reliability 2001 clk320
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
2001 clk320
reliability 2001 clk320
Hi everybody, as you can tell I'm new. Just bought a 2001 clk320 and I was wondering on its reliability. I just look at the consumer report and it got me really concern, it made the list of not to buy model actually from 00-02. The car is in perfect conditons it only has 22,000 miles it just came off lease, carfax showed a perfect history, even when the woman took the car for the maintenance. Could anybody elaborate from their experinces with this cars, and what should I look for (problem areas) it's under warranty for 8 more months. Thank you for reading this long message, and thank you in advance for the replies. Lupo
Last edited by lupo7791; Oct 1, 2004 at 10:25 AM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 229
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From: Bay Area, CA.
2001 CLK320, 2003 E320
Hey Lupo,
Congratulations on you new purchase and welcome to the site! My '01 320 is at 41k and so far no major problems. Only a few minor issues with the gas sender, window seals, and squeaky seats which were fixed under warranty at the dealer.
-2001CLK
Congratulations on you new purchase and welcome to the site! My '01 320 is at 41k and so far no major problems. Only a few minor issues with the gas sender, window seals, and squeaky seats which were fixed under warranty at the dealer.-2001CLK
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 9
From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
the CLK is a great car to have as long as it has warranty on it...
there are lots of little nit-picky problems like 2001CLK mentioned (squeaks, window regulartors, O2 sensors, fuel gauge, etc...)
mechanically, the car is pretty sturdy... just, some of the minor electronics could use some fine tuning. most MB owners are too much of cry babies, so when something breaks and it needs to go in for service, they leave bad feedback on those consumer reports...
i had a good number of little problems, but... i still love my CLK... but, thank god for the warranty
there are lots of little nit-picky problems like 2001CLK mentioned (squeaks, window regulartors, O2 sensors, fuel gauge, etc...)
mechanically, the car is pretty sturdy... just, some of the minor electronics could use some fine tuning. most MB owners are too much of cry babies, so when something breaks and it needs to go in for service, they leave bad feedback on those consumer reports...
i had a good number of little problems, but... i still love my CLK... but, thank god for the warranty
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 9
From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
BTW, 2001CLK, are your wheels 18? they look very nice... fits the look of the CLK very well...
I thought about picking up a set of those in 19s for my CLK....
I thought about picking up a set of those in 19s for my CLK....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 9
From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
yeah... i've had 17s/18s/19s, and i must say, 18s are a good balance... 19s do get a little rough sometimes... have you tried 19s?
Luckily, 'most' of the LA streets are nicely paved...
Luckily, 'most' of the LA streets are nicely paved...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
2001 clk320
Thanks 2001clk and mmgrad for your replies, I know now what to expect for my car, by the way those rides of yours look sweet. I got another question, pick the car last night and the dealer had only one key, does anybody know what is the best way of obtaining another key? Thanks in advance Lupo
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: NY
CLK320
CLK Reliability
My CLK has a little less than 104,000 Miles. Transmission still shifts perfect on only one fluid change, although I have to admit its rough during cold starts. Engine revs freely and sounds great. Car was serviced with oil changes every 5K miles and all fluids changed on every other oil change which although excessive gives me peace of mind.
Changed the rotors at 96K miles. Had 1 MAF go bad and I use a K&N Filter. AC compressor replaced at around 93,000. Steering damper needs to be changed soon.
As you can see, I really have had no serious problems with the car. Always starts and drives and I am not concerned with its reliability. Treat it right and it will treat you right.
What you should worry about is the interior. The stitching on the upper side bolsters of the seat came loose in one area. Cost me about $45 to get that area restitched. Rear hat deck rattles a little but thats common, when I go home for Thanksgiving break I am going to have it padded. Also, I had to replace an upper control arm. I was very lucky and never really had to replace anything that wasn't worn out as a result of my driving.
Its a great car. However, make sure you use only MB parts, filters, and fluids.
OVERALL VERY VERY RELIABLE. NEVER LEFT ME STRANDED. BOSE SYSTEM STILL SOUNDS LIKE NEW, and I DRIVE IT LIKE A NASCAR.
As I manage to save more money I will be adding a G35 Coupe or used E46 M3 to my car stable soon. I will keep the 1998 320 as it's basically worthless (although beautiful) as a project car.
Changed the rotors at 96K miles. Had 1 MAF go bad and I use a K&N Filter. AC compressor replaced at around 93,000. Steering damper needs to be changed soon.
