BMW Convert
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
2002 CLK430
BMW Convert
Hi,
After almost 30 years of driving various BMW's -3's, 5's 7's amd X5 (and racing an M5 and M3), I found myself in a position where a leg injury forced me to find something else (an automatic instead of a standard shift) to drive for a while. I ended up buying a high mileage (227,000 kms) 2002 CLK 430.
WHAT A GREAT CAR!!!
Now I understand. As a BMW owner who used to belitttle the Mercs because they were almost all automatics I can now see how great they are to drive as automatics.
While BMW may be more of a "driver's car", the driving pleasure of this 430 is amazing. Luxury AND performance. Very nice.
So I've looked around here and haven't been able to find anything specific to my query.
Basically I am interested in any information with respect to care, maintenance, and what to look out for in a car with this much mileage.
If anyone could point me to any posts or resources, or just give me your thoughts or experiences it would be greatly apprecited.
Thanks in advance.
Nick
After almost 30 years of driving various BMW's -3's, 5's 7's amd X5 (and racing an M5 and M3), I found myself in a position where a leg injury forced me to find something else (an automatic instead of a standard shift) to drive for a while. I ended up buying a high mileage (227,000 kms) 2002 CLK 430.
WHAT A GREAT CAR!!!
Now I understand. As a BMW owner who used to belitttle the Mercs because they were almost all automatics I can now see how great they are to drive as automatics.
While BMW may be more of a "driver's car", the driving pleasure of this 430 is amazing. Luxury AND performance. Very nice.
So I've looked around here and haven't been able to find anything specific to my query.
Basically I am interested in any information with respect to care, maintenance, and what to look out for in a car with this much mileage.
If anyone could point me to any posts or resources, or just give me your thoughts or experiences it would be greatly apprecited.
Thanks in advance.
Nick
Last edited by Narwal; Jan 6, 2014 at 08:17 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 4
From: San Antonio, Tx
2000 CLK430
First of all congrats on the purchase and enjoy the car. Second, you came to the right forum to get most if not all the info, quarks, issues and fixes for the W208. I suggest taking some time and reading through the old posts. I am sure you will learn a lot.
Greg
Greg
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
W208 CLK55 AMG, W203 C32 AMG, W163 M Class Sport
I'm also a BMW convert. The w208 Mercedes is more luxurious and makes a fantastic daily driver. It doesn't have the same volume of information BMW's have for maintenance.
The recirculation ball doesn't give the same feedback as BMW rack and pinion. That's about my only complaint.
BMW's have weak cooling systems and eat suspension parts quickly.
Mercedes have electrical issues and parts are harder to find.
Some item's I'd check sooner than later:
-Steering gear bolts
-Drive belts
-Wheel bearing adjustment - simple procedure when they get out of spec
-Door check straps
Some helpful items for your Benz:
- Oil filter wrench
- Oil extractor
- torx socket set
- Mercedes WIS manual (there's no Bentley manual like BMW)
The recirculation ball doesn't give the same feedback as BMW rack and pinion. That's about my only complaint.
BMW's have weak cooling systems and eat suspension parts quickly.
Mercedes have electrical issues and parts are harder to find.
Some item's I'd check sooner than later:
-Steering gear bolts
-Drive belts
-Wheel bearing adjustment - simple procedure when they get out of spec
-Door check straps
Some helpful items for your Benz:
- Oil filter wrench
- Oil extractor
- torx socket set
- Mercedes WIS manual (there's no Bentley manual like BMW)
