Buying a used Mercedes E55 AMG, E63 AMG (W211) - 2003-2009 th-cam.com/video/-iGw8_YLL44/w-d-xo.html Buying a used Mercedes S-class (W221) - 2006-2013 th-cam.com/video/mg9Fy0RlOMk/w-d-xo.html Buying a used Mercedes CLS (W218) - 2011-2018 th-cam.com/video/2DfZcQVgsKc/w-d-xo.html Buying a used Mercedes SL R129 - 1989-2001 th-cam.com/video/2mTSHype7UU/w-d-xo.html Buying a used Mercedes SL R230 - 2001-2011 th-cam.com/video/j7_a3nDm9_E/w-d-xo.html Buying a used BMW 3 series (F30) - 2011-2019 th-cam.com/video/SV15lqX30ek/w-d-xo.html Buying a used BMW 5 series E60, E61 - 2003-2010 th-cam.com/video/xmcBIa9tAq8/w-d-xo.html Buying a used BMW 6 series F06, F12, F13 - 2011-2018 th-cam.com/video/is8QeVYYB8E/w-d-xo.html Buying a used Audi A8 (D3/4E) - 2002-2010 th-cam.com/video/PijHDhQ3Gas/w-d-xo.html Buying a used Audi S6 (C6/4F) - 2006-2010 th-cam.com/video/mpf5CgCOhM0/w-d-xo.html Buying a used Audi A6 (C6/4F) - 2004-2011 th-cam.com/video/BbTeVU0kXl8/w-d-xo.html Buying a used Audi A4 (B8) - 2008-2015 th-cam.com/video/ixDwvZbWtWM/w-d-xo.html Buying a used VW Golf MK6 (5K1) - 2008-2013 th-cam.com/video/BgGyTSishKY/w-d-xo.html Buying a used VW Golf MK7 (AU) - 2012-2020 th-cam.com/video/jSo4EHi9HMg/w-d-xo.html
I've owned a 2004 CLK 500 or 4 years and I run my own car TH-cam car channel. Your review is SPOT ON! Simply the best over the whole internet. Bravo and thank you!
hi, i am looking to buy a clean low mileage 2004 mercedes clk500. I am hesitating between the clk and a nissan 350z for a weekend summer car. i would say that the nissan is a bit more expensive and i heard the mercedes gets lots of problems is it true? i heard they are both the same performance except the nissan gets much better handling and sporty feeling
I ve own a clk 320 2004 from 30.000 miles[2011]till 84.000 miles[2015]problems:1 engine camshaft sensor at 70.000 miles,front light at 80.000 miles,fuel filter at 75.000 miles.never took the car to the service.did everyhing myself.The best car I ever owned.And I owned a few.Just loved it.
It's a difficult thing to predict future values but a pillarless coupe....always a winner from MB. So much that even the cursed balance shaft may be worth fixing. There's not many left in good nic in my country. W212s are now going cheap but they're a mere 4dr outdated saloon. Our CLKs at least will never look like snotters just as old W124 coupes line up fine at good hotels!
Yes , M112 and M113 are the best ..replace the crankshaft position sensor after 12 years ,,change transmission fluid regularly ,,, also replace the idler pulley after 100,000 km , keep a good strong battery in the car ..and change all the other fluids as required and they are a great car ,,very reliable..
I've owned a 2001 CLK 55 AMG for 5 years. 219,000kms. Very few issues. Very smooth and powerful drive! 342hp V8. Thank you for your video from Australia 🇦🇺 🙏 👏 👏 👏
@@simonf8902 Congratulations on your purchase. Where did you find one they are rare. I am interested in how much mileage it has and what price you got it for?
@@apexpredator9489 My advise would be make sure it has a service manual with regular yearly updates. Also get a MB mechanic to chk it over. It is an older car and surprises can be very costly. What is the mileage on it?
I just bought a 2007 CLK 220 cdi for £3k. It’s a fairly good example. The rust under rear arches definitely is true. I sanded and painted them with hamerite to combat this. The engine, transmission and interior are perfect despite it having 125k miles. However all the breaks needed doing and the front struts. Finally the exhaust was rusted through so needed replacing. You were right in saying keep €1.5k for maintenance because that’s what it’s costing me to bring the car to top condition.
Love this guy's reviews. He's so methodical I question his humanity. Maybe I should do a quick to the point review on HIM now: Unique one-of-a-kind model. Homes in on the central issues. His brain acts like a superconductor. Common problems: None.
I seen how many problems these can give so I went ahead and bought one. 2004 Cabrio with 180,000 . right off the bat the top doesnt work, got a low coolant malfunction and check engine light on. Awesome. I like a challenge
Good summary ,,all correct . These cars are worth getting and carrying out these jobs , then they will go for another ten years. CLK55 AMG is the best ,,just normal maintenance ,,front rotors can cost $700 usd ,,but you only need to replace after 100,000 km. One thing you forgot to mention is these M112 and M113 need new valve cover gaskets and breather chamber resealed after 12 years.
The breather chambers are even worse than the valve covers when it comes to oil leaks. The key to a permanent fix is to tighten only until the surfaces *CONTACT* the RTV sealant. Let dry 24-hours and *only then* torque to spec.
