Looking to get into a CLK
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
2012 CLS550 4MATIC, 2009 CLK550 Cabriolet, 2002 E320 4MATIC Wagon
Hey man, The CLK is a great series! From my research the CLK models were one of the most depreciated models of any benz. That being said they are fairly inexpensive to get.
For instance I got my 05 CLK55 AMG for $25,000 out the door at a Dealership! it had low miles and a perfect maintenance record. I'd stay with 2005 or later, the CLK550 is a nice choice if you cannot find a 55. Just be patient and search the web. you can find a good deal.
For instance I got my 05 CLK55 AMG for $25,000 out the door at a Dealership! it had low miles and a perfect maintenance record. I'd stay with 2005 or later, the CLK550 is a nice choice if you cannot find a 55. Just be patient and search the web. you can find a good deal.
The w220 S-class and c215 CL-class had some outrageous depreciation. I think those values fell faster than any CLK. Wouldnt be surprised if the current S and CL experience that same fate once they're redesigned next year.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: From NYC now in Hong Kong
Shopping for: CLK500or CLK55 or SL55 or SL500 or C43
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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)
I would love to see that happen to the current CL, if they dropped a good chunk a year or two after the new S coupe is unveileded I'd be more than happy to have a 63 sitting on my driveway.
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From: Texas
C63 507 AMG DA Car #19
As long as we're dreaming..... Let's see the clk63BS depreciate to $50's.... and I'll get one for me and one for the wifey 
It seems to have stabilized to 70-80K......
I love my clk55..... even heavily modified it's been pretty solid.
It seems to have stabilized to 70-80K......
I love my clk55..... even heavily modified it's been pretty solid.
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One of the reasons for high depreciation of the CL (and you can add others like the SL, some E's and S's to that list) is the ABC system. It will fail outside of warranty. Even if you DIY, parts can run into the thousands. If you have it dealer serviced, $10,000 bills are not uncommon. That's one of the great things about the CLK (and the SLK) - it's less complex and shares a lot of parts with the least expensive and most popular model, the C-Class.
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From: San Francisco Bay area
C63 AMG
The basic body is unchanged through the entire W209 model, but there is an "AMG sport" package that adds more aggressive bumpers and side rocker panels. It came standard on the V8 models, but was optional on the V6. I don't believe the headlights changed, but the Xenon/HID's do use projectors where the halogens use a reflector lens. The tail lights did change in MY2006 from having a "C" shaped clear lens section to a single straight bar clear lens section.
There was a facelift for MY2005, which changed mostly interior switchgear (the same differences you should see between your 2005 C230 and 2002 C230). Also, this facelift changed the fiber optic system from D2B to the more modern MOST protocol. There were also changes to the vehicle's CAN bus system that are transparent to the driver.
The CLK320 and CLK500 models are mostly bulletproof from a drivetrain standpoint, but I'd avoid the 7Gtronic transmission in earlier models (I think it started with the MY2005 CLK500, but the MY2005 CLK320 still used the 5-speed). In MY2006, the CLK350 was introduced and it came with the 7Gtronic. I'd definitely avoid that one as the early M272 engines are prone to premature timing gear wear (search for "balance shaft"). MY2007 introduced the CLK550 (5.5l V8 M273 engine) and I'd avoid that, too, as it had similar timing gear issues. Note that if you do find a car you like, post the VIN and we can lookup the engine serial number to tell you if it falls within the bad timing gear range.
Basically, if I were you, I'd look for a CLK320 (any year, but MY2005 probably being the best), a CLK500 up through MY2004, or a CLK350 or CLK550 that was MY2008 or later, although you may find a MY2007 without the timing gear issue. Otherwise, the CW209 CLK is based on the W203 C, so you'll be in familiar territory.
There was a facelift for MY2005, which changed mostly interior switchgear (the same differences you should see between your 2005 C230 and 2002 C230). Also, this facelift changed the fiber optic system from D2B to the more modern MOST protocol. There were also changes to the vehicle's CAN bus system that are transparent to the driver.
The CLK320 and CLK500 models are mostly bulletproof from a drivetrain standpoint, but I'd avoid the 7Gtronic transmission in earlier models (I think it started with the MY2005 CLK500, but the MY2005 CLK320 still used the 5-speed). In MY2006, the CLK350 was introduced and it came with the 7Gtronic. I'd definitely avoid that one as the early M272 engines are prone to premature timing gear wear (search for "balance shaft"). MY2007 introduced the CLK550 (5.5l V8 M273 engine) and I'd avoid that, too, as it had similar timing gear issues. Note that if you do find a car you like, post the VIN and we can lookup the engine serial number to tell you if it falls within the bad timing gear range.
Basically, if I were you, I'd look for a CLK320 (any year, but MY2005 probably being the best), a CLK500 up through MY2004, or a CLK350 or CLK550 that was MY2008 or later, although you may find a MY2007 without the timing gear issue. Otherwise, the CW209 CLK is based on the W203 C, so you'll be in familiar territory.
the vin is: WDBTJ75H66F186763
Thanks!
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WDBTJ75H66F186763 is a CLK500, so it has the M113 engine. No worries with it. My only concern is that it;'s a 2006 model, so it has an early 722.9 7Gtronic transmission. They have been more troublesome than the later years. YMMV, of course!
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From: San Francisco Bay area
C63 AMG
WDBTJ75H66F186763 is a CLK500, so it has the M113 engine. No worries with it. My only concern is that it;'s a 2006 model, so it has an early 722.9 7Gtronic transmission. They have been more troublesome than the later years. YMMV, of course!
Thank you for all your help!
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From: San Francisco Bay area
C63 AMG
Thanks!
I made a build thread for it and posted up more pics there, Heres the link: https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ml#post5407677
I made a build thread for it and posted up more pics there, Heres the link: https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ml#post5407677
