VanOfBees

I'm currently shopping for a CLK350 Cabriolet and I've been looking at 2005 and 2006 models. Is there anything significant to think about that changed between these years?

Anything worth knowing about changes / problems with vehicles from either year?

I'm currently digging through the forums and not found anything to worry / think about yet. Thanks in advance

V

MyMBbaby

Hello there!
I knew that 2005 has updated mostly the media system such as the DVD based navigation system and it's iPod integration as optional features. The 2006 has an improved engine and steering wheel shift paddles was added. A major problem for both could be water leak in the roof as what I have read for some who posted in forums.

Hope this information mean to you. Have a great day!

mis3

No sure about cabriolets.

For CLK coupe, 2005 has the 3.2L engine and is called CLK320. For 2006, it came with the 3.5L and the name was changed to CLK350.

At the same time, the transmission was also changed from 5-speed to 7-speed.

VanOfBees

Thanks for that. I've done some more research and found out that both the 05 and 06 have problems withDefective Balance Shift Gears In Mercedes M272 Engines. (I've read on one post this effects engine up to Serial #468993, not sure upon the validity of this information).

I've read quite a few posts of people complaining about how MB handled this, I have not read many reports of people actually being effected by this problem that leads me to believe it is not an enormous problem (unless it effects you when it costs about 5k to fix :-().

Mka77

The balance shaft deal is real, But remains fairly rare.

I drove a 06 CLK coupe 53k miles without any issues whatsoever. Great car and year in my books.

Good luck with your search.

Rudeney

The MY2005 CLK V6 will have the M112 3.2l engine and it has absolutely no problems with the balance shaft. Also, it will have the 722.6 5-speed transmissions that has proven to be very reliable. The MY2006 will have the M272 3.5l V6 that will almost certainly fall into the range with potential balance shaft problems. Also, it will have the 722.9 7-speed transmission, of which early models tended to be more problematic (some with catastrophic pump failures). My advice, go with the MY2005 C320 if you are looking for reliability.