CLK 55 or C55

[caliboy]

hey guys just had a question.... I will be getting rid of my c230 ss soon my sister or dad may be taking over the payments at the end of the year. I like both the clk55208 or 209 or C55, but I don't know which I would go for. Price range will be about 45000-40000. what do you guys think. I like 4 door convenience, but the interior of the C55 will be too much like my current car don't you think and I've never had a coupe, but I heard these cars are kinda cramped. Performance I know they are about equal(209 and c55, not that 208 is a slug either) so either one of the cars is fine. I also worry about depreciation, but then again I will be leasing unless I get a really good priced 208 at the end of the year. Never driven either one of the above and looking forward to driving clk55209 soon Opinions? One more thing for those of you with the w209 newer body style have people made comments that the car looks too feminine relative to the w208?

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[dennism13]

coupe vs sedan? I guess it really depends on your needs. If sedan convenience doesn't buy you anything I prefer the coupe. I don't know how tall you are, but the rear of the w208 is suprisingly comfortable. Compared to my friend's 3 series, it feels huge. Plus the fact you can only seat 2 in the rear makes it that much more roomy. If you need to fit three in the back, then you have to go C.

w208 vs. w209? I personally like the exterior of the w208, it has angles that look more aggressive compared to the w209. On the other hand I really like the w209's interior compared to the w208. Wish they didn't move all the controls from near the shifter on the w209. Now it's more of a japanese style with all the control stuff on the door, compared to german with everything in the middle.

One gripe I have on the w208, is that they never came out with projector headlamps. Also the navi looks better on the newer models. If I were looking for a w208 now, I'd look for a year with the multifunction steering wheel or newer.

Good luck on your search.

[Stiggs]

I used to love the look of the W208.....still do. It always gets my attention when I see them on the road. It will always be a classic.....so don't worry about that. As far as the W209 being feminine? I don't think so....gee I hope not. I think the W209 seems to get more looks than the W208.....probably only because its newer. I bought the W209 because I wanted to buy new and not used. I say go for the W209 and stay away from the C55. Have you seen the tailpipes on the C55? They look like little baby tailpipes from a CLK. Its like 00 compared to OO. I wouldn't get one for that reason alone.

[BiTurboBenz]

I would get a 2001-2003 low-mileage CLK55, whichever body you like better.

[clkcadet]

either is hot! why not compromise with a clk500 people really underestimate it it only has about 60 less horsepower! it looks almost identical to a 55.....just my 2 cents

[Learso]

Instead of trying to convince you of anything, let me just tell you why I bouhgt my CLK55. I was at the time thinking of the new M3. It had all the makings of a great car. Fast: The M3 was poised to have the same if not better acceleration than a 911 except with two full seats in the back to hold a couple of hotties if you chose to. For me that was key at the time as I had just finished selling my Lotus Elan and was enough of two seaters. I wanted to drive with my friends in the back and have a car that was flexible enough to be useful in the city. The M3 was what I saw first but when it came out I found two things that turned me off a bit. First it was the very loud exhaust tunes that came out of the back. They were not something that would be acceptable say if you wanted to drive your grandma around town. It was a nice sound but a bit too sporty for my taste. The other thing that turned me off is that they marketing campaign was so big for the car and the price so well positioned that it was sure to be in every other middle income household garage around town, not to mention the college kids. I love the CLK55 conceptually. Elegance, sporty (fastest production MB at the time), coupe (was not married yet and I wanted to accentuate
that), reliable, and exclusive enough. Anyway, while I still had the M3 on order I went by the MB dealer one day and saw my car parked outside on the lot. It had been return with 5000 by a older doctor type that just did not need the excess roar and jerk when he pushed the gas pedel. It was a point of no return for me when I drove it. I fell in love right away. The lines of the car, all the little details that you don't see that are built into it and the size, more agile than the large CLs. Anyway, I still think that for the price its the best car out there for me. If MB recreates the 209 55 to reflect its racing ambitions I would buy it all over again. I have three MBs now and I don't know if I would buy anything else (with the exception of a Turbo S and a 340 Modena later on down the line with I have the coin to shed easily). The clk55 is part of my regular diet now and I am quite happy with its overall reliability. In the consumer report recently published, the 01 CLK was listed as being the most reliable of all the CLKs to date. Well, that's my story and I am sticking to it.

