Great edit. Enjoyed doing this one with you buddy. Lovely car.

@JJonCars

5 күн бұрын

Thanks Sam, it was great seeing you work your magic 👍

That's the benefit of going to a specialist, they are very thorough and know the cars inside out. Nice video.

@JJonCars

5 күн бұрын

Thanks Simon 👍 exactly right

I wholeheartedly agree an older Merc needs a specialist. I also discovered Sam's channel a little while ago and I've actually commented a number of times on his vids, "this is why you take your car to a specialist". He certainly knows his stuff.

Definitely film the return leg with SPR! They are brilliant and its great seeing your car get the attention it deserves 👍

@JJonCars

5 күн бұрын

Cheers, will do :)

Yes, please, film the next visit as well. Subscriber of SPR Autos here and great to see Sam working on an CLK 200! Shame about the faults that have accumulated; I had to replace the rear flexi brake hoses on my CLK 200 as well. :) However, as you say, the car is 100% worth it!

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Will do :) I think some parts are just at an age now where they're old and need replacing. Definitely worth it!

SPR are magnificent - best mechanics I’ve dealt with for any car. Actually fix things to try to save you a bit of money instead of just replacing stuff. Advise you on how to make your car last longer and they don’t replace stuff on a service for the sake of it. You don’t get booked up 9 weeks in advance unless you’re really good. 👍🏼 👍🏼

@JJonCars

5 күн бұрын

Couldn't have said it better myself 👍👍

@PointNemo9

5 күн бұрын

If I lived in Manchester and owned a Mercedes I would definitely take it to them

I really enjoyed this video, it is always good opportunity to learn about maingenance, SPR was really great 😊

@JJonCars

5 күн бұрын

Brilliant, glad you enjoyed it :) 👍

Oh yes, please take us along the journey in the next video.

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Will do :)

I like the fact you posted the W203 C-Class in the C55 AMG version that had the.... CLK 209 front to accommodate the wider engine ! Cheers from Greece , 2002 CLK200 C209 owner here!

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Gotta get more CLK in where possible... To be quite honest I didn't actually notice, but I did think 'I don't remember the W203 looking so much like the CLK' 😂

@nickzourb190

4 күн бұрын

@@JJonCars So you accidentally learnt a new fun fact 😛

Great collaboration. I watch both channels and have a W203 C32 AMG a W209 CLK350 and a W219 CL55 AMG so love the merc stuff.

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Thank you, it seemed like a natural collab to do! Glad you enjoyed it. The CL55 AMG is a very special car :)

wow, the attention to detail! Would like to see the part 2

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Me too, I think it's gonna be a go-er :)

JJ, I would love to see another video with SPR doing the necessary repairs. As the owner and caretaker of a CLK500 with its 16 spark plugs (that I have yet to replace-ouch!), I was surprised to hear the bit about platinum plug orientation. That is definitely specialist knowledge.

I agree, a specialist who actually knows the particular car well is very helpful... The 2000's Mercs were generally good, however there were some models that were quite bad, mainly the W220 S Class, and the SUV's... But cars like the CLK and E Class were great...

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Yeah, I think that S Class is responsible for a lot of the complaints this era gets (you'll note I didn't include a picture of it haha). None of them are perfect, but the longer I've owned the CLK the more I know it doesn't deserve that same criticism. Cheers for watching Martin 👍

@MartinJones123

4 күн бұрын

@@JJonCars Yep, the CLK is one of the best Mercs from that era, and your one is in great condition 👍

Excellent video JJ and a brilliant insight to great service done SPR Auto.excellent video. Thank you Keep it up, looking forward to the next service done on the car at SPR.

@JJonCars

3 күн бұрын

Thanks Bernard! :)

Nice to treat your car to some extra TLC, great video JJ 👌, interesting to see some of the common issues on these

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Cheers man :) win win for me as it's a video and my car gets some care!

Really interesting vid JJ. I love watching a really experienced person doing their job well. I am referring to the mechanic but of course, the same can also be applied to the other person featuring in the video 😊

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Cheers John 😂 I mean, I do agree. Always wanted to hang around the mechanic when they're working but they generally aren't so happy with that (understandably), so quite a good opportunity! When am I finding out what car you've bought? 😄

@Rjhs001

4 күн бұрын

@@JJonCars I'm planning to get it Feb/March next year. The current Mrs. Shaw and I are planning a big European road trip next May so I want to have the next motor before then.

