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Probable new forum bike: Mercedes CLK convertible


Fat_Pirate

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I thought I'd start a thread on this.  I presently love this car but history has proven me fickle and easily distracted, so I expect I'll want to move it on at some point.  Doing it this way also ensures no comeback from future owners when they find out I've attached the wheels with silicon sealer, etc.

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Lot of flash for a grand, I think you'll agree.  I picked it up from the pleasant Mr Xtriple last Tuesday, and have already put a thousand miles on it (including 500 in Norfolk at the weekend, and 200-odd around Gloucester yesterday).  As you'd imagine, wafting about in a convertible with a whispering V6 up front is absolutely awful,.  I did get a light metallic scraping noise from the NSR wheel for a bit, but the caliper wasn't sticking and it went after a while so meh.

There are a few issues to fix.  Most pressing was the passenger door, which wouldn't shut without a heavy slam.  I found the door glass was rising too high, and interfering with the A-pillar seal.  

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There's quite a lot of scope for things to get out of kilter on the windows and hood on these things, but thankfully it's all adjustable.  The stops for the window are adjusted by winding down the window, then removing 3 bungs on the underside of the door.  This exposes bolts to adjust the position of the front and rear stops, with the middle one adjusting the angle of the glass against the seal.  Getting it right is trial and error, it's not quite right but does now shut correctly.  There's also a fault with the rear window, a clip that stops it rising too high has broken so it can collide with the front window if you're not careful.  Not sorted that yet.

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The hood often needs a helping hand to retract it (and to prevent it slamming down on the windscreen frame when closing it).  The issue appears to be the tension cables on the front folded section - these are supposed to hold it in a raised position, to allow it to fold up.  This doesn't always work so the pump runs but is unable to draw the hood back.  The tension on these cables can be adjusted, and it's pretty straightforward job, but it does mean taking the roof down for a couple of hours and I've not been able to trust the weather recently.  If there's no adjustment left on the cables it's not too difficult to replace them, but they cost £80 each (and there are 2).

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The roof release handle is a bit broken too, this is a common problem.  Xtriple's mechanic has made a temporary repair but I may revisit it, there is a DIY fix using a C-clip apparently - else it's £700 for a new roof rail.

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Steering wheel is quite worn, and off-centre.  I find that very annoying and will get the alignment fixed soon.  Dunno what to do about the wheel, upholsterer perhaps?  The driver's seat bolster is also coming apart at the edge, again they all do this so finding a good used one is pretty much impossible.

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I was unimpressed by the factory audio, despite it having a fancy remote control.  Putting in my kit was easy though, standard ISO harness so took about 5 mins!  

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Unfortunately the speakers are shot, ruining Stuff Like That.  The forum bike Jag had the same issue, just age I suppose.  I've got speaker adaptors on order so I can fit some decent ones.

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This is the car's best feature, this engine is superb.  It absolutely makes just the noise you'd expect, a gentle whine yet gives brisk performance and an average of 29mpg.  It does leak a little oil though, enough to mark the drive but hasn't required a top up.  Will investigate.

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Pirate HQ is now well furnished with CLKs.  My wife has had this facelift one for a couple of years and I've always admired it, but not the raucous 2.3 supercharged motor.  It's slightly slower and slightly better on fuel  than the V6 but above 3000rpm it's horrible - it sounds like the CVH from a '80s Escort and ruins the whole experience.  Most of them seem to be blighted with that motor though, perhaps the cost difference was large when new.  Mrs Pirate now wants the wheels and engine transplanted into hers.

Final problem is the ABS/ASR/BAS light coming on at random.  Others have suggested this is the battery getting weak, which is a bit of a worry - I'm leaving it in an airport car park for a week tomorrow.

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42 minutes ago, Fat_Pirate said:

Final problem is the ABS/ASR/BAS light coming on at random.  Others have suggested this is the battery getting weak, which is a bit of a worry - I'm leaving it in an airport car park for a week tomorrow.

I'm no Merc expert but isn't that a common fault with the brake pedal switch. Easy fix and about a £10 for a new switch. I'd try that before a new battery.

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2 hours ago, gadgetgricey said:

I'm no Merc expert but isn't that a common fault with the brake pedal switch. Easy fix and about a £10 for a new switch. I'd try that before a new battery.

Yes, the brake pedal switch is the common problem. Go to the dealership and get a genuine one. You have to get into the footwell which is a little awkward, but not too much of a pain.

If you do swap the battery or disconnect it you need to reset the windows by lowering them and keeping the switch depressed  for five seconds. Then raise them and depress the switch for another five. Plus you have to turn the steering from lock to lock to clear dashboard warning lights. Details here:

http://www.mercedesmedic.com/bas-esp-abs-mercedes-benz/

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10 hours ago, Fat_Pirate said:

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The roof release handle is a bit broken too, this is a common problem.  Xtriple's mechanic has made a temporary repair but I may revisit it, there is a DIY fix using a C-clip apparently - else it's £700 for a new roof rail. 

