Potential CLK55 owner..Just a couple questions
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: CHARLESTON,SC
2001 CLK55,2003 CL55AMG,2003 E55,2004 CLK55,2011 E350
Potential CLK55 owner..Just a couple questions
Hello all. I’ve been lurking around this forum for while trying to gather information to buy a CKL55 AMG. From what a read so far this car seems to be a pretty reliable and well-built ride. First off, I need to be more informed before pulling the trigger and I was wondering what potential problems to look out for. I have a few questions that I really haven’t been able to answer by using the search function a want to know from those that own one of these cars about the “weak links”. What should I be worried about or looking at when viewing a potential purchase? My budget is going to be around $15-18k but at that price I want to get something that won’t need to go right in to the shop for service. if I get something with fewer then 75k miles and a decent service history I should be getting something good, right? I know my budget won’t let me get anything newer then 2004 but, what are the real differences between the years other than paint, rims and bumpers? I’d appreciates any feedback. Thanks!
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From: Minneapolis
2002 CLK55, 1993 190E, 1975 230C, 2007 E350
brake fluid
check the brake fluid - one of the weak points on the car is the ABS module, and they are susceptible to brake fluid contamination. If it looks old, ask if the thing has had the fluid changed.
Mine had also had the tranny fluid changed out a couple of times, and the service records were all up to date.
Mine had also had the tranny fluid changed out a couple of times, and the service records were all up to date.
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'05 CLK55, '04 CLK320
Check the motor mounts, valve cover to see if it was leaking oil and see if they just changed the brakes. Valve cover gasket is going to cost around $800 from the dealer if its leaking oil or less than $100 if you know how to do it yourself. Brake job is over $1k if you are doing both front and rears so hopefully they already got that out the way. Just make sure to get an independent inspection by a mechanic that's worked with these cars
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: CHARLESTON,SC
2001 CLK55,2003 CL55AMG,2003 E55,2004 CLK55,2011 E350
Check the motor mounts, valve cover to see if it was leaking oil and see if they just changed the brakes. Valve cover gasket is going to cost around $800 from the dealer if its leaking oil or less than $100 if you know how to do it yourself. Brake job is over $1k if you are doing both front and rears so hopefully they already got that out the way. Just make sure to get an independent inspection by a mechanic that's worked with these cars
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From: Manassas, VA
10 Cayenne GTS, 07 Porsche 911 Turbo
Don,t you mean dual tip exhaust but still on the left side? I "think" my BS is the only CLK model with a dual tip, dual exhaust set-up on both sides.
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'05 CLK55, '04 CLK320
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
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From: Virginia, USA
2005 c230
just had a tech inspection done of my 2002 CLK55 with 39k miles that is generally pristine. Runs and rides perfectly, and I thought..it was in flawless condition. LOL. I bought it last year with 37k miles on it from a owner who is a car guy.
Anyways, the tech (MB mechanic at a Benz dealership) showed me the following: leaking drivers side motor mount (brown stains all around the mount), he took a loong prybar and pried around the control arm, and showed a small amount of play with the caster bushing. (Camber bushing had absolutely zero play.) He also showed me damp spots under a transmission related pan under the engine. Said it's going to get worse and eventually drip, but that it's fine..for now. Said he could tell that my fuel filter was original and at 9 years old, should be replaced. Said he also personally recommended the transmission fluid be replaced every 30k as preventative maintance. I personally dont agree with that aggressive interval for a car that doesnt tow and is rarely driven in stop and go and rarely (if ever) driven in mountains and never drag raced.
So..i'd suggest paying attention to that entire front end, especially all bushings, ball joints, and motor/transmission mounts.
Dealer quote to replace the motor mounts was $950. Local independent quoted me $800..but that quote also included the transmission mount. Dealer quoted $1000 for replacement of the caster bushings.
Anyways, the tech (MB mechanic at a Benz dealership) showed me the following: leaking drivers side motor mount (brown stains all around the mount), he took a loong prybar and pried around the control arm, and showed a small amount of play with the caster bushing. (Camber bushing had absolutely zero play.) He also showed me damp spots under a transmission related pan under the engine. Said it's going to get worse and eventually drip, but that it's fine..for now. Said he could tell that my fuel filter was original and at 9 years old, should be replaced. Said he also personally recommended the transmission fluid be replaced every 30k as preventative maintance. I personally dont agree with that aggressive interval for a car that doesnt tow and is rarely driven in stop and go and rarely (if ever) driven in mountains and never drag raced.
So..i'd suggest paying attention to that entire front end, especially all bushings, ball joints, and motor/transmission mounts.
Dealer quote to replace the motor mounts was $950. Local independent quoted me $800..but that quote also included the transmission mount. Dealer quoted $1000 for replacement of the caster bushings.
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Stick to the W208 or prepare to pay out the butt. I was looking at a 2004 CLK500 and then stumble on to an online consumer thread with 24 pages of pissed off people with all kinds of complaints. So then I searched for the W208 found nothing but good things about the W208. Even one consumer magazine ranked it as number 8 out of 100 most reliable cars.
Rule of thumb, if you are buying a Benz buy the last years of the models production.
Rule of thumb, if you are buying a Benz buy the last years of the models production.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 131
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From: CHARLESTON,SC
2001 CLK55,2003 CL55AMG,2003 E55,2004 CLK55,2011 E350
Stick to the W208 or prepare to pay out the butt. I was looking at a 2004 CLK500 and then stumble on to an online consumer thread with 24 pages of pissed off people with all kinds of complaints. So then I searched for the W208 found nothing but good things about the W208. Even one consumer magazine ranked it as number 8 out of 100 most reliable cars.
Rule of thumb, if you are buying a Benz buy the last years of the models production.
Rule of thumb, if you are buying a Benz buy the last years of the models production.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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None
Stick to the W208 or prepare to pay out the butt. I was looking at a 2004 CLK500 and then stumble on to an online consumer thread with 24 pages of pissed off people with all kinds of complaints. So then I searched for the W208 found nothing but good things about the W208. Even one consumer magazine ranked it as number 8 out of 100 most reliable cars.
Rule of thumb, if you are buying a Benz buy the last years of the models production.
Rule of thumb, if you are buying a Benz buy the last years of the models production.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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BMW 528i