Hi JJ, great vid, to me it feels extra good , when my merc is in good hands. I ll bring my car also to a specialist for maintenance, they have a pasion for Mercedes Benz here in the Netherlands. For now we have a C 204s (c200 cgi engine /184 hp / automatic) brilliant car, but after this benz, we gonna look for a CLK 280 or 320 to , timeless beautiful design. I always watch your vid's👍 Greetz steven (from the Netherlands )

@JJonCars

5 күн бұрын

Thank you Stephan! I know exactly how you feel and it's nice to know there is love for these cars in the Netherlands too. I do like the C204, nice cars. Thank you for watching and commenting :)

This is awesome JJ! So well done from start to finish 👍 What a champ your specialist...does he want a trip out to Australia to do my A209? 😝 You are spot on tho man...these glorious motors need a Merc specialist tech 100%. Mine's going in to Merc next week for her annual "A". Ps. Your wheels are the sexiest Merc alloys ever produced...I'm jealous as all heck! ❣

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Ah, cheers Mark! Much appreciated. Haha, he's a busy man - I tell you what, I'll come and do it instead, though results not guaranteed to be the same 😂 Glad that your car is getting the proper treatment too I love those alloys too, if I do ever upgrade the CLK to an AMG, I'll be keeping them for sure. Thanks again :)

@markhooper1352

4 күн бұрын

@@JJonCars hahaha! Let me know when you're on your way over man! Welcome any time! I really would like to get my hands on a full set of those - do you know what they are called (if there is a Merc name for them)? I have the AMG wheels on mine which were probably an upgrade, but gimme yours any day! Totally classy and timeless. I'm on the lookout! 😊

Yes, please do another video with SPR. My dad has a W211 E200 Kompressor with the same engine, so some of this will be directly applicable, although I'm not sure if a W211 will have the same underbody foibles as on a C209.

Merc Specialist For the North East. Phil @ Staithes Garage. Dunston, Gateshead. 👍🏻

Cars are luxury items. You can either have a new one and pay through depreciation, or simply maintain and old one.

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Exactly 👍👍

I didn't like doing any jobs on the mercs we've had in the family, be it this age or older, they need someone who knows how to work on mercs. My grandma had one of these but a 2.7d.. I found the lack of driving feel made for a nerve wracking drive when getting a move on, but it was a decent car otherwise.

Get your credit card out. Just had my wife’s SLK done by a specialist cost me £2000 as they unearthed lots of little issues. Even though it’s only done 60k and has been serviced by Mercedes every year

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

These things do accumulate. I guess it depends if you want your car working the way it should. Mercedes dealers don't always do the best checks on the older cars so I'd not be surprised if they'd missed those things. Big bill on yours but as I say, they're complex luxury cars so it's to be expected really

Really great content with my favorite car. timing chain service? i did it in 540.000 km ! no way in 100.000 miles!

@JJonCars

5 күн бұрын

Thank you!

@vikfox8

5 күн бұрын

trust me is not true that the clk need to do the timing chain in 100.000 miles.. Some new mercedeses with renault engine only..the factory manual says 100.000, but only the renaoult engines... the Clk ? is a bulletproof engines. just drive the hell of it

@JJonCars

5 күн бұрын

@@vikfox8 which engine though? We were specifically talking about the M271 in the 200 Kompressor. Other engines are far more robust in that area :)

@vikfox8

4 күн бұрын

@@JJonCars exactly that engine, m271 kompressor 200 w209. i have exaclty the same car. my mechanich which was mercedes mechanick in germany. says that the timing chan can go over 500.000. in my city there are many CLKs 200 kompressor. trust me there si no one who needed to do the chain after 100.000 no way. theM271 is bullet proof engine. just put miles and miles no problem. mine has 560.000 km and still pulls great

@vikfox8

4 күн бұрын

@@JJonCars mercedes company reported that the new a class with renaoult engines they might need timing chain replacement after 100.000 miles. not the Clk which is one of the most relieble cars ever. what your mechanich said i am sorry but is tottaly false

May i ask? Do you use e5 or e10 in your CLK?

