Mercedes Clk230 Kompressor

[syfon]

Hey all,

I have recently sold my Skyline (R33 S2 GTS-t) as I am looking a buying a luxury coupe. Now I have my sights set on a Mercedes CLK230 Kompressor 1999-2000. I have had a look at a few (dealer & private), but i'm not 100% sure what to expect with these cars.

I am aware that Mercedes-Benz cars are always built to a very very high standard (these CLK's are all manufactured in Germany) as you would expect when paying $100,000+ brand new.

I have driven one and could "feel" that the car has been in a front end accident. The TCS (traction control system) was not working and the fuel gauge etc was not working either. Now I am also aware that Mercedes can cost an arm and a leg to repair.

My mum owns a 2004 C240 V6 Elegance - the traction control system and sensor screwed up and Diesel Motors took 3 trys to fix it/replace the sensor (fortunately the car was dealer warranty so it didn't cost us anything). So i am kind of aware with maintenance costs and so on. I am also kind of aware what to expect with a Mercedes (CLK) as I have driven one and my parents have owned a few Mercs.

Basically what i want to know from you guys -

• Do you know anyone that owns a CLK? (230 Kompressor or not i don't mind)
  
• Do you know anywhere i can read/find reviews on the CLK? (1998-late 2000 models)
  
• Have you ever owned a CLK/had experience working on them?
  

I am going to have a look at a 99' CLK230 Kompressor on Saturday at a dealer in Osborne Park (WA). It has 130Km's, full Merecedes-Benz log-books/service history, Midnight Pearl Blue, full electrics (seats, mirrors, sunroof, etc), heated front seat, cd stacker - all of the Mercedes options. Price is $22,999 - i'll see how low they will go.

Thanks in advance for any advice/help!

Cheers,

Jason.

P.S. Please no "they are sh!t cars" etc!

[DC33VN]

my parents own a 180e and i can tell u all the mechanics i have been to have said that merc build very solid engines and the engine in the 180e is very strong

[syfon]

Yeah i know the Mercedes are a very strong & solid car. My mums first Mercedes was a 1995 C180 sedan - solid as a rock, no problems ever and 250,000+km's on the clock.

[DC33VN]

lemme guess ur mum wont buy any car unless its a merc?? mine is like that lol

[syfon]

Nah, she used to own a 89' Ford Fairlane (3 kids so a big car was necessary). Was a dog on fuel even when it was 60-70cents a litre but absolutely great on long runs. Then she wanted to sell as my older brothers had their licence's and got her first Merc, then her second one (the C240) and now wants to buy an 04'-05' E-class lol.

But yeh, i've looked around on the net and have only found a few very short reviews on the CLK 230 Kompressor's - i want to find some more reviews and read about other people's experiences with these cars as i dont want to buy one and then be up for a new supercharger lol (they are $12,500 just for supercharged from Mercedes).

[bubba]

You want to buy a 10yo German car.. I hope you have deep pockets!

[syfon]

You want to buy a 10yo German car.. I hope you have deep pockets!

I have seen these cars go for 250,000km's+ with all the correct servicing being done and treating it with respect - i just need to look around and find one in immaculate condition.

And yes, as i stated before, if something goes wrong with the car i know i'll probably have to sell my left testicle to fix it haha

[DC33VN]

dam 12 grand thats deeeeeeeeeep id say steer clear of the supercharged ones if its 12gz for a new one

also have u tried the merc forums at all?

Edited September 17, 2009 by Grk_R33

[bubba]

Ok, I'd stop drinking now too just in case you need to sell a kidney.

[phenline]

Why not just save a little bit longer and get a s2000 if you really want a hairdressers car ;p

[r33-ml]

Why not just save a little bit longer and get a s2000 if you really want a hairdressers car ;p

noo wayy dont get a s2000 over a merc clk ... haha i know they can cost a bit to fix up but at least it wont always fk up on u .. they r really good cars + really safe .... id go the merc 100%.. just waiot and find the ryt 1

[syfon]

The next one up is the CLK320, 3.2L V6 - not a huge power difference to the supercharged 2.3L 4cyl, and fuel economy is slightly better in the supercharged 2.3L.

