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Mercedes-Benz CLK (2005 and earlier)

1627 messages, Last post on Jan 10, 2009 at 4:20 AM
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By The Way, do you know that "BTW" stands for? |
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| I'm glad you find my lack of knowledge of TLM's to be humorous... BTW & FWIW; have you bought your C230 yet? Or do you just hang out a these message boards because you don't have a life like me? :o | |
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I test drove a C Coupe last night, just a quick around the block jaunt. But I am quite taken with it. I love the look - even the rear end. Finally something has come along that looks like a Corrado! It was fairly fun to drive. I couldn't get a manual, but it seemed to have plenty of punch. It's got about 25HP on my '97 VR6. The ride certainly wasn't too stiff (I put Neuspeed Sport springs and Bilsteins on my Jetta, so I know what a stiff ride is). The only thing that I found annoying was the instrument cluster - in all honesty I would probably prefer the regular C-Class instrumentation. But doing on-line research, I am a bit concerned by how none of the enthusiasts and reviewers seem to like this car. I bet if I asked any of them in person, they would suggest that I would be better off spending my money on a 325 (which would cost about 3K more equipped the way I want) than this car. All the reviews rave about the handling and such. And I must admit, I am a HUGE fan of the M3 - if I could afford one I would buy it. But here's why I'm not dying over a smaller 3-series. For one, I found the space afforded to the drive in the 3 series to be quite cramped. I am a very large guy (width, not length) and the steering wheel in the 3-series rubbed me, at least in the first model year of the E46. Secondly, I live in the SF Bay Area, and it seems like EVERYONE and their mother has a 3-series. One the one hand that could be a testament to it's handing and performance. On the other, it just feels to me like too much of a yuppie-mobile. Also, isn't it generally a truism that MBs hold their value more than a BMW? I suppose I am conflicted. Last time I bought a car it was simple - the Jetta VR6 was the only thing in my price range that did what I wanted. Now I've got basically two choices (maybe - I haven't sat in a 3-series recently) and my hear and gonads are telling me that the Coupe is dead sexy. Then I see it not getting rave reviews in the press and I start to wonder.... (Anyone in the Bay Area wanting to help me make up my mind is welcome to drop me a note at john |
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Has anyone experienced a fluid leak onto the belly pan beneath the rear of the engine on the C230? My vehicle has a six speed transmission. It appears to be hydraulic fluid of some sort but I can't tell exactly what it is either by smell or taste. I've not located where the power steering reservior is located or if there is one on the C230. Any ideas? Secondly, where are the jacking points on the C230 other than the four points along the rocker panels. Can a floor jack be placed under the rear differential and the vehicle raised safely without damage? I've owned this car for about a month after owning Toyota and Honda/Acura cars since early 80's. I'm not used to fluid leaks on a new car. Overall, the C230 is a nice ride and a very solid vehicle. Six speed shifting action is not as smooth as the Acura GSR I traded in on the C230. But, every vehicle has its tradeoffs one way or another. The C230's features are quite impressive. |
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If reddish in color, the fluid is tranmission fluid [yes, they use a concoction similar to ATF in the manual trans]. If not, could be power steering. Can't do much about this online - I would take the engine cover off and have a good look around, including underneath, which brings me to your second question... On the W202 C, and our W210 E, there were four rubber dimples at each corner of the chassis, more or less in the same general latitude of the jacking access points, which are designed to contact the racks used at the dealerships. I used floor jacks with the jack saddles covered in disposable rags on those rubber thingies to jack the car. Don't know if these exist on the W203 C, including the Coupe. I would not advise jacking at the differential or under the engine cradle...too much potential for expensive damage. Sounds like an early trip to your dealer is in order; leaks are not a common thing with these cars, but they do happen. Our '94 C220's only delivery defect [beside the off-center steering wheel that was corrected on the alignment rack] was a leaking wheel bearing that the dealer fixed with no trouble. |
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Sorry to hear about your problem. Feel free to also post (copy/paste) your message in our new Mercedes-Benz C230 Problems & Solutions discussion. It will be easier for people to keep track of problems that way. Good luck, and please keep us posted on what happens. To everyone- For future reference, look for a direct link to this discussion in the additional resources on the left side of the page. Revka Host Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards |
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