 

The C-Clip repair works.  Its fiddly but lasted years without having to revisit it on my old one.

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Really like these Merc's and that one looks very straight, aside from the wheel.

If I had one I probably wouldn't bother with the roof down, just think they look nice as they are tbh.

My plan is to let it go through a couple of reputable shiters and sort the minor issues and then buy it. / win it in a roffle.

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The brake switch on these is a simple two pin on off type. It’s nothing special, unless they made them more complex on later models.

the battery problem came on mine and it caused loads of problems like cruise control, ABS and not changing gear. It’s not a dead battery thing, it’s just not 100% and the cars electronics don’t seem to handle it well.

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The roof has always worked fine, yes you have to hold it up for the first step but I thought it was supposed to be like that! IfI had known it was a fault I would have investigated, maybe. Possibly. The battery is fine: possably getting old but will hold its charge for two - three weeks no bother though it does go flat if left longer than that but I think that's the alarm? I am led to believe that the ABS etc lights come on if the battery drops below 12volts which it may do when first started or it could be the switch. I tried to buy a new one but MB don't currently have one and none in the UK warehouse or even Germany was the message I was told a few weeks ago.

Oil leak?

Sorry it's not giving satisfaction.

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4 hours ago, xtriple said:

The roof has always worked fine, yes you have to hold it up for the first step but I thought it was supposed to be like that! IfI had known it was a fault I would have investigated, maybe. Possibly. The battery is fine: possably getting old but will hold its charge for two - three weeks no bother though it does go flat if left longer than that but I think that's the alarm? I am led to believe that the ABS etc lights come on if the battery drops below 12volts which it may do when first started or it could be the switch. I tried to buy a new one but MB don't currently have one and none in the UK warehouse or even Germany was the message I was told a few weeks ago.

Oil leak?

Sorry it's not giving satisfaction.

No criticism intended, sorry if it came over like that - it was a huge bargain and I'm very pleased with it.  

6cylinder, interest noted but somebody has already called dibs.  

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Sorry FP, I was in a BAD mood and I thought your were critiscising my beloved old Merc! Yes, the passengers window did foul slightly, but as I never used that door I had forgotten all about it. The interface is very slght... I genuinely had forgotten all about that, the simple fact that they all worked (windows) was a result as far as I was concerned. I suppose someone with a life/loved one may indeed want the door to open and close without fear of glass exploding. :)

I hope you do fettle her back to perfection, she's a good car and worthy of being a forum 'slag'.

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  • 1 month later...
1 hour ago, xtriple said:

Any updates on the old girl? Done any of the jobs on her?

I have indeed.

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 The roof is mostly fixed now - there's a tension cable on each side, and loosening that bolt allows you to push the metal cylinder forward to increase it a bit.  I've used all the slack now but 90% of the time it works properly, and doesn't just collapse onto the windscreen header.

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Also replaced the brake light switch, but still randomly getting the TC/ABS/BAS warning light.  I've discounted any issue with the battery, so maybe a wheel sensor?  There really is no pattern to when it comes on.  This car doesn't have an OBD port so no code reading available.  I just treat it as the "drift around the next roundabout" light now.

Had the tracking done so the wheel is straight.  Still leaking oil, still haven't investigated it properly - sump holds 8 litres so I've not had to top it up yet.  It managed nearly 40mpg on a run to Alton Towers last month, very pleased with that.  

Still got no intention of moving it on anytime soon, it really suits me - and the lucky ladies of Hampshire get to see my handsome face too :)  The roffle GTV will be joining it shortly though, will that shake things up?  

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That bloody light used to drive me mad: fix it and it would stay off for weeks/months and just when you thought it was properly fixed, it would come back on again! There are a few garages with the old plug for the obd, it's under the bonnet and big and round. I had the codes read and it showed, er, nothing about the brakes at all, just the usual 150 old codes from when time began.

 

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On 10/18/2019 at 12:06 AM, Fat_Pirate said:

  This car doesn't have an OBD port so no code reading available.   

I'm pretty sure it will have. 
If it's similar to the w203 then it's under a flap roughly above where the drivers right knee is.
If it's w202 I forget, it's been about 5 years since I last had one of those.

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  • 2 years later...

About time for an update - this has happened:

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Yes, I liked it so much I've bought another one, from the very pleasant @Six-cylinder.  As you will agree, these are the bestest cars in the world so I politely held off buying it as soon as it was advertised to give you all the opportunity to join the elite - but you were too slow and now I own 100% of the blue V6 CLKs on the forum, and will be reaping the financial and social-standing benefits this will no doubt bring.

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