As you can see, I really have had no serious problems with the car. Always starts and drives and I am not concerned with its reliability. Treat it right and it will treat you right.
What you should worry about is the interior. The stitching on the upper side bolsters of the seat came loose in one area. Cost me about $45 to get that area restitched. Rear hat deck rattles a little but thats common, when I go home for Thanksgiving break I am going to have it padded. Also, I had to replace an upper control arm. I was very lucky and never really had to replace anything that wasn't worn out as a result of my driving.
Its a great car. However, make sure you use only MB parts, filters, and fluids.
OVERALL VERY VERY RELIABLE. NEVER LEFT ME STRANDED. BOSE SYSTEM STILL SOUNDS LIKE NEW, and I DRIVE IT LIKE A NASCAR.
As I manage to save more money I will be adding a G35 Coupe or used E46 M3 to my car stable soon. I will keep the 1998 320 as it's basically worthless (although beautiful) as a project car.
Last edited by 3199cc; Oct 4, 2004 at 03:11 AM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: NY
CLK320
keep in mind the car has over 100k miles with no warranty. The CLK was my first car. We bought it with something like 65K miles for 24,000 at a dealer auction.
Basically, I love having a 2 door coupe. The CL is out of my price range, and I despise Mercedes for the new CLK.
I've been looking at the BMW forums for a while and all I can say is their boards are alot more lively. More mods, more pictures, more videos. To tell you the truth I'm young. I wanna get a feel for whats out there and I love the E46 M3 and the G35 Coupe. Its a real hard choice between the 2.
Regardless, I couldn't bring myself to sell the CLK. So many memories in that car (and its backseat) that I feel keeping it as a project car gives me an excuse to keep it. I'm a real car fanatic, and I really want to build a fast MB.
I also feel like the design of our cars is truly a classic. I'll be that guy in 30 years bragging about my antique benz that I maintained all these years. I'm still bitter that Mercedes still isnt producing that 208.
Basically, I love having a 2 door coupe. The CL is out of my price range, and I despise Mercedes for the new CLK.
I've been looking at the BMW forums for a while and all I can say is their boards are alot more lively. More mods, more pictures, more videos. To tell you the truth I'm young. I wanna get a feel for whats out there and I love the E46 M3 and the G35 Coupe. Its a real hard choice between the 2.
Regardless, I couldn't bring myself to sell the CLK. So many memories in that car (and its backseat) that I feel keeping it as a project car gives me an excuse to keep it. I'm a real car fanatic, and I really want to build a fast MB.
I also feel like the design of our cars is truly a classic. I'll be that guy in 30 years bragging about my antique benz that I maintained all these years. I'm still bitter that Mercedes still isnt producing that 208.
Last edited by 3199cc; Oct 4, 2004 at 04:08 AM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Earth
W208 CLK320 & E39 M5
Originally Posted by 3199cc
I wanna get a feel for whats out there and I love the E46 M3 and the G35 Coupe. Its a real hard choice between the 2.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: NY
CLK320
g35
some people dont like the g35 but its a real comfortable riding car and it handles fairly well, im sure not in the league of the e46 but it handles at least as well as our CLK's and rides much nicer even on 18" wheels. I'm so jealous of the californians who can rock out 19 and 20" wheels and not worry about the roads.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Earth
W208 CLK320 & E39 M5
Originally Posted by 3199cc
some people dont like the g35 but its a real comfortable riding car and it handles fairly well, im sure not in the league of the e46 but it handles at least as well as our CLK's and rides much nicer even on 18" wheels.
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: USA
CLK
At one point my car, CLk320 2000, was sitting in the garage for about 7 monthes and few sensors failed(O2 sensor, fuel gage, and brake) and I fixed it under warrenty. After that I decided to drive it everyday and not a single problem so far.
I don't even have those minor problem that people talk about in this forum. I think it's one of the greatest car you can see out there today.
The only thing that I might not like is that the monoblade eats up the blade really quick compared to those regular double blades. It has to work double time and eats up that rubber blade pretty quick. I end up changing them twice a year but it only cost $10 for the blade so I don't mind as much.
I don't even have those minor problem that people talk about in this forum. I think it's one of the greatest car you can see out there today.
The only thing that I might not like is that the monoblade eats up the blade really quick compared to those regular double blades. It has to work double time and eats up that rubber blade pretty quick. I end up changing them twice a year but it only cost $10 for the blade so I don't mind as much.
