BenzoManNY

Hello everyone I am interested in purchasing a 2003 CLK 500.

My concern is that I have heard horror stories with Mercedes over the past few years with ridiculous issues mostly electrical in nature.

My parner got an 04 E500 the first day the following faults showed up.
Check Engine, ABS, Dynamic Seats didnt work and car pulled excessively to the right.

I am currently coming out a Jaguar under a Lemon Law situation and really do not want to go through these headaches again because the corporate customer service staff give hell over consumers who have problems that dont seem to get fixed.


I have no interest in the E class since I hate the airmatic suspension feel of the car, at least the CLK can be upgraded rather easy and I have driven one and thats why I am now interested in one.

Jaguar by the way if offering me all kinds of crazy incentives to get another car, an 2005 S Type R, the car is sweet in so many ways but they have not made any changes in the driveline with the clunky ZF 6 speed which was my issue.

Post any coments, thanks.

RJC

If you want a car that has the least amount of defects MB has seem to have lost its way of late; try Lexus.

I've driven and owned quite a few MB's from MY's 1960 -2004, the CLK 500 my current car is a powerful, comfortable and great cruising car but the build quality is simply not what it used to be.

My 04 500 has had just a few issues in its 9900 mile life; consisting of a pull to the right, front tires that still wear unevenly on the outer edges, a loud AC compressor, noisy window seals, defective brake rotors and an engine cooling fan stuck on high speed requiring a new ECU.

Honestly I don't think my CLK 500 is worth +/-$60k but my 1992 300CE was a 6 cylinder (but a great inline one at that) and stickered for $62k, so factoring in inflation etc MB had to cut out a lot to deliver another pillarless coupe, now with a V8 for about the same $.

If you want a good looking European V8 powered coupe without going over $70k ie; CLK55/XK8(R)/645, then the CLK is a decent choice.

Frisco

I have an early build 03 500 and have had a couple minor issues, none of which were important enough to warrant service ahead of the scheduled services.

BenzoManNY

Thanks for your honesty

I know the MB build quaility these days is down, very down.

I guess they dont have the goal to build a car that last 20 years, I mean the old school cars from the 1980's last forever and are built like tanks.

With leasing so common and our frivilous american spending habbits all these car companies just want you to get in and out of the car.

I had an XkR drop top, the car is awesome but IN NYC it is a terrible choice with the 20' rims and tight suspension,9 broken rims in 1.5 year made me sell it.

The BMW is a definite NO,

I dont like there technology and styling these days and there quailty is even worse with so many reports of cars shutting down on the highway and stuff no way.

Im partial to the Jaguar


What do you guys think of the 2005 S Type R in Black?

its $58k so its reasonable compared to the competition in its class.

RJC

I've never been crazy about the S type, I love the XK's especially the R coupes. If you must have a four door go for an E55 if you can afford the price of admission, perhaps you can find a left-over 04 with a good discount.
Another alterative is the new C55, with the AMG engine and revised interior/exterior it's a nice little car, but for the $ I'd rather have an E500 sport or an 05 CLK500.

When does the all new GS430 become available, early 2006?

BenzoManNY

Well the E55 is out, it is just to much money and in NYC the insurance is crazy, I mean 7k or more.

I love the XkR coupes but they ride terrible and have no interior room what so ever. But with the upgrades I make for those cars 500bhp and a 0-60 in the low 4's makes it's more tempting.


This CLK500 I am looking at is not a typical deal, The owner wants somone to assume his lease for 15 months until it is over. Mercedes Benz Credit.

Car is loaded 11k miles, price $746, include a set of rims and snow tires


I mean I figure what can really happen in a year but who knows.

I plan to install a Brabus Suspension, Wheels and Exhaust since I already have that stuff in my warehouse, im in the biz.


My other choice is an M3 Cabrio but all this kids kill those cars unless you buy new.

gbahri

I have a clk320, 2003. I believe that was the 1st year model. I love my car and have 44,000 miles in 1 year and 6 months. I never really had a problem. The airbag sensor in the passenger seat didn't work within 8,000 miles. But I can't think of anything else. All I know is that it s a great car and I abuse it badly. If I had to do it again I would buy it again.

RJC

You can get used 209 55's for a hudge savings over new...just a thought. Either way check out the cars service records from its respective servicing dealer.

TMans

I have a 2003 500 with little problems. Headlight out, steering column motor out, junk like that. Although I love this car, I sometimes wish I test drove an M3 before. It is a great cruiser, if that is what you are looking for.

BenzoManNY

Thanks for all your replies guys.

I know a USed CLK 55 would save me a bundle but i cant find one in the Northeast to assume a lease.

I honeslty just got a huge settlement from a Lemon Law case

I know my driving habits and NYC roads, after any car ive owned hits 22k miles its a bucket of bolts and rattles and problems.

Thats why I figured Id assume a lease in the meantime save some extra cash and can walk away in a year or less with no sweat.


After I drove a clients Maserati GT, the New one Im 100% Sure Im going to buy one, but since the car just came out they wont be any used cars until 8 months to a year.

The Maserati is Unreal and rare and if it falls apart maybe thats part of the ownership of one of those cars but it will be fun.

Have you guys seen on Ebay alone these 110k cars are selling from $55k-$66

Its sick how bad they depreciate and it is a real sportscar with tenacious grip.


Im going to see that 2003 CLK on Thursday Ill report back on the conditon and other details.

BenzoManNY

To all

I would just love to know how a Mercedes these days can have so many electrical problems and stupid faults

I ean the things i hear remind me of the Lucas days with Jaguar, what the hell is going wrong,


Not for nothing Im not a Lexus Fan but if the Sc430 had some real power and a trunk with a spare id buy one. Car looks sweet dropped with 20's

I think these Japanese companies need to start making luxury sports cars, they have the ability and the US market is so strong they should, these silly sport packages are not enough.

We need Brembo Brakes Standard 18 Staggered rims, F1 Shifting and a Balanced Chassis, and a Blown V8 would help to.

Just my 2 cents!

RJC

Schrempp insisted on much cheaper parts from all their suppliers...he got what he paid for.

cntlaw

I had the 2001 E320 W211 for three years , sold at 38000km

I did not encounter any major/minor electrical problems.
The only major problem was the air cond pump that had to be replaced. That costed USD 800.

So long you have warranty and a bad luck guy , MB is still no.1

Whitey

W211's were not around in 2001

Ben'sCLK

I think he made a typo as his sig. says 2001 W210 facelift !