Like many, I’ve always been drawn to the allure of owning a Mercedes Benz. As a technician at a dealership, I finally had the opportunity to make that dream a reality. In July of 2003, we had a brand-new CLK430, the last of the 208 style coupes, gleaming in our showroom. Thanks to an employee program through Mercedes, I could get a significant discount. Excited, I purchased what was then the most expensive car I had ever owned.
However, my initial excitement was quickly tempered. Right after bringing my new 2003 Mercedes Benz home, I noticed a distinct whirring sound when revving the engine. Initially, I dismissed it, having heard similar noises in other models. But as winter approached, the sound became more prominent. I consulted our tech representative who diagnosed it as a known issue with the camshafts and rockers. Apparently, a wear pattern could develop on these components during the initial engine start-up in some engines. While sometimes it resolves itself, in my case, it was getting worse. By 3,500 miles, the noise was quite noticeable.
In late February, I performed the repair myself, replacing the camshafts and rockers. I brought the car home, but due to other commitments, it sat for three weeks before I drove it to Connecticut. To my dismay, upon arrival, the whirring noise was back. Frustrated, I contacted the Mercedes tech line. Their recommendation? Redo the job, but this time, run the engine under no load at 2500 RPM for two to three hours to break in the new cams and rockers. The image of my brand new 2003 Mercedes Benz engine racing for three hours straight in the dealership service bay is still vivid. Since then, I’ve only put another 100 miles on the car, and thankfully, it’s currently quiet.
Beyond the engine noise, other aspects of my 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK430 experience have been less than stellar. A friend recently purchased a new Ford Marauder, and I must admit, its engine is noticeably quieter at idle and off-idle than my Mercedes. Furthermore, the CD changer in the CLK430 has been consistently problematic, frequently failing to recognize CDs – a frustrating issue I suspect is related to fiber optic problems. Mercedes boasts about the speed of fiber optics in audio transfer, yet ironically, the CD changer is the slowest to change tracks I’ve ever encountered in any vehicle.
Even the optional “Brilliant Silver” paint, which I opted for, doesn’t quite live up to expectations. The standard silver on my previous Audi S4, which was a no-charge option, had a superior finish. As I approach the one-year mark of ownership in July, and the anniversary of when I’m legally allowed to sell the car (Mercedes requires signing a statement preventing resale within the first year), I’ve accumulated 4,000 miles.
Don’t misunderstand me, the 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK430 is a beautiful car. I love its aesthetics, the powerful engine, and the satisfying exhaust note. However, with a list price nearing $55,000, my expectations were significantly higher. In retrospect, I’m actually glad I held onto my Audi A4. The interior quality and overall fit and finish of the A4 surpass the Mercedes in my opinion. Working at a dealership, I often wondered if customer complaints were simply due to overly picky owners, or if the cars genuinely fell short in some areas. Now, having lived with a 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK430 for nearly a year, I have my answer.
