Rogue-CLK

Warning long post!!!
Hi, I'm buying a CLK in a few weeks. Need help on deciding which to buy.

Options A) $13,700 Silver 2004 CLK320 convertible
160,000 km black interior, all original
Pros: Convertible, Black interior
Cons: Silver, want white but I can either paint it or live with it, CLK320 bumper.

Option B) $12,900 Black 2005 CLK320 coupe, 112,000 km black interior, all original
Pros: Black interior, low km.
Cons: Black, want white but I can either paint it or live with it, CLK320 bumper.

Option C) $11,000 Silver 2003 CLK500 coupe, 150,000 km, black interior, all original
Pros: CLK500 bumper, black interior AMG package
Cons: Silver, want white but I can either paint it or live with it.

Option D) $9,900 Silver 2003 CLK500 coupe, 174,000 km, beige interior, all original except its lowered.
Pros: CLK500 bumper, lowered, AMG package
Cons: Silver want white but I can either paint it or live with it, beige interior.

What my ideal car is a white coupe, convertible would be nice too W209. I want the AMG look, can't afford the real thing -_-. Black interior. Before I even have the car, I'm already thinking of the mods LOL! My list goes in order as easy/least expensive IMO not sure exactly how much everything would cost me tho.
CLK Parts list
I have a sound system (need to install)
Tint unless it already has
Lip kit (not sure what style)
Intake (just K&N filters)
Carbon fiber Vinyl interior assuming I'm getting the wood trim not a fan
Red Recaros, reupholster red leather seats or leave alone
H&R Springs $300+ install
Paint (white) unless I found it in white
Rims (TE37, Varrstoen ES2, Rota grid, Fast Hyaku) size not sure, fan of the thin tire look.

Lambo door plus install (maybe...)

List of mods may change based on price, as in worth doing. Feel free to judge, correct, or scrutinize me LOL

Thanks for reading.

M-bENZ

Option C .

Rogue-CLK

Figured you'd say that lol I'll keep you posted which car I pick, still looking for other options.

Fatz

+1

Yidney

If you really want white, why not get white? They are not rare, although silver and black are most common. Spending the time and money to paint one seems kinda silly, especially since it takes a lot more money to paint door jams, inside the trunk lid, etc. Interesting you don't list the difference between a V6 and V8 as a pro or con. That's your big difference right there.

Rudeney

I echo what Yidney says - repainting a car to change colors is a big deal. I would just wait and find the one in the color you want. And I'd worry less about the non-AMG bumper on the V6 than getting the extra oomph behind the AMG bumper on the V8.

Rogue-CLK

I'm still looking for a white one. Pretty rare where I live, Toronto Canada. I like the V6 (fuel Economy) in the 320 but hate the front, I know I can swap the front for something else but that will cost me more (not sure how much). I'm thinking swapping will save me fuel in the long run (comparing to a V8). And yes I was going to put the V6 and V8 as a pro and con but that's a given, correct me if I'm wrong,
V6:
* Slower
* More fuel efficient
* Lighter
* Less expensive to maintain (fewer spark plugs? Lol)

V8
* Faster
* Uses more fuel
* Heavier
* More expensive to maintain
Not sure where I stand, I like speed but like saving money too haha

Yidney

You left out the main advantage of the V8. It is this:

If you are willing to spend thousands to paint the car, why are you limited to Toronto? Many on here, including me, went elsewhere to get the car they wanted. I flew to Chicago and drove 1,000 miles home.

Yidney

And you're kidding about the Lambo doors, right?

As for wheels, most on here will tell you not to go larger than 19". 20" look funny, and the ride is harsh and you have to be too careful of potholes.

Some use KNs, but others have removed them due to an unproven theory that the oil fouls the MAF. But it's also unproven they make any difference at all since these cars already have two large filters and breath just fine.

Rogue-CLK

Just lazy I guess, the car I want is in Quebec... Hmm... Road trip!!! Lol but yes good point saves me money.

Rogue-CLK

Yeah kinda expensive to open a door differently and guess it doesn't suit the car, wonder if anyone here has done it.

I avoid potholes anyways being lowered already, lost/damage 4 lips this year alone -_- the area I live in is pretty rough as it is. 19's sounds good I found a few wheels I like but thier a different bolt pattern, most is 5x114 can't seem to find a nice 5x112, not sure if I could just simply "Add" something so it will fit. If it not worth it ill keep looking.

