Advice on CLK430 Cabriolet
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Joined: Jul 2025
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Advice on CLK430 Cabriolet
Despite being familiar with the old adage that there is no "cheap" Mercedes, this April I bought a 2002 CLK430 convertible for a price well under $10K.
It has almost 74,000 miles now, and despite 6 owners, has an extensive Carfax history, no accidents, and much M-B dealer servicing.
My issue ts that a local mechanic, supposedly highly rated for German cars, says I need new motor mounts and an oil pan, this due to some n=minor leak spots on my garage floor.
According to the Carfax, the motor mounts were replaced at 55,440 miles in Sept., 2020. Could they go bad already? He revved the engine with the hood up and it did cant to the right a bit.
I have had no check engine light come on, and while the ride is harsher than I expected, including some cowl shake, I blamed that on the convertible body.
The mechanic's quote for the pan ( does this V8 have two?), and the motor mounts is between $2500 and $3000. I do not want to spend that much on this car. He says the work entails pulling the engine!
THanks in advance for any suggestions or solutions.
It has almost 74,000 miles now, and despite 6 owners, has an extensive Carfax history, no accidents, and much M-B dealer servicing.
My issue ts that a local mechanic, supposedly highly rated for German cars, says I need new motor mounts and an oil pan, this due to some n=minor leak spots on my garage floor.
According to the Carfax, the motor mounts were replaced at 55,440 miles in Sept., 2020. Could they go bad already? He revved the engine with the hood up and it did cant to the right a bit.
I have had no check engine light come on, and while the ride is harsher than I expected, including some cowl shake, I blamed that on the convertible body.
The mechanic's quote for the pan ( does this V8 have two?), and the motor mounts is between $2500 and $3000. I do not want to spend that much on this car. He says the work entails pulling the engine!
THanks in advance for any suggestions or solutions.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
From: So. California
Despite being familiar with the old adage that there is no "cheap" Mercedes, this April I bought a 2002 CLK430 convertible for a price well under $10K.
It has almost 74,000 miles now, and despite 6 owners, has an extensive Carfax history, no accidents, and much M-B dealer servicing.
My issue ts that a local mechanic, supposedly highly rated for German cars, says I need new motor mounts and an oil pan, this due to some n=minor leak spots on my garage floor.
According to the Carfax, the motor mounts were replaced at 55,440 miles in Sept., 2020. Could they go bad already? He revved the engine with the hood up and it did cant to the right a bit.
I have had no check engine light come on, and while the ride is harsher than I expected, including some cowl shake, I blamed that on the convertible body.
The mechanic's quote for the pan ( does this V8 have two?), and the motor mounts is between $2500 and $3000. I do not want to spend that much on this car. He says the work entails pulling the engine!
THanks in advance for any suggestions or solutions.
It has almost 74,000 miles now, and despite 6 owners, has an extensive Carfax history, no accidents, and much M-B dealer servicing.
My issue ts that a local mechanic, supposedly highly rated for German cars, says I need new motor mounts and an oil pan, this due to some n=minor leak spots on my garage floor.
According to the Carfax, the motor mounts were replaced at 55,440 miles in Sept., 2020. Could they go bad already? He revved the engine with the hood up and it did cant to the right a bit.
I have had no check engine light come on, and while the ride is harsher than I expected, including some cowl shake, I blamed that on the convertible body.
The mechanic's quote for the pan ( does this V8 have two?), and the motor mounts is between $2500 and $3000. I do not want to spend that much on this car. He says the work entails pulling the engine!
THanks in advance for any suggestions or solutions.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks for your reply.
I cannot fathom why the car would need new motor mounts after only 18-19,000 miles, and why the motor needs pulled to do it.
Other than a few oil spots on the garage floor, about maybe 3'' wide, I am doing nothing for now, although I will try to get a second opinion soon.
Knock on wood, the car is running fine for now.
I cannot fathom why the car would need new motor mounts after only 18-19,000 miles, and why the motor needs pulled to do it.
Other than a few oil spots on the garage floor, about maybe 3'' wide, I am doing nothing for now, although I will try to get a second opinion soon.
Knock on wood, the car is running fine for now.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 737
Likes: 38
From: Fort Worth, TX
2019 CLS450/ 2002 CLK55
I bought my motor mounts for about $60 apiece. They are DIY, but I paid a shop to do them. Labor was $200.
If you get a look at them they're easy to see if they are bad (besides the engine leaping out of the bay). They will actually be leaking.
You 100% don't need to pull the motor to do the motor mounts. To do the oil pan (upper and lower) I would imagine it would probably be a lot easier with the engine out of the car.
John
If you get a look at them they're easy to see if they are bad (besides the engine leaping out of the bay). They will actually be leaking.
You 100% don't need to pull the motor to do the motor mounts. To do the oil pan (upper and lower) I would imagine it would probably be a lot easier with the engine out of the car.
John
Last edited by unlukky; Jul 10, 2025 at 11:10 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
2002 C32
Motor mounts are pretty straightforward.... If you choose to replace them lemforder is my goto....yes 20k is a terrible service interval and they should not have worn out so quickly, but tehy are def a common wear item.
If you are able, you might want to get under the car and clean it up with some degreaser and see if you can pinpoint leak, in my experience, lot more likely that its oil filter housing or something up higher, worth a look before signing on a repair order... : )
If you are able, you might want to get under the car and clean it up with some degreaser and see if you can pinpoint leak, in my experience, lot more likely that its oil filter housing or something up higher, worth a look before signing on a repair order... : )
Member
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 118
Likes: 22
From: Midwest
CLK 430
How big are the leak spots on the floor? If they are less than 1” diameter after 3-6 months then it’s not worth it right now to fix the oil leak.
My 430 Cabriolet had a bit of cowl shake when I got it and I had to replace the engine mounts and balance the front tires to smooth it out. $200 in parts and 2-3 hours labor should complete the job and most people can do it themselves in their own garage. It was actually difficult to see they were bad, but once I removed them it was easy to see the old ones were 1/2” shorter than the new ones. 5 years seems early for replacement, but 10 wouldn’t be too surprising.
My 430 Cabriolet had a bit of cowl shake when I got it and I had to replace the engine mounts and balance the front tires to smooth it out. $200 in parts and 2-3 hours labor should complete the job and most people can do it themselves in their own garage. It was actually difficult to see they were bad, but once I removed them it was easy to see the old ones were 1/2” shorter than the new ones. 5 years seems early for replacement, but 10 wouldn’t be too surprising.
