I have a 2005 CLK 55 AMG with the 5-Speed Auto and just hit 180k miles with zero oil leaks(zero fluid leaks PERIOD). She was a Florida car so corrosion is at a minimum, I still daily her. I am in love!
Love these older amg cars. I have just purchased the 2001 CLK 55 AMG I had 4 years ago. In 20019 I had a bad work place injury and couldn't drive the car any more. 4 years later and I'm all healed up and now I have my CLK 55 back and loving it.
I’ve got exact same car. 2001 model. 205K miles…always maintained(garage kept)- everything works AC is ice cold. No dash errors (1 malfunction- for cell phone service not active) even the rear blinds go up/down…the back seats never sat in…basically useless. Love it 🙌
They are really great cars! I heard if you take it to the dealer they can turn off the phone malfunction, for some reason my CLK never gave me that message but my G-Wagon does
People don’t have a clue. These cars are VERY reliable especially the V6 and V8 models. Small leaks need attention every so often but they keep on going as long as you maintain them properly and use quality oils. My V6 has 288000kms and I plan on doing a lot more!
I put nearly 100k miles on my 55 and I sold it as a perfectly running car. It had about 165 when I was done with it. Mostly routine repairs for the entire ownership
I’m just gonna chime in here. I’ve owned mine for 30,000 miles and I’ve spent over 11 grand so that’s respectfully and completely untrue and I can’t stand anybody that comes into a comment section who probably doesn’t own one of these and starts to spew all of their nonsense, ignorant banter on something they don’t nothing about. This is a big boy car. It is very unreliable. You must have lots of money and two jobs to maintain it. Go sit down somewhere.
Mine has been towed 3x in its life. Key module died. Thermostat failed away from home. And recently it was towed home after the serpentine belt broke. Not changing that thing on the side of the road. Overall been a good car
People always say that the W124 was the last of the real bulletproof Benzes. I'm like naaaaaa man. I used to have 2002 CLK 430. When I sold it, it had 210k+ miles on the clock and was still going strong. Only issue was typical wear over the years... the A/C was getting weak.
They made great cars right up until 2006 or so when they ditched the M112 and M113 for the M27X engines and 722.9 7 speed transmissions, the problems both of those had in their early years combined made a drastic reliability difference. When I bought my W209 CLK I bought an older one on purpose because the post facelift models had so many drivetrain issues noted.
My clk 320 has 310k miles and it’s running perfectly fine. Just passed California smog too. The suspension is starting to show its age so some bushings need to be replaced but engine wise it’s perfect great car!
i recently bought a 142k mile C55 as a toy to wrench on and drive. Doesn't sound much different than this CLK. I got it before the rust took a foothold and it stays in the garage now for 1-2 drives a week. Am hoping to enjoy it just like this for a few years.
Pull those plastic side skirts off and it will tell you everything you need to know. If something is starting you might be able to stop it. Either way these are great cars and I still find myself missing my CLK sometimes.
IMO these cars are super underrated and it’s a great time to buy them. I have a 03 C320, not as special as your clk but still a decent car, it’s got 178 tho kms on it and it feels like new and it’s incredibly mechanically reliable. Sure with these cars you get into lots of smaller sorts of issues like digital screens breaking, and occasional small leaks that need addressing but the important stuff like engine and trans is super reliable with simple maintenance.
When I first bought my first Benz newer than 1999 I wasn't sure if it was going to appreciate or hold value like every generation before it. I have no doubt in my mind that they will and already are. They are great cars and worthy of preservation and appreciation. You are already starting to see non-AMG CLKs ticking upward.
Your outside temp indicator is caused by the LCD screen cable not making contact with the circuit board it attaches to, or the LCD screen itself. You can get a new set online but they aren't very cheap. Probably worth it though, since your ride is in such good condition, honestly. My CLK430 started acting like it was running out of gas one day, but it had a 1/4 tank according to the guage. I thought it was the fuel pump fuel filter split line something... I couldn't figure it out, but we ended up putting a few more gallons of gas into it, and it started like normal and ran fine for a day or two. It ran out again though, again with 1/4 tank showing. Turns out the fuel tank has two pumps. The tank itself is saddle shaped. Point being, the car has to transfer fuel from one side to the other to get it to the engine. Apparently, mine had sprung a leak in the line that goes from the passenger to the driver's side and when it runs out one one lobe of the tank, the fuel doesn't get transferred to the other side to get picked up. SO LONG STORY SHORT, if your car runs out of gas but you have 1/4 tank showing, just keep it above 1/4 tank and don't go through all the BS that I did to figure that shit out! Enjoy your car. Its a driver, so keep it and enjoy it...
