Is anyone else here mileage conscious like myself?
My 2000 CLK 430 has 25k miles.
Should I be nervous about putting miles on this fine automobile?
Still debating about selling just before the factory warranty ends. I think this car's body style will be timeless and I would love to keep it; however, I'm somewhat nervous about it's reliability.
Couple with the fact that most MB dealer service center are a little high in prices.
Anyone else having the same thoughts?



THANKS

 

I've got a 2000 CLK430 coupe too, and it's got 22,5xx miles on it at the moment. Unfortunately, I know it's not in nearly as good shape as yours, since mine is an 'enthusiastically driven' urban daily driver.

In my opinion, it's not a Benz worth keeping. It's definitely a beautiful car, but it's not holding its value quite as well as we'd hoped (the used car market slump is largely to blame), and as you might have discovered it's not the best built Mercedes around. Mine squeaks, rattles, and creaks like you wouldn't believe for a 2 year old $60K car. It's got a lot of problems, and it's developing more.

IMO, if you want a luxury sports car you can keep forever, get an SL.

 

Does anyone else think that the 2000 CLK 430 is not worth keeping? I am on the process of purchasing a used 2000 CLK 430 (k2,k3,k4) with 36k miles for $37k, and I am planning to get the 3 year extended warranty for $1500. Anyone else had/have problems with this car?

 

Depends on how long you want to keep it. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they're cars to be thrown away, I just don't think they'll be great 10 years after they were purchased!

ECR- here are some problems I've had:

bad fuel sensor- caused the car to run out of gas while indicating 1/4 tank (replaced under warranty in 3 days)

Loose interior pieces (some wood and leather trim has been falling off since the car was brand new)

Passenger headrest failure- stopped working, replaced under warranty in 1 day.

ESP/ABS/BRAKE light- happened about 10 times since I got my front brake pads changed. It's caused by a faulty sensor that I haven't had replaced yet. Besides the display, it disables ESP, ABS, and Brake Assist until you restart the car- quite an annoyance.

Driver's side auto-up window only works about 3 days a month. Never had it dealt with because it takes the dealership forever to do anything.

Oil level indicator function on the display has never worked.

Headliner, dash, subwoofer shelf rattle constantly.

Back seat squeaks/creaks upon accelleration.

There's also an annoying creak coming from underneath the car upon accelleration, don't know what's causing it.

It's also got the mysterious engine "ticking" problem that others have complained about. I haven't had it dealt with, 'cause I never have time to drop my car off at MB for exploratory surgery.

Those are all the problems I've had off the top of my head. Keep in mind it's a heavily driven car, and I'm a picky person .

 

Wow, now I'm having 2nd thought on this car. What do other thinks about this? Anyone else had similar (or not so similar) problems?

 

I have a 2000 CLK430, I only have about 18,500 miles. I am in the process of purchasing an extended warranty that covers me until 2007 or 75K, with a zero deductable...for about $2400. I have only had one problem with the car - that sensor problem with the brakes, other then that i have no complaints. And I do push the car when i drive it.

 

where are you purchasing that 3 year extended warranty for $1500? How many more additional miles, after 50k, does it cover?

I have a 2000 CLK320 and have only experienced minor problems like everyone else. The car has about 39k miles. I am hoping that once the 'bugs' have been fixed, i.e. problems that originated from the factory or original parts, then they shouldn't be appearing again. Also, I am hoping that no major problems, such as from the engine or transmission, would be appearing soon especially when my car is not under warranty.

Without having seen the upcoming CLK model, I say that the model now is a keeper especially if you're driving it with warranty. The lines are beautiful and the car is rare on the road. Hope my opinion helps...Good luck.

 

Really?

 

14k miles on my 320 and the only problem I've had so far is my stupid passenger side fog lamp - burned out twice already.

 

funky102:

If I buy the car, I would purchase the extended warranty through the dealer. They're in Texas. The warranty is for additional 3 years, 100k miles. This is in addition to the starmark warranty of 1 year which starts after the existing factory warranty expires. So, if I buy it, I'll be covered until 2008, 100k.

