Ajhutch

Hi to all, new to the forum and after some advice. Looking to purchase a CLK convertible. Not sure on which model yet, but looking around the 2005 models.
What im after is any advice of what to look out for, ie common problems etc. Just basic help to help prevent me purchasing a bag of nails.

All help and advice greatly apprciated.

C280 Sport

Cabriolet = Soft top issues. There are many to watch. Just understand this before you get into…. I junked my 2004 CLK320 because of the laundry list of issues. Here is a link.

https://www.mercedesmedic.com/merced...hooting-fixes/

Greg Northcott

If your like me, the only problem you will have is when you fall in love with this brilliant car. I have a 2007 CLK350 AVANTGARDE CABRIO and I love her. What an awesome car.
I hope this helps

C280 Sport

Also, I would shoot for the post face lifted CLK Cab. 2005-2009. The later the better.

KJ04PSZ

Hey - I've got a 2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet. If you read my threads, I have just been through the mill trying to fix a problem.......but I wouldn't change it at all......well except for a CLK55 AMG Cab!

Don't be scared or put off by the Cabriolet, I hate it when people are all "oh nothing but trouble" - The hood is in-fact quite simplistic in cabriolet terms - theres the hydraulics which can be one side of a potential problem and the other side is the electrics. Most cab issues are electrical as there are 9 microswitches that need to be operational to work the hood. Each switch is under £100 to replace and most can be replaced by a half reasonable DIY enthusiast.

So what to look out for - well, the hood generally will either work or it won't - so give it a good test, up and down a couple of times. Note, don't ever be tempted to open then close too often whilst mid cycle as in my experience, this can cause issues. But it if works, you should be good to go. Check the fluid level in the boot, it should be right in the middle of the marks and and appear to be clean - it is a sort of green colour naturally, but not murkey, if that makes sense.

There is an issue with the rain pocket. Picture below. This is where the elastic has perished and is no longer pulling in the rain pocket as the roof closes. I'm just a hobby mechanic, but I repaired mine myself, with just some new elastic and a needle and thread, at a cost of £7! I did call a hood specialist and he quoted £100 to fix, if you don't fancy it yourself.

Check the air con works - I never imagined you'd need air con in a cabriolet.......but it gets hotter than hell in the sun and potentially there are times you don't want the hood down, perhaps you have passengers or in a city with lots of pollution or a motorway. I just had mine re-gassed after learning the hard very sweaty way!

One last check, ensure you can pull both headrests up - strange feature on the Cab's, but you need to pull the headrest up manually (they are essentially a roll bar, connected via the SRS/Airbag system should you flip the car) - there should be a very positive ratchet sound as the headrest stays in the up location. As you close the hood, these should automatically drop down (they do go with a clunk!) - or you can test using the button right in the middle of the dash to lower them. Not a big deal if they don't work, but they are a hassle to remove/change as you have to remove all the back seats and then some! But a bigger note.......they can occasionally get stuck up - if they do, it disables the hood, so won't close or open - somewhere on youtube there is a video on how to drop them manually if this happens.



My bigger advice on buying a CLK would be more on the options - do your homework and ensure you get a well spec'd car. I wish I had the Xenon lights, Nav and Heated seats (great for when you have the hood down in cooler weather - mines always down if its not raining!) It's not a big car, but parking sensors are also nice to have. At some point I will trade up, but it does have nice mileage 72k 2 owner history and it has got memory seats, so not all bad. Also, have a look at the different models - I have an avant-garde - next time I'll be looking at the Sport which looks a little meaner as well as the cross drilled brakes and bigger wheels. Oh, not sure if you are in the UK, but check Road Tax costs - older cars pay lower tax and then there are some crazy twists. My CLK320 is just £340 per year, but a CLK280 is an eye watering £615. So check the tax cost before you commit!

Panama

We have a 2007 CLK 550. We love the car. It is a great value for the money. We found a great Independent shop less than an hour away. That is the first thing I would find before buying the car....a good Independent mechanic. Then I would take the car I'm buying to them and get them to go over it. This is the best piece of advice you will get.

Our 550 has been pretty much trouble free. The 550 is a real sleeper... It will run and I mean really get up and run.....but it does not show it. That V8 is a lot of motor for the car and fun to drive. I recommend getting any car checked out, especially t h e MB. It is a great car. We have a window switch on the driver's door going out. It is loose and wiggles. T h e tech said it was common. Also we have two air intake adapters that are in bad shape. Also common. And one of the tank tops leaked - also common...I think it was the windshield washer fluid.

If you find one with good records, and price and it checks out by a tech ----- buy it. I wish it had a backup camera.

wagzbenz

Look for something after 2009 in the CLK model, I have the CLK 350 with the V6. I LOVE IT. Had it little over a year and having some problems, not big but anything is costly with a MB. But I still love it, more with the top down.