Good looking out! I actually didn't realize the pumps worked that way. I thought It was more for redundancy. Sounds like that's not totally wrong at least. Unfortunately I did part ways with this car a few years back. I do miss it sometimes. I saved the owner's contact information, I'm tempted to see how it's doing ..
Mine has done 204,000kms , has tinted windows and black AMG rims. Outstanding looks, performance, handling and sound! Owned her almost 4 years. From Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺.
Just a heads up if you have tinted windows on the rear, make sure it's non-magnetic tint!!! Magnetic tint can cause your grounds to act funny and you'll start popping fuses regularly(Fuse F8(7.5) in the trunk fuse box usually is the fuse that likes to blow in this case which controls your antenna amplifier and "Convenience Features"). Just make sure to use the right stuff ahead of time though and you'll be fine!
@@TheRustedGarage I have the Cabriolet CLK500 2004, I have no problems, just make sure your Hydraulic fluid is full. Mine is actually only half full from minimum
The inop lcd at the left, take apart a cigurette lighter with the spark maker electric the pizo electric effect and zap it and it will come back to life.
Re: the broken display. It sounds stupid but I bet you have a blocked drain between the windscreen and the hood. Clear it out and hose it down. After a few days the displays will come back to life. It worked on mine!
I just picked up a 2001 Clk320. Pretty much exactly the same interior but It still have the original GPS screen. What system did you install in yours? Any big mods to get it in?
Hope you like it!! I put a pioneer unit in. I think 5800 model I forget. There are two tabs one on each side that need to be cut in order to fit the head unit in the car.
@@TheRustedGarage I totally love it. The guy took very good care of it. All original and everything works. Even in the paint is good. High mileage but runs like a dream. Thanks for replying. I really appreciate it.
@@baetovantv it was nice, but wasnt night and day but if you want extra performance go for it. in S mode it slams first every time and jerks you forward when coming to a stop. it would probably be better with a trans tune and these solenoids if someone even tunes them
Gotta replace the gasket. No other solution. It’s not that hard if you are a do it yourselfer. Make sure you replace the silicon with Mercedes black RTV (can buy it at the dealership). Anything else will leak.
@@Changingtesting 208 Series handbook, page 202: The transmission is provided with a selector switch (1) for Standard "S" and Winter/Wet (snow and ice) "W" program modes. 209 Series handbook, page 145: Program mode selector switch S Standard for regular driving W Winter for winter driving
@@GalimotoMedia so then whats “normal” mode(when the switch is in neither winter(W) or Standard(S)) and why did they make S mode standard instead of Sport?
@@Changingtesting All of these older rocker switches don't have a normal / in between mode, only S or W. And (S) is for Standard because back then we weren't so hysterically obsessed with making each and every car sporty.
I have a 2005 CLK 55 AMG with the 5-Speed Auto and just hit 180k miles with zero oil leaks(zero fluid leaks PERIOD). She was a Florida car so corrosion is at a minimum, I still daily her. I am in love!
Love these older amg cars. I have just purchased the 2001 CLK 55 AMG I had 4 years ago. In 20019 I had a bad work place injury and couldn't drive the car any more. 4 years later and I'm all healed up and now I have my CLK 55 back and loving it.
How much miles do you have on it, do you feel it’s lost power over the years?
I’ve got exact same car. 2001 model. 205K miles…always maintained(garage kept)- everything works AC is ice cold. No dash errors (1 malfunction- for cell phone service not active) even the rear blinds go up/down…the back seats never sat in…basically useless. Love it 🙌
They are really great cars! I heard if you take it to the dealer they can turn off the phone malfunction, for some reason my CLK never gave me that message but my G-Wagon does
People don’t have a clue. These cars are VERY reliable especially the V6 and V8 models. Small leaks need attention every so often but they keep on going as long as you maintain them properly and use quality oils. My V6 has 288000kms and I plan on doing a lot more!
I put nearly 100k miles on my 55 and I sold it as a perfectly running car. It had about 165 when I was done with it. Mostly routine repairs for the entire ownership
@TheRustedGarage
How much was it sold for?
I got a clk320 165k runs like new still owned for 5 years🎉
I’m just gonna chime in here. I’ve owned mine for 30,000 miles and I’ve spent over 11 grand so that’s respectfully and completely untrue and I can’t stand anybody that comes into a comment section who probably doesn’t own one of these and starts to spew all of their nonsense, ignorant banter on something they don’t nothing about. This is a big boy car. It is very unreliable. You must have lots of money and two jobs to maintain it. Go sit down somewhere.
You guys got lucky there’s only 1200 made. I have one of the lemons.