@Myrrh Curie Hi Mercury. I live far, far away from there but I did a Google search for *_"independent Mercedes-Benz repair shops in Arizona"_* and it came up with some suggestions. You can narrow the search further to whatever city you're in. I hope you find a good one. www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS843US844&sxsrf=ALeKk02WjFbCmEv9DbrB4Hrxr7Ddrt5mSg%3A1593074940001&ei=-2T0XvHaPIio_Qb70aywBg&q=independent+Mercedes-Benz+repair+shops+in+arizona&oq=independent+Mercedes-Benz+repair+shops+in+arizona&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzIECCMQJzoHCAAQRxCwAzoHCCMQsAIQJ1DRgQJYm7gCYIbjAmgBcAB4AIABTYgBmwKSAQE0mAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpeg&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwixxJjPypzqAhUIVN8KHfsoC2YQ4dUDCAw&uact=5
I have owned a 2000 clk 320 cabrio for over 7 years, its a euro version imported from Hong Kong. Only issues were crank position sensor which i discovered would work if you poured cold water on it !! The transmission plug and a few small bits and pieces...redid all the front bushings and some upper rear ones also had the plugs changed out and had the transmission fluid refreshed . it is always garaged . I guess our climate in Australia is pretty kind to cars.I personally change the oil regularly and change out all filters. It drives very well and has a solid feel on the road still with about 180,000 k's. I will keep it until the bitter/ sweet end...........cheers
That's because it sits right by the catalytic converter. *HOT!!! HOT!!! HOT!!!* There's a *metal-plate* on the outside of the transmission-housing serving as a thermal barrier, but it's still just inches from the cat. Not a good place to live for an electronic component. (That plate being there means you need new-born-baby size hands to reach down there. Or put some really LONG extensions on your ratchet.)
The CLK is bulletproof! Just don’t go for the 350 or 280. They will have the bad timing chain problem that is extremely expensive to fix. I would recommend the 320 or 500. Or the 55 for that matter. Anything that has a M112 or M113 is just bulletproof. You can see my CLK on my channel :) Also im about to buy another W209 this time a CLK55. Just need to find a good one.
@@JustinsSupercars awesome thank you bunch! Now the one I'm trying to grab it says production 10/2003 (Vin states 2004 model) so should I worried about that transmission issue with models of 2003? (Supposedly till sept 2003?!)
Bart I have Never heard of any transmission problems and I work for Mercedes Germany. The transmission is Rock solid. It can leak some oil sometimes but that’s just a 10 dollar gasket that takes like 30 minutes to replace. Go for it! It’s a fantastic and very solid car!
Excellent video. As a proud owner of a CLK 500 I have suffered and absolutely subscribe all the issues you mention. Apart from them, it's an extraordinary car.
Ahhhhhh, thank you thank you for reviewing my pretty little Benz!🤗 Still lovely Mercs & perhaps the prettiest in decades. Yes my interior air flaps broke, they are fragile! But it's as well built as a W212. And yes my engine flaps were changed on the dreaded but nice sounding & economical M272. Nice review - as always!
I have a CLK 220CDI, has over 160K miles on it and drives perfect. Definitely the best car I've owned has all the mod cons that most new cars don't even have! Supremely comfortable to drive as well. The 220cdi is a little boring to drive but it's a great cruiser! I also owned a C Class w203 a few years ago and it is not even comparable, feels like a rolls Royce in comparison to the C Class, the steering is much lighter, the ride is much softer and the interior is in a different league. Costs about £5 and takes about 10 mins to install a hidden Bluetooth audio adapter for the head unit as well. Only issues are fuel economy isn't great and the air con system is known to have issues, most likely condenser will break at some point also the air con drainage system is AWFUL so likely most models will have musty smelling AC system which you can basically never get rid of. Finally, the glove box latch is awful and will break, most examples I looked at were broken and replacements are around £200! Other than this it's the best car you can buy for around £3K hands down!
Be cognizant of the balance shaft issue. There was actually a lawsuit over it you weren't aware. Check you serial number of the engine (M272 engine) to see if your serial number falls outside of the affected range. Benz used a very poor metal for the balance shaft sproket and it WILL wear prematurely. If it does, although you may receive coding for related issues that may bring your attention to it, changing that sproket is a VERY expensive job. If you don't know your M272 serial, use a VIN# decoder online, then see what the serial number is. Then reference your serial number against the balance shaft issue online. The info is there so you should find it pretty easily. Also, pay attention to all the oil leakage that is common on the CLK350, I personally just serviced my cam shaft plugs that were all leaking (3). Luckily they are super cheap parts and take about 20 mins to install. Also monitor leakage from the adjuster solenoids/magnets and sensors - another leakage area. My CLK350 is in immaculate condition and I'm at 135k, but I'm always worried about the balance shaft issue which can completely destroy your engine without much warning. Anyway, just saying :)
Do a VIN lookup, it turns out that there was an option to get paint-protection done upon purchase brand new. It showed up in my VIN number oddly enough for my 2005 CLK 55 AMG Coupe, pretty interesting! I have 180k miles with ZERO rust/corrosion or fluid leaks. If I can point out one weak point, check under your hood on the right hand side along the right side fender where the wiring harness runs back down(Negative) and the wiring harnesses can tend to get VERY brittle and crack easily if not stored in a climate controlled environment.
I had a 4 cylinder CLC with the same engine that is used in this car. Watch out for oil leaks. The leaks I had got into the wiring loom, which attracted dirt into the connectors and in turn engine lights related to the MAF started to light up. The garage quote to replace it was more than what the car was worth. So I ended up scrapping the car. Brilliant engine ..... the plastic and rubber bits around it let it down. Very nice review BTW!!!
I have 2005 320 convertible and you hit on three problems I've had! Passenger side seat belt presenter, driver's side power head rest, and rust on the lower door panels. The first two were easy fixes with parts from eBay, the rust I had completely cut out and metal replaced. A beautiful reliable car now.
I got it in the end, a 2004 270 CDI, after having a jeep commander, this thing feels like if a Pourche meets a rolls. It just wants to drift around roundabouts when you push a little bit
Awesome car , the main problem on convertible version is be ready that pump and hydraulic cylinders will fail ,thanks to ebay for cheap used parts... also soft top will need sew , otherwise would say one of the best merz of those years
I bought my 2008 320CDI AMG five years ago. just have to do the normal maintenance stuff, plus a couple of sensor faults. I just love it and will keep it till it dies. Just so light to handle, really quick, cruises smoothly as fast as anyone could want. Drinks fuel and eats tyres, but the depreciation has finished and I love it. Use premium diesel, runs so much better and worth the extra cost.
