Thinkin' about a 2004 CLK320
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From: In God's Arms
1983 300D-turbo "Bonnie"
Thinkin' about a 2004 CLK320
Hey guys, I am thinking about getting a 2004 CLK320. Are there any reasons I should/shouldn't?? I have heard that they have some issues, but I am very mechanically inclined, so that doesn't pose a problem. Well, unless the issue is that it likes to toast tranny's. That is something that I would not want to have. Hmm, well, thanks for any input, thanks!!
Well, either this, or I am also highly considering a 2001 CL500. I know insurance is gonna be spendy because of my age, but I love the design of the car. I am hoping to get one of these next summer, not this upcoming one but the summer of 2013. I will be selling my P.O.S. pickup and will have saved money for this. Any input??
Well, either this, or I am also highly considering a 2001 CL500. I know insurance is gonna be spendy because of my age, but I love the design of the car. I am hoping to get one of these next summer, not this upcoming one but the summer of 2013. I will be selling my P.O.S. pickup and will have saved money for this. Any input??
Last edited by Thirdrem; Apr 6, 2012 at 03:57 PM.
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The 3.2l V6 M112 engine is practically bulletproof, and the 722.6 transmission is decent. Other than typical MBZ maintenance stuff, there's not any chronic issues to worry about. Oh, and ignore the "transmission is sealed for life" thing - the routine now is a fluid and filter change every 39K miles.
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From: In God's Arms
1983 300D-turbo "Bonnie"
The 3.2l V6 M112 engine is practically bulletproof, and the 722.6 transmission is decent. Other than typical MBZ maintenance stuff, there's not any chronic issues to worry about. Oh, and ignore the "transmission is sealed for life" thing - the routine now is a fluid and filter change every 39K miles.
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From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
Both nice cars for different reasons. If you aren't looking at buying for another 14 months I would revisit the thought next year - time can change opinions and priorities.
Between the two though, tough choice, I far prefer the CLK over the older CL look but also far prefer the 500 engine over the 320
Between the two though, tough choice, I far prefer the CLK over the older CL look but also far prefer the 500 engine over the 320
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Hey guys, I am thinking about getting a 2004 CLK320. Are there any reasons I should/shouldn't?? I have heard that they have some issues, but I am very mechanically inclined, so that doesn't pose a problem. Well, unless the issue is that it likes to toast tranny's. That is something that I would not want to have. Hmm, well, thanks for any input, thanks!!
Well, either this, or I am also highly considering a 2001 CL500. I know insurance is gonna be spendy because of my age, but I love the design of the car. I am hoping to get one of these next summer, not this upcoming one but the summer of 2013. I will be selling my P.O.S. pickup and will have saved money for this. Any input??
Well, either this, or I am also highly considering a 2001 CL500. I know insurance is gonna be spendy because of my age, but I love the design of the car. I am hoping to get one of these next summer, not this upcoming one but the summer of 2013. I will be selling my P.O.S. pickup and will have saved money for this. Any input??
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 113
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From: In God's Arms
1983 300D-turbo "Bonnie"
Both nice cars for different reasons. If you aren't looking at buying for another 14 months I would revisit the thought next year - time can change opinions and priorities.
Between the two though, tough choice, I far prefer the CLK over the older CL look but also far prefer the 500 engine over the 320
Between the two though, tough choice, I far prefer the CLK over the older CL look but also far prefer the 500 engine over the 320
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Thread Starter
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From: In God's Arms
1983 300D-turbo "Bonnie"
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The 3.2l V6 M112 engine is practically bulletproof, and the 722.6 transmission is decent. Other than typical MBZ maintenance stuff, there's not any chronic issues to worry about. Oh, and ignore the "transmission is sealed for life" thing - the routine now is a fluid and filter change every 39K miles.
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Another consideration is whether you want luxury or some sportiness. The CL is very luxurious, but not very sporty. It handles well for a car its size, but nothing like a CLK. Of course the CLK is nothing near as sporty as a BMW 6-series, but it's all relative.
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From: In God's Arms
1983 300D-turbo "Bonnie"
Hmm, well I guess I'll just wait and see what happens with the automotive industry. Heck, I might end up with a new C-class. I don't know. Well, thanks everyone!!
