sub786sub

Hi folks, I am planning to buy clk 2005 from craiglist. He is mechanic and sounds like telling truth. I do not have much money but I like convertable clk.
Please post your thoughts and experiences with clk. Note I never had clk and especially convertable.
What issues I will be expecting or what are the known issue with 2005 clk V8. He changed the valve bodyand conductor plate. And car runs smooth. I am going to have another look at the car tomorrow .
ALso what you think should I offer him . Thanks in advance

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/c...601495444.html

Rudeney

This could be an issue. There is an old saying, "There's nothing more expensive to own than a cheap Mercedes-Benz." The M113 5,0l engine is usually very reliable. The early 722.9 7-speed transmission in this car is known to be problematic, but if he has had the conductor plate replaced, that should permanently fix the problem with bad speed sensors. The other problem with that transmission would be that the fluid pump bearing may eventually wear and become noisy, maybe even causing damage to the bell housing, but that is more rare. Repair requires pulling the transmission and disassembling it to replace access the pump. If it chews into the housing, there is an aftermarket plate available to fix that and save you $1,000 for a new magnesium bell housing.

The hydraulic top system will probably need some work over time as the cylinders and limit switches fail from wear and tear. The canvas itself often begins to deteriorate around 10 years, especially the seam across the back window. The elastic straps that pull the water bag and canvas in around the rear window may break. For a skilled DIYer, the soft top hydraulics and switches are not a big deal. The top canvas is a bit more involved, but if you are well-skilled, it can be DIY. A good aftermarket canvas is $1,000, labor to replace it around $1,500.

The car has over a dozen computer systems that all communicate across the CAN bus. Diagnosing those problems require some good skills and a proper scan tool that can read MBZ's proprietary systems. A generic OBDII scanner won't do it. The mac-daddy would be SDS (the dealer's Star Diagnosis System), which can be bought as a Chinese clone for $250 - $700 but requires some good computer skills to use, and is very complex. It includes shop manuals and other resources. Other less expensive and simpler to use scan tools include iCarsoft i980 (or MBII) and Autel MD802.

Now, if you are nodding your head and saying to yourself, "yeah, all that sounds great!" then that car looks decent. Yes, at 13+ years old it will have some warts, but having the transmission work done is a plus. As for price, $7K is way too expensive. If you check kbb.com, you'll see that's the very high end of private-party value. Low is $4K, average is about $5600.

sub786sub

Thanks for the suggestion. I used to own E320 2003 and the issue which you mentioned with transmission I came across same with NAG1 . I was able to change myelf conductor plate and electonic connector. I also droped the transmission at my home garage and changed the plate to prevent wear and tear of the bell housing. I exactly know what your are talking. Then I become tired of fixing becasue every month it was giving me check engine light for no reason I did extensive diagnostic and MB dealer changed gas tank under warranty but without any sucess . So I sold that and bought V6 new accord. But still I miss that star benz sign and like this time to have convertable as second car for DIY. actully he reposted the price from 6200 to 7K. I think I am inclining to another car which I am going to buy I think for my DIY . It is just 3K and planning to spend 3 K more to fix it
link below
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/c...631555628.html

Rudeney

OK, it sounds like you can handle the DIY work. One thing to note is that the conductor plate on the 722.9 7-speed can't be (easily) DIYed. It requires a virgin part and then must be SCN coding, which requires a live connection to MBUSA with SDS. Of course on the CLK500 you are considering, the seller says the work was already done, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Personally, I'd choose the CLK500 over that CLK320. The CLK500 is the "facelift" version which, to me, looks nicer and has a (lightly) more updated NAV unit. That CLK320 looks a bit rough, too. The soft top problem could be a bad limit switch, a weak cylinder, or a bad pump. None of that sounds too scary. You can get good rebuilt cylinders and pumps from places the TopHydraulics for a fraction of dealer prices. I would recommend investing in a good scan tool. Still, I'd prefer the V8, but either engine should be fairly reliable. The CLK320 is the same as in your E320, and the CLK500 is just the modular 5.0l V8 version of it.

sub786sub

Thanks. I just went to see the V6 which he is asking 3K. I think timing chain guide and front pully tensioner need to be replaced. Struts looks not bad but If I buy this then I will definately consider to replace those too. roof need work . One leather seat is tourn little bit. Good thing is body is flaw less. I can do some face lift by changing front after market light on ebay and will change the grill. I agree it is a DIY car and I offered 1200 and told him how much work need to be done . If he agrees on 1200 then I think I can spend 2 to 3 K and can make few head turn. I can also drop the transmission and change oil pump with new protective plate.
Lets see.
For the other V8 I have not test drove it but I told him I have budget around 5500 for that . Once I test drive then I will be in better condition to offer. He is fine with 5500. But I am thinking if ride is not as good as I expect then I will offer him 4900 . Lets see...
Thanks for input

sub786sub

The guy accepted 1200 dollar offer for 2004 clk. Do we have on this site information on 2004 clk engine, transmission , shocks absorber and convertable top.
Like to know what engine type and transmission type it has
Thanks

Rudeney

A MY2004 CLK320 will have the M112 V6 engine and 722.6 5-speed transmission. Post the VIN and I'll pull the data card fro you from EPC.

exhaustgases

The V6 is M112 not M113.

Rudeney

Correct - sorry about that typo!

Merc Mania

Fellas please forgive my posting this irrelevant comment. I just got an email that I presumed to be bogus, threatening to close my account with this website, due to "inactivity", if I didn't click on a bunch of suspicious looking links. So, I decided to make a test post here, just in case my suspicions are misplaced.

Fatz

Well, you're still here... And I'm glad you are...

Merc Mania

Thank you for the kind words, sir. I do check the CLK forum here regularly to catch up on any fixes that may apply to my car down the road, just as I check Benzworld's CLK forum, where I noted recently that Rodney is now a forum moderator, and probably among their most experienced, qualified and generous mods ever. Being able to consult a global community of like-minded Merc enthusiasts is a tremendous confidence booster for folks like me who often learn about these cars by trial and error.

Apologies to the OP for this minor digression.

Rudeney

I was tricked into agreeing to become a moderator. I was promised super powers and lavish accommodations. I did get the power to moderate threads, but that's it. Oh well, somebody has to do it!

Merc Mania

Ha ha they probably looked over your stable of fine cars, and figured you already occupy more lavish accommodation than they could offer as inducement.

On a serious note, less mechanically inclined Merc owners like myself are fortunate to benefit from your presence at the helm of the internet's two most influential Mercedes forums.

Regards

Rudeney

BTW, I am not a mod here - I am on the "other" board. Here I am just a "guru" which means I get a fatter avatar!