 

well.....used to be more rare and depending where you are......but more rare than the C or E

or the 3 series.....hehe

 

Still rare in the Southeastern USA.

ECR, go for it Dude!!! If you can get the extended warranty until 100k because you're going to have problems. I only drive on the weekends, however I might drive 500 miles each day. It's a real tough / expensive call to sell a used car due it's really a buyers market. That's how I got such a great deal on mine.

Newbie, Do you think you have a Lemon?

Enjoy it while you can it's a very great experience.
P.S the 2003 SL 500 is little out of my budget.

 

Get ready guys.....

CLK320 2000 purchased december 1999.
Mileage = 62,000 miles!

Problems have been:

1. alternator ( warranty )
2. fuel pump ( warranty )
3. ESP sensor ( warranty )
4. driver seat squeaks ( warranty )
5. radio/phone/CD changer control unit ( warranty )
6. radio audio 30 faulty ( warranty )
7. belt tensioner ( $250 )


We have a BMW 740iL 2001 purchased January 2001 and its been driven 15,000 miles.

The problems have been:

1. Phone fault
2. Parktronic fault
3. Tyre pressure sensor fault ( still having problems )
4. fuel hose seal fault
5. compressor faulty ( replaced )
6. rear axle noise
7. tail lights
8. tail lights
9. tail lights
10. dip beams
11. coolant leak
12. oil level sensor faulty
13. electric trunk mechanism faulty (gym bag inside)
14 tail lights
15 tail lights

 

I have a 2000 CLK430 with 9,100 miles on it.
(yep...I live only 5 minutes from the office...and it is rarely driven during the week).

I've only really had 2 problems:

1. Factory radio "phases" everynow and then....sort of like going from Stereo to mono....and back to stereo a few minutes later.

2. Upon brisk accelleration, I sometimes hear a sound that resembles having something heavy in the trunk shift toward the rear of the vehicle.

It's not a loud sound at all....but..I'm going to take it in to the dealer anyway. It almost sounds like a tool kit is loose or something...definately not the spare tire.

I love my CLK.


quaz

 

MY01 CLK55, purchased 27 April 2001. 36,000 miles so far - now adding right about 1,000 per week. "Problems" to date:[list=1][*]Rattle in wood trim, driver's door[*]SRS badge loose, driver's door (twice)[*]Double sided tape that holds ski sack cover came loose[*]CD changer skipping[*]Wind noise, driver's door[/list=1]
With the exception of the wind noise, everything has been fixed by the dealer. At next service I'm going to go for a ride with the tech - my definition of "too much" noise will get understood, I'm sure.
Read a short news story about a guy who just passed 2 million miles in his '66 Volvo - with one engine rebuild at 660k. At my current pace, I oughta be there along about 2039. If nothing else, I'll be grinnin' ear to ear 'til then

 

newbie.

i have that exact same rattling noise coming from underneath the car upon accelaration....my A service is about to come up...god knows the car keeps telling me....so i'll find out what that rattling is all about once i find the time to bring it into the shop

and i agree with you newbie....definitely not a car to have for the next ten years....these days cars change so often and fast that its pretty much useless to keep one for more than 5 years....and plus fixing a benz ain't cheap.....so when the warranty runs out....get another one.....

just my 2 cents

 

I own a 2001 CLK 320 convertible with 25,000 miles on it (daily driver but I am not lead-footed).

Since I've owned it (15 months) here's my list:

A/C system leak had to be repaired
Heater vents needed to be re-programmed
Rear bumper needed to be re-painted
Windows re-adjusted
Damn gas gauge died and had to be replaced (I dare one Honda owner to tell me they've had THAT happen to them...)
Now, my car is going in tomorrow for its first "B" service and my convertible top latch needs to be repaired and my windows programming has gone completely to hell once again.
Non-obnoxious rattles coming from who-knows-where

It's a fun car, and when the sun is hot and we're driving through Monterey or Wine Country (this is "Whine" Country, I know some of you will think), there's nothing better.

