playaplaya

2004 CLK500 already in the shop.
I only had it a week!

Electronic Ignition System (EIS) was faulty.
Well, that;s what I'm being told anyway.

Intermittent problem being able to start the car.


pp

harish_m

Welcome to the world of new MB vehicles. Mine is in the gararage the 3rd time in 8 months. As long as they give a better car as replacement it works....

RJC

Hang in there. Have you seen my service record for 6 months of ownership

playaplaya

RJC,

My luck. I find it rather ironic. One of the main reasons I got a new car was to avoid recurring problems I was having with my old car. Ironically, one of the last problems I was having with my old car was an intermittent electrical problem not allowing the car to start.

Now I have a similar problem with my new car. My luck...

RJC

Missery loves company, right? My 01 CLK 430 was a nightmare with many problems (although the dealer really screwed up the engine leading to a replacement engine) and that's why I got rid of it and got a late production 03 500 that's also is having lots of problems. ( you can read about them in the tech section in a post titled ? for Patrick and other MB Techs) That's my luck

Michael T

I am moving from Houston. I have had both a 2001 CLK 430 and now have a 2003 CLK 500. Both were totally reliable, so I am not so sure it is systemic. One bit of advice in Houston is Star Motor Cars, less high-brow than Greenway. Far superior service and you can actually get an appointment as opposed to the plastic surgeon attitude at Greenway (maybe the difference in Clients, which appear to comport to the plastic surgery analogy). As for Carlos Garza, one of the best service advisors I have had.

Off to Tucson Thursday in the CLK 500. Can not wait.

playaplaya

Thanks.
I must say that so far the customer service has been EXCELLENT.

Frisco

No issues so far, but I'm up for my 12k mile service in 2 weeks and will report back if anything comes up.

Nebraska99

...of the 2003's so far? Is the quality Excellent, Average or Poor? Im getting out of my X5 because of the crappy quality.

Thanks.

Eich

My impression of the '03 CLK's so far is definitely not Excellent but maybe just above average.

My previous 2001 Corvette was in for service 6 times in 2 years. So far, my 2003 CLK has been in twice in one year. We'll see if it improves over the Corvette's 2-year record.

leungw

Wow.... You guys are really scaring me. I am picking up my 04 CLK in September. I have a 92 Accord with 150k miles and not one problem so far. Seems like there's a big difference in reliability. I guess I should prepare myself for some bad experience?

Nebraska99

..that most people post about problems that occur but few post about "no problems".

DCCLK

The paint could be better, meaning thicker/stronger so that a tiny pebble will not chip the body. Got two chips after 5 weeks and I hardly drive because I live in the city. Also, I don't drive behind large vehicles.

Other than that, I am pretty happy with the quality and build of the car. Sure I got little problems like Command system going out with no reason twice. Also, the car had a tiny hard to see scratch on the hood and 2 on the rims. You know what, it is a machine and problems are bound to appear. Of course, I have not use my wipers yet (no rain for the last 2 months). So I'm bracing for that event, judging from the numerous posts. Also, I will look out for the brake issue once I get close to 4000 miles. That would be a long time from now considering how often the car goes out of the garage.

playaplaya

I finally got my car back today..it starts up fine so far.
I hope I don't have anymore issues for a while.

playaplaya

Well, it's been in the shop again since Aug. 20 for the same problem.
Probably won't be ready until Sept. 3-4.


Maybe time to get rid of it.

RJC

Calculate how many total days out of service so far including weekends, then check your states lemon law if you're still having problems.

playaplaya

It will have been in the shop a total of 19 days.

Texas Lemon Law says 30-days..however the lemon law says this is negated if you are given a loaner. They gave me a loaner.

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/mvd/lemon...s1.htm#Chances

RJC

That's terrible! This would only make sense (to me) if they gave you a car of equal or greater value to drive. In FL a loaner has no bearing at all on lemon law. I did not read the link but if you bring the car back more than 3 times does it count in Texas?

playaplaya

It has to be taken back 4 times...

Just terrible.

tritonx

Hmm the link you sent has this addendum to the 30-day test:

[*If a comparable loaner vehicle was provided while the vehicle was being repaired, that time does not count toward the 30 days.]

I don't recall any Houston dealerships generally giving comparable loaner vehicles (enterprise rental cars just don't compare to '04 clk's, IMO).. what have they been giving you?

hani

I never thought a Mercedes Benz quality would be this bad, My clk 500 had been to the shop over 8 times already, and I get a new problem every month or so, nothing major, but its annoying to spend this much money and end up in the service drive more than the car wash.

AMG4life

really? so if u have another chance would you buy a clk 500 again? or you would rather get a new S4/M3/C32/ SL 500/ CL 500/ CLK 55/ s500/ z06/ viper/ supra, ect..

hani

Well, next time I would wait at least a year or until they fix the bugs in the new style. The car drive and looks great, I still love it, but as I mentioned it's annoying to have this many problems just because my car was one of the first to be delivered. But to be more precise and answer your question, If I have the chance againa and can afford the SL 500, I would definately go for it.

ffejalink

Sometimes, it's luck of the draw. Our 190E (way back when) had many problems. We haven't had any with our latest M and C. Who knows!