Buying a CLK500
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Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 95
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From: Dyker Heights, New York
2004 CLK 500
Buying a CLK500
Hi all,
I am looking to buy a preowned 2004 CLK500. What are some things I should look out for as potential problems for that specific model? And also what are some things I should look at when buying a preowned vehicle in general? This will be the first car i am buying on my own so I am clueless as to what I need to watch out for to make sure i don't get a lemon car.
I am looking to buy a preowned 2004 CLK500. What are some things I should look out for as potential problems for that specific model? And also what are some things I should look at when buying a preowned vehicle in general? This will be the first car i am buying on my own so I am clueless as to what I need to watch out for to make sure i don't get a lemon car.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 189
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From: Toronto, ON
2004 Silver CLK500
As a CLK500 owner for past 3-1/2 years, here are a few suggestions:
1) Make sure that you have extended warranty on the car. Even with all the problems checked out, W209s from 2003-2005 have some problems that come up past 20-30k miles. I will describe some of them below. But extended warranty is a must for this car.
2) Make sure any prospective car is checked out by a reliable technician who is familiar with Benzes. Some problems to look for are transmission (smooth shifts, no hesitation, and worse, no grinding noises). If there are any noises from the transmission, there should be an extended warranty to take care of that. W209s had transmission fluid leakage/mixing problems with coolant resulting in the whole transmissions being replaced. The problem usually occurs in 20k+ miles cars.
3) Check out the catalytic converters as they had known problems and were being replaced under warranty
4) Take car out for test drive, and get all electronics checked out. Electronic malfunctions have known to occur in CLKs. Though they are not very common, but they are still a pain in the butt if they happen.
5) Make sure that door windows (driver/passenger) do not rattle when the door is closed. This was also a problem in my car and was fixed by the dealer under warranty.
Good luck.
1) Make sure that you have extended warranty on the car. Even with all the problems checked out, W209s from 2003-2005 have some problems that come up past 20-30k miles. I will describe some of them below. But extended warranty is a must for this car.
2) Make sure any prospective car is checked out by a reliable technician who is familiar with Benzes. Some problems to look for are transmission (smooth shifts, no hesitation, and worse, no grinding noises). If there are any noises from the transmission, there should be an extended warranty to take care of that. W209s had transmission fluid leakage/mixing problems with coolant resulting in the whole transmissions being replaced. The problem usually occurs in 20k+ miles cars.
3) Check out the catalytic converters as they had known problems and were being replaced under warranty
4) Take car out for test drive, and get all electronics checked out. Electronic malfunctions have known to occur in CLKs. Though they are not very common, but they are still a pain in the butt if they happen.
5) Make sure that door windows (driver/passenger) do not rattle when the door is closed. This was also a problem in my car and was fixed by the dealer under warranty.
Good luck.
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W209
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Dyker Heights, New York
2004 CLK 500
Thanks for letting me know. I've already gotten the car and love it. But I am having problem with one thing...
My CD changer got jammed and I can't get it out...I've read to take out the CD changer and just move the tray back in but which tools do you use cos I can't get any of my tools to fit in the glovebox...or is there a easier process around it?
My CD changer got jammed and I can't get it out...I've read to take out the CD changer and just move the tray back in but which tools do you use cos I can't get any of my tools to fit in the glovebox...or is there a easier process around it?
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 30
Likes: 6
Mercedes CLK500
2006 CLK500 Cabrio
Amazing car very spaced out issues until now.
had it since 50k miles.
78k engine and transmission mounts replaced
80k radiator coolant leak
82k coolant leak behind firewall fixed myself with like $40.
84k passenger window regulator
85k coolant leak again (my car hates coolant)
90k nothing wrong w suspension but switched to coilovers and rubbed my car a lot everywhere after dropping it 3 inches
95k is when the control arms etc went bad wow. Upper and lower control arms, brake rotors (preventative maintenance) changed myself $300 for everything
97k driver window regulator
100k coolant leak upper radiator hose got eaten by rats leaked onto radiator fan and had to change that too
100.5k serpentine belt snapped took out idler pulley.
102k ac compressor went out changed it myself around $450 total including Freon
103k alternator changed by myself for $60
103.5k intermittent no start when engine is hot. Working on this fix
103.5k esp and abs module is out rn have the parts just need to install.
these seem really close together but in a town where the farthest you can drive is 7miles it’s like a once a month kinda thing
Currently the convertible top is kind of separating at one of the rear seams that just happened kind of expected with a 16 yo car with the original top.
no major issues besides the no start currently happening but noticed my cooling system has been unlucky
had it since 50k miles.
78k engine and transmission mounts replaced
80k radiator coolant leak
82k coolant leak behind firewall fixed myself with like $40.
84k passenger window regulator
85k coolant leak again (my car hates coolant)
90k nothing wrong w suspension but switched to coilovers and rubbed my car a lot everywhere after dropping it 3 inches
95k is when the control arms etc went bad wow. Upper and lower control arms, brake rotors (preventative maintenance) changed myself $300 for everything
97k driver window regulator
100k coolant leak upper radiator hose got eaten by rats leaked onto radiator fan and had to change that too
100.5k serpentine belt snapped took out idler pulley.
102k ac compressor went out changed it myself around $450 total including Freon
103k alternator changed by myself for $60
103.5k intermittent no start when engine is hot. Working on this fix
103.5k esp and abs module is out rn have the parts just need to install.
these seem really close together but in a town where the farthest you can drive is 7miles it’s like a once a month kinda thing
Currently the convertible top is kind of separating at one of the rear seams that just happened kind of expected with a 16 yo car with the original top.
no major issues besides the no start currently happening but noticed my cooling system has been unlucky