But I certainly expected more from a $52,000 car. My wife's 2001 E320 has not had a single thing go wrong with it since we bought it in April 2001.

My car is terrific but after the warranty expires these little pains in the *** will no doubt set me back $1162 per visit. So, I may sell it some time during year 2 and buy something else (SL500 maybe?).

Anyway, my two cents.

Cheers.

 

I drive this thing daily too
The only problems I've had.
AC Compressor wire came loose.
MAF went bad.
All repalced under warranty.

 

98 CLK 320 45xxx , only problems are my fog lights constantly burning out. That and its a rattle box, but ive learned to live with it.

 

My interior overhead sunshade does that and makes this noise as you describe it.

I am going in for the fourth time to have this loose shade fixed, mechanics fingerprints removed or the headliner replaced and the sunroof adjusted for the second time.

Some MB mechanics come from the graduate school of Cinnabon!

 

Greetings All

Okay

How do we as owner's insure that the future Mercedes Benz aren't garbage..... after spending all this @%*! money


Do you riot the local dealership? LOL

 

2000 CLK 320 with under 15000 miles

Problems:

Fot lamp burnt twice (fixed under warrenty)
Express windows sometimes don't work
COMAND freezes (fixed under warrenty)
Rattling noise from dash
not powerful enough (that's my problem lol...)

 

Good luck getting rattles and squeaks fixed by your dealer. Beverly Hills limited once sent me out with a tech. to listen for this annoying-as-hell squeaking coming from my brakes while I WANSN'T braking. I kept saying "there it is, don't you hear it?"

Turns out the guy is partially deaf and can't hear high pitched noises. Thanks a bunch for telling me this after my test drive.

With one exception, I've had awful luck with MB service. I switched to a much less hectic dealer downtown who I'm much happier with, but 99% of the service writers are idiots and most of the techs don't seem much better.

Also, quaz- why the hell don't you just check to see if the tool kit is banging around back there? Just a suggestion before you go and bring it to the dealer....

I'm about to take her in for Service B, and here are a few things I need to have looked at:

ESP/BAS/ABS sensor needs to be replaced

Engine 'ticking' noise

Rear suspension creaking

Back seats squeaking/creaking (esp. upon accelleration)

Subwoofer shelf rattles to no end

Latch in trunk to open the back seat doesn't work

Fog light still missing a screw (and banging around in the bodywork) thanks to the last time they changed a bulb.

Xenon headlights need adjusting

Wood strip on driver's side door loose, leather panel in back seat coming off


I'll let you know how it goes after the car comes back from service .

 

my sister has a 2000 CLK320 the car has no major mech problems but there are quite a few annoying small problems.

although its my sister's car i am mostly driving it since her lack of interest to drive and look for parking when there are drivers (me or my older brother) around. but i only drove it last january (when i totaled my 2000 328CI) to this april when i got my C32 last friday.

here are the problems:

1. front right fog light went out (warranty)
2. the power sensor for the driver window is replaced because when the window reaches the top it will came down about 1 1/2 in. (warranty, its still doing the same thing)
3. the whole front dash board was replaced because of a crack around the passenger SRS. (warranty)
4. the front dash wood trim was replace because of a crack in the trim. (warranty)
5. moon roof cover slide out of place when driving (complained but not yet replace)
6. command not memorizing what CD i was listening when i drive it the next time i restart the car (it will start from the first CD again)
7. the windshield has some kind of scratched feel when wet. you can't tell when its dry.
8.clunking sound made by the level sensor in the gas tank when accelerating. (most ppl have that problem)
9. both keys only works within 20 feet or less
10. very very loud wind noise. (can't complain since the car has no window frame)

other than those problem the car is great. it has more power than it looks.

 

Here is Graham from Hong Kong and his 42 repeat 42 disastrous experiences with a CLK Cabriolet.

