Need purchasing help
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2014
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2007 Cadillac SRX
Need purchasing help
I’m thinking of buying a 2004 CLK320. It has less than 56,000 miles and looks like it was well cared for.
My problem is this – I know I can afford the car ($12,000) but what I’m not sure of, is if I can afford to maintain it properly, afterward.
I live in New England, so it will be a summer (or fair weather) car and I’ll probably only put 4000 – 5000 miles a year on it.
I know I’ll have to have the oil and filter changed every year, and the brake fluid replaced every 2 years, but is there any other routine maintenance that I should be aware of?
I’m not a rich man (only an “Old Timer” trying to check off a bucket list item) so any help anyone can give me, so I can determine the cost of ownership for a CLK, will be greatly appreciated.
My problem is this – I know I can afford the car ($12,000) but what I’m not sure of, is if I can afford to maintain it properly, afterward.
I live in New England, so it will be a summer (or fair weather) car and I’ll probably only put 4000 – 5000 miles a year on it.
I know I’ll have to have the oil and filter changed every year, and the brake fluid replaced every 2 years, but is there any other routine maintenance that I should be aware of?
I’m not a rich man (only an “Old Timer” trying to check off a bucket list item) so any help anyone can give me, so I can determine the cost of ownership for a CLK, will be greatly appreciated.
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From: SoCal
None for now
It's a 2004 so it doesn't have the 7 speed transmission (that came with MY2005) and people say that the 5 speed is pretty bulletproof. So is the engine, so I'd say to keep up regular maintenance and it should be fine.
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From: somewhere in AZ
w215 - CL55 w/stage III
I owned the 2003 clk320 in 2006 till about 90k miles with no major issues, went thru 2 batteries and an alternator but not much more -- just bought a 2003 clk55 with 48k miles for pretty close to that 12k they're asking for your 2004 320 
what color? pics?
what color? pics?
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From: somewhere in AZ
w215 - CL55 w/stage III
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: SoCal
None for now
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Super Member
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w215 - CL55 w/stage III
If you're ok with driving to get it you should ZERO problems finding a Cab -- when I was looking thats all I could find was Cabs and I hate Cabs!
Nice color combo!
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Super Member
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From: somewhere in AZ
w215 - CL55 w/stage III
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: SoCal
None for now
In CA the cheapest AMGs were like $17-18K and I saved $5-6K by not getting one and I'm really happy with it but a 55 would be insane. Are you planning on doing anything to it?
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From: somewhere in AZ
w215 - CL55 w/stage III
Haven't decided what to do with it yet - focusing on bringing it up on maintenece and a couple of upgrades like Xenons and wheels - but will probably stick with 17's to save $$$ on tires plus it came with BRAND NEW Michelin PS so i don't feel like dumping them and wasting money I could use for fuel! LOL
I thought about a ECU upgrade and Renntech CF airbox ... but dunno, dunno that I can say that 1k for a CF airbox is worth the small gain in hp! :/
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From: SoCal
None for now
I almost bought one from a douche bag in SD he wanted 10k for a 2003 with 115k miles on it - passed on it when he raised the price all because he plasti-dipped the wheels! LOL
Haven't decided what to do with it yet - focusing on bringing it up on maintenece and a couple of upgrades like Xenons and wheels - but will probably stick with 17's to save $$$ on tires plus it came with BRAND NEW Michelin PS so i don't feel like dumping them and wasting money I could use for fuel! LOL
I thought about a ECU upgrade and Renntech CF airbox ... but dunno, dunno that I can say that 1k for a CF airbox is worth the small gain in hp! :/
Haven't decided what to do with it yet - focusing on bringing it up on maintenece and a couple of upgrades like Xenons and wheels - but will probably stick with 17's to save $$$ on tires plus it came with BRAND NEW Michelin PS so i don't feel like dumping them and wasting money I could use for fuel! LOL
I thought about a ECU upgrade and Renntech CF airbox ... but dunno, dunno that I can say that 1k for a CF airbox is worth the small gain in hp! :/
I was gonna get rims but they're really expensive. I have stock 17" s. I thought the 55 has 18" rims?
I'm meh on airboxes. They just look cool. Kinda like rims lol.
EDIT: I'm probably gonna do an ECU reflash too with OE Tuning.
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From: somewhere in AZ
w215 - CL55 w/stage III
I've converted to dual exhaust with quad AMG tips. My God it's the best upgrade in terms of smiles per gallon lol. You should first do an exhaust mod on your car; you'll love it.
I was gonna get rims but they're really expensive. I have stock 17" s. I thought the 55 has 18" rims?
I'm meh on airboxes. They just look cool. Kinda like rims lol.
EDIT: I'm probably gonna do an ECU reflash too with OE Tuning.
I was gonna get rims but they're really expensive. I have stock 17" s. I thought the 55 has 18" rims?
I'm meh on airboxes. They just look cool. Kinda like rims lol.
EDIT: I'm probably gonna do an ECU reflash too with OE Tuning.
no, 2003 55's have 17's ... maybe newer ones have 18's but mine came with 17's - definetly makes it harder to buy aftermarket wheels I tell ya as not many companies make staggered 17's airbox is supposed to add about 15-20 HP&TQ ... for 1k?! not sure its worth it! Looks cool as **** tho!
ECU might be worth it - how much does OE Tuning charge? and whats the gain?
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From: SoCal
None for now
If I did the exhaust I'd just keep single - I like the look of dual for sure but if you haven't noticed I'm kinda cheap and don't wanna spend money on say a new rear bumper no, 2003 55's have 17's ... maybe newer ones have 18's but mine came with 17's - definetly makes it harder to buy aftermarket wheels I tell ya as not many companies make staggered 17's
airbox is supposed to add about 15-20 HP&TQ ... for 1k?! not sure its worth it! Looks cool as **** tho!
