I dont often post but check the site from time to time, being an emigre from the other side. The house is on the market and we plan to downsize, the kids are off our hands and there is the potential opportunity to go just ever so slightly mad and swap my utterly dependable toyota for something more exciting. I am past the wind in the hair stage, in fact I am very nearly past the hair stage, but have always had a lingering affection for Mercs.
The two door coupe style CLK seems interesting. Room enough for four when needed, good size boot and durable/economical. I am thinking of an 04-06 diesel, a 270 or 220 cdi, and would be happy to spend £10-12k. I reckon for that money to get a diesel auto, with leather and maybe a few toys with perhaps 60-90k on the clock. These have the galvanised body and the facelifted dash. However I have also heard the horror stories about rust, expensive service, catastrophic failure of radiators (pre 04 I believe) auto boxes failing, dodgy glowpugs and injectors etc etc. I will not be doing the 25-30k per year, at my own expense, that I have been doing when we move but will still need something reliable and reasonably good on fuel etc as I think I will be doing perhaps 15k a year in future. I dont need at the margin handling or sports car performance. A good cruiser with a bit of style would fit the bill nicely, and I need a bit of room as I am 6' 4".
I would welcome any comments from current or previous owners, or perhaps there is something else that would offer a better proposition? I believe in the wisdom of crowds so your thoughts welcome!
Thanks, Lemma
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I have a voice in my head saying BMW 330d coupe, ive heard some very good things about them from owners, even if it isnt my kind of thing. Better built than a Merc of that age too.
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No comment on W209s, but,
>>Thanks, Lemma
Wronskian?
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Point of order...
There is no such thing as a W209.
The W denotes a saloon car, C209 is the coupe, and A209 is the cab.......
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5-6yr old?
Petrol - nice V6 would be the business and the money you save on purchase will buy some go-go juice.
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If you want to be indulgent then you should avoid the diesels. If you only do a small annual mileage then the CLK500 is clearly the one to go for - they must be giving them away by now.
Not actually that keen on the CLK to be honest, though at least the 209 had no B-Pillars, like a proper Merc coupe, unlike its compromised predecessor. I would also go for a 3 Series, a 330Ci.
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Absolutely,
Big petrol engines must be a steal in the UK at the moment.
Last edited by: gmac on Sun 29 May 11 at 23:14
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Wronskian? - nice try, no cigar. Try palea. And I even managed to get lodicule in a game of scrabble once.
Sadly the BMW 3 series I find a bit tight in the leg department. My mileage is likely to be such that a diesel would work better for me. W209? Yes I was wrong, this is actually the convertible - but there is one apparently with that designation.
Goodnight all and thanks for your comments.
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Have you tried asking on one of the Merc specific forums, such as forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/ or forums.mercedesclub.org.uk ?
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Most important thing IMO when considering a car like this.
Do you have a good indy specialist within reasonable distance to service and maintain the car for you, and possibly inspect a potential purchase for you before you end up with a wrong 'un.
I know everyone (else, not me) wants cars with lots of electric toys, and 'climate' apparently is the must have, but remember every extra electric gizmo can go wrong.
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Mercedes Benz CLK W209 - An opportunity for indulgence - Stuu
