2009 Mercedes Benz C300 vs. 2009 Mercedes Benz CLK350
A new 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 will cost you around $30,000. Cost and value have bonded well in the C Class, attracting new Mercedes owners in recent years – 60% were buying one for the first time in 2007. The CLK class developed as a progression from the C Class. Is the new 2009 CLK350, worth the extra cost of progress?
One valuable detail in today’s automobile market: mpg. The 2009
Mercedes Benz C300 ranges from the low-20’s in the city to the
high-20’s on the open road, whether this is a good thing or a bad thing
depends on which vehicle/class you are researching. Another thing:
forget that Baby Benz stuff, it is spacious enough to fit you, your
family, and luggage. A seating capacity of five calls for some “family
car” talk.
The 2009 Mercedes Benz CLK350 is dubbed a 2+2 car. With many vehicles,
this 2+2 seating may equal four passengers, but the second two will
need to be kids or patient adults. This is not the case with the
CLK350; bring some friends and go for a ride. With 268 bhp, you and your friends can get where you need to go on time, though the 228 bhp C300 should not be too far behind either.
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| 2008 Mercedes Benz CLK Model Line Overview | |
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| Model lineup: | Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Coupe ($46,450); CLK350 Cabriolet ($54,500); CLK550 Coupe ($55,150); CLK550 Cabriolet ($63,200); CLK63 AMG Cabriolet ($89,500); CLK63 AMG Black Series ($135,000) |
| Engines: | 268-hp 3.5-liter dohc 24-valveV6; 382-hp 5.5-liter dohc 32-valve V8; 475-hp 6.3-liter dohc 32-valve V8 |
| Transmissions: | 7-speed automatic |
| Safety equipment (standard): | dual two-stage front-impact airbags; front passenger side-impact torso airbags (coupe) or head and torso airbags (convertible); curtain-style, full cabin head protection airbags (coupe); automatic-deploying roll bars (cabriolet); Tele Aid emergency communication; antilock brakes with brake assist; electronic stability program |
| Safety equipment (optional): | rear passenger side-impact airbags ($390) |
| Basic warranty: | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled in: | Osnabrueck, Germany |
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| Specifications As Tested | |
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| Model tested (MSRP): | Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Coupe ($46,450) |
| Standard equipment: | dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen and dust filter; leather upholstery; 10-way power-adjustable front seats; power tilt/telescope steering wheel; 3-setting memory for front seats, steering wheel and exterior mirrors; 6-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo; one-touch up/down power windows; keyless remote locking; trip computer |
| Options as tested (MSRP): | Sport Appearance Package ($490) includes sport suspension, cross-drilled brake rotors and ten-spoke alloy wheels; heated front seats ($700) |
| Destination charge: | ($875) |
| Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
| Price as tested (MSRP): | $48,415 |
| Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
| Engine: | 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 268 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 258 @ 2400 |
| Transmission: | 7-speed TouchShift automatic |
| EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | 19/28 mpg |
| Wheelbase: | 106.9 in. |
| Length/width/height: | 183.2/68.5/55.4 in. |
| Track, f/r: | 58.9/58.0 in. |
| Turning circle: | 35.3 ft. |
| Seating capacity: | 4 |
| Head/hip/leg room, f: | 37.1/53.7/42.0 in. |
| Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
| Head/hip/leg room, r: | 35.8/45.9/33.0 in. |
| Cargo volume: | 10.4 cu. ft. |
| Payload: | N/A |
| Towing capacity: | N/A |
| Suspension, f: | independent three-link, coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, r: | independent five-link, coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Ground clearance: | 3585 in. |
| Curb weight: | N/A |
| Tires: | 225/45ZR17 front; 245/40ZR17 rear |
| Brakes, f/r: | vented disc/disc with ABS and Brake Assist |
| Fuel capacity: | 16.4 gal. |
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| 2008 C-Class Model Line Overview | |
| Model lineup: | Mercedes-Benz C300; C350 |
| Engines: | 228-hp 2.8-liter V6; 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 |
| Transmissions: | 7-speed automatic; 6-speed manual |
| Safety equipment (standard): | frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, curtain airbags; electronic stability control, traction control, ABS, EBD, Pre-Safe |
| Safety equipment (optional): | none |
| Basic warranty: | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled in: | Sindelfingen, Germany |
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| Specifications As Tested | |
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| Model tested (MSRP): | Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport |
| Standard equipment: | N/A |
| Options as tested (MSRP): | N/A |
| Destination charge: | N/A |
| Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
| Price as tested (MSRP): | N/A |
| Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
| Engine: | 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 268 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 258 @ 2400 |
| Transmission: | 7-speed automatic |
| EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | N/A |
| Wheelbase: | 108.7 in. |
| Length/width/height: | 180.4/69.7/57.0 in. |
| Track, f/r: | 60.4/60.5 in. |
| Turning circle: | 35.4 ft. |
| Seating capacity: | 5 |
| Head/hip/leg room, f: | 37.1/52.3/41.7 in. |
| Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
| Head/hip/leg room, r: | 36.9/54.9/33.4 in. |
| Cargo volume: | 17.6 cu. ft. |
| Payload: | N/A |
| Towing capacity: | N/A |
| Suspension, f: | independent, coil springs, gas struts, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, r: | independent. five-link with coil springs, gas shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Ground clearance: | N/A |
| Curb weight: | 3498 lbs. |
| Tires: | P225/40ZR-17 front; P245/40ZR-17 rear |
| Brakes, f/r: | disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist |
| Fuel capacity: | 17.4 gal. |
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