He got rid of it. He does not post here anymore since January of this year.

quote from Graham Hicks:

" 1. Front passenger's seat adjustment controls fail.
2. Driver's seat adjustment controls fail - independent of 1. above.
3. Nearside wing mirror stops returning automatically to its normal position
after reversing.
4. Soft top locking mechanism goes out of adjustment and rattles.
5. Trunk lid very difficult to close, lock adjusted.
6. L/H front door speaker rattling and distorting, mountings tightened up.
7. Soft top refuses to open.
8. Trunk refuses to open remotely, although it works with mechanical key.
9. Tachometer needle jumps around wildly. Instrument cluster replaced.
10. Driver's seat control unit faulty, stored positions lost.
11. Severe brake fade, dealer checks and says pads and fluid OK.
12. Severe brake fade, dealer again says pads and fluid OK.
13. Brakes fail on a 1:6 downslope and approaching a hairpin bend with a 100
ft drop off the edge. Skill, training, experience get me out trouble
without a scratch. Dealer discovers fluid has chemically changed due to
overheating - fluid replaced. I cross a mountain pass almost every day,
1200 ft level change, average 1:8 gradients up then down again, hairpin
bends, etc. Dealer says problem is caused by my failure to use low gear on
downslope. However, with 40 yrs driving experience, I know to always use
low gear to take pressure off brakes and tell him so. I also point out that
my experience got me out of trouble when brakes failed avoiding a very big
accident and claim against MB and dealer from my dependents. Interestingly,
this problem has never recurred, despite regularly repeating that journey
with the same driving style for a further year. I wonder about the original
brake fluid.
14. Piston/spring inside trunk lid to push lid up when remotely opened,
falls off.
15. Rain sensor for windscreen wipers becomes erratic, often wiping fast
when almost no rain and wiping slow when rain heavier.
16. Fuel gauge fails - no reading. Tank sensors replaced.
17. After next tank refill, fuel gauge sticks in full position (62 litres),
tank sensors replaced again.
18. After next tank refill fuel gauge sticks in empty position (0 litres),
instrument cluster replaced.
19. Replacement of instrument cluster loses all stored data like ave. fuel
consumption since reset, distance to next service, etc. Dealer returns car
to me without correcting. Car returned for dealer to transfer data off old
instrument cluster.
20. Data transfer unsuccessful, dealer admits that new instrument cluster
requires revised software, must obtain from Germany. Software sent by snail
mail, takes 1 month to arrive. Data transfer successful.
21. Fuel gauge sticks in full position (62 litres) for approximately 100 km
after tank filled. Last 10-12 litres of fuel (according to readout) used
up in only 10 km, no gas station nearby, run out of fuel. Dealer admits he
can do no more. Get used to incorrect fuel gauge readings and always fill
up before display reads 15 litres.
22. After 6 month service, car returned with engine idle unsteady and fuel
consumption increased by some 50-60%. Engine management system adjusted and
fuel consumption improves by some 10-15%. Dealer denies any fuel
consumption problem caused by servicing, must be my driving style. Dealer
also claims that the current consumption is normal and refuses to believe I
ever obtained better figures prior to service. I show him MB brochure
which confirms my fuel consumption prior to service to be correct. Dealer
claims I must now be using the wrong fuel.
23. 1 month later throttle pedal sticks, very difficult to press down to
accelerate.
24. A further 1 month later, loss of engine power, management system
adjusted, spark plugs and airfilter replaced.
25. Driver's side window lifter adjusted when window would not close
properly.
26. Numerous rattles and creaks develop, soft top frame adjusted, door trims
removed and reinstalled, instrument panel removed and reinstalled, driver's
and rear seats removed, and reinstalled, door sill fixings adjusted.
27. Interior lamp fails.
28. Electronic ignition lock replaced after difficulty accepting ignition
key.
29. Outside temperature readout displays crazy numbers, instrument cluster
replaced.
30. Car returned to me with instrument cluster data corrupted, incorrect
readout of distance to next service etc. Returned for rectification.
31. Soft top gets stuck in half down position at beginning of journey.
Problem clears after 5 minutes with engine off, then opening can be
