Another MonkShack Blog

 I admit it. I now have a problem. I own a 2002 E55 AMG. I think this was probably COVID induced dementia, but my daughter wanted to learn about working on cars and I was bored and looking for a project car. Somehow, I found this listed in Indianapolis for a very reasonable prices. As I started digging into the car, I began to understand why. This particular car has almost 225k miles. And it has a spotty overall service record - but it does have a clean Carfax. And the previous owner spent a significant amount of money on the mechanicals. I have to admit to always harboring a desire to own a true AMG car and I'm sure that clouded my judgement on this one. When I went to check the car out, it was raining and cold. Not an ideal time to actually look at a car and I missed the failing clearcoat while I focused on the mechanical condition. In the rain. The cold rain. While my spouse waited patiently in the GL550. This was really only my first mistake. I also missed the significant crack...

After the lease for our Honda Accord Hybrid ended, we decided that we needed something a little larger. We realized that we didn't have any vehicle that could carry something larger than a small (maybe medium?) box. So I set out searching for something that might give us a little more flexibility. I looked at trucks and while I wasn't looking for something new, the used prices on any decent truck was way more than I was willing to pay. Having had a 1999 F250, I was also weighing exactly how usable a truck would be for the majority of our driving. I just couldn't make the higher cost, lower options and lesser practicality balance in my book. So I kept looking.... As with everyone these days, I started looking at SUVs - it seemed a natural progression. Apparently, I'm not alone. The demand for new and used SUVs (and the death of many new sedans in favor of SUVs), quickly showed me I was late to this game. I was hoping for something around the $15-20k range, maybe a little...

Okay, so I finally pulled the plug and bought a low mileage, 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK430. I'd been shopping for a fun convertible for a while with the romanticized image of top-down, wind-blowing summer fun.  I'd build a set of basic requirements to narrow the scope of my search - those criteria were: Four seats (there's three of us, and getting something that could only seat two seemed like asking for trouble from whoever would get left out) 2000 or newer, but I was really hoping for something newer than 2005 Reliability An active and established user base (forums, etc.) I won't bore you with all of the details, but the CLK430 met all of those, plus it only had 40k miles. So, my adventure begins...

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 2002 CLK 430 Basic Info Generation: 208 [1997 .. 2002] Power: 275 hp | 205 kW | 279 PS Engine: V8, Petrol Center Bore: 66.6 mm Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts Thread Size: M12 x 1.5 Trim Production: [1998 .. 2002] Tire Rim Rim Pressure 225/45ZR17 88W 7.5Jx17 ET37 5x112 2.3/2.5 245/40ZR17 91W 8.5Jx17 ET30 5x112 2.3/2.5 Vehicle's recommended cold tire inflation pressure. It is measured in bars or PSI (pounds per square inch) from:  https://www.wheel-size.com/size/mercedes/clk-class/2002/ Wheels (from  http://www.wheelcollision.com/store/MERCEDES-CLK-CLASS208-209CHASSIS.htm ) 65257 17x7.5 AMG Thin 5 Spk 1704011302 Compatible with 02-03 MERCEDES CLK430 Part # H 65257 Finish/Direction: 208 CHASSIS - FRONT 65258 17x8.5 AMG Thin 5 Spk 1704011402 Compatible with 02-03 MERCEDES CLK430 Part # H 65258 Finish/Direction: 208 CHASSIS - REAR