1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK 430 4.3 V8 from North America
Summary:
Awesome car that is very fast, very comfortable, very stylish, and VERY reliable!
Faults:
The tail-light bulb needed to be replaced, and a sensor in the engine needed to be replaced ($150 total).
General Comments:
WOW! First of all, the car is very fast. I'm not taking "kind of" or "sort of" fast. It is FAST! I am 16 and have saved up my own money, and I have had a '99 328i before this, and the Mercedes just puts my poor BMW to shame. The Mercedes rides smoother, accelerates much faster, and is just generally better.
I always wanted a 328i e39 since I was 3 or 4 years old. $6000 later, I got one and loved it. I stumbled across the MB in a local ad, and had to have it. I sold the BMW and made a reasonable profit, and now I am driving a much better car for only $3200! You will not find as good of a deal I got ever, but it is worth the money. The steering is tight, yet it turns with ease unlike the BMW. The engine delivers effortless power with its boasting V8, while the BMW strained to deliver what the Mercedes does in just simple acceleration.
Yes, the car does have almost 300k miles. With that being said, the interior has no rattles, the sound system is great with no crackling speakers, and it drives like it only has 30k miles. I am not over exaggerating, the car is amazing.
If you have been comparing Mercedes and BMW, Mercedes wins hands down. I always thought BMW would be much better, but I was sadly mistaken. The reliability is obviously outstanding on the MB. This car was built for many things like speed, comfort, luxury, but one thing is for sure, it was BUILT TO LAST!
The only downsides I may have would be the seats aren't as comfortable as I would have imagined, and the gas mileage isn't the best, but I was expecting that from a V8. I got 400 miles on a full tank of gas, so it gets adequate gas mileage (unlike my old Land Rover!). Also, the BMW seemed to be a little more updated and "sleek" in the interior, considering they were both '99's.
Overall, the Mercedes has more options that the BMW didn't such as the on-board computer, rear sun-shade, 6 disc CD changer, headlight washers, xenon headlights, built-in phone, and the single windshield wiper is awesome!
If you come across one, I would highly recommend you make the purchase. I am planning on keeping mine until it just won't drive out of the driveway anymore; so it looks like I'll be keeping it for a long time!
WARNING: do not buy this car if you don't like attention! People are constantly staring at it and commenting on it. Too bad they don't know what I paid for it ;) It's worth a million dollars in my book, and I don't know what more I could ask for in a car, so this one is definitely a keeper!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th March, 2011
11th Apr 2011, 10:12
Thank you for your comment.
I would just like to know a few things on how to make it last possibly another 300k miles. I did my homework on BMWs, but there doesn't seem to be much on the CLKs? You sound like you know a lot about how to maintain one, so if you would please contact me at evancaston@yahoo.com, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks again and I hope I'll put another 300k like you said!
16th Sep 2012, 12:43
Hey I'm 16, turning 17 in November, and I'm looking at a 1999 CLK 430 with 107,000 miles on it. I have heard horror stories about the maintenance on the car, and if you have any tips, I'd appreciate it. And how much are you paying for insurance? My parents don't want to spend the money, so I have to pay it myself.
Let me know, my e-mail is kkg720@gmail.com.
31st Mar 2011, 13:35
Nice review and welcome to the wonderful world of 3 pointed star ownership.
You may be young, but you are still wise enough to realise, that with 300k miles on your car, most Mercedes-Benz were truly "built to last", as you stated.
With proper MBZ maintenance and OEM parts, plus Mobil 1 synthetic oil and filter changes, you could probably see another 300k out of your CLK!