I have the exact same car and I had an 02 clk430 before that. These cars are extremely mechanically reliable
Yup. Never saw a tow truck
Mine has been towed 3x in its life. Key module died. Thermostat failed away from home. And recently it was towed home after the serpentine belt broke. Not changing that thing on the side of the road. Overall been a good car
How does the 430 compare to the 55?
I had a 01 Clk 430 convertible and it was a blast to drive! And reliable.
People always say that the W124 was the last of the real bulletproof Benzes. I'm like naaaaaa man. I used to have 2002 CLK 430. When I sold it, it had 210k+ miles on the clock and was still going strong. Only issue was typical wear over the years... the A/C was getting weak.
Agreed, a lot of the old heads think the merger with daimler killed the quality but they were still great cars for another decade
They made great cars right up until 2006 or so when they ditched the M112 and M113 for the M27X engines and 722.9 7 speed transmissions, the problems both of those had in their early years combined made a drastic reliability difference. When I bought my W209 CLK I bought an older one on purpose because the post facelift models had so many drivetrain issues noted.
And rust... 😎
My clk 320 has 310k miles and it’s running perfectly fine. Just passed California smog too. The suspension is starting to show its age so some bushings need to be replaced but engine wise it’s perfect great car!
These were really made to last! I replaced a lot of the suspension stuff in my car at one point and it was night and day
i recently bought a 142k mile C55 as a toy to wrench on and drive. Doesn't sound much different than this CLK. I got it before the rust took a foothold and it stays in the garage now for 1-2 drives a week. Am hoping to enjoy it just like this for a few years.
Pull those plastic side skirts off and it will tell you everything you need to know. If something is starting you might be able to stop it. Either way these are great cars and I still find myself missing my CLK sometimes.
I thought tow mode was shutting down the alarm system for when the car is being towed
On further research I think you are correct
Great review. Thank u.
Great report! Many many thanks!
IMO these cars are super underrated and it’s a great time to buy them. I have a 03 C320, not as special as your clk but still a decent car, it’s got 178 tho kms on it and it feels like new and it’s incredibly mechanically reliable. Sure with these cars you get into lots of smaller sorts of issues like digital screens breaking, and occasional small leaks that need addressing but the important stuff like engine and trans is super reliable with simple maintenance.
When I first bought my first Benz newer than 1999 I wasn't sure if it was going to appreciate or hold value like every generation before it. I have no doubt in my mind that they will and already are. They are great cars and worthy of preservation and appreciation. You are already starting to see non-AMG CLKs ticking upward.
08' e550 getting ready to hit 250k this week. No major issues so far and still has all its ponies in the barn
That's awesome! Mercedes does make some great engines
Your outside temp indicator is caused by the LCD screen cable not making contact with the circuit board it attaches to, or the LCD screen itself. You can get a new set online but they aren't very cheap. Probably worth it though, since your ride is in such good condition, honestly. My CLK430 started acting like it was running out of gas one day, but it had a 1/4 tank according to the guage. I thought it was the fuel pump fuel filter split line something... I couldn't figure it out, but we ended up putting a few more gallons of gas into it, and it started like normal and ran fine for a day or two. It ran out again though, again with 1/4 tank showing. Turns out the fuel tank has two pumps. The tank itself is saddle shaped. Point being, the car has to transfer fuel from one side to the other to get it to the engine. Apparently, mine had sprung a leak in the line that goes from the passenger to the driver's side and when it runs out one one lobe of the tank, the fuel doesn't get transferred to the other side to get picked up. SO LONG STORY SHORT, if your car runs out of gas but you have 1/4 tank showing, just keep it above 1/4 tank and don't go through all the BS that I did to figure that shit out! Enjoy your car. Its a driver, so keep it and enjoy it...
Good looking out! I actually didn't realize the pumps worked that way. I thought It was more for redundancy. Sounds like that's not totally wrong at least. Unfortunately I did part ways with this car a few years back. I do miss it sometimes. I saved the owner's contact information, I'm tempted to see how it's doing ..
Mine has done 204,000kms , has tinted windows and black AMG rims. Outstanding looks, performance, handling and sound! Owned her almost 4 years. From Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺.
Glad to see even 20 years later people enjoying these cars from around the world. Cheers!
@@TheRustedGarage Many Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts and drivers here in south-west Victoria, Australia. Love the videos!
Just a heads up if you have tinted windows on the rear, make sure it's non-magnetic tint!!! Magnetic tint can cause your grounds to act funny and you'll start popping fuses regularly(Fuse F8(7.5) in the trunk fuse box usually is the fuse that likes to blow in this case which controls your antenna amplifier and "Convenience Features"). Just make sure to use the right stuff ahead of time though and you'll be fine!
