1st Jun 2008, 05:34
Fuel consumption with the CLK 430 is excellent. Better than most 6 cylinder cars. The ML not so as you can almost see the needle moving downwards as you drive along but hey if you drive a benz who cares about the cost of petrol. Buy your lady a CLK430..she will love you for it..True..
18th Jun 2008, 16:24
I'm looking at a 2000 CLK 430. Is there anything I should know before I buy it? Basically what are the major problems?
1st Jul 2008, 23:46
I have had a 2000 CLK 430 for about two years. No problems whatsoever. Great car, great looks; it is not too bad on gas either, considering it's a V8. Great car.
18th Sep 2008, 00:20
I own a CLK-430, and let me tell you, save yourself the headache, just go and buy a BMW. This car has more problems than I can muster. Just save yourself the pain and suffering.
30th Nov 2008, 22:22
I have a CLK 430 2000. There was some cutting off initially, sensors were replaced a couple of times, now it's okay.
16th Mar 2009, 16:43
I purchased my 2000 430CLK AMG used (42,000 miles) about 2 years ago. Just recently problem with oil leak around head gasket and the water pump was replaced. I now have over 62,000 miles on the car and it's a pleasure to drive. The car is also a convertible, which is a big fat plus, living in Fla. Another saving factor was the fact that I had an extended warranty, which covered ALL the repairs ($1,8043.00) my cost $18.50. Life is good.
30th Aug 2009, 10:07
I owned a 2000 CLK430 for 3 years and it was total junk. I seems from this thread that the most useful thing if you buy one of these is to be lucky!
Mine needed new rear suspension, heater blower motor, instrument binnacle and considerable expensive work on the A/C and power hood between 20000 and 42000 miles.
24th Sep 2009, 15:26
Power hood??? Wow, that's a new one!
Maybe the 'nut' behind the wheel needed changing.
My wife's '99 CLK still drives like new and after 150,000 miles with regular services, it has needed nothing except a battery, a seat motor and a CPS sensor in 10 years.
Maybe our 'power hood' is not working properly either, but we still love it!
4th Nov 2009, 19:16
I just purchased a 2001 CLK 430 (67,000 miles) and I am sick. I was told by a benz mechanic that the wheels only needed balancing -- I have only owned it three weeks and have now discovered it needs a steering gear (I replaced damper, didn't fix the vibration, I also tried different set of tires and wheels and high speed balancing on everything, still vibration at 55-60). Estimated cost to fix is $1,000-$2,000.
Next, I am just told that the transmission is leaking!!!
I have all the receipts for repairs made by the previous owner and was shocked to see she already had to replace the valve cover gaskets! I know a lot about cars (and I'm a woman). I have done my own tuneups and replaced shocks on my Mustang when I was in high school. Valve cover gaskets shouldn't be going before 100,000K.
Judging by the other comments on this site, I have made a very bad choice.
I owned two 300Ds, a 300SD, a 500SEC, all 80's models and they were great cars. What has happened???
29th Nov 2009, 18:01
I've had my 2000 430 for 2 and a half years now, and put 85k miles on it. The only work required has been on purchase to have the steering drag link and ball joints replaced (perfectly reasonable after 70k miles), and a few days ago have the trans oil replaced and a few gaskets and washers for the trans.
Currently on 155k miles and runs as smooth as when I got it. My main advice is this STAY WELL CLEAR OF MAIN DEALERS, EVERY SINGLE ONE I HAVE BEEN TO has tried to rip me off. For the gearbox issue they quoted me £1000 for various hoses, connectors etc, took it to indie specialist and paid £200, which included trans flush and refill with filters.
Main dealer failed MOT saying door mirror glass needed replacing and quoted me over £400... yes £400 for a piece of glass albeit a special anti dazzle piece of glass. Went online and found the same original Merc part for £125 brand new. Main dealer also told me the steering damper was leaking, funny that since they didn't realise I had that part replaced when I got the car 2 years previously, took the car back to the place that replaced it and they showed me that the part was in fact not leaking, and was in perfect condition.
Great cars, but let's face it, as they get older they are going to need more work doing on them, if you can't afford to be prepared to spend potentially £1000 a year on maintenance then steer clear. In my opinion well worth it for driving a class piece of engineering which you can pick up these days for silly money.
4th Dec 2009, 14:10
I'm currently looking at a 2000 CLK 430 with 70k on the clock.. I do not know if I will have to endure the electrical/mechanical woes as listed above, and do not expect the seller to be 100% honest with me on what he has gone thru. But am I getting a good deal for $12k for a really clean convertible? Also, at 70k miles, is there anything I need to worry about as far as regular routine maintainace is concerned?
5th Dec 2009, 15:11
Nothing to worry about. Get the service done with synthetic Mobil 1 oil and enjoy your great car.
13th Jun 2010, 20:38
CLK 430 is a great car in comparison to the CLK 55 AMG. If you think **it happens to a 430, my goodness... the CLK 55 will leave you in the poor house.
8th Dec 2010, 20:02
I am thinking about buying a 430 CLK convertible. It has 100000 kilometers and looks mint. Is $12,000 a good price, considering it is winter. Anything I should look at before I complete the deal?
Thanks.
2nd May 2011, 09:01
Before you purchase it, ask yourself if you can afford to invest $2000.00 or more a year to keep it running correctly, and have a winter car if you live in colder climates, cause the CLK430 runs like crap in the snow.
28th May 2008, 10:26
So, I guess the CLK430 is not so bad? I have an E500 and I have to say that it is perfect in everyway (so far). I was thinking of buying one for my wife. I found one with 33k on the clock and it is an 00 model. I wanted to know, how is the gas mileage? And what real problems come with it? I mean real bad problems, not like Maf, or switches. I'm talking about tranny, electrical shorts, etc...
Thanks.