However the price difference between the 230 and 320 is almost $10grand. The suprcharger shouldnt go thu unless its been thrashed its whole life.

Not a fan of the S2K's, dont like the convertable

[bubba]

Why not just save a little bit longer and get a s2000 if you really want a hairdressers car ;p

[Onthehunt]

My uncle had an 02 clk (cant remember which model) but that gave him endless problems, it was all covered under warranty but as soon as the warranty was up he sold it as the repair bills would have been huge but on the flipside I knew someone else who had an 01 clk and they did not have any problems. Merc build quality really dropped in the late 90's and early 00's before picking up again after that and it was well documented, whether or not the clk was one of the models affected I am not too sure, some internet research should tell you but it seems hit and miss.

I just did a quick search on google, 'clk230 review' and pages from aus, first few results were these so do a similar search and you should find plenty:

http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynr..._car_review.htm

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleD...=9077&vf=18

Other things you can do,

1. Go on a merc aus forum and look in the appropriate section and search 'problems or 'common issues' etc and you will get a good idea on what to look for when buying.

2. Speak to Euro service centres (other than the dealers) and ask them on their thoughts on the clk230 model and known problems or would they buy that model, what they service costs and parts if needed etc. A place like Swiss Auto in Mosman Park are a big european service place.

What I do for every car new or used car I look at or someone in my family or even customers cars is for me to go with them and measure the paint thickness around the car, if you get vastly different readings it has been resprayed and you look further into it. I am doing that at the moment for my old man as he is looking at an audi a8 but it stopped my brother from buying a 1 year old c class last year, who would have expected that to have had major accident damage but there you go.

Good luck with it

[syfon]

Now you can't say that this CLK does not look awesome!

When i buy one, i plan on doing deep dish rims (not sure on size, offset, etc), chrome projector headlights with angel eyes & HID's, LED tail lights and lower it by an inch or two

[syfon]

How do you measure the paint thickness? I wouldn't have a clue how to do that?

Also if i get serious with any CLK's i look at, i'll take it to my mechanic (Mr. Auto) and chuck it up on the hoist to check it out thoroughly.

[Onthehunt]

With a paint thickness gauge, cost about $750. I detail cars so I have one, I may or may not have realised that not many other people carry these

[NISMOGTT]

Mate from all the people i know that have had them in Perth they are nothing but problems, there is no one at all in WA that knows how to service them correctly, as soon as you have one of the smallest things go wrong the car is rooted cause once those cheap apprentice mechanics get to it, it will never go back the same, they leave stuff out as you have already found with the traction control on that "repaired" one.

i wont name the service company but my mates had issues with his AC for 3 years under warrenty and after the warrenty was up a normal electrician fixed in i half a day on his front lawn... that says something.

[syfon]

Holy flerking schnit, $750 o.O

How do they work? It might be useful to do that on the CLK i'm looking at

[syfon]

Mate from all the people i know that have had them in Perth they are nothing but problems, there is no one at all in WA that knows how to service them correctly, as soon as you have one of the smallest things go wrong the car is rooted cause once those cheap apprentice mechanics get to it, it will never go back the same, they leave stuff out as you have already found with the traction control on that "repaired" one.

i wont name the service company but my mates had issues with his AC for 3 years under warrenty and after the warrenty was up a normal electrician fixed in i half a day on his front lawn... that says something.

The traction control problem was with my mums C240, and Diesel Motors did fix the problem properly without any difficulties. Servicing wise (oil, filter, plugs), i would do it myself as i know its not difficult at all on those cars.

When it comes to mechanics, i would ALWAYS use my mechanic to do any work on my car as i have known him for a long time and i know he wouldnt screw me around. Unless it was a serious problem, i wouldnt bother sending it to Westpoint Star or Diesel Motors.

Thanks everyone for all your input/advice/etc, much appreciated. Keep it coming!