issisforme

Can you guys chime in on the reliability of the CLK 500? I know it has the 5 speed gearbox vs the 7 speed gearbox in the '05, but other than that how reliable is the car?

I'm looking at the following car:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...994895458.html

I've asked about a few more questions, but can you guys help me out? I really like it, but my family is a bit hesitant with buying German cars due to the common thought that they are unreliable.

omega48er

pretty low miles for a car that old. ask for service records, also look up the car fax and start calling dealerships to get service records and check for any major service.

I dont know much but thats where i will start.

LostinArizona

I have an 04' Cab 500 and it has been a little this and a little that. Repairs are expensive along with PM, but overall ok so far. Owning an import like this is not like a Toyota. It does cost much more and is not as reliable, but PM is the key. I have 41k on mine and had to have some major service done on it, but it was due to the previous owner never took full care of the car.

Previous owner was a 75 year old women that did not have A and B done at a tech that knew what they were doing so I had a bill of $6500+ but I had a Warrenty company cover it so no money out of pocket.

If you can spend the money up front for all PM then it will take care of you. If you want something bullet proof and nothing to worry about, then go a different direction.

My .02

issisforme

I definitely understand that there will be preventive maintenance involved with these types of cars and if a repair is needed they will cost a lot more, but is there anything specific to the CLK 500 '04 that should turn me away? I've heard it is one of the most reliable cars mercedes has made, but then I have heard some stories such as yours.

Also, did you have a manufacturer warranty or third party?

Dimitri

I have 04 CLK500 80K miles....car is very good....so far no major repairs.
From what i notice because of a low profile tires ( i live in Chicago ) i got ones a year at least a bubble on a front and changes lover control arm $500. Time belt, battery.....But for me the major problem is than transmission licking, already 2 times it was fixed and once engine was licking oil. Those 2 was not very cheap $1000
That's all for my 6 years of owning the car.

issisforme

What do you mean by "Transmission licking"? I googled it, but got some pretty weird results

Dimitri

some kind of a seal under the car, not sure exactly....mechanic fixed it together with transmission service on a price of a service.

Glyn M Ruck

The M113 engine 722.6 5 speed transmission is pretty bullet proof & will do huge mileage if maintained. Watch out for fluid leaks from the electrohydraulic bush where the TCU plugs into the front RH diagonal of the transmission. Cheap fix ~ $10 part if caught early before it can contaminate the TCU harness.

Glyn M Ruck

BTW presume licking = leaking.

issisforme

Thanks, so would I just see the leaks on my garage floor, or should I be check periodically?

Thanks for all the help, just waiting on a response from the seller in regards to the service/maintenance records.

jhbrad

By the way, I looked at the pictures and noticed the center console was not closed properly. My center console did a similar malfunction that caused much pain and a trip to the dealership. Be sure to check that, and the operation of the glove box...open it and close it gently several times to make sure it works properly.
I'm very happy with my 03 CLK500...at 90K it is still purring away!

Glyn M Ruck

Often marks on garage floor is too late. Just check on hoist at service and maybe once when you get the car by folding back the carpet in the passenger footwell & checking for any signs of fluid under the passenger kick plate where the TCU is mounted. Fluid actually wicks up the harness in neglected cases. It's just 2 O rings that leak & have been changed in composition.

See part.

fivepointnine

we have 80k on ours, in the past it has had the CPS replaced, harmonic balancer, recall for an alternator, transmission serviced (and bushing inspected), transmission mount, breather cover reseal....next items for replacement are lower/forward control arm bushings, motor mounts and master window switch (I pulled up a switch too hard...oops)

issisforme

Will it be found in a PPI? Going to go see it tomorrow and see how it is. Is there a guide to preventive maintenance once I get the car? I'd love to keep the car running for many years to come and I know preventive maintenance is a key.

Rudeney

A good pre-purchase inspection should definitely look for any leaks under the car, though I doubt they would pull up the carpet to check for oil wicking into the TCU.

As for maintenance (and the owner's manual), you can download PDF copies directly from MBUSA:

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/only_m...owners_support

issisforme

Thanks for the link. I'm seeing it today, should I pull up the carpet and check it? I'm a bit confused as how I should pull up the carpet, wouldn't that ruin it? Also, if I do find it leaking I assume it shouldn't be a deal breaker since it is fairly cheap to repair if we caught it early?

Glyn M Ruck

It's a cheap repair if caught early.

No damage is done to carpeting. You just fold down on the passenger side to expose the kick plate & look for fluid. Pics are W203 but same applies.







Sorry ~ some of our best pictures have been lost on the forum but these give you the idea.