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Buying Used
Before buying a used Mercedes-Benz, it should probably be inspected. Preferably, at a dealer. This is referred to as a
PPI - pre-purchase inspection. It's been my experience that dealers charge between $100 and $200 for a PPI. Being
familiar with these cars, a dealer will note what needs attention and alert you to it before the money changes hands.
Nothing ruins that new car experience like finding out the prior owner sold it because it needs a lot of work. Don't
let that scare you off. With normal maintenance, a Mercedes-Benz will easily last several hundred thousand miles.
Unfortunately, without normal maintenance, a number of things could need attention.
I am regularly asked about W208 CLK's and what to look for during an inspection. Below is a list of some things I
have heard about. It's a long list, but it was accumulated by reading about thousands of cars. Unless the car you
are considering was neglected over a considerable period of time, it is doubtful that the average car would have these
issues:
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Brakes: |
- The brake pads are soft and leave the wheels dirty. I can't believe people complain about
this, but they do - regularly.
- If the brake fluid isn't regularly changed, the ABS unit can be damaged. This is very rare,
but expensive. The ABS unit has a list price of $1400. Brake fluid flushes are part of the normal
maintenance schedule, and this should not be a problem on a regularly maintained vehicle.
- Front rotors on a 2001 or 2002 CLK55 are pricey and are usually beyond spec after the second
brake job.
- The brake light switch wears out. If it does, the brake lights won't come on, a number of
warning lights will illuminate (ABS, BAS, & ESP), and the car won't shift out of park as
it normally does.
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Drive Train: |
- The driveshaft flex discs crack over time. That allows the diveshaft to move in ways that it shouldn't. This
can result in a damaged driveshaft center support bearing. If continually ignored, the transmission or
differential can be damaged. Inspecting the flex discs are part of a normal B service.
- After several years and 100,000 miles or so, the differential seals may leak and have to be resealed.
- The wire connector on the transmission can leak. Aside from dripping on the garage floor, this allows fluid into
the wiring harness. If ignored the oil can flow through the wiring harness and damage the transmission control
module. At that point, in addition to the $2 seal, a new harness and transmission control module may be needed.
The seal can be replaced during a normal transmission service. The replacement seal is a higher quality and
should not leak again. Inspecting for leaks is part of a normal service.
- The catalytic converters will eventually wear out.
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Engine: |
- Some cars develop oil leaks from the PCV vent housings on the valve covers and inspection
plates on the front of the engine.
- There was a harmonic balancer recall. If defective and ignored. There is the possibility of
it hitting the timing cover and damaging the timing case. The harmonic balancer should be
inspected during the B service.
- Oil can leak from the oil level sensor.
- The crankshaft position sensor has been known to fail. The symptoms of this are when warm,
the engine will crank, but not start. The car may start again after it cools off.
- The mass air flow sensor (MAF) has been known to fail. This can be caused by very dirty or
substandard engine air filters. This may also be caused by overly oiled aftermarket air
filters (the factory filter s dry).
- Motor mounts are regular wear items. If ignored, the transmission mount will have to be
replaced too.
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Electrical: |
- The previously mentioned brake light switch.
- The instrument cluster display may lose pixels. Occasionally, the back lighting bulbs for
the console display have to be replaced.
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Normal wear suspension parts: |
- The lower control arm bushings.
- Ball joints.
- The tie rod ends, drag link, and idler arm.
- The steering damper.
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HVAC: |
- The evaporator temperature sensor can fail. This will cause the AC compressor not to cycle,
and the system will not blow cold air. If the switch breaks another way, the AC compressor
can remain on, and the air will be very cold at first, and then warm up.
- The hose that connects the receiver drier to the AC condenser can leak.
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Once again, on a normally maintained car, most of these items are not an issue.
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