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So, I am not new to Mecedes, as I owned a C36 AMG and a 1999 E55 in the past. I haven't owned one in years and wanted to know what I should look out for?
The car is a 2004 CLK500, has 125,000 miles, amg package, Coupe.
I am a mechanic and a DIYer so most repairs won't be too difficult, but with luxury cars, is this a smart buy? I need something reliable since my 2016 WRX lease is up in 2 months, and I'm not ready to go out and lease something long term at the moment.
Also, I know I did some searches and research, but I'd just like an honest opinion from the community if possible, Thank You!
Last edited by soulonfire11; Sep 28, 2018 at 02:38 PM.
Reason: 2004, not 3, sorry!
The engine and transmission on that car are usually very reliable. There are really few major worries. The valve cover gaskets can leak but they are easy to replace. The transmission wiring connector can leak, but again, and easy fix. he seat belt presenters and rear window regulators can need some work, but those are not too bad to fix. For that price, I'd buy it!
The engine and transmission on that car are usually very reliable. There are really few major worries. The valve cover gaskets can leak but they are easy to replace. The transmission wiring connector can leak, but again, and easy fix. he seat belt presenters and rear window regulators can need some work, but those are not too bad to fix. For that price, I'd buy it!
Thank You! Whats the real world MPG on these. I remember getting around 20mpg in the E55, can I expect similar gas mileage? I mean I'm excited to get back in a V8 car after driving the WRX for 3 years.
20mpg is not going ot be what you see in city driving. Maybe if you do equal city and freeway. If you are looking for fuel efficiency, don't look at a MBZ car.
I've loved my clk500! And for that price, it would be a fun car to pickup. Mine has been a very reliable car, and if you are a DIY, they arent really all that expensive to maintain. It doesnt have the expensive pneumatic suspension from that era. Its not a vert, so you have less to worry about there. As Rudeney mentioned, the transmission has a few little issues to fix up. Also, is this the year that had the flawed radiator? If so, it leaks after a while. The updated part # I think fixed the issue. You may have to do a Crank Position Sensor or MAF sensor at some point.
OO, haha, if you do a tune up, get ready to pull 16 spark plugs!!
So i took a good look at the car and the big things were the alignment felt a bit off so it could be a suspension issue, and the front bumper has a crack.
The radiator has been replaced as well. The transmission has been serviced already with records. Probably could use a tune up though so 16 plugs haha.
It will probably need new front control arms. The torque strut (a.k.a. upper control arm) uses a fluid-filled bushing where it attaches to the frame. After some miles and years, the rubber gets brittle and the fluid leaks out. It can make noise and will really affect the alignment. I suggest using Lemfoerder OEM parts and not cheap Chinese crap. All four will cost around $450 in parts, and it's not a bad DIY job, or probably $500 i labor at an indy shop.
That's not too bad. I might start saving up some cash and redo the struts and shocks while I'm at it. I'm going to try and find a front bumper as well, luckily in California, there are tons of wrecked Mercedes.
If you have some experience wrenching, the control arms are not that bad to do yourself. If you have a jack and some ok tools, its an afternoon job.
The struts require a few specialty tools, as you usually need a spring compressor for new struts/springs. There is a specialty tool for removing the nut at the top of the strut, but it can be accomplished w/o the special tool as well.
Originally Posted by soulonfire11
That's not too bad. I might start saving up some cash and redo the struts and shocks while I'm at it. I'm going to try and find a front bumper as well, luckily in California, there are tons of wrecked Mercedes.
If you have some experience wrenching, the control arms are not that bad to do yourself. If you have a jack and some ok tools, its an afternoon job.
The struts require a few specialty tools, as you usually need a spring compressor for new struts/springs. There is a specialty tool for removing the nut at the top of the strut, but it can be accomplished w/o the special tool as well.
I actually have a Spring compressor, so many years of installing pesky coilovers. As long as there are no electric issues, I can probably figure it out haha.
From a gas mileage perspective, I can report that my CLK500 averaged 20mpg this year on 3100 miles this year. I do drive mostly on secondary roads, but some in town driving and some highway miles there too. Lowest I saw was 16mpg (mostly in town for around 200 miles), and the best I saw was 26mpg (all highway for around 400 miles).
I keep detailed records of all maintenance and spend etc. Helps me track my total cost of ownership, and really helps with resale.
Thank You! Whats the real world MPG on these. I remember getting around 20mpg in the E55, can I expect similar gas mileage? I mean I'm excited to get back in a V8 car after driving the WRX for 3 years.
That's not too bad. I might start saving up some cash and redo the struts and shocks while I'm at it. I'm going to try and find a front bumper as well, luckily in California, there are tons of wrecked Mercedes.
I'm looking for a front bumper right now. I believe yours is the Diamond Silver Metallic like mine, how hard was it to find a painted bumper?
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