ECU might be worth it - how much does OE Tuning charge? and whats the gain?
no, 2003 55's have 17's ... maybe newer ones have 18's but mine came with 17's - definetly makes it harder to buy aftermarket wheels I tell ya as not many companies make staggered 17's airbox is supposed to add about 15-20 HP&TQ ... for 1k?! not sure its worth it! Looks cool as **** tho!
ECU might be worth it - how much does OE Tuning charge? and whats the gain?
Airboxes do look pretty sick lol!
OE Tuning charges $495 for the CLK55 and they claim gains of 25 HP and 26 TQ (both crank). Sounds pretty good!
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 567
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From: somewhere in AZ
w215 - CL55 w/stage III
I just had a body shop cut my bumper. Check my quad exhaust thread in my signature. I also was skeptical about rubbing and going with a larger rim size because of the speedometer would report inaccurate speeds. I am probably not gonna get rims.
Airboxes do look pretty sick lol!
OE Tuning charges $495 for the CLK55 and they claim gains of 25 HP and 26 TQ (both crank). Sounds pretty good!
Airboxes do look pretty sick lol!
OE Tuning charges $495 for the CLK55 and they claim gains of 25 HP and 26 TQ (both crank). Sounds pretty good!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2014
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2007 Cadillac SRX
Wow! Here I am worried if I can afford oil changes, and you guys are blowing thousands on air boxes, wheels, etc. Oh to be young again!!
mquerrero - when you had the 320, did you put premium gas in it or just regular?
I know MB says to use premium, but since it's 10:1 compression, that's right on the wire.
Some manufacturers recommend premium but say you can use regular if you don't mind a little hit on performance. They say the computer is smart enough to adjust the timing.
mquerrero - when you had the 320, did you put premium gas in it or just regular?
I know MB says to use premium, but since it's 10:1 compression, that's right on the wire.
Some manufacturers recommend premium but say you can use regular if you don't mind a little hit on performance. They say the computer is smart enough to adjust the timing.
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2008 CLK550 Cab
If I did the exhaust I'd just keep single - I like the look of dual for sure but if you haven't noticed I'm kinda cheap and don't wanna spend money on say a new rear bumper no, 2003 55's have 17's ... maybe newer ones have 18's but mine came with 17's - definetly makes it harder to buy aftermarket wheels I tell ya as not many companies make staggered 17's
airbox is supposed to add about 15-20 HP&TQ ... for 1k?! not sure its worth it! Looks cool as **** tho!
ECU might be worth it - how much does OE Tuning charge? and whats the gain?
no, 2003 55's have 17's ... maybe newer ones have 18's but mine came with 17's - definetly makes it harder to buy aftermarket wheels I tell ya as not many companies make staggered 17's airbox is supposed to add about 15-20 HP&TQ ... for 1k?! not sure its worth it! Looks cool as **** tho!
ECU might be worth it - how much does OE Tuning charge? and whats the gain?
No reason to buy 17" aftermarket wheels just because you have 17" now. My car has the exact wheels in 18" - they would fit your car.
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
Lou, if you intend to rely on the dealer to maintain the car, then I'd be concerned about costs. Are you going to do any work yourself? If you can handle brakes, brake fluid changes, and other minor maintenance items, then your biggest concern will be tires. CLK's tend to eat tires, getting maybe 20K on the rears and 40K on the fronts.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 567
Likes: 4
From: somewhere in AZ
w215 - CL55 w/stage III
Wow! Here I am worried if I can afford oil changes, and you guys are blowing thousands on air boxes, wheels, etc. Oh to be young again!!
mquerrero - when you had the 320, did you put premium gas in it or just regular?
I know MB says to use premium, but since it's 10:1 compression, that's right on the wire.
Some manufacturers recommend premium but say you can use regular if you don't mind a little hit on performance. They say the computer is smart enough to adjust the timing.
mquerrero - when you had the 320, did you put premium gas in it or just regular?
I know MB says to use premium, but since it's 10:1 compression, that's right on the wire.
Some manufacturers recommend premium but say you can use regular if you don't mind a little hit on performance. They say the computer is smart enough to adjust the timing.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 567
Likes: 4
From: somewhere in AZ
w215 - CL55 w/stage III
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 567
Likes: 4
From: somewhere in AZ
w215 - CL55 w/stage III
Lou, if you intend to rely on the dealer to maintain the car, then I'd be concerned about costs. Are you going to do any work yourself? If you can handle brakes, brake fluid changes, and other minor maintenance items, then your biggest concern will be tires. CLK's tend to eat tires, getting maybe 20K on the rears and 40K on the fronts.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2014
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2007 Cadillac SRX
Thanks to all for the input.
I had decided to use Premium, I'd hate to mess something up because I was trying to save a few cents.
I will have to rely on someone to maintain the car, I'm a little past crawling around under cars. I've heard about "dealer" prices, I have a mechanic that has done other work for me, that was satisfactory, I had figured on asking him if he can work on MB's.
Just a thought, are you guys sure it's the car that's eating the tires, or could it be the Drivers?? Ha Ha
Speaking of tires, which brand seems to be the best?
I had decided to use Premium, I'd hate to mess something up because I was trying to save a few cents.
I will have to rely on someone to maintain the car, I'm a little past crawling around under cars. I've heard about "dealer" prices, I have a mechanic that has done other work for me, that was satisfactory, I had figured on asking him if he can work on MB's.
Just a thought, are you guys sure it's the car that's eating the tires, or could it be the Drivers?? Ha Ha
Speaking of tires, which brand seems to be the best?
