1998 CLK 230 viewing later
Discussion
Having a look at a Mercedes CLK 230 coupe later, 1998 model. Bit of an overview of the car..... Owner has had for 12 years, full Mercedes history, clean body, none of the usual rust on arches etc, mechanically and electrically fine, has some upgraded Pioneer multimedia system or something. Car is an automatic. Anyway car is on 180k miles. Providing it's well serviced as it appears to be, are these engines good for it? Not familiar with Mercedes. Anyway the car is available for £400 so not expecting the world.
So has anyone had one? Views and opinions? Other than the usual stuff and rust anything worth checking out?
Cheers,
Gordy
So has anyone had one? Views and opinions? Other than the usual stuff and rust anything worth checking out?
Cheers,
Gordy
I've got a 2003 Merc C230K Coupe, which the car you're looking at shares bits with (including engine and gearbox).
The 1.8 supercharged four pot is a hardy lump, but isn't endowed with the nicest engine note. Low and high mileage ones sound a bit rough (they all do that, sir), but shouldn't sound knackered. On the drive, the car should feel quick - like high sevens to 60 kind of quick. If it doesn't, there could be problem with the supercharger.
The 5-speed auto should shift through the gears exceptionally smoothly, without jarring, clunking, or banging. On the test drive, check the car doesn't "drop" hard into 2nd when slowing down.
If possible, check the car from cold. If the revs hunt up and down, there's a valve-regulator-thing somewhere that needs replacing. Not massively expensive, but a good bargaining tool if the car is doing this.
Everything should still work on the inside, and dashboard warning lights should all go out after startup. Electrical issues potentially point to a dodgy wiring loom, which is a pain to diagnose/fix.
If you already have the car's numberplate, do an MoT history check:
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
What you're looking for is any evidence of structural rust, whether as part of a fail-repair-pass, or an advisory item. Unless you're handy with a welding torch, it's best to walk away from a Merc that's going (or gone) underneath.
Bon chance, mon ami!
The 1.8 supercharged four pot is a hardy lump, but isn't endowed with the nicest engine note. Low and high mileage ones sound a bit rough (they all do that, sir), but shouldn't sound knackered. On the drive, the car should feel quick - like high sevens to 60 kind of quick. If it doesn't, there could be problem with the supercharger.
The 5-speed auto should shift through the gears exceptionally smoothly, without jarring, clunking, or banging. On the test drive, check the car doesn't "drop" hard into 2nd when slowing down.
If possible, check the car from cold. If the revs hunt up and down, there's a valve-regulator-thing somewhere that needs replacing. Not massively expensive, but a good bargaining tool if the car is doing this.
Everything should still work on the inside, and dashboard warning lights should all go out after startup. Electrical issues potentially point to a dodgy wiring loom, which is a pain to diagnose/fix.
If you already have the car's numberplate, do an MoT history check:
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
What you're looking for is any evidence of structural rust, whether as part of a fail-repair-pass, or an advisory item. Unless you're handy with a welding torch, it's best to walk away from a Merc that's going (or gone) underneath.
Bon chance, mon ami!
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