Looking at an older CLK 500

[monkeydelmagico]

I'm eyeballing a 2004 CLK500. Hardtop, 120k miles, asking $8500. Anyone here ever own, ride, drive, wrench on, or otherwise have an opinion on the sexy hell I'm about to get into?

 

[halik]

I had the previous generation CLK430 (i think it's the same motor in the 500). Only issue I had was a failed cat that they fixed under the federal warranty. Put some 40K miles on it, mostly long trips detroit-nyc and back.

Reasonably easy to work on also, I did regular maintenance myself (plugs, filters etc).

Fantastic on the highway (~28mpg easy), terrible in the snow.

 

[Midwayman]

Check out the forum
http://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class-w209-43/

MB has patchy reliability by model, but on average the best of the Germans. Can't give specifics on the clk500, but you're looking at the w209 which is still the current chassis. I can pull the datacard with your VIN on EPC if you want. You have the m273 engine and the 722.6 5g tronic transmission.

 

[stinger608]

I had a 99 SLK 230 for a couple of years. Of course the SLK series has its own little issues, but I must say, it was probably the most fun vehicle I ever owned.

Of course the SLK is a completely different car in every sense of the word. None the less, MB's are a very stable vehicle to drive. They also keep their resale value pretty well. As long as you keep up on the maintenance and replace/repair any issues that come along I don't think you can loose on it.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Thanks for the input, appreciate it. Platform seems robust, especially the v8 versions with 5spd auto. Took a look at the car, very well maintained but seller firm on price. Gonna see if i can wait them out for a lower price. I'm a buyer at $7,500.-