Hi pal, im after a diesel too. 320 sounds good, any expensive parts need in your ownership? How many miles have you done since you've owned it? I'm just scared incase of faults. Someine once said to me about the w203 the 220cdi is good an the 270cdi is bad!! But I e searched an searched an can't find nothing!! How is the fuel consumption for your car? Thanks in advance
I have the 2009 clk350 and boy she is a tank. I swear to god we went all the way to hell and back together countless times. 🤪 I have so many stories about what she has been through. 160,000 miles strong, going for 300 baby
Oscar Gonzalez They are original, I do feel a slight vibration from time to time. Nothing super bad, I will do the chain guides eventually as a preventive measure
Ross Enzo hmm do you think that causes vibration? I’m also looking at a 2007 clk550 and it vibrates. But I’m assuming it’s the engine mounts? I heard when the chain is going out you’re supposed to hear clicking sounds in the engine
I'm surprised you didn't mention the electrical issues with this vehicle. I have known people who had issues with the wiring harnesses giving up the ghost on their second gen CLK's. My friend had an issue where he actually had the seal around the cam shaft sensor fail, and the engine slowly pumped oil through the wiring harness until it reached the ECU and caused a timing issue with cylinder 3 after affecting a spark plug. Probably a rare thing to be sure, but definitely heard a lot about the wiring harnesses not being the best.
I love how you say "Come for table" instead of comfortable and "Add just table" instead of adjustable in your videos :D Jokes aside, great content ! You have my sub! P.S. - I would love to see a review of a third gen Renault Laguna
I bought a 320 clk and I had it for about a year before I accidently leaned the secret storage compartment next to the glove box to discover it. My car has 177k on the clock and is completely shagged out...SRS warning light comes on every time someone sits in the passenger seat and turns off when they are gone, air con doesn't work, no hot air for the first half hour, sat nav is missing and replaced by some knackered radio which means the clock dosen't work, driver seat only goes back but not forward, trunk leaks so bad that I keep buckets in the back to collect the water, engine has three oil leaks and the smell comes into the cabin, half the air vents don't work, windows steam up if anyone dares to breath, headlight lenses are almost yellow, head-rests don't work............................BUT...........I don't care because the seat belt is handed to me and both front and rear windows still work! And nothing looks as cool as a pillarless coupe! The end.
If you change the coolant thermostat and passenger seat occupancy sensor then you could cure a few issues off that list, but enjoy your pillarless coupe all the same !
Great video, very comprehensive. I have recently bought a late 2004 CLK500 convertible. Sadly it didn't have the adaptive cruise control or keyless entry. However, it does have the ventilated/heated seats and basically everything else. The only issue is that it seems to be leaking engine oil after long trips. Obviously, that issue is hard to be noticed in the dealership. I brought the car to my mechanic and had a look at the hoist. The oil seems to be leaking from between the back of the engine and transmission. Suspected broken rear main seal. Now I need to consider whether to fix this issue, which costs a lot for labour or to keep close watch of it since it was a very slow leak.
How about the balance shaft, cam magnets or infold flaps? How many miles or kms on yours? I'm curious as I'm getting the history on mine and wonder how many M272s were bad....great motor when not!
I have one. 2008, 4 cylinder, 1.8cc kompressor, coupe. Got it at 82.000 km and now it has 116.000 km. Not a fast car, but very smooth and does the job in a grand way. My only issue with it, is fuel economy. It drinks too much for such a small engine. Even tho the car is pretty heavy, i know. I'm going to clean up the air intake system, change all the seals there in, and change the mass airflow sensor too. I hope that will help. Apart from that, i love this car.
@@JP-js8jr The timing-chain itself is a cheap spare part, costs nearly 140€ without assembling. The camshaft adjusters are significant more expensive, they cost nearly 600€ each (without assembling). I am a service technician / diagnostic technician in a MB workshop, so I need only the parts... Assembling is my own part... 😉
I had an Sec many years ago, I think this car is a good compromise. I will probably buy one. Door panel looks empty without electric seat controls. Red leather is very nice.
I’m looking to buy A CLK and this video is extremely informative and interesting. I now know what to look for and what could be the safer investment. Thank you.
Iam the owner of CLK 270 CDi year 2006, and i feel like i finaly found the perfect match for me 😍 After two years of using, just happyness. Obvious servis of course, but no major problems. And what more important, the car goes cheep, 5,2L/100km is my normal consamption.
@Lee yes, but its shurelly hard to found, especialy in manual transmition. I was lucky. Living in CZ and found my CLK in Austria, after only one owner. This engine is buletproof, able to go till 800000 km easyly, just be shure ypu changing oil in every 10 tousand km and all filters togehter. I love this car, for real. Consumption is unreal, for engine this size. Its fast, its strong, its comfort and to be honest.....old mercedes mean better than today 😄
I had a clk 2.7 cdi it was cheap to drive but very unreliable then I sold it and I got a 3.2 petrol full equipe with lgp, that s the best car I ve ever had.
Great information in this video! I decided to take my joy riding to 2 wheels so had recently downgraded from the NA 6.2L (not a CLK - those be expensive AF) to the 2009 3L V6 diesel and it is superb - good balance of power, economy and reliability, especially due to it being the outgoing model. As much as I wish it had Keyless GO, it's not at all worth the retrofit cost.
Had a clk320 2000 for about 12 years, indeed had a corner that bubbled up due to rust. After one winter had to get wiring replaced, snow melted and water leaked inside. Moonroof eventually started to get stuck, started to get misfires due to coils.
I would also add that they can have a headlight short related to ground wire or SAM units. The used 2005 e55 AMG I bought, had both headlight assemblies fail $1200 (high, low, park, and turn) replaced 3 years ago, and now the passenger side has gone again. I'm hopeful I'll find the short or replace the SAM unit for way less than the previous owner paid.
I own a 2006 220CDI. Air conditioning doesnt work, seatbelt butler is broken, cant get the windows down at the drivers side, cruise control doesnt work, window washer fluid, sometimes the car wont go as fast, so i have to restart it, i can go on and on the list wont end :D. But i own it 7 years and it has 400k kms.