Good luck!

Learso (PS: My Rolex Daytona Black Face in Stainless Steel just arrived, I am paying retail!!! yaaaaahoooo!!!!!) :p

[mtimmy]

CLK55........,.,,. being hated to those don't know., think you are still in a C class.

[cracker123]

I think CLK is a different car compared to the C-Class, it is more refined compared to the C. C is also a great car.

[BiTurboBenz]

Originally Posted by mtimmy

CLK55........,.,,. being hated to those don't know., think you are still in a C class.

A CLK55 can only be truly appreciated by 0.01% of the U.S. driving population - probably much higher in Europe.

That is what I bought one!!!

[Stiggs]

Originally Posted by mtimmy

CLK55........,.,,. being hated to those don't know., think you are still in a C class.

Just because they use the same platform doesn't mean we are in the same "class".

[dennism13]

Not getting too many responses from the C guys.

caliboy, did you post something similar in the AMG C forum?

[cldriver]

If the ~ $15K price difference between C55 and the CLK55 is not an issue and you like the looks of the CLK55 more, then go for the CLK. Performance wise, they are pretty much even. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the w209 chassis based on a modified w203 chassis? The only reason I can think of for the price difference between the 2 cars is marketing.

I have a C55 and considered the M3. If the CLK55 was in a similar price range, it would have been a no-brainer for me. I preferred the V8 torque/growl over the higher revving M3 I-6. I didn't like the way the I-6 sounded any way and from car reviews, the C55 ride quality seemed more suitable since I don't plan on auto-x. I am very happy with the car and don't think I am really missing that much from the CLK55.

Go to the dealer, check out the 2 in person, test drive them both. No-one will know better than you which will be the right choice.

[BlackC230Coupe]

There both cool. I like the fact of having a quick 4 door car. But i also love the CLK55. If i was getting a new car all over, i would get the SLK55 tho. That 7 speed is cool!

[mtimmy]

Do Slk55 comes with 7 speed?... or no...

[BlackC230Coupe]

Originally Posted by mtimmy

Do Slk55 comes with 7 speed?... or no...

They do.

[DbleNckel]

Originally Posted by Stiggs

Have you seen the tailpipes on the C55? They look like little baby tailpipes from a CLK. Its like 00 compared to OO. I wouldn't get one for that reason alone.

ditto on that!!! it bugs me!! even the SLK55 has the big ones!!! ....I'm gonna try to see if I can either order those tips from the dealer or see if any CLK55(w209) forum member that's planning to get an aftermarket exhaust so I can buy theirs cut and weld the tips onto my C55..I measured my rear diffuser and it's gonna be a tight fit!! gotta make certain it's not too snug or else my bumper will melt :p

[BlackC230Coupe]

I agree, the C55 tips are kind of small. But thats only when comparing them to all the other 55 cars which can look VERY big. But i like them big! :p I am just waiting for Eisenhaus to come out with their damn exhaust for the C55 so i can have 83mm tips!

[AMG///Merc]

First, I would seriously consider the $15000 price difference that CLdriver mentioned between the two. That's a pretty big chunk of change. But, on the flip side of that, you really ought to try to get the car that you like the most. If the CLK55 turns out to cost too much, then you can consider the C55...

Also, I had to make a comment about the whole CLK55 being "Just a C-class", as a lot of people like to remind us. With all due respect to the C-class, the two cars are very different. Like Stiggs mentioned, just because the share the same platform doesn't mean that they are the same car. The interior's totally different, as is the engine (I'm excluding the C55 as the C55 is also a different animal than the other C's, albeit not quite as different as the CLK), and even the body is different. Again, I don't mean to disrespect the C-class, but anyone who trys to say that they are the same cars have never been in a CLK...

