstein HD and 17" wheels and low profile tires...
Car is quiet and composed and would be excellent for trips.
Climate control is complicated, buttons cheap, and responds slowly like all my Benz' including 300 turbo diesel, 300E, but not the E430 which is much better.
Seats are very very good, well bolstered, nearly perfect. Wish I had heaters.
Erratic fuel gauge that may be fixed by Chevron Premium and additional can of Fuel Injection Cleaner with Techron, so far so good will see next fill up as gauge has been normal since fuel level fell below 3/4 tank.
Trunk is huge, fold down rear seat a major plus. Auto opener for trunk lid very useful but lid needs better dampening as it springs all the way up and bounces annoyingly.
Stock stereo is very very good compared to most stock offerings but the lack of an auxilary imput sucks badly on this '99. Later years apparently have it.
Love driving it, feel safe, great comfort, performance very very good.
Should have the problems sorted in a week or two, then I expect it to be reliable for a long time...
Problems with mirror, seat, sunroof, leaky fuel pump, erratic fuel gauge issue, rear brakes grind, pads fine, rear engine seal leaking.
Some problems due to disuse while original owner away for many months at a time but alot of electrical gremlins that others report, fixes can be very costly. Even Indy mechanics prefer throwing parts than repairing.
Paid to have the rear engine seal replaced and transmission fluid and filter renewed.
The car is uber comfortable and somewhat complicated electrically.
Mercedes parts depts. are not very helpful at all. I have called four in Southern Cal, AFTER attempting to identify part on EPC without much success.
Fit and finish is not quite as good as my '91 300E, and car has a bit more rattles but nothing too bad. Then again its a coupe with frameless window.
Suspension is very good, seating position can be perfectly tailored to fit, gets superb grade. Brake feel is not nearly as good as 3 series BMW, will change the rear rotors as they are lipped with Meyle, for cost savings, next week with Akebono Euro pads, fronts already done.
Steering more luxury than performance at least with stock wheels and H rated tires, no match for the 3 series.
The looks and overall quality are better than BMW 3 series as is the luxury feel but is not as taught or controlled with much less road feedback and connection. Maybe Bilstein HD and 17" wheels and low profile tires...
Car is quiet and composed and would be excellent for trips.
Climate control is complicated, buttons cheap, and responds slowly like all my Benz' including 300 turbo diesel, 300E, but not the E430 which is much better.
Seats are very very good, well bolstered, nearly perfect. Wish I had heaters.
Erratic fuel gauge that may be fixed by Chevron Premium and additional can of Fuel Injection Cleaner with Techron, so far so good will see next fill up as gauge has been normal since fuel level fell below 3/4 tank.
Trunk is huge, fold down rear seat a major plus. Auto opener for trunk lid very useful but lid needs better dampening as it springs all the way up and bounces annoyingly.
Stock stereo is very very good compared to most stock offerings but the lack of an auxilary imput sucks badly on this '99. Later years apparently have it.
Love driving it, feel safe, great comfort, performance very very good.
Should have the problems sorted in a week or two, then I expect it to be reliable for a long time...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,435
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From: Nebraska
99CLK320,
I have a 99/320 that I bought with 3623 miles on it in 05 so it sat around for 6 years with very little use and I am happy to say, other than an MAF I have had 0 electrical problems.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
2001 E430 Sport 34K, 2002 E320 (38K) ,1999 CLK320, sold, 2003 BMW 540ia (26K) sold
you must have the greatest example of a low mileage CLK320
I just looked at at '98 SL500 with AMG package with about 7K miles
for $16K. It is bright red on tan and quite tempting...
I just looked at at '98 SL500 with AMG package with about 7K miles
for $16K. It is bright red on tan and quite tempting...
