1999 A208 CLK230 Gday intro
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Gippsland, Australia
Nissan Maxima + Too many to list
For years I swore id not buy a Mercedes built after 1992 when the W126 run ended and I had a 1990 300SEL and put a ton of miles on her until she was rear ended by a Landcruiser while parked.
I currently have a handful of W116 both Djet, Kjet and a 280S, C107 (350SLC) getting a refresh and a W128 280E
And this is where the trouble started with my Daughter obtaining her Learners permit and suggesting in the way Teen Daughters suggest that a Mercedes Coupe would be very safe as a first car and that she would love me forever if I did this one small thing for her and that she didnt care about engine etc because she trusted my judgement etc etc etc Just not a Red car........... Bugger.
Our old 124 230TE had left a lasting impression and the SLC sealed my fate and for months she brought me listings of Mercedes Coupes, SL and SLC but nothing suitable or in her price range so I started searching for SLK and CLK models coz they are nice and compact.
The deal was She paid for the purchase, Id organise the rest and last week we went and looked at a 1999 A208 CLK230 and a few days later bought it.......
Now the fun begins
I currently have a handful of W116 both Djet, Kjet and a 280S, C107 (350SLC) getting a refresh and a W128 280E
And this is where the trouble started with my Daughter obtaining her Learners permit and suggesting in the way Teen Daughters suggest that a Mercedes Coupe would be very safe as a first car and that she would love me forever if I did this one small thing for her and that she didnt care about engine etc because she trusted my judgement etc etc etc Just not a Red car........... Bugger.
Our old 124 230TE had left a lasting impression and the SLC sealed my fate and for months she brought me listings of Mercedes Coupes, SL and SLC but nothing suitable or in her price range so I started searching for SLK and CLK models coz they are nice and compact.
The deal was She paid for the purchase, Id organise the rest and last week we went and looked at a 1999 A208 CLK230 and a few days later bought it.......
Now the fun begins
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Gippsland, Australia
Nissan Maxima + Too many to list
The Plan totally ignores the warning "There's nothing as costly as a cheap Mercedes" and she cost a few k but is in honest but shabby cosmetic condition.
The M111 is solid, good service history and it was a daily driver.
The Cabrio part wasnt a favourite but on inspection it did cabrio things, the rollover protection worked fine so I drove her 150km home on the usual 2 lane twisty roads around here with the aircon on and she needs some love.
I got home, lowered the top and washed her with the kid, a bucket and microfibre cloths, the pressure washer is banned from use on this old girl.
Then I took my kid for a topless spin explained a few things, took a few pics and settled in making a list of things to be fixed.
The Bonnet/Hood and Front bumper are badly aged Wrap so thats slowing coming off but im stalled on Steering, suspension and brakes.
Task #2 find a workshop manual and maybe an EPC and this is where I came up short coz the CLK230 isnt common globally....
SLK230 sure but the CLK230 A208 not so much, any clues?
Whats the crossover parts wise with the V6 CLK320? Can I use a 320 manual for body and brakes/Steering and suspension?
Or is the 320 different.
The M111 is solid, good service history and it was a daily driver.
The Cabrio part wasnt a favourite but on inspection it did cabrio things, the rollover protection worked fine so I drove her 150km home on the usual 2 lane twisty roads around here with the aircon on and she needs some love.
I got home, lowered the top and washed her with the kid, a bucket and microfibre cloths, the pressure washer is banned from use on this old girl.
Then I took my kid for a topless spin explained a few things, took a few pics and settled in making a list of things to be fixed.
The Bonnet/Hood and Front bumper are badly aged Wrap so thats slowing coming off but im stalled on Steering, suspension and brakes.
Task #2 find a workshop manual and maybe an EPC and this is where I came up short coz the CLK230 isnt common globally....
SLK230 sure but the CLK230 A208 not so much, any clues?
Whats the crossover parts wise with the V6 CLK320? Can I use a 320 manual for body and brakes/Steering and suspension?
Or is the 320 different.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Gippsland, Australia
Nissan Maxima + Too many to list
Thanks, shes going to take some sorting and its looking like the roof/window module has some intermittent issues probably triggered by the roll protection.
Roof switch always on, roof dead with windows and roll protection....
Tried pulling the module fuse in the back but no change so the battery will be next.......
Other than that the car drives nice, AC cool although the fan blows weak so maybe cabin filter (It it has one)........
Roof switch always on, roof dead with windows and roll protection....
Tried pulling the module fuse in the back but no change so the battery will be next.......
Other than that the car drives nice, AC cool although the fan blows weak so maybe cabin filter (It it has one)........
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Gippsland, Australia
Nissan Maxima + Too many to list
Did grab a shot with the roof up for the thread, reasonable condition and still seals but im planning on replacing the roof motor and tensioner motors in the future
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 6
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From: Gippsland, Australia
Nissan Maxima + Too many to list
Cheers
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