completed. At end of journey, soft top refuses to close, remains stuck
inside trunk compartment. On way to important business meeting, so have to
leave car in public carpark with top down.
32. Music system starts showing signs of distortion generally. Dealer
checks all speaker connections and mountings, reports no problem. I object
to no avail.
33. I foolishly try to open soft top at busy junction while lights at red to
impress new woman. Roof sticks in half down position and car refuses to
move, major traffic jam and redface. Engine off for 5 minutes clears
problem, temporarily. At least woman sees funny side of incident.
34. Trunk refuses to open even with mechanical key after return from
supermarket. Fresh milk and other perishables locked inside. Ambient
temperatures approx. 90 F. in shade. Dealer takes 4 hours to travel 10
miles for emergency repair. New trunk locking mechanism subsequently
required.
35. I travel in friend's ML320, hear his standard music system and wonder
why my Bose sound system upgrade sounds so much worse. Ask dealer to
confirm that Bose system is working properly. Dealer reports no problem.
36. After re-checking car manual and MB brochure, I wonder why volume of
sound system does not adjust itself with changing road speeds as described
by manual or in response to changing ambient noise levels as described by
brochure. Dealer's head office advises no such features exist or are
described in said documents, I must have misread them. Bear in mind he is
Chinese with poor English language skills and I am British with a law
degree. Irritated I go to MB website to check, speed-activated sound
control is advertised, ambient noise level function not mentioned.
37. I go back to dealer armed with copy of manual and print-out from website
and demand to see superior. He admits that the manual is correct and
speed-activated volume control is a standard feature. I demand he take out
the radio unit and show me the cables connecting the radio unit to some sort
of speed activation device. None exist. Dealer is surprised that MB failed
to install as its part of the standard system. I point out that MB brochure
claims the Bose system to have microcomputer which measures ambient noise
levels and automatically adjusts volume in response. Thus, the speed
activation would be superfluous and need not be fitted. Dealer refuses to
accept argument and agrees to connect the speed activation cable. I refuse
as I am concerned that this may affect the alleged Bose function.
38. Soft top sticks in half down position, after 5 minutes with engine off,
problem clears. At end of journey, I go to trunk to retrieve briefcase and
discover that the luggage cover has come apart. The cover consists of a
fabric section which rolls up when retracted and is attached to a hard
plastic section which locks into the upper part of the trunk. The fabric
and the plastic sections are now separated.
39. Driver's window lifter goes out of adjustment.
Had enough of problems - advertise car for sale.
40. CD changer in trunk starts giving problems. Laser head bounces around
causing loss of music and damage to CDs.
41. Write to dealer with copy of brochure I obtained prior to ordering car
and latest brochure available from dealer's showroom. Each states that Bose
sound system includes a computer which automatically adjusts music volume in
response to changing ambient noise levels so that driver does not need to do
so manually. I advise that Bose website states that the Bose sound system
was designed in conjunction with design of CLK and is fitted as standard to
all CLKs. I ask dealer why I had to pay for the Bose sound system as an
optional extra and why music volume is not adjusted as described in their
brochure. After senior management consideration, dealer confirms that Bose
sound system is standard equipment for the CLK and agrees to reimburse the
additional cost I paid. Dealer confirms that speed-activated volume
control is the only adjustment provided for the CLK and agrees to have this
installed.
42. Electronic ignition lock fails to accept key on 3 attempts, accepts on
4th, but turning key does nothing. Remove key, re-insert and turn, engine
starts but stalls when I release the key. Remove key, re-insert and turn,
engine starts and again stalls when I release the key. 3rd attempt
successful.

Find buyer who falls in love with the car at first sight but cannot afford
my asking price, accept a loss. New owner will have to address the
defects - once he discovers them!

25,000 kilometres on the clock.

Graham Hicks" unquote