Scared me away 2001 clk 430!Consumers love the bells and whistles not the cost or time it takes to fix them.Gas mileage is also of concern to me since the russian pipeline hak.After viewing your great video i think i may be out of my league with this choice.Great job.THX
I am concerned about buying The CLK 350 Which I believe has a M272 engine. Can it have a Timing chain problem with the M271 engine 2002-2010 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (W209) CLK 200. Would buying a C Class 2002-2010 Mercedes-Benz be a safer buy? Have you reviewed this model? All said this is a great review with lots of vital and helpful information!
Best video review I seen so far, thanks for so much information, I give allot of Mercedes diesel information on my channel but I am looking into buying 2008 CLK 350 and I did not know much about it, so thanks for your info
I'd love to get a CLK 320, but for now it's a bit too expensive for me to buy and maintain. From what I got, they're mainly reliable, except for a few things relating to the windows, seat belt extenders and some possible engine issues. But in the end, which car doesn't have issues?? Doesn't seem to be one of those cars that just constantly breaks.
Probably should've watched this video before i bought mine. It's doing that AC flap clicking thing, hope it doesn't require the entire dash to be disassembled...
Great video however as I’m pretty much an amateur when it comes to cars 😅 Just wanted to ask in case I missed it Is the CLK200 Kompressor 2003 reliable? As I’m looking to buy one but worried if it will breakdown multiple times within 1-2 years and cost me more than the actual car
Check for oil leaks and see if the timing chain was worked on. If it's still using the factory timing setup, move along until that's been done. Otherwise, pretty good engines. MB has some good experience when it comes to making solid 4-Cylinder engines. Their 2.3-16's were tanks.
Bottom line? . . . if it's made of plastic it is going to break eventually (probably sooner). My CL600 fenders, made of plastic both cracked. If you are looking to buy a car, try very hard to find one with the least amount of any plastic in it. Plastic is shit!
so 240 and 320 dont have the engine issue? and for the rest, probably the engine issue is fixed by the previous owner, i guess? since the cars are on hundreds of thousands of km like 250k or more. they would have changed it and fixed it, right? or it would have broken already :D
Buying a used Mercedes E55 AMG, E63 AMG (W211) - 2003-2009 th-cam.com/video/-iGw8_YLL44/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used Mercedes S-class (W221) - 2006-2013 th-cam.com/video/mg9Fy0RlOMk/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used Mercedes CLS (W218) - 2011-2018 th-cam.com/video/2DfZcQVgsKc/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used Mercedes SL R129 - 1989-2001 th-cam.com/video/2mTSHype7UU/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used Mercedes SL R230 - 2001-2011 th-cam.com/video/j7_a3nDm9_E/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used BMW 3 series (F30) - 2011-2019 th-cam.com/video/SV15lqX30ek/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used BMW 5 series E60, E61 - 2003-2010 th-cam.com/video/xmcBIa9tAq8/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used BMW 6 series F06, F12, F13 - 2011-2018 th-cam.com/video/is8QeVYYB8E/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used Audi A8 (D3/4E) - 2002-2010 th-cam.com/video/PijHDhQ3Gas/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used Audi S6 (C6/4F) - 2006-2010 th-cam.com/video/mpf5CgCOhM0/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used Audi A6 (C6/4F) - 2004-2011 th-cam.com/video/BbTeVU0kXl8/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used Audi A4 (B8) - 2008-2015 th-cam.com/video/ixDwvZbWtWM/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used VW Golf MK6 (5K1) - 2008-2013 th-cam.com/video/BgGyTSishKY/w-d-xo.html
Buying a used VW Golf MK7 (AU) - 2012-2020 th-cam.com/video/jSo4EHi9HMg/w-d-xo.html
different car review can you do porsche 987 cayman/boxster ?
What about g 63 Amg
I've owned a 2004 CLK 500 or 4 years and I run my own car TH-cam car channel. Your review is SPOT ON! Simply the best over the whole internet. Bravo and thank you!
hi, i am looking to buy a clean low mileage 2004 mercedes clk500. I am hesitating between the clk and a nissan 350z for a weekend summer car. i would say that the nissan is a bit more expensive and i heard the mercedes gets lots of problems is it true? i heard they are both the same performance except the nissan gets much better handling and sporty feeling
How to fix Mercedes clk 320 windows not working 2003
I've owned my for over 2 years and I love it!
Dam I do too lol
What is your website ?😊
I ve own a clk 320 2004 from 30.000 miles[2011]till 84.000 miles[2015]problems:1 engine camshaft sensor at 70.000 miles,front light at 80.000 miles,fuel filter at 75.000 miles.never took the car to the service.did everyhing myself.The best car I ever owned.And I owned a few.Just loved it.
It's a difficult thing to predict future values but a pillarless coupe....always a winner from MB. So much that even the cursed balance shaft may be worth fixing. There's not many left in good nic in my country. W212s are now going cheap but they're a mere 4dr outdated saloon. Our CLKs at least will never look like snotters just as old W124 coupes line up fine at good hotels!
What did your headlight end up being? Was it the high low park and turn lights on one side?
I just looked for this car out of curiosity, wasn't expecting to find so much information in a single video =)
Hands down the best and most concise review I have seen (of any car). Thank you and an amazing job!
Yes , M112 and M113 are the best ..replace the crankshaft position sensor after 12 years ,,change transmission fluid regularly ,,,
also replace the idler pulley after 100,000 km , keep a good strong battery in the car ..and change all the other fluids as required
and they are a great car ,,very reliable..
I've owned a 2001 CLK 55 AMG for 5 years. 219,000kms. Very few issues. Very smooth and powerful drive! 342hp V8. Thank you for your video from Australia 🇦🇺 🙏 👏 👏 👏
Own a 2003 CLK55 AMG and no troubles at all. These cars are bullet proof. Simply the Best !!
just bought the same ..its a beast..the power and handling are incredible !
@@simonf8902 Congratulations on your purchase. Where did you find one they are rare. I am interested in how much mileage it has and what price you got it for?
Im about to get one. Do you have any advice? I need reliability!
@@apexpredator9489 My advise would be make sure it has a service manual with regular yearly updates. Also get a MB mechanic to chk it over. It is an older car and surprises can be very costly. What is the mileage on it?
