tallison24

Saw a loaded 2005 320 Cabriolet for sale. It was supposedly serviced it's entire life (49,000 miles) by MB dealer. I would see the good as not being susceptible to the balance shaft problem of the 350/550's. The bad as being underpowered. There is no warranty. Any comments would be appreciated.

togaclk55

Good:
Gas mileage
Convertible

boull

+1
* adding.. fun to drive... and Reliable (long term)

Bad:
- Ur not going to keep it looking all Stock.. Mods to be made on the way $$$

fjc335

I just got a 2005 clk320 cabrio myself- has 88k miles and been serviced by MB. The only problem im running into right now is the remote door lock. Only works if i'm standing on the passenger side. I'm guessing something wrong with the receiver on the driver side. Rides very smooth, and the soft top is in great shape.

Kevwood

I don't know if I'd say a 320 is underpowered, it's not really being purchased as a sports car and it has a decent amount of passing power on the highway. The newer 350's are considerably more powerful for sure but if the CLK you're looking at is in great condition, the price is right and you can see yourself driving it - go for it!

tallison24

Thanks for the input guys. I'm inclined to agree about the power. I saw that the 0-60 time was stated at a little under and a little over 7 sec. I had an Acura TL with about the same time and it was more than adequate for me. Am I correct in that the 320 can not have the balance shaft problem?

mikata

It's little underpowered. When you floor it, it doesn't deliver the way you want it to. But then again, its a 320. Im still pleased with mine 320, it's a great highway cruiser.
+1 on everything Kev said.

fjc335

I traded in my BMW 335i coupe for a 4 door car because of a newborn. I used to have a 2000 clk cabrio and love the open top. I definitely misses my 300 horses on my bmw, but that open top feeling makes up for it. So i went and got my self a 2005 clk320 cabrio just last week and loving it. Though not as quick as many cars out there, but enuf for what i need and I think the CLK cabrio is one of the nicest looking verts out there. I'm hoping they come out with the new C-coupe convertible next.

togaclk55

Even the prius has enough passing power imo LOL

boull

all non-AMG engines are underpowered for a reason....IMO, this is the best way to make the engine last a "life-time" ... u can always go for a ECU upgrade.. you'll have a 30HP gain i assume...

mikata

I'd say 15HP at tops with an ECU upgrade.
30-40HP and up, we are talking turbo diesels, turbos or superchargers

DangermouseCLK

I just bought one in June. Same model, soft-top and mileage. Full MB service history. No warranty either.

Within 1000 miles I had to have the transmission connector plate replaced ($1000 at an indy, though I probably could have done it my self). Needed new struts for a part of the soft top ($40) and new wiper blades ($50). Mileage is ~18 around town, with no highway driving (Premium gas only btw)

However, I absolutely love it. Enough power for what I need, and imho, with the top down (which is why you buy one) you don't want to be going too fast anyway. I have two teenage kids and there is enough room for them in the rear.

Check the service records and see if that connector plate has been changed (somewhat common with this engine/tranny combo, from what I read on here). Perhaps use it as a negotiating chip, if it hasn't. I wouldn't normally say this, but if you are buying it from a dealer you might want to consider buying the extended warranty.

Rudeney

The 2005 CLK320 is a pretty solid vehicle. In fact, the CLK has consistently been one of MBZ's most reliable models. No, the 3.2L it is not susceptible to the balance shaft issues of the early 3.5L's. You are getting a bit more complexity (i.e. more possible points of failure) with the cabriolet, but that's true with any convertible.

tallison24

Great feedback guys! Truly appreciated.

Timewarpone

I own a 2005 CLK320 and LOVE everything about the car. Both my remotes are failing on both sides of the car. I changed the batteries in both remotes but it doesn't help. Any suggestions anyone?

abqhudson

After many years of BMWs, I purchased my first Mercedes - a 2005 CLK 320 convertible with 23K miles on it. 1 year later, it now has about 40K miles on it. Wonderful car that we enjoy very much and we don't expect to track it, so, it has plenty of power. We liked it so much that we bought a 2005 coupe with 96K miles on it to be our run-around-town and errand - get beat up in the parking lot - car. Highly recommend them. Both needed some tlc, but nothing disastrous. Good luck.

Rudeney

Is this KeylessGo, so grabbing the door handle no longer unlocks? Or are the button on the fob no longer unlocking the doors? Or, are you talking about convenience open/close of the windows using the IR control?

If it's KeylessGo, you probably have bad antennas in the doors. If not, if the problem is with the fob buttons, then check fuse #8 on the rear SAM (in the trunk). If it's the convenience open/close feature using the IR sensors on the door handles, then there is a DIY fix:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w203...placement.html

Timewarpone

The keys inside the remotes do not open or close the door but fits perfectly. I will look for that fuse. Isn't there an antenna inside the rear view mirror also? The buttons on the remotes seem to be working because each time I push a button a red light on the remote blinks. I tried to use the key inside the remote to lock the drivers side door but I can't turn it but it fits perfectly. Thanks

Timewarpone

Last evening I pressed the lock & unlock button on one of the remotes together for >5 sec until the red light blinks. This changed the remote function from selective to global. All of a sudden I was able to lock & unlock the car easily from about 5 feet away. Well that fantasy was short lived. This morning the remote would not unlock the car unless I pressed the fob sensor right up against the little receiver window in the drivers side handle. The function/distance on the passenger side did improve. The remote unlocked both doors easily from the passenger side holding the remote a few feet away. So my bragging about saving a huge repair bill was short lived. Looks like I need the sensor replaced or serviced in the drivers side door handle.

Rudeney

Did you ever check fuse #8?

Timewarpone

Not Yet, but I will check before I make the appointment with the dealer

Rudeney

It's on the fuse panel in the left side of the trunk. Just pull the carpet panel off and you'll see it.

Timewarpone

I took a long detailed look at the fuse box in the trunk. I pulled every fuse present and none of them were blown. No corrosion either. (Since I have a 2005 CLK320 Cabriolet that means I have a W209 vehicle??)


slot 1.) - 30 amp (Green)
2.) - 30 amp (Green)
3.) - 7.5 amp (Dark Red)
4.) - 20 amp (Yellow)
5.) empty
6.) empty
7.) empty
8.) empty
9.) - 25 amp (Clear)
10.) - 40 amp (Orange)
11.) - 7.5 amp (Dark Red)
12.) - 15 amp (Blue)
13.) empty
14.) empty
15.) 10 amp (Bright Red)
16.) empty
17.) empty
18.) empty
19.) empty
20.) 10 amp (red)

Timewarpone

A MILLION Thanks for leading me in the right direction by checking the fuse box in the trunk. There were 4 missing fuses. My neighbor across the street forgot to put them back in. I put a 20 amp fuse in slots 5, 6, & 7 and a 7.5 amp fuse in slot 8. I confirmed this with my DVD repair/shop manual. They were the missing ones for the antennas and the keyless go. Now both remotes work from across the street. I am never letting my neighbor touch my car again. AGAIN, A MILLION THANK YOU'S

DangermouseCLK

I am thinking that we are missing part of this story.

Why was your neighbor taking fuses out of your fuse block?