Living with a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK 430 convertible is an experience that blends classic Mercedes charm with the realities of owning a vehicle of a certain age. For the past nine months, I’ve had the pleasure of driving and maintaining this Mercedes Clk, and it’s been a journey filled with both delightful open-top drives and the occasional quirky issue you expect from a car entering its third decade.
My time with this CLK 430 has flown by, punctuated by sunny days perfect for top-down cruising and even a memorable road trip. However, it hasn’t been entirely without hiccups. As with any older car, particularly a sophisticated Mercedes-Benz, a few gremlins have emerged. This Mercedes CLK is a 23-year-old testament to Mercedes engineering, wrapped in a timeless Brilliant Silver Metallic finish. When I purchased it, I was optimistic that I’d found a well-maintained car at a reasonable price, but I also anticipated some surprises. As it turns out, my initial assessment was accurate on both fronts.
Why the Mercedes CLK 430 Convertible?
The allure of a Mercedes-Benz convertible has always been strong for me. Initially, my sights were set on the iconic R107 or R129 SL Class models. However, the prices for well-preserved examples of those classics were beyond my budget. I also needed a car that could comfortably accommodate four passengers and, ideally, house a robust V8 engine. This set of criteria naturally led me to the Mercedes CLK.
Last year, a local dealership listed a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK 430 convertible equipped with the desirable AMG styling package. Over the summer and into the fall months, the price steadily decreased. By late October, my work transitioned to fully remote, eliminating my daily commute. This shift prompted me to sell my existing commuter car and seriously consider the CLK. With only 74,000 miles on the odometer and a comprehensive, documented service history, it seemed like a promising option. The fact that it could seat four and boasted the potent 4.3-liter M113 V8 engine – known for its smooth, effortless power and satisfying exhaust note – sealed the deal. I made the dealer an offer equivalent to the proceeds from selling my previous car, and they accepted. Looking back, I still believe it was a smart move.
Early Days with the CLK
During the first couple of months of ownership, any temperature above freezing was reason enough to lower the convertible top. Whether it was a quick trip to the store or a leisurely Sunday drive, the top was down. December that year was unusually mild, with Christmas Day reaching a balmy 60 degrees. The Mercedes CLK was seeing more open-air action than not. Even on colder days, a warm jacket, gloves, and the car’s effective heated seats made top-down motoring surprisingly enjoyable.
Then, winter arrived in earnest, bringing snow. After letting the car sit for a week, I encountered a dead battery. Jump-starting a CLK isn’t straightforward. The battery is located in the trunk, which was inaccessible because of the dead battery and key system. The workaround involved opening the hood, applying power to the car’s electrical system via the positive terminal under the hood, and then using the interior trunk release. However, jump-starting proved unsuccessful as the battery was completely drained and beyond recovery. Being two years past its warranty, replacement was the only option. I installed a new AGM battery from a local auto parts retailer.
Since this battery incident, I’ve learned the importance of driving the CLK every two to three days or connecting it to a battery tender. It seems there’s a slow, persistent battery drain, which is a minor issue I haven’t yet prioritized fixing. Like any classic car, my Mercedes-Benz CLK has its quirks. In addition to the battery drain, a valve cover gasket is weeping oil, the original stereo head unit refuses to play CDs, and a persistent warning light suggests a burned-out bulb, even though all the lights are functioning correctly. These are all relatively minor imperfections that I can easily live with in exchange for the overall experience of owning this Mercedes CLK.
Mid-Term Ownership and Practicality of the Mercedes CLK
The CLK often surprises with its dimensions. Compared to today’s cars, it feels relatively compact, yet it drives with the solidity and presence of a larger vehicle. From the driver’s seat, you find yourself looking down at drivers in modern compact cars like Honda Civics. It’s actually shorter and narrower than a Mini Countryman. Despite its size, the Mercedes CLK remains surprisingly practical. As spring arrived and driving opportunities increased, its versatility became even more apparent.
The CLK unexpectedly transformed into an impromptu pickup truck. During numerous trips to Costco and garden centers, it effortlessly hauled an evergreen tree and several boxwood bushes. It’s remarkable how much cargo the trunk can accommodate, even with the convertible top mechanism. Transporting taller items, like a five-foot evergreen, is actually easier with the top down in the CLK than in my wife’s SUV.
One of the most striking aspects of owning a Mercedes CLK convertible is the transformation it undergoes with the top lowered. Driving becomes akin to participating in a parade. People notice the car; heads turn. The CLK‘s elegant styling makes it stand out amongst a sea of generic crossovers and trucks. In person, it’s genuinely beautiful, a subtly refined design that grows on you over time. Photographs often fail to capture its true presence.
What can appear somewhat blocky or slab-sided in pictures reveals a subtly sculpted form in real life. The front end design bridges classic and contemporary Mercedes styling cues. The formal grille, leaning slightly rearward for aerodynamic efficiency, and the oval headlights with integrated turn signals subtly recall the stacked headlamp design of iconic models like the 300SEL. The AMG package, with its more aggressive front fascia, side skirts, and distinctive Monoblock wheels, further accentuates the CLK‘s clean, elegant lines.
Speaking of those AMG Monoblock wheels…
Recently, I took the CLK to my trusted mechanic for a pre-road trip inspection. It was time for new rear tires, and, to my surprise, two of the Monoblock wheels were found to be bent. Apparently, this is a relatively common issue, and his shop offers a wheel reconditioning service. Repairing the wheels cost $200 each. The car also needed a new steering damper. The total bill, including an oil change, came to $1,280. While not insignificant, it could have been considerably worse considering the age and complexity of a Mercedes-Benz CLK.
Final Thoughts on the Mercedes CLK 430 as a Commuter
Nine months into ownership, and the joy of driving the Mercedes CLK remains undiminished. It embodies what Peter Egan, the esteemed former editor-at-large for Road & Track, described as a “Car of Occasion.” It’s a car you drive purely for pleasure, or one you bring out for special events – a vehicle that, in Egan’s words, “whose emergence from the garage makes us feel as if we’re rolling out the big guns.” Eventually, I plan to address the valve cover leak and track down the source of the battery drain. However, for now, I’m too busy creating my own “occasions” to drive and enjoy this wonderful Mercedes CLK 430.
Photos: Mark Webb
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Tags: 2000 Mercedes CLK 430, CLK 430