I love the styling. Its better than the convertible without all the trouble of the roof hydraulic issues.
Agreed. My friend has a cabriolet 55 and it's special in its own way but not as magestic with the roof up...
@@TheRustedGarage I have the Cabriolet CLK500 2004, I have no problems, just make sure your Hydraulic fluid is full. Mine is actually only half full from minimum
16:23 Bro how did you find the AMG door light that will with the W208 AMG? I've been looking for one for the last year.
To be honest I actually don’t remember. It may be from a W209 or some other car
Yes, I am looking for this as well.
The inop lcd at the left, take apart a cigurette lighter with the spark maker electric the pizo electric effect and zap it and it will come back to life.
Speedboat ?? Forwhat it is ?
It’s a $10,000 car not a Ferrari. It is fun “for what it is.”
What size wheels did you have on this car?
They were 17s. Rotary forged wheels from a company named mandrus. As far as I know they are still around
Thanks
Hold on to this amg 55 clk 2001. I think it will go up price.
Re: the broken display. It sounds stupid but I bet you have a blocked drain between the windscreen and the hood. Clear it out and hose it down. After a few days the displays will come back to life. It worked on mine!
Makes sense actually…my ML leaks there too!
Just fyi. Over here in europe most of us drive cars with 150k + cars. They just work if you do the oil changes regulary
Same here in America, the difference is these are seen more as a luxury make or a second car so people tend to not drive them as much
I just picked up a 2001 Clk320. Pretty much exactly the same interior but It still have the original GPS screen. What system did you install in yours? Any big mods to get it in?
Hope you like it!! I put a pioneer unit in. I think 5800 model I forget. There are two tabs one on each side that need to be cut in order to fit the head unit in the car.
@@TheRustedGarage I totally love it. The guy took very good care of it. All original and everything works. Even in the paint is good. High mileage but runs like a dream. Thanks for replying. I really appreciate it.
hey you have the bluetop amg solinoids also?
Yup! Installed around 75k miles.
@@TheRustedGarage how is it ? faster shift more power ? feels like a new car ? i havnt installed mines yet
@@baetovantv it was nice, but wasnt night and day but if you want extra performance go for it. in S mode it slams first every time and jerks you forward when coming to a stop. it would probably be better with a trans tune and these solenoids if someone even tunes them
@@TheRustedGarage s mode ? i thought w208s only come with standard mode and winter mode
@@baetovantv yes, but whatever you want to call it, thats how it behaves
My one is leaking a little oil from the rocker cover. Any tips guys?
Gotta replace the gasket. No other solution. It’s not that hard if you are a do it yourselfer. Make sure you replace the silicon with Mercedes black RTV (can buy it at the dealership). Anything else will leak.
i’m eyeing one on craigslist. they are under $5K now.
They’re good cars. I had mine since 2014!
You should show the service mode on the hood.
That’s a good trick! Future videos will show more on this car
320k miles on my 99 c43.
According to Mercedes (and the handbook) S stands for 'Standard' and W is for 'Winter'.
What page of the handbook?
@@Changingtesting
208 Series handbook, page 202:
The transmission is provided with a selector switch (1) for Standard "S" and Winter/Wet (snow and ice) "W" program modes.
209 Series handbook, page 145:
Program mode selector switch
S Standard for regular driving
W Winter for winter driving
@@GalimotoMedia so then whats “normal” mode(when the switch is in neither winter(W) or Standard(S)) and why did they make S mode standard instead of Sport?
@@Changingtesting All of these older rocker switches don't have a normal / in between mode, only S or W. And (S) is for Standard because back then we weren't so hysterically obsessed with making each and every car sporty.
Hahaha, I just bought a black 2000 clk 430 and it is an AMG! I think , its got AMG wheels . It could just have the wheels.
give it somebody love!!! Its a amg bro👊🏼
I gave her some love…by selling her 😢
Bought a 06 clk 350 only thing i need is a new conductor yes i will pay for it
keep going bro. I fucking love cars too ahahha. Proud of you man !
Thanks so much! Cars and pasta ;)
Rest mode 👍
How funny is that? I have the 430, I sold it to my friend and then bought it back as well. Lol.
Just goes to show these are great cars to keep in the family!
maybe invest in some ceramic pads bud
There is a guy with an E55 W211 with 470k miles, if you maintain these engines they‘ll last.
No doubt. Seen several examples myself over 200 and a couple over 300
The Daimler Benz company was the parent company of Mercedes Benz. Daimler didn’t buy them. They owned Mercedes from the very beginning
Headrest button👍
Workhorse
Sure is!