Yidney

Nobody here has done Lambo doors, or if they have they won't admit it because they know people would laugh. Sombody else once put it better than I could: "Not even Lambourghini uses Lambo doors anymore."

As for wheels, no, you can't make the wrong bolt pattern work. But there are lots of options in the correct bolt pattern. There are probably hundreds of threads on here about wheels if you search, plus the sticky at the top of the page. Your bigger consideration is offset, not bolt pattern.

Rudeney

On the subject of lambo doors, I would love to have them on my car if they would open in less space and allow me the same size opening. The long, wide-opening doors on the CLK (and most any coupe) are a real pain to deal with in today's world of super-sized SUVs and pickup trucks where so many places are making the parking spots narrower to pack in more cars in less real estate. The problem I've seen with lambo door kits (besides the stigma of having them) is that they open just as wide, and actually offer less space for entering and exiting the vehicle. Ironically, what we really need are "suicide" doors as they are easier for us old guys to get in and out of in tight parking spaces.

betrezra

Be patient..... You can find clk55's for this type of coin. Gl.

Rogue-CLK

Probably with 250,000km? The car I'm driving has 414,000km lol still works just fine. Time for a new better car I'd still buy an CLK55... <3 for the same price hell yeah!

Rogue-CLK

Just saying lambo still does only on their flagship cars. Anyways not putting them on. I really like the "deep dish look". Seen 18x9.5 e38 here's a link

http://www.wheeldude.com/catalog/pro...oducts_id=6803

MarcV

Rogue-CLK,

What I noticed are the very high miles for that price. I suggest you go to autotrader.com and make sure to have "any distance" as a filter. Look for your white color first. If you don't have a lot of choices then look for all colors.

Keep in mind that you fly one-way to the Seller, and then have it transported for less than $1000.

Look for one that does not have a salvaged title and minimal number of owners.

You will have the car of your choice. I guarantee.

Last week, I bought a 2005 CLK500 with 29K miles for $17k. 1-owner; carfax guarantee.

Have fun.

Marc

Rudeney

One thing to be wary of when buying a car out of state (or out of the country) is that some retail sellers will want to charge you their local sales tax, even though in the US, they should not be doing this. Sales (or any taxes) on an automobile are to be collected only by the state/county/city where it is registered. Some dealers will claim they can only "waive" the sales tax if they ship the car to you (i.e. you don't drive it off the lot). Again, that is incorrect. I don't know what happens when you take a USA car to Canada, but it should be the same, at least on the USA purchase side of the equation.

Rogue-CLK

I've always thought you pay at the boarder LOL!

MarcV

Here's one for $13k 2003 CLK500 with 77K miles. White. Clean carfax.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...40001310&Log=0

Newly listed.

betrezra

Feel free to use us out of town merc-lovers for eyes locally..... I"m happy to check out something in the Houston area...... or you can get a rep shop to perform an out of town inspection with a fellow board member input...... and if you get serious fly out to see/drive it in person before you buy.... then ship or drive it home.

GL... and be patient.... there are good deals out there.... these cars are not really holding much value....... GL> I love my 2004 w209 clk55.... with some bolt-ons.

robert123

I recently bought a 95' s500 got it with only 140xxx miles and runs great. The car sat for a while before I found it so it had some rubber rot to deal with and only two small rust areas to be repaired. As I was racing around this weekend trying to get the cars gas tank flushed ect. I sprung a coolant leak. It is trowing coolant from the driver side cowl area. I started to remove the cabins fresh air box because the leak seems to be under their somewhere?

Does any one have an idea of just where I should lookm for ther leak or maybe know where the leak is coming from and could tell me where to look? Can I fix the leak with hand tools in the drive way? Any help would be appriciated

Yidney

I'm guessing you did not intend to post this in this forum, let alone in this thread.

Rogue-CLK

I assume he's new to the forum format or maybe... He read my title and it looks misleading... LOL he kinda introduced himself and asked for suggestions haha...

Rogue-CLK

Finally bought the car, it's only been a few hours but I'm in love with the car, I bought option D, few issues already lol ESP is on, third brake light (simple probably needs to get replaced) and the srs is on (dealer told me its because he removed/disconnected the battery) oh and I noticed the car "jerking" like it wants to shift but doesn't?! Feels like it's braking for me :/