Jim Battiston good advice, thank you for responding! It has 163,000 miles on it
I just bought a 2007 CLK 220 cdi for £3k. It’s a fairly good example. The rust under rear arches definitely is true. I sanded and painted them with hamerite to combat this. The engine, transmission and interior are perfect despite it having 125k miles. However all the breaks needed doing and the front struts. Finally the exhaust was rusted through so needed replacing. You were right in saying keep €1.5k for maintenance because that’s what it’s costing me to bring the car to top condition.
Love this guy's reviews. He's so methodical I question his humanity. Maybe I should do a quick to the point review on HIM now: Unique one-of-a-kind model. Homes in on the central issues. His brain acts like a superconductor. Common problems: None.
I seen how many problems these can give so I went ahead and bought one. 2004 Cabrio with 180,000 . right off the bat the top doesnt work, got a low coolant malfunction and check engine light on. Awesome. I like a challenge
The best and most detailed CLK W209 review. I'm so grateful as you helped me to chose the right engine - 2005 M113 and avoid the M273.
Absolutely that and the M272 used bad alloys in the crankshaft cogs.
7g transmission? is it good? I'm afraid of transmission failures on my 2006 clk500 with 80,000 kms
I own one for 3 years, Clk 220 cdi. It's my 5th car, and the best overall by a long shot. Haven't had a single problem until today.
Im bout to buy a 220 cdi, how many miles did yours have/had?
@@yoshij2000 226.000km bought it with 191.000km
Fábio Pereira Thanks, makes me feel a bit better if I buy one with more than 200k and you telling me you never had any problems 👍🏻
@@yoshij2000 220 cdi its a pretty reliable engine overall
@Lee it depends on the year that it was made. If I’m not mistaken until 2007 they used 5 speed auto. After that it it’s 7 speed.
Own a 2004 clk 320 with 90k miles. Very good car. Head rest adjust is not working but that’s the only problem so far. Love the car! Great video!
Same car with about the same milage. Same head rest fail and ac/heat is gone
The headrest fail is usually a software issue and can be reset with a Mercedes star scanner
Good summary ,,all correct . These cars are worth getting and carrying out these jobs , then they will go for another ten years.
CLK55 AMG is the best ,,just normal maintenance ,,front rotors can cost $700 usd ,,but you only need to replace after 100,000 km.
One thing you forgot to mention is these M112 and M113 need new valve cover gaskets and breather chamber resealed after 12 years.
Surely of any modern Benz the good ones will be classics someday. Dirt cheap now vs say a W211. Prettiest since the Pagoda? Well just my opinion...
Yes , W209 is a great design ,,,a perfect blend of curves and lines ,,and a unique stand out appearance.
The breather chambers are even worse than the valve covers when it comes to oil leaks. The key to a permanent fix is to tighten only until the surfaces *CONTACT* the RTV sealant. Let dry 24-hours and *only then* torque to spec.
@Myrrh Curie Hi Mercury. I live far, far away from there but I did a Google search for *_"independent Mercedes-Benz repair shops in Arizona"_* and it came up with some suggestions. You can narrow the search further to whatever city you're in. I hope you find a good one.
www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS843US844&sxsrf=ALeKk02WjFbCmEv9DbrB4Hrxr7Ddrt5mSg%3A1593074940001&ei=-2T0XvHaPIio_Qb70aywBg&q=independent+Mercedes-Benz+repair+shops+in+arizona&oq=independent+Mercedes-Benz+repair+shops+in+arizona&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzIECCMQJzoHCAAQRxCwAzoHCCMQsAIQJ1DRgQJYm7gCYIbjAmgBcAB4AIABTYgBmwKSAQE0mAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpeg&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwixxJjPypzqAhUIVN8KHfsoC2YQ4dUDCAw&uact=5
I have owned a 2000 clk 320 cabrio for over 7 years, its a euro version imported from Hong Kong. Only issues were crank position sensor which i discovered would work if you poured cold water on it !! The transmission plug and a few small bits and pieces...redid all the front bushings and some upper rear ones also had the plugs changed out and had the transmission fluid refreshed . it is always garaged . I guess our climate in Australia is pretty kind to cars.I personally change the oil regularly and change out all filters. It drives very well and has a solid feel on the road still with about 180,000 k's. I will keep it until the bitter/ sweet end...........cheers
That's because it sits right by the catalytic converter. *HOT!!! HOT!!! HOT!!!* There's a *metal-plate* on the outside of the transmission-housing serving as a thermal barrier, but it's still just inches from the cat. Not a good place to live for an electronic component. (That plate being there means you need new-born-baby size hands to reach down there. Or put some really LONG extensions on your ratchet.)
That's the truth !
Matt from Florida yea I changed my CPS on my 99 CLK 320 and had to use a long extension and a swivel socket.
The CLK is bulletproof! Just don’t go for the 350 or 280. They will have the bad timing chain problem that is extremely expensive to fix. I would recommend the 320 or 500. Or the 55 for that matter. Anything that has a M112 or M113 is just bulletproof. You can see my CLK on my channel :) Also im about to buy another W209 this time a CLK55. Just need to find a good one.
what do you think fo this car ??? i wanna buy it, but it is affordable and easy to maintain facebook.com/marketplace/item/504672916869526/
Justins how can you check if the 320 has m112 or m113 engine? Or its automatic if you get 320 6v engine?!
Bart M112 is the V6 and M113 is the V8
@@JustinsSupercars awesome thank you bunch! Now the one I'm trying to grab it says production 10/2003 (Vin states 2004 model) so should I worried about that transmission issue with models of 2003? (Supposedly till sept 2003?!)
Bart I have Never heard of any transmission problems and I work for Mercedes Germany. The transmission is Rock solid. It can leak some oil sometimes but that’s just a 10 dollar gasket that takes like 30 minutes to replace. Go for it! It’s a fantastic and very solid car!
CLK = Reliable, still prestigious & affordable Benz.
Excellent video. As a proud owner of a CLK 500 I have suffered and absolutely subscribe all the issues you mention. Apart from them, it's an extraordinary car.