@JJonCars

5 күн бұрын

I use E10. I'm not necessarily recommending that, but so far no issues whatsoever. And I know Europe has had that experiment going for longer and I've not heard of any issues with CLKs run on E10 there :)

Do you get a strange feeling when you see someone else driving your car? For the last 2 annual services of my car, it's been collected from my house and then returned (all done and dusted!) later in the day. It certainly feels strange to me to see someone else behind the wheel, driving my car off down the road! 🤷

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Yes, in some ways (though not quite ..) it feels like you're lending someone your pants 😂 you get so used to that car being part of you that it can be a bit weird. I've kinda gotten over it after lending it to Lot76 for a review though

Im planning to buy a 20 year old Merc/Jag and only get work done by a guy with less teeth than toes, then i will complain to everyone that its not worth getting something you love and everyone should drive a Toyota Yaris instead....- that seems to be half of all forums for luxury cars

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Hahahaha exactly right 😂

Did you get new spark plugs? May I ask which ones? Do you have the exact specification? I found conflicting information online.

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

I did, but I'm not sure what they are exactly. What I do know is that they are, weirdly, for either the 200K or the AMG55. And they're Bosch. If I do find out I'll let you know

@coolcat23

4 күн бұрын

@@JJonCars Thanks a lot in advance!

@JJonCars

3 күн бұрын

This is the part number on the invoice :) A0041594503

@coolcat23

3 күн бұрын

@@JJonCars Thanks! That rhymes with information I found. That's most likely a Platinum Bosch (FR 6 MPP 332) then. An NGK alternative apparently is the Iridium ILFR6A. AFAIK Iridium plugs have the potential to last a bit longer.

@JJonCars

3 күн бұрын

@@coolcat23 No probs! Yep - FR6MPP332 is also mentioned on there :) Thing with spark plugs lasting a long time is, it kinda becomes moot, as you need to take them out every few years to avoid them getting stuck in there. The ones I had in were a bit stiff and squeaky coming out but in terms of condition were fine!

I don't suppose a plucky old '05 1.6 Civic is worth taking to a specialist? 😄 I'm one of the people who can't be bothered, I'm either servicing it myself or take it to any of the local garages.

@JJonCars

4 күн бұрын

Haha, in your case with that car, you're doing the right thing :) it's a honda too so it will keep on trucking whatever you throw at it

Could you give an idea in the cost of difference for this B service between a specialist and a local garage. Are we talking above 50% more expensive?

@Millennial_Manc

5 күн бұрын

@@malmond5369 Their indicative servicing prices are on their website plus a load of other common stuff like gearbox services / suspension / brakes / air con

@JJonCars

5 күн бұрын

As Millennial Manc says, best way to find out is to check SPRs website :) as prices can vary from indies, and between different specialists

@malmond5369

5 күн бұрын

Yes I’ve seen their prices before I commented. It’s definitely relative between each garage. One interesting question or video idea would be able whether you would recommend to the everyday kind of person for a specialised garage. It’s a nuanced question but if you had a CLK, presumably if you just had a few hundred spare, would you opt for the higher end service or would you just part way for a cheaper alternative. Although they have these fancier tools, if it’s about old cars and basic parts being replaced, I don’t feel compelled paying £750 whereas another garage would do it for £400. Perhaps the best answer is once every 2 years you could go to them?

@Millennial_Manc

5 күн бұрын

@@malmond5369 That’s a false binary isn’t it? I went to a different Mercedes specialist in Manchester and they literally nearly killed me because of what they did to a fuel line. You can’t group specialists and back street mechanics and compare them as there’s no consistency.

@malmond5369

5 күн бұрын

@@Millennial_Manc interesting comment. I did offer a binary quality level between specialists and local garages. Seems like your comment indicates that’s not the case and best to stick to a local garage whom is reputable

in and around nottingham, the merc specialists are full of shit. they charge in some cases more than the mercedes dealership and in other cases they have no clue what they're doing. if you want to save money you need to find a garage that doesnt charge an arm and a leg for labor and buy the parts yourself either from mercedes or aftermarket (autodoc)