CLK Cabriolet (W208)
Discussion
I'm looking to Purchase a W208 CLK Cabriolet I'm looking to spend around the 4-5K mark. Am I likely to get a bit of a pup at that price or am I likely to get a good example. mileage is not really that important to me I tend to purchase on Condition and Service record..
Is there a preferred engine to pick, I would love the 430 but sadly I'm looking more towards either the 230K or the 320 V6. Anything in particular to watch out for when looking over the cars?
any help thoughts from the Knowledge pool that I PistonHeads would be much appreciated.
Ta
JC
Is there a preferred engine to pick, I would love the 430 but sadly I'm looking more towards either the 230K or the 320 V6. Anything in particular to watch out for when looking over the cars?
any help thoughts from the Knowledge pool that I PistonHeads would be much appreciated.
Ta
JC
The 320 is a much better suited engine for the car than the 230K and it isn't much thirstier. It's probably easier to maintain as well.
I can't offer any more help on that model I'm afraid but I think there might be some rust issues on the wings - I could be completely wrong but a forum search should help.
I can't offer any more help on that model I'm afraid but I think there might be some rust issues on the wings - I could be completely wrong but a forum search should help.
I've got one, have done 10k in it in just over a year.
Ironically I was looking for the 230k just because I've never had a supercharged engine, but ended up with a 320 after blind bidding on one on ebay and winning it. I've since read a lot about the 230 being a pretty rough lump anyway. Guess I'll just have to have a XKR one day instead
If you've never had a Merc before you'll have to get used to the foot operated handbrake and the wipers & indicators being on a single stalk but although quirky these things soon seem normal.
I have really enjoyed driving it but it's no sports car, more of a GT which suited me down to the ground as my previous car was a bit frenetic. A year on I still feel a lift every time I get into it. The interior is a very nice place to be IMO - although you'll hear lots on here about cheap plastics etc. The seats hold you in place well but are still all-day comfy.
Mine's pre-facelift so pre-tiptronic and has a 5-speed auto box instead. This is well suited to the engine - which is smooth as silk by the way.
Wafting around I get about 27mpg and parts are pretty cheap unless you go to MB - I made the mistake of ordering a wiper blade a pollen filter without first asking how much - £30 odd each!
The roof is well insulated & you don't really know you're in a convertible over winter - it's much quieter & cosier than my wife's similar age Golf cabrio. It makes a very good year round car, mine's got heated seats too but I don't think they were standard.
I'd say test drive a couple & check for rust but I think the Merc/rust thing is overplayed - most cars this age will have some - I've seen a lot of 2000 era 3 series with bubbly arches and everyone raves about them.
Ironically I was looking for the 230k just because I've never had a supercharged engine, but ended up with a 320 after blind bidding on one on ebay and winning it. I've since read a lot about the 230 being a pretty rough lump anyway. Guess I'll just have to have a XKR one day instead
If you've never had a Merc before you'll have to get used to the foot operated handbrake and the wipers & indicators being on a single stalk but although quirky these things soon seem normal.
I have really enjoyed driving it but it's no sports car, more of a GT which suited me down to the ground as my previous car was a bit frenetic. A year on I still feel a lift every time I get into it. The interior is a very nice place to be IMO - although you'll hear lots on here about cheap plastics etc. The seats hold you in place well but are still all-day comfy.
Mine's pre-facelift so pre-tiptronic and has a 5-speed auto box instead. This is well suited to the engine - which is smooth as silk by the way.
Wafting around I get about 27mpg and parts are pretty cheap unless you go to MB - I made the mistake of ordering a wiper blade a pollen filter without first asking how much - £30 odd each!
The roof is well insulated & you don't really know you're in a convertible over winter - it's much quieter & cosier than my wife's similar age Golf cabrio. It makes a very good year round car, mine's got heated seats too but I don't think they were standard.
I'd say test drive a couple & check for rust but I think the Merc/rust thing is overplayed - most cars this age will have some - I've seen a lot of 2000 era 3 series with bubbly arches and everyone raves about them.
stropley said:
I've got one, have done 10k in it in just over a year.
Ironically I was looking for the 230k just because I've never had a supercharged engine, but ended up with a 320 after blind bidding on one on ebay and winning it. I've since read a lot about the 230 being a pretty rough lump anyway. Guess I'll just have to have a XKR one day instead
If you've never had a Merc before you'll have to get used to the foot operated handbrake and the wipers & indicators being on a single stalk but although quirky these things soon seem normal.
I have really enjoyed driving it but it's no sports car, more of a GT which suited me down to the ground as my previous car was a bit frenetic. A year on I still feel a lift every time I get into it. The interior is a very nice place to be IMO - although you'll hear lots on here about cheap plastics etc. The seats hold you in place well but are still all-day comfy.
Mine's pre-facelift so pre-tiptronic and has a 5-speed auto box instead. This is well suited to the engine - which is smooth as silk by the way.
Wafting around I get about 27mpg and parts are pretty cheap unless you go to MB - I made the mistake of ordering a wiper blade a pollen filter without first asking how much - £30 odd each!
The roof is well insulated & you don't really know you're in a convertible over winter - it's much quieter & cosier than my wife's similar age Golf cabrio. It makes a very good year round car, mine's got heated seats too but I don't think they were standard.
I'd say test drive a couple & check for rust but I think the Merc/rust thing is overplayed - most cars this age will have some - I've seen a lot of 2000 era 3 series with bubbly arches and everyone raves about them.
I was going write this very nearly to the letter, So thanks for saving me all that typing!! I agree with every word. And on the price issue, mine is 99V with 72000m FSH with excellent paint and interior and I wouldn't sell it for less than £6000. You'll find higher mileage ones for less. Ironically I was looking for the 230k just because I've never had a supercharged engine, but ended up with a 320 after blind bidding on one on ebay and winning it. I've since read a lot about the 230 being a pretty rough lump anyway. Guess I'll just have to have a XKR one day instead
If you've never had a Merc before you'll have to get used to the foot operated handbrake and the wipers & indicators being on a single stalk but although quirky these things soon seem normal.
I have really enjoyed driving it but it's no sports car, more of a GT which suited me down to the ground as my previous car was a bit frenetic. A year on I still feel a lift every time I get into it. The interior is a very nice place to be IMO - although you'll hear lots on here about cheap plastics etc. The seats hold you in place well but are still all-day comfy.
Mine's pre-facelift so pre-tiptronic and has a 5-speed auto box instead. This is well suited to the engine - which is smooth as silk by the way.
Wafting around I get about 27mpg and parts are pretty cheap unless you go to MB - I made the mistake of ordering a wiper blade a pollen filter without first asking how much - £30 odd each!
The roof is well insulated & you don't really know you're in a convertible over winter - it's much quieter & cosier than my wife's similar age Golf cabrio. It makes a very good year round car, mine's got heated seats too but I don't think they were standard.
I'd say test drive a couple & check for rust but I think the Merc/rust thing is overplayed - most cars this age will have some - I've seen a lot of 2000 era 3 series with bubbly arches and everyone raves about them.
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