drdavidge

hey whats up guys. this is my first post here so try not to bash me if im breaking any rules, haha. im 19 years old and just got my 95 integra GSR stolen tonight and im pretty pissed, but ive been craving a CLK for a long time now. im looking into a 2000 CLK320 with around 50k miles because they seem to go for around 25K-30k which is almost reasonable..haha. now a few questions:

1. what does the 320 run in the quarter mile stock?
2. how about the 430?
3. what are the big differences between the 320 and 430?
4. hows the gas mileage?
5. what are common problems?
6. am i gonna be spending alot of money on maintenence? (how much do oil changes run?)
7. what are some other sites with lots of info?

i could prob go on forever with questions. im only 19 but i work a lot and have my own webpage design business so im pretty set with money, but i dont think i can afford anything better then a 320 unfortunately. i goto school still and need a car by the 15th so im kinda in a hurry to learn and decide. basically, tell me anything you might think will be useful to me =) thanks in advance!

NeedforSleep

Dunno the truth in this list, but check it out...(0-60 times)

http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html

Haha, we asked a lot of the same questions....seems to be noob night.

drdavidge

thanks, keep it comming.

mmgrad

run a few searches on the forum, practically all the questions have been answered before.

in regards to performance, don't expect the CLK to be creme of the crop since its a luxury cruiser.. not a heart pounding race car...

and this is it... MBWorld is the best source for info about Benzos... and its full of the nicest, most knowledgeable people around

drdavidge

thanks.. anyone else got anything to say?

nubomb

I'm assuming the car is from a private sale, so no more warranty. I personally would not get it. Any little problem can become expensive to repair. I would look into starmarked cars, if I were you. The first thing I would do is get the VIN # and have a MB dealership run a check on the car. I beleive you can get a print out of the service records on the car. To see if it had any major problems fixed under warranty. Good luck and don't rush into buying a used car.

mmgrad

here, let me answer some of the simpler questions...

3.) 320: V6 engine, Burl Walnut wood trim, standard MB CLK body, 16" wheels, standard suspension, chrome window trim, triangular-like fog lights
430: V8 engine, Black Birds Eye Maple wood (MY00+), AMG body trim, 17" staggered AMG alloy wheels, sport suspension, black window trim (MY00+), round fog lights

most all other options are available to both styles...

4.) 3-400 per tank for the 320.... 2-300 on the 430... both using premium gas

5.) bad cat convertor, A/C blower on older models, tempermental window motors, bumb 02 sensors

6.) A service runs in the hundreds ($200+), but you can do your own oil change with a topsider (sp) and about 9 quarts of oil (about $40)

7.) this is the best site..

drdavidge

great replies guys, thanks. keep em comming.

redbrick

I agree wiith nubomb...

I had my alignment fixed and it cost me $300 just to replace a $5 part...can you believe that????

I got mine new...btw.

drdavidge

hmmm.. is it realistic to find a 2000 CLK320 for around 26K? that would be great if i could do that.. i see dealerships have them for sale for like 28-29K and i could prob get them down some, but this is a huge investment and this car needs to be a good car. i hear about a lot of problems and its just rediculous that a benz would have all these stupid problems that my 95 integra never came close to. whats the deal with that?

LowRydeR

I have a 2001 CLK320, it runs very good and isn't so slow like what everyone thinks. It tops out around 135-140 and does burnout easily. The ride is very comfortable if you keep the stock suspension, and looks absolutely amazing when you fix it up. However, there are many little problems, but if you have warranty they're no big deal. After all it's a great car, would have been better if it had the 5sp. option.

-Bruce

ELENI

I have a 99 clk430. No major problems yet. My car didn't come with a warranty so everything fixed would have to come out of pocket. I was lucky to have had a cat changed under the emmissions warranty which lasts 8 years or 80,000 miles. In your price range you could probably also pick up a 99 clk430. The main differences between the 00 '320 and 99 '430 are the blinking side mirrors, the chrome trim around the window, the amg body kit and rims, and the v6 vs. v8 engine.

I had to choose between a 00 '320 and a 99 '430 that were priced the same. I decided to go with the 99 '430. I felt that it was more car overall for the dollar.

One recommendation I would definitely make, is try to get one with a warranty. While mine doesn't have one and I have been OK so far, I can only imagine what the future holds for repairs. If it means spending $1-2k more than one without a warranty I would go with the warranty. It's for peace of mind.

Good Luck.

drdavidge

thanks for the replies guys. i guess your right, as long as i have a warantee then i should be ok.. im goin to the dealer in about an hour to see what they got. i like the power of the 430 but i love the fuel economy of the 320 and since this is gonna be a daily driven car to work and school, i think thats more important. i think i am done with fast cars as everyone ive had has been hit or stolen.. does the clk require premium gas? (my integra gsr did)

Brian_I.

Yes it does.

Brian_I.

BTW, good luck at the dealership. Do not let them rip you off. Oh, and post some pics when you do get it.

If you have time read this Confessions of a car salesman if you have time. I think it may be worth a look.

mmgrad

that be my employer....

Chappy

Sorry to hear about your recent car theft. Perhaps the police will locate your Acura and you'll have it returned without damage.

If not, a CLK would be a huge step up from your previous ride. Overall, the CLK is a good car. It is very safe and is great looking too!

"No more fast cars".....sounds like you may lean towards the 320 - better fuel ecomony as well.

Good luck with your decision

drdavidge

i just came back from the dealership and they didnt have many 320's in my price range.. best one was a 2000 with 30k miles for 35K which is out of my price range. the salesman showed me the c230 sedan sport and that looked nice. i dont like the coupes of that car, they just look ugly to me. there was a 2003 going for 27k there with a 5 year warantee that looked good... and was brand new with 8 miles on the odometer... ill have to look around and do some more research. every car they had there was starmarked and every pre-owned car looked like they were brand new. wow.

drdavidge

also, im no stranger to buying a car. im the guy all my friends take with them to go buy cars because i can respond to dealer's bull**** as fast as they can throw it. they wanted 15k for my integra when i got it plus fees and taxes, i got them down to 10k including taxes and fees. my friend just bought an altima to use for his daily drive and i got that car down from 8800 to 6000 with taxes. all these dealers are all full of **** and im always prepared for them... i remember reading those edmunds reports on how to buy a car from a dealer a few years back before i even bought my first car. you cant bull**** a bull****er

thanks for the link though, it cant hurt to read though it again!

drdavidge

went to a bmw dealership today and checked out a 2000 323i over at http://www.getauto.com/autolinks_car...AM3343YCA92269 .. wasnt bad but i didnt like the salesman.. i caught him in a lie already

clkal

awwwwww man......don't buy a BMW...you'll end up regretting it like it did. Now i am stuck with a piece of ***** 97' 540i which has so many electrical problems .

drdavidge

i dunno, its a lot cheaper though and theres a lot more available.. the benz dealership only had 1 CLK coupe and it was 36K .. i want to spend a max of like 26-28 total with taxes and all..

NeedforSleep

I just purchased a 99 430 for under $28K with 40K+ miles.
Just do a search online and in the free auto classifieds like AutoFocus.

BTW, we also purchased a 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper warranty for $2000