Kayakking

Not an easy choice.. appreciate your all advice and thoughts..

I live in HK where prices for just about everything is high.. much more so than in NA or EU.. but prices for 2nd hand mercs is still much better than my home (Australia).. so plan is to take it back home in a couple years time and keep it for a bit after that :-)

Two choices - both coupe's

CLK 320 - Build date is 2003. Blue colour with grey interior. 5 speed Auto with about 40,000 kms on it. Aventgarde with xenon headlights, leather seats, parking sensors, keyless go and sunroof. No logbooks and serving by Inde's - overall good condition. Asking price is around USD$14,500

CLK 280 - Build date is 2008. Black colour with grey interior. 7 speed tip Auto with about 25,000 mms on it. Aventgarde with AMG body only package (i.e. wheels, air adjust front seats, steering wheel, body kit), xenon headlights, sunroof, leather seats, keyless go. Full logbooks with all servicing done by the official HK MB dealership. Best price is around USD$26,900

Can afford both (obviously like to spend less - have more then for other toys

but a bit concerned about the reliability of the 7 speed auto's... has this problem been fixed by the 2008 model?

So what would you all do and buy in this case please?
First two photos are the 2008 black CLK280.. the other is the 2003 Blue CLK320

:-) cheers

Np55

Well it's a bit of a no brainer there. The 2008 clk 280 is worth the extra cash. It's 08 so it will have all the updates and should have the corrected issues from the 2005-2006 production models.. The 280 is also more powerful than the 320 by 10kw and has the 7spd vs the 5spd..
From the looks of the cars it's like comparing a hamburger with just the meat in it.. To comparing a burger with lettuce and tomato and all the other goodies lol
Standard plain looking clk 320 vs the newer clk 280 with what seems to have is a clk 63 amg bodykit on it.. I think most will agree its better to put the extra cash for the 280 if you can afford.

Kayakking

hi.. I thought the clk320 is a 3.2l engine and thus more powerful than the clk280's 2.8 l ?? Or am i missing something?

I guess am asking is whether the gearbox problems have been fixed by 2008 and whether its worth spending the extra $12k on the newer model?

Yup i love the body kit but most of what i read says the clk320/350 is the much better car...

I did see a utube of the stock 280 on an autobahn.. He was getting it to 238km/hr and cruised effortlessly! Very nice...

Glyn M Ruck

The C280 (3 litre quadcam) is the better car all round & after all early gremlins were sorted.

mikata

Prices are higher in EU/more equal to HK than US.

CLK280 with 71.000km, $33.5k.
http://www.bytbil.com/bilar/mercedes...1ZexAsyODAAAA_!

CLK280 vert with 47.500km, $33k.
http://www.bytbil.com/bilar/mercedes...1ZexAsyODAAAA_!

Keep in mind these have more miles than yours.

I'd go for the CLK280, newer trim and has AMG package.

Mka77

280 all the way

bheng

280 because it's a newer car

eddieo45

Newer.

togaclk55

280

Kayakking

thanks guys :-)

one more question.. just drove a CLK 280 cab 2005 build.. is such a sexy car!
same price as the 2008 CLK280 with AMG package though... :-(

would anyone suggest an older convertible for same $$?

interesting that Europe's so expensive! The car's are made in germany.. thought that'd be cheapest place for them!

Mka77

No... I personally wouldn't go backwards.

Glyn M Ruck

Agreed. It puts him right at the start of facelift production & opens him up to balance shaft & transmission problems with early models.

CLK550 $wagger

Have you thought about a CLK500? If I'm not mistaken it should be in or close to your price range.

Kayakking

CLK 500 in HK in that price range can only get a 2004 model.. sounds like the advice from everyone is to go the 2008 CLK 280...

i'm also wary of the 5 litre V8... sadly petrol prices in both HK and Australia are no where near as low as in NA :-( and knowing my right foot, I'd rather not be on first name terms with the local cops..

Poundy

So what year was the Balance shaft problem sorted? I am thinking of getting a 2007 Clk280 Coupe

Rudeney

You can't exactly go by model year with regards to the balance shaft issue. It's by engine serial number, and due to the global factories building cars and how engines are delivered from their plants, it's possible there could have been an engine in the affected range put into a MY2008 (I seem to recall finding one). Anyhow, certainly any car up through MY2006 with an M272 or M273 would be in the range, and probably halfway through MY2007. Just get the VIN and either use the Russian site or post the VIN here and we can check the engine serial number.

eddieo45

can you put my mind at ease on my 2009 CLK550? WDBTJ72H39F267244

gaazmon

The 08 280 coupe for sure

Rudeney

Eddie, WDBTJ72H39F267244 has M273 engine #282451 - it's way beyond the balance shaft affected range - no worries!

srmauer

According to my research when I bought mine, I would definitely go with the 280.

whatodo

Can you help to check if my CLK280 has the balance shaft issue? Thank you.
VIN: WDB2093542F183309
Engine: 272940 30 214762

Rudeney

It's a MY2006 with an M272 engine, so yes, it will be in the range for potential balance shaft failure. Of course that is validated by your engine #214762 - all M272 engines up to to serial #468993 are in the range., thought fe actually fail prematurely.