I'm about to buy a 2006 CLK500. Do you recommend? It has 80,000 kms and maybe the transmission has not been serviced.
Ahhhhhh, thank you thank you for reviewing my pretty little Benz!🤗 Still lovely Mercs & perhaps the prettiest in decades. Yes my interior air flaps broke, they are fragile! But it's as well built as a W212. And yes my engine flaps were changed on the dreaded but nice sounding & economical M272. Nice review - as always!
Like many others.... The BEST review ever. Thank You. You did summarized my month or two long reading and researching around.
I have a CLK 220CDI, has over 160K miles on it and drives perfect. Definitely the best car I've owned has all the mod cons that most new cars don't even have! Supremely comfortable to drive as well. The 220cdi is a little boring to drive but it's a great cruiser! I also owned a C Class w203 a few years ago and it is not even comparable, feels like a rolls Royce in comparison to the C Class, the steering is much lighter, the ride is much softer and the interior is in a different league. Costs about £5 and takes about 10 mins to install a hidden Bluetooth audio adapter for the head unit as well. Only issues are fuel economy isn't great and the air con system is known to have issues, most likely condenser will break at some point also the air con drainage system is AWFUL so likely most models will have musty smelling AC system which you can basically never get rid of. Finally, the glove box latch is awful and will break, most examples I looked at were broken and replacements are around £200! Other than this it's the best car you can buy for around £3K hands down!
I bought a 2006 CLK 350 Cabrio and I must say I love it!
Zero rust, zero broken parts, only 60,000 miles.
Be cognizant of the balance shaft issue. There was actually a lawsuit over it you weren't aware. Check you serial number of the engine (M272 engine) to see if your serial number falls outside of the affected range. Benz used a very poor metal for the balance shaft sproket and it WILL wear prematurely. If it does, although you may receive coding for related issues that may bring your attention to it, changing that sproket is a VERY expensive job. If you don't know your M272 serial, use a VIN# decoder online, then see what the serial number is. Then reference your serial number against the balance shaft issue online. The info is there so you should find it pretty easily. Also, pay attention to all the oil leakage that is common on the CLK350, I personally just serviced my cam shaft plugs that were all leaking (3). Luckily they are super cheap parts and take about 20 mins to install. Also monitor leakage from the adjuster solenoids/magnets and sensors - another leakage area. My CLK350 is in immaculate condition and I'm at 135k, but I'm always worried about the balance shaft issue which can completely destroy your engine without much warning. Anyway, just saying :)
@@HzPjtvHYom4991 Thank you! I wasn't aware of those issues and I will definitely check out the VIN#!
Do a VIN lookup, it turns out that there was an option to get paint-protection done upon purchase brand new. It showed up in my VIN number oddly enough for my 2005 CLK 55 AMG Coupe, pretty interesting! I have 180k miles with ZERO rust/corrosion or fluid leaks. If I can point out one weak point, check under your hood on the right hand side along the right side fender where the wiring harness runs back down(Negative) and the wiring harnesses can tend to get VERY brittle and crack easily if not stored in a climate controlled environment.
@@ftffighter Thank you! I'll do that
I had a 4 cylinder CLC with the same engine that is used in this car. Watch out for oil leaks. The leaks I had got into the wiring loom, which attracted dirt into the connectors and in turn engine lights related to the MAF started to light up. The garage quote to replace it was more than what the car was worth. So I ended up scrapping the car. Brilliant engine ..... the plastic and rubber bits around it let it down. Very nice review BTW!!!
I have 2005 320 convertible and you hit on three problems I've had! Passenger side seat belt presenter, driver's side power head rest, and rust on the lower door panels. The first two were easy fixes with parts from eBay, the rust I had completely cut out and metal replaced. A beautiful reliable car now.
Thinking about getting a 320 this weekend if you still have yours what are the running costs like with the current fuel situation within the UK?
@@newts69mc I have an 03 clk320 w209, it cost me, in USA, $72 to fill the tank as of yesterday
gr8 news lil chic. ty
Bro, this is the best video I've seen on TH-cam preparing to buy a car
I love my CLK 270 !
Owning 3 years and awesome performace and liability. Buy one or at leat drive ist and experience.. peace
me too grate car i love my 270 it gets wotever it wonts which is not a lot
10/10, Im hopefully buying one of these in a few days. Couldn’t have asked for a better video 👍👍👍👍
You won't regret
I bought a red 2003 m112 320 with 210000km and its the perfect daily driver
I got it in the end, a 2004 270 CDI, after having a jeep commander, this thing feels like if a Pourche meets a rolls. It just wants to drift around roundabouts when you push a little bit
Awesome car , the main problem on convertible version is be ready that pump and hydraulic cylinders will fail ,thanks to ebay for cheap used parts... also soft top will need sew , otherwise would say one of the best merz of those years
I have the 270 cdi , superb car my seat getting bit tired but love it so smooth and economical , dont think I’ll ever sell it 💪🏼
I bought my 2008 320CDI AMG five years ago. just have to do the normal maintenance stuff, plus a couple of sensor faults. I just love it and will keep it till it dies. Just so light to handle, really quick, cruises smoothly as fast as anyone could want. Drinks fuel and eats tyres, but the depreciation has finished and I love it. Use premium diesel, runs so much better and worth the extra cost.
Hi pal, im after a diesel too. 320 sounds good, any expensive parts need in your ownership? How many miles have you done since you've owned it? I'm just scared incase of faults. Someine once said to me about the w203 the 220cdi is good an the 270cdi is bad!! But I e searched an searched an can't find nothing!! How is the fuel consumption for your car? Thanks in advance
I have the 2009 clk350 and boy she is a tank. I swear to god we went all the way to hell and back together countless times. 🤪 I have so many stories about what she has been through. 160,000 miles strong, going for 300 baby
Merc. ty 4 ur service friend.
I bought a 2007 CLK550 Coupe in Capri Blue in August 2016, I just hit over 200,000 miles and still couldn’t be happier. Love the car.
Ross Enzo did the timing belt sprocket get replaced before you bought it or is it the original?
