HELP!!!!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
From: Vallejo, CA
2023 EQs 450+ & 2002 S430
HELP!!!!!
Hi. I'm looking at purchasing a 2002 CLK 430 with 125k miles. The seller told me "the top needs fluid"!!! What does that mean? Could that be correct? This one has a canvass top (not the hard top). I don't want to buy it and end up with a headache....Also, does the CLK 430 have airmatic shocks? I know nothing about the CLK....I've always owned the S class. HELP!!!!!!
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 5
From: Kansas City/Lawrence, KS
2001 CLK 430 w/5.4 swap, 2000 CLK430
Hi. I'm looking at purchasing a 2002 CLK 430 with 125k miles. The seller told me "the top needs fluid"!!! What does that mean? Could that be correct? This one has a canvass top (not the hard top). I don't want to buy it and end up with a headache....Also, does the CLK 430 have airmatic shocks? I know nothing about the CLK....I've always owned the S class. HELP!!!!!!
Second, I don't know anything about the convertibles but I do know there are endless amounts of threads on them. Though "the top needs fluid" sounds about as legit as blinker fluid to me, but who knows. Use the search feature and select the w208 section, then search for convertible top threads.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
2002 CLK430
The tops are hydraulically operated and do in fact use fluid however I would consider this a red flag. The only time the top needs fluid is when there is a problem. It could be minor or it could be major. Unless you are getting the car for about half price I wouldn't buy it until the problem has been diagnosed and you know how much it will cost to fix it.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: Blackburn, UK
clk 230k 6-speed cabriolet
Hi,
My previous experience with cabriolets is if the seller says it needs topping up, steer clear. If it was that easy why didn't he do it? I once had that old chestnut with a pug 306. In reality it needed a new control board at £750!
My previous experience with cabriolets is if the seller says it needs topping up, steer clear. If it was that easy why didn't he do it? I once had that old chestnut with a pug 306. In reality it needed a new control board at £750!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
2002 CLK430
Agreed, unless it is an absolute steal, run as fast and as far as you can. Look at it this way, if you buy car and need to put $2,500 into it would you still think you got a good deal? If the answer is yes then go for it, if not, well keep looking. As a point of reference, I bought my '02 CLK430 with 40k less miles and in good mechanical condition for $7K. So, if I were in your shoes I wouldn't pay over $4K for it with an undiagnosed problem with the top. You can find a lot good cabriolets in the $7 to 9K range.
