CLK 430 MPG and performance
Discussion
i used to have a CLK 230 K a few years ago and i loved it, true it wasnt the best handling car but it was swift and comfortable and returned good MPG, ive driven a 320 before and know there isnt really a lot of difference in performance between it and the 230 K although it does sound nicer, so with CLK prices being very reasonable at the moment im thinking about getting another but really am considering a 430 this time, do you really notice the erformance difference over the other smaller engined ones? and what kind of MPG should i expect, im looking at coupes around 2000 or 2001 for about £7.5k, with roughly 80000 miles on them.
Morning all, long time lurker but first time poster - so may as well make it useful!
I've had a CLK 430 Convertible since September and was also curious as to MPG etc....before I bought it. What an engine! The is a significant diferrence in torque and all round driveability and 'feel' to the smaller engines, and yes, it does have that V8 burble.... drop the pillarless glass on a nice day and you'll be glad you bought it.
I reset the on board computer when i bought it and I've just popped out to have a look. Apparently I've got about 24.2 mpg combined over the last 1500 miles. Personally I'm not too bothered about mpg figures, but prefer to see what I get out of a tank as it's more meaningful- about 250 miles. My previous car was a Boxster(2.7) which gave about the same so I was used to that type of consumption (gulp!).
As you know yourself, they're not exactly sporty, but they weren't really designed to be so fair enough. The build quality is not as good as we want from Mercedes, but is more what we have come to expect from them in the 1990's era... my other daily smoker is a 1993 W124 280 estate, and I suspect it will outlast the CLK!
Performance of the 430 is as good as you would expect, but very deceptive. You genuinely don't think you are going that fast (officer!), because they are so smooth. It is very different to my Boxster, but feels comparable in terms of pace. It doesn't feel particularly spritely round the twisty bits, but is very quick in the 30-70mph range
One last thing - price of parts! It has similar brakes etc. to the bigger CLK AMG....mine needed new discs and pads all round and cost 600 pounds for genuine bits fitted by a Mercedes specialist. The smaller engined models would have cost half that they grinned at me....
Hope this helps with the decision, they're worth it - my V8 even rocks gently from side to side at idle! The Kompressor's don't do that....
I've had a CLK 430 Convertible since September and was also curious as to MPG etc....before I bought it. What an engine! The is a significant diferrence in torque and all round driveability and 'feel' to the smaller engines, and yes, it does have that V8 burble.... drop the pillarless glass on a nice day and you'll be glad you bought it.
I reset the on board computer when i bought it and I've just popped out to have a look. Apparently I've got about 24.2 mpg combined over the last 1500 miles. Personally I'm not too bothered about mpg figures, but prefer to see what I get out of a tank as it's more meaningful- about 250 miles. My previous car was a Boxster(2.7) which gave about the same so I was used to that type of consumption (gulp!).
As you know yourself, they're not exactly sporty, but they weren't really designed to be so fair enough. The build quality is not as good as we want from Mercedes, but is more what we have come to expect from them in the 1990's era... my other daily smoker is a 1993 W124 280 estate, and I suspect it will outlast the CLK!
Performance of the 430 is as good as you would expect, but very deceptive. You genuinely don't think you are going that fast (officer!), because they are so smooth. It is very different to my Boxster, but feels comparable in terms of pace. It doesn't feel particularly spritely round the twisty bits, but is very quick in the 30-70mph range
One last thing - price of parts! It has similar brakes etc. to the bigger CLK AMG....mine needed new discs and pads all round and cost 600 pounds for genuine bits fitted by a Mercedes specialist. The smaller engined models would have cost half that they grinned at me....
Hope this helps with the decision, they're worth it - my V8 even rocks gently from side to side at idle! The Kompressor's don't do that....
thanks very much for the info, im going to get one early next year probably around then end of jan, im not sure wether to go for a cab or a coupe, the coupes are cheaper but if a cab comes along and i like it i may put in the extra money and buy it, as a Range Rover driver for a while now i have grown rather fond of the V8 and love it when the car moves from side to side under revs, it doesnt sound like bad MPG at all actually, my old Golf 4 Motion got around 22 MPG and that was a 2.8!!, the same with a car i had for sale a while ago a BMW 328i that had a drink problem too for its size, i think the 430 is the way to go.
Good luck with the hunt for one. They are rare beasts indeed. I happened across mine when I found an old client was selling his, and I knew he'd looked after it....36k on the clock, always garaged - you get the picture.
If you do go for the cab, they were only made in 430 guise for about a year I think, the coupes a bit longer. If you can wait until early spring, mine may be looking for a new home.
Compared to your Golf and BMW, with their smaller engines, it seems almost teetotal in it's fuel comsumption!
If you do go for the cab, they were only made in 430 guise for about a year I think, the coupes a bit longer. If you can wait until early spring, mine may be looking for a new home.
Compared to your Golf and BMW, with their smaller engines, it seems almost teetotal in it's fuel comsumption!
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