Oscar Gonzalez They are original, I do feel a slight vibration from time to time. Nothing super bad, I will do the chain guides eventually as a preventive measure
Ross Enzo hmm do you think that causes vibration? I’m also looking at a 2007 clk550 and it vibrates. But I’m assuming it’s the engine mounts? I heard when the chain is going out you’re supposed to hear clicking sounds in the engine
Did you get it new? What maintenance have you done?
@@OscarGonzalez-yw4pp Yes, you MAY hear clicking. Not always. Sometimes they just go, never clicked at all.
Love my 04 clk55 coupe. Best bang for the buck under 10k.
I'm about to buy one these Mercedes and with this video (great video btw) and the comments it has, I believe I will definitively buy it. Thank you!!!
I have been looking at an '04 clk 320 for a long time. This video has been extremely helpful. Suprised this model is so reliable!
Have you found your CLK yet?
@@SavedbyHim nah still driving my kia lmao
@@SavedbyHim i'm looking at one this week Grae! showroom condition. lets see what mechanic thinks on pre buy inspection
I'm surprised you didn't mention the electrical issues with this vehicle. I have known people who had issues with the wiring harnesses giving up the ghost on their second gen CLK's. My friend had an issue where he actually had the seal around the cam shaft sensor fail, and the engine slowly pumped oil through the wiring harness until it reached the ECU and caused a timing issue with cylinder 3 after affecting a spark plug. Probably a rare thing to be sure, but definitely heard a lot about the wiring harnesses not being the best.
You are a walking legend for this sir 🎩🎩🇩🇪
I love how you say "Come for table" instead of comfortable and "Add just table" instead of adjustable in your videos :D
Jokes aside, great content ! You have my sub!
P.S. - I would love to see a review of a third gen Renault Laguna
Killers doors entry...wait, what? Aha, keyless, ok 😁😁😁
about to get a 2008 clk350 and this made me feel a bit more comfortable about getting one. First benz for me. Thanks for the info
This is an amazing review, really, really impressive. I love the prices you've put on their as well.
Subscribed.
I bought a 320 clk and I had it for about a year before I accidently leaned the secret storage compartment next to the glove box to discover it. My car has 177k on the clock and is completely shagged out...SRS warning light comes on every time someone sits in the passenger seat and turns off when they are gone, air con doesn't work, no hot air for the first half hour, sat nav is missing and replaced by some knackered radio which means the clock dosen't work, driver seat only goes back but not forward, trunk leaks so bad that I keep buckets in the back to collect the water, engine has three oil leaks and the smell comes into the cabin, half the air vents don't work, windows steam up if anyone dares to breath, headlight lenses are almost yellow, head-rests don't work............................BUT...........I don't care because the seat belt is handed to me and both front and rear windows still work! And nothing looks as cool as a pillarless coupe! The end.
If you change the coolant thermostat and passenger seat occupancy sensor then you could cure a few issues off that list, but enjoy your pillarless coupe all the same !
M112 m113 up until atleast 2005 can have crank pulleys that have a disintegrating damper rubbers that can possibly cut into your engine
I've had my clk500 since 2006, fantastic car!
Man! I can only say WoW. Awesome coverage of the issues and excellent presentation. Thank you greatly.
Agree. This is how perfection looks like!
Great video, very comprehensive. I have recently bought a late 2004 CLK500 convertible. Sadly it didn't have the adaptive cruise control or keyless entry. However, it does have the ventilated/heated seats and basically everything else. The only issue is that it seems to be leaking engine oil after long trips. Obviously, that issue is hard to be noticed in the dealership. I brought the car to my mechanic and had a look at the hoist. The oil seems to be leaking from between the back of the engine and transmission. Suspected broken rear main seal. Now I need to consider whether to fix this issue, which costs a lot for labour or to keep close watch of it since it was a very slow leak.
Still got my Clk 1999 with over 400 000km.
Great review. No fuss, no frills and relevant. Very helpful. Thanks amigo.
I never knew Rafael Nadal was so knowledgeable about Mercedes. Great review, fantastic information. 👌🏼
I got a 2005 CLK 350 pre production vehicle. No major problems yet, except one broken sensor
How about the balance shaft, cam magnets or infold flaps? How many miles or kms on yours? I'm curious as I'm getting the history on mine and wonder how many M272s were bad....great motor when not!
i have been looking for this for so long, thank you
Wow this video takes your reviews to another level, thanks!
I have one. 2008, 4 cylinder, 1.8cc kompressor, coupe. Got it at 82.000 km and now it has 116.000 km. Not a fast car, but very smooth and does the job in a grand way. My only issue with it, is fuel economy. It drinks too much for such a small engine. Even tho the car is pretty heavy, i know. I'm going to clean up the air intake system, change all the seals there in, and change the mass airflow sensor too. I hope that will help.
Apart from that, i love this car.
Pls check the timing chain and replace it before it damages the camshaft sprockets. The chain is cheap, the two sprockets are expensive...
Duke 63 1500€ is not Cheap... i own a 2002 clk200 with 200.000 km - replacing it wouldnt make sense since its worth is about 3000€
@@JP-js8jr
The timing-chain itself is a cheap spare part, costs nearly 140€ without assembling. The camshaft adjusters are significant more expensive, they cost nearly 600€ each (without assembling). I am a service technician / diagnostic technician in a MB workshop, so I need only the parts... Assembling is my own part... 😉
I had an Sec many years ago, I think this car is a good compromise. I will probably buy one. Door panel looks empty without electric seat controls. Red leather is very nice.
Wow, best buyers advice review I've ever seen, thank you :)
Have an 05 CLK 500 Convertible with 25000 miles, been a good car.
The headrests are easy to repair. Resolder the electrical connections on the headrest motor...
Great detailed review of the potential issues. Thank you 👍🏻
Im very happy with my CLK 🤩
I’m looking to buy A CLK and this video is extremely informative and interesting. I now know what to look for and what could be the safer investment. Thank you.
my friend gave me a ride on his CLK and it felt very rich inside for the price and year
The one thing that worries me is the compressor. What problems and at what mileage dose it require replacement
Iam the owner of CLK 270 CDi year 2006, and i feel like i finaly found the perfect match for me 😍 After two years of using, just happyness. Obvious servis of course, but no major problems. And what more important, the car goes cheep, 5,2L/100km is my normal consamption.
