Hey guys, I know many threads were about it.
I am currently driving my 1999 Toyota Solara SLE V6. Well it's almost 160k miles on it. It's very reliable car, I didn't have any problem at all, only change oil every 3-4k miles.
I am looking for 2dr coupe, i like clk320-clk350 and g35 and also accord i4 2006-2007. Or maybe infiniti fx35 (love this car, but it's not 2dr)? I want luxury car and good mpg. I am not going to racing anyway.
My solara avg about 19mpg in city and I want better or the same.
I found deal for 2006 MB CLK350 66k miles, black on black for only $15k (two owners, clean title) One thing: it does 't have xenon headlight well I will change them but it will cost almost $1k.
After I took test drive on it, it doesn't really feel like super luxury car after Toyota sokara, I'll say it's alright.
I afraid that clk can be bad reability compare to solara or accord, well anyway any car can be a lemon.
Is it good price for 2006?
Any suggestions what I need to check on used CLK berore buying it?
Who long can clk go? 100k -> 150k? 150k->200k?
Any suggestions where I can get cheap warranty on this car?

Thanks in forward!

 

Judging on your questions about reliability, longevity, and cheap warranty, I would recommend you don't buy a Mercedes, because you'll probably get burnt, sooner or later.

 

Most importantly, most of us here are willing to trade off Japanese car reliability for the roadfeel, design, and materials of a German car. But understand it is a trade-off; a CLK350 will NEVER be as reliable or cheap to repair or warrant as a Solara. If you expect to get to 160K miles on a CLK and just change the oil every 3-4K miles, you are going to be one very unhappy person. If after you drove it you do not feel it's a major upgrade to the Solara, I would say it's not the right car for you, otherwise why get a less reliable more expensive to own/repair/warrant car if you do not even think it's much nicer than your Solara?

As far as your other questions:

1. A good low-beam HID kit for the CLK is only $200 or so, not $1000, and you can install it yourself.

2. The price is very good IF the car is nice. Too good, in fact, if it's selling at a dealer. So be careful, because when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

3. If you want to buy it, you MUST MUST get a pre-purchase inspection done at an authorized MB dealer near the seller. It will cost you around $150-$200, and they can make sure nothing is wrong with it, can inspect for previous accident repairs, paint/bodywork, and proper operation of all feautes/systems. Never buy an MB without a PPI.

4. You can go to 200K miles, but the cost of ownership along the way will be significantly higher than your Solara or most Asian cars. MB parts and repair costs, along with less than stellar reliability, makes sure of that. It does not mean the car is a lemon if the water pump or A/C goes out at 160K miles.......but to repair those things will be much more than a Honda.

5. A good warranty for that car will not be cheap if it covers all systems, lasts for a while, and is from a good company that will pay claims at a Benz dealer without hassles. Figure around $1000 per year for full coverage, so 3/36K bumper to bumper might be $3500 or so. I can help you with that if you need it.

Bruce

 

Thanks for your answers Bruce!

1. I mean not HID kit, the whole headlight need to change because the are without projectors.

2. It's not a dealer, it's old woman selling this car. The car in good condition. Even spare tire was brand new. I saw car and it wasn't washed for a month or two and I was able to see how car was used. I saw front wheels and they where oily dirty, mb from breakes or mb worse?

3. Thanks for advice, will think about it. Just interesting who long it takes a day or just one hour?

4. I understand that I need to spend some money in future repair. I just heard stories when people changing all window motors, seats motors and transmission in first 1-2 years (probably lemon). But i think if 5 years old car in good condition and everything works good, so only schedule maintenance need and + 1 or 2 small stuff need to fixed or replaced in a year?

I am pretty handy with toyota/honda cars to change fluids, filters, sparks, breakes, and some other minor stuff, I know german cars it different story and I never had any exp with them.
My friend owned c240 for two years, he just changed oil twice and after 2 years of his ownership and the car needs new tires, well he always does bornout everywhere. )))
Guys how many times in a year you bring your car to shop to fix or change something what wasn't by schedule maintenance ???

ps. sorry about my english(

 

Bought my car a year and half already but never brought my car to dealer...I changed the oil at home and no the car didnt give any problem so far. The car is CLK500-05 with 65K at the clock right now.