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From: Winston-Salem NC
2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet
Love my '04 clk 320 and have only had a few issues in almost 2 yrs. Got it with 58k and have 74k now. Did have a starter motor go out at 65K but nothing else to speak of. Love the top down driving in NC and. With the weather this year have had lots of open top driving! Good luck with your choice
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2004 CLK320
Agreed to both points. CLK (w209), IMO, is a better looking car than the CL (w215). I found the CL too big for a coupe. M112 and 722.6 combination is bullet-prove, I myself have over 150k miles in my 2004 CLK320.
My friend drives a 2005 CL500 with ABC and he has to replace something in the rear suspension (maybe struts?) and he was quoted $8-10k CAN.
My friend drives a 2005 CL500 with ABC and he has to replace something in the rear suspension (maybe struts?) and he was quoted $8-10k CAN.
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From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
That's just nasty!
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2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet
Hi
My wife has a w209 from 09/2003.
She loves it.
Issues we had:
Radiator leaked Glycol into the transmission, so new radiator and oil flushed and changed in box. But I think we got in time, so converter and gearbox seams ok. Could be very bad, new converter and gearbox $$$$ - issue on early w209s, search forum
Climate compressor changed - sounds like a low flying jet :-)
Read springs broken, changed, front suspension minor things
Keyless Go - small issues, changed handles etc.
Overall - very nice car, drives good and looks good
My wife has a w209 from 09/2003.
She loves it.
Issues we had:
Radiator leaked Glycol into the transmission, so new radiator and oil flushed and changed in box. But I think we got in time, so converter and gearbox seams ok. Could be very bad, new converter and gearbox $$$$ - issue on early w209s, search forum
Climate compressor changed - sounds like a low flying jet :-)
Read springs broken, changed, front suspension minor things
Keyless Go - small issues, changed handles etc.
Overall - very nice car, drives good and looks good
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2004 CLK320
When did you replace your radiator? What mileage?
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2004 CLK320
How did you tell that you had the coolant contamination? Any symptoms?
Last edited by mis3; Apr 17, 2012 at 07:34 AM.
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2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet
at low speed 40-50 km/h it would feel like a slight "rumble" from the front - like you were driving over worn down rumble strips
you could also feel that the shift between 1st and 2nd was harder than usual and at 40-50 km/h it felt like the converter had trouble engaging
you could also feel that the shift between 1st and 2nd was harder than usual and at 40-50 km/h it felt like the converter had trouble engaging
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2004 CLK320
I was anxious so I went to the indie today and checked the radiator. I could not find any label but I did see the wavy strip instead of the straight toothed crimping. I printed the DIY thread from here and we concluded that it was a Behr. I saw a stamp in the radiator that said 61515, not sure what this is.
Unfortunately we saw some oil on the panel. I thought it was ATF but the indie said it was probably engine oil. We saw grease on the transmission pan as well as the engine part in front of the pan. The drain plug of the engine oil was dry. We looked around and we could not find the origin of the "oil". Definitely there was no dripping anywhere. He said this was not bad considering the age of my car. The oil change was 2 months ago and I did not notice any loss of oil. I also did not notice any engine oil in my parking space.
He cleaned it up and we will checked again in 2-3 weeks when I do my 2nd ATF pan flush.
Unfortunately we saw some oil on the panel. I thought it was ATF but the indie said it was probably engine oil. We saw grease on the transmission pan as well as the engine part in front of the pan. The drain plug of the engine oil was dry. We looked around and we could not find the origin of the "oil". Definitely there was no dripping anywhere. He said this was not bad considering the age of my car. The oil change was 2 months ago and I did not notice any loss of oil. I also did not notice any engine oil in my parking space.
He cleaned it up and we will checked again in 2-3 weeks when I do my 2nd ATF pan flush.
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2004 CLK320
This is the 13-pin connector, right?
Isn't this connector located inside the pan? Also, I read that of this leaks, it would leak inside the car, below the carpet of the passenger seat.
The color of the "grease" was black or dark brown. The indie said the color of the new ATF was red. He probbaly did not rememeber that most of my ATF is still 236.10.
Last edited by mis3; Apr 18, 2012 at 09:31 AM.