@Lee not true Lee, last one rides out of showroom in 2009.
@Lee yes, but its shurelly hard to found, especialy in manual transmition. I was lucky. Living in CZ and found my CLK in Austria, after only one owner. This engine is buletproof, able to go till 800000 km easyly, just be shure ypu changing oil in every 10 tousand km and all filters togehter. I love this car, for real. Consumption is unreal, for engine this size. Its fast, its strong, its comfort and to be honest.....old mercedes mean better than today 😄
@Lee understand, i feel like i want to keep this car in my garage forever :-D
I had a clk 2.7 cdi it was cheap to drive but very unreliable then I sold it and I got a 3.2 petrol full equipe with lgp, that s the best car I ve ever had.
I have a 2004 CLK 55 AMG and the shade in the back window stopped working. Can you give me some information on this repair.
Great information in this video! I decided to take my joy riding to 2 wheels so had recently downgraded from the NA 6.2L (not a CLK - those be expensive AF) to the 2009 3L V6 diesel and it is superb - good balance of power, economy and reliability, especially due to it being the outgoing model. As much as I wish it had Keyless GO, it's not at all worth the retrofit cost.
For whatever reason I’ll never understand how MB could use an inferior alloy in the crankshaft cogs in the M272….
Had a clk320 2000 for about 12 years, indeed had a corner that bubbled up due to rust. After one winter had to get wiring replaced, snow melted and water leaked inside. Moonroof eventually started to get stuck, started to get misfires due to coils.
Interesting video, had a few problems with 2006 but none of these.
I would also add that they can have a headlight short related to ground wire or SAM units. The used 2005 e55 AMG I bought, had both headlight assemblies fail $1200 (high, low, park, and turn) replaced 3 years ago, and now the passenger side has gone again. I'm hopeful I'll find the short or replace the SAM unit for way less than the previous owner paid.
I own a 2006 220CDI. Air conditioning doesnt work, seatbelt butler is broken, cant get the windows down at the drivers side, cruise control doesnt work, window washer fluid, sometimes the car wont go as fast, so i have to restart it, i can go on and on the list wont end :D. But i own it 7 years and it has 400k kms.
i’m thinking of buying one.. very helpful video thanks 🙏🏻
Had a 270cdi and I worked on my car with ease to keep it tip top even changing the turbo myself was easy Miss it
Very informative video!, i own clk500 m113 for about 11 years and had all mentioned issues with heater and C.P. sensor:))
Scared me away 2001 clk 430!Consumers love the bells and whistles not the cost or time it takes to fix them.Gas mileage is also of concern to me since the russian pipeline hak.After viewing your great video i think i may be out of my league with this choice.Great job.THX
Now i realy wonna know how does a first gen clk looks like after 20 years in Norway... I can expect a hole in the floor, and a new brown paintjob
I am concerned about buying The CLK 350 Which I believe has a M272 engine. Can it have a Timing chain problem with the M271 engine 2002-2010 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (W209) CLK 200. Would buying a C Class 2002-2010 Mercedes-Benz be a safer buy? Have you reviewed this model? All said this is a great review with lots of vital and helpful information!
Best video review I seen so far, thanks for so much information, I give allot of Mercedes diesel information on my channel but I am looking into buying 2008 CLK 350 and I did not know much about it, so thanks for your info
FINALLY, CLICKED SO FAST OML.
What year has the best rust protection?
So these 1.8 petrol engines are not M271 ? Because in other video you advertised M271 to be quite good right ?
I'd love to get a CLK 320, but for now it's a bit too expensive for me to buy and maintain. From what I got, they're mainly reliable, except for a few things relating to the windows, seat belt extenders and some possible engine issues. But in the end, which car doesn't have issues?? Doesn't seem to be one of those cars that just constantly breaks.
I’m looking to buy a 2008 CLK 350 with 100k miles tomorrow
The best buying guide I have seen !
Welcome back my friend
Probably should've watched this video before i bought mine. It's doing that AC flap clicking thing, hope it doesn't require the entire dash to be disassembled...
Just bought a 06 clk500 nice car
The best Mercedes to buy second hand.
I own one CLK240. Indeed a good car to drive around. Except not equipped with GPS and reverse sensor which is very inconvenience
you can buy aftermarket and fit it amigo
I have the 500 and love it...great video- thanks.
Great video however as I’m pretty much an amateur when it comes to cars 😅
Just wanted to ask in case I missed it
Is the CLK200 Kompressor 2003 reliable?
As I’m looking to buy one but worried if it will breakdown multiple times within 1-2 years and cost me more than the actual car
Check for oil leaks and see if the timing chain was worked on. If it's still using the factory timing setup, move along until that's been done. Otherwise, pretty good engines. MB has some good experience when it comes to making solid 4-Cylinder engines. Their 2.3-16's were tanks.
Bottom line? . . . if it's made of plastic it is going to break eventually (probably sooner). My CL600 fenders, made of plastic both cracked. If you are looking to buy a car, try very hard to find one with the least amount of any plastic in it. Plastic is shit!
Wow! Very informative review. Thank you.
so 240 and 320 dont have the engine issue? and for the rest, probably the engine issue is fixed by the previous owner, i guess? since the cars are on hundreds of thousands of km like 250k or more. they would have changed it and fixed it, right? or it would have broken already :D
I love this channel!
Thanks a lot appreciate your effort in making this great video full of great information 👍🏻👍🏻
if you could to do W208 that would be nice :) yes i know the car is ancient and it has rust issues because of the clogged water ways :D
I have a CLK 240, gearbox is doing some craziness
Adaptive Cruise Control;
A wonderful system designed for people
that should NOT HAVE drivers licenses.
make video on the w208, if you havent made one
I love this guy.
Good work keep it up, I was just looking at one of these today