 

Thanks, Good to know.
What oil are you using and how often it need to change? I know every 10k mile, but maybe in real life better change every 8k miles?
I am always using Mobile 1 EP.
I also look on bmw 3 coupe 2007-2008 last gen, but it more expensive. Which car is better in reability and comfort 2007-2008 bmw 3 coupe or CLK320/350?

 

I'm pretty sure the recommended oil change interval is like 4-6k miles, and Mercedes recommends Mobil 1.

 

I am using Mobil 1 0W-40 and i changed every 6K miles. For the BMW, cant tell you anything cus i never own it.

Edit: Reliability ? NOT ON MB OR BMW. Just no.

 

im at 86k right now. its my daily.

i change oil every 7k or so. oil changes run me about 70 in parts.
i will be looking to do the tranny fluid in 14k. sparks in 4k. fuel filter in 4k. standard maintenance but def more expensive than owning a japanese car. if you want reliability go with japanese market.

and if you want a sports car, why not 350z or s2k? those are always fun to drive and im sure they are just as reliable.

 

I agree S2K

 

I have an 06 350. 43k on the clock. No issues. And gets great gas mileage. 26-30 mpg.

 

Nea, I hate s2k it's very small and only 2 seats and interior actually looks cheap, but exterior looks awesome. The same with 350z cheap plastic all over and most of cars come with cloth seats...
I am going to test drive infiniti g35 and will compare with clk350, but i already think clk way better will see.

Btw who the CLK on a snow?

26-30mpg only on hwy or avg? If avg sound like very economy car.

 

Mixed city and highway. I live with snow. Blizzaks on the OEM's with no trouble.

 

If you want a an appliance buy a accord you'll be more than happy. If you want a car that you will enjoy buy the CLK.

 

I like how you said: "accord = appliance" and it's true

I have just one fear about reability of clk: I saw online many transmission problems.
And I saw always people had issues with transmission in first 10k-30k miles. Is it true that transmission came from factory mostly felt before 50k? Probably some defect from manufacture in some models or mb they assembly cars on different factories?
Anyone had bad luck with transmissions, if yes when it happened?

 

Be sure to get extended warranty..you'll be fine. ok no more posts go get the car and mod it LOL

 

yep will do: projector headlights, led tail lights, quad exhaust.
Thanks guys!

 

that transmission problem happened in 03 and 04 clks.

change the radiator if you do get those years

 

What problem did you here about on the clk? And why change the radiator

 

I heard problems: main issue transmission (software or other gremlins), oil leaking (just gasket), passanger side belt problems, seat motors problems, also stuff like xenon or window motor.
Well this are not big issue except transmission.

Btw I understood why CLK has only 1 cupholder before 2006 late models because if somebody will spill water on center console where is transmission your transmission will just die(.

 

^ i dont think that was the problem unless thats sarcasm

coolant from the radiator would leak from the hoses and into the transmission causing it to fail. thats at least to my understanding. iono why else.

unless... that really was the case lol i could be wrong but i dont think water will do anything

 

Agreed.
If you are willing to sacrifice some reliability and more expensive parts, go with clk. It's the best quality of your selection.

 

Well I went to dealerships and test drove accord coupe v6 2006 and g35 2004.
Accord: made with plastic ;( it's like update version of civic with leather seats.
When I sat in G35 I like it from first second, powerfull, comfortable (not like CLK), and I was sitting in the seat like it was made for me So I decided go with G35, but only black on black 2006-2007 and less than 75k miles and can't find anything in 1000 miles right for my budget.
I think G35 is going to be better in reability and maintenance is cheaper.
Hope I will find it.
THanks everybody.

 

Good luck. I had a 06 V6 accord coupe before the CLK, it wasn't that bad.

 

Congrats on your new G35