Good/Bad of 320 Cabriolet
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: NE OH-IO
2010 Buick Enclave
Good/Bad of 320 Cabriolet
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.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2005 CLK320 Cabrio
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 0
From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
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!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: NE OH-IO
2010 Buick Enclave
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?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 1
From: Sweden
Mercedes CLK 320 W209
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.
+1 on everything Kev said.
Trending Topics
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2005 CLK320 Cabrio
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. 
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 1
From: Sweden
Mercedes CLK 320 W209
30-40HP and up, we are talking turbo diesels, turbos or superchargers
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 4
2005 CLK 320
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.
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.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
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.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 8
From: Central California
05 CLK320 Cabriolet W209 & 2011 BMW X3
Failing Remote
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?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 488
Likes: 37
From: Albuquerque, NM
2014 e350
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.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
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
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 8
From: Central California
05 CLK320 Cabriolet W209 & 2011 BMW X3
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
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 8
From: Central California
05 CLK320 Cabriolet W209 & 2011 BMW X3
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.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 8
From: Central California
05 CLK320 Cabriolet W209 & 2011 BMW X3
Not Yet, but I will check before I make the appointment with the dealer
Last edited by Timewarpone; Jan 30, 2014 at 10:38 PM. Reason: To add information
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 8
From: Central California
05 CLK320 Cabriolet W209 & 2011 BMW X3
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)
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)
Last edited by Timewarpone; Jan 31, 2014 at 01:53 PM. Reason: update info
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 8
From: Central California
05 CLK320 Cabriolet W209 & 2011 BMW X3
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
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 4
2005 CLK 320
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
Why was your neighbor taking fuses out of your fuse block?
