The Mercedes W209 CLK-Class is a two-door version of the E-Class sedan that was in production between 2002 and 2009. The W209 shares most of its parts with the W211 except that it lacks two doors and is slightly smaller in comparison. The CLK was later replaced by the E-Class coupe in order to make the entire lineup a bit easier to understand.
The W209 is more or less as reliable as the W211 is which means that it can be a fairly dependable car if you take proper care of it. The post-facelift version is a lot better because many issues that plagued the pre-facelift model were solved during the car’s production. Either way, we are going to list the most common problems with the Mercedes W209.
The most common Mercedes W209 issues are associated with the engine. The W209 also suffers from electrical issues, particularly the alternator. Furthermore, the W209 is known to suffer from issues related to the cooling system, and a bunch of leaks. The W209 also sometimes suffers from a few transmission issues as well.
All in all, the W209 can be a fairly dependable car, but only if you take proper care of it. These issues are typically caused by a lack of preventive maintenance and therefore can be stopped in their tracks before they cause any serious harm.
Mercedes W209 engine issues
There are quite a few potential engine-related issues with the W209 Mercedes. The spark plugs are known to come loose and cause engine issues. The gasket can also become loose and needs tightening before it causes any problems.
The most common engine problem with diesel engines is the dreaded “Black Death”. No, it’s not a metal band that sings your W209 to doom yet rather a case of severe fuel leaks through the fuel injector seals. These issues are relatively inexpensive to fix if you catch them early enough. If you don’t, they can reach havoc on the W209 and cost a fortune to fix.
Mercedes W209 electrical issues
The Mercedes W211 is known to experience issues related to the car’s electronics which means that the W209 is more or less the same. The most severe W209 electrical issues are down to the alternator and the battery which can sometimes die prematurely. The W209 also suffers from issues such as faulty exterior lightning and issues with interior switches.
You also need to keep in mind that the convertible roof mechanism tends to suffer from a variety of different issues, and most of them are of electronic nature. Power windows and power seats can also malfunction due to the car’s age and so can the central locking system.
Mercedes W209 cooling system issues
A particularly severe W209 issue is associated with the car’s cooling system. The car can overheat which can result in the car bursting into flames. The W209 also originally came with orange seals around the oil cooler leaks which are known to wear out and cause the oil to leak. Mercedes did a recall because of this and in 2010 those seals with replaced by higher-quality purple ones.
Therefore, if you are test driving a W209, be sure to go underneath the hood and look for the seals. No matter what you do, always keep an eye out for the car’s temperature because the W209 can cook itself even on a chilled afternoon cruise.
Mercedes W209 leaks issues
The W209 is so prone to leaking that we had to list leaks as a separate issue even though we have just mentioned oil coolant leaks in the previous paragraph. However, the W209 does not only suffer from oil coolant leaks, yet it also suffers from motor oil leaks which can increase the car’s overall oil consumption by a lot.
This is why you need to replace all the fluids in the W209 according to the recommendations, otherwise, you will have trouble keeping the car in decent condition.
Mercedes W209 automatic transmission issues
The most common Mercedes W209 transmission issues are related to the faulty radiators Mercedes placed in W209 models made before 09.2003. These W209 models came with Valeo radiators that weren’t designed well enough and caused the coolant to come in contact with the transmission oil.
When this happens, the car starts emitting humming noises and harsh gear changes. If you experience this, be sure to immediately replace the radiator with the newer Valeo version and flush the entire system top to bottom, otherwise, your transmission might die completely.
FAQ Section
Is the Mercedes W209 a good car?
The Mercedes W209 is indeed a really good car because it offers comparable levels of luxury to the W211, yet it also manages to feel more youthful and more dynamic in the process. The W209 is also a relatively good-looking car, or at least it was when it came back in the early 2000s.
The W209 is reliable enough if maintained, it comes with a convertible roof and is also available with a bunch of different engine options. If you are after a 2000s two-door luxury coupe that can satisfy both sports car drivers and luxury sedan enthusiasts, the CLK W209 is certainly a good option.
How long can a Mercedes W209 last?
The Mercedes W209 can easily last a few hundred thousand miles without needing any major overhauls. The only way to achieve this is to keep the car in its optimum state for the longest which also means maintaining it in due time.
The W209 and the W211 are known to be dependable cars that can certainly last. Sure, these are not as indestructible as 70s Mercedes sedans, but as far as post-2000s Mercedes cars go, it’s really difficult to kill a W209 or a W211.
Why did Mercedes rename the CLK-Class?
The name CLK is no longer officially part of the Mercedes Benz catalog because it was replaced by the Mercedes Benz E-Class coupe in the early 2010s. The reason why Mercedes did this is to make the model lineup a bit easier to understand. The CLC was the coupe version of the C-Class but was renamed the C-Class Coupe.
The CLK was the coupe version of the E-Class but was renamed the E-Class Coupe. The reason why they did is simple, it just makes more sense and is a lot easier to understand for anyone.