Good luck with your decision... You'll be happy with whatever you buy!


Best regards,
Matt

[BlackC230Coupe]

Originally Posted by AMG///Merc

First, I would seriously consider the $15000 price difference that CLdriver mentioned between the two. That's a pretty big chunk of change. But, on the flip side of that, you really ought to try to get the car that you like the most. If the CLK55 turns out to cost too much, then you can consider the C55...

Also, I had to make a comment about the whole CLK55 being "Just a C-class", as a lot of people like to remind us. With all due respect to the C-class, the two cars are very different. Like Stiggs mentioned, just because the share the same platform doesn't mean that they are the same car. The interior's totally different, as is the engine (I'm excluding the C55 as the C55 is also a different animal than the other C's, albeit not quite as different as the CLK), and even the body is different. Again, I don't mean to disrespect the C-class, but anyone who trys to say that they are the same cars have never been in a CLK...

Good luck with your decision... You'll be happy with whatever you buy!


Best regards,
Matt

I have been driven a CLK500 and CLK55 (W209) quite a few times. Yes, the interior is different, but its the only Mercedes that resembels a C class inside and out. Nothing bad about that, i dont know why people want to act like the CLK is so different. Maybe its because when u spend more u just assume there going to be differet. The CLK is no CL55 which looks nothing like the C does unlike comparing the CLK to the C.

[dennism13]

Originally Posted by BlackC230Coupe

Yes, the interior is different, but its the only Mercedes that resembels a C class inside and out. .

I will agree the newer style clk is similar to a same year c, but the w208 body does not look the same as a similar year c. The interior is also a bit different between the w208 and its c-counterpart. The c is what they usually give me as a loaner during scheduled service. I'm not saying one is better or worse, just different.

(04c - 04clk - 02clk - 02c order of pics left to right)

[caliboy]

Guys thanks for all of your replies. I really appreciate the help, but guess what after reading all of these posts I have decided to go and test drive all three cars w208 clk 55 w209 clk 55 and the c55 just scheduled the clk w209 first this upcoming week and I will let you guys know how that goes. I may also try the clk 500. That comparison uptop is really good showing all of the fronts and angles of all these cars. It's tough they al look great. I'm now leaning more towards the clk.... which one I don't know. I'l keep you guys posted. BTW i don't think the c55 pipes are that small, although f they could do quad exhausts like the cl or sl pipes that would look hottttttt!!!!!.

Clk guys any realiablity concerns from each model.......... thinking of cpo 2000-2005. Eg everyone knows that earlier c classes were plagued with electrical probems..... any gripes with the clk's of the above years. Major things to watch out for. Don't remeber reading any electrical problems with these cars on any car mags or consumer reports although they still don't recommend the car....... They usually never recomend any benzes.

[dennism13]

Originally Posted by caliboy

Clk guys any realiablity concerns from each model

Here's a list of what i've had to fix (all under warranty since August 2001)
1. radio pwr button didn't work during 1st week (replaced radio)
2. air conditioning hose not fully connected 1st month (reattached)
3. fog lamps burned out one side at a time every six months (replaced both units after the third bulb blown)
4. driver side seat motor died after 3.5 years (replaced motor)
5. transmission indicator (P-R-D-4-3 etc) maybe 3-4 months ago in instrument cluster had intermittent pixels on and off (replaced)

Besides #3, no repeat problems (knock on wood ) Still need to see if affected by recent recalls.

[BlackC230Coupe]

Originally Posted by dennism13

I will agree the newer style clk is similar to a same year c, but the w208 body does not look the same as a similar year c. The interior is also a bit different between the w208 and its c-counterpart. The c is what they usually give me as a loaner during scheduled service. I'm not saying one is better or worse, just different.

(04c - 04clk - 02clk - 02c order of pics left to right)

well, the W202 C class and the W208 CLK have pretty much the identical interior. Which is the car the W208 is based on, so its not really right to compare it to the W203.

Personally, when i get in my CLK430, i find the interior so boring and dull. I liked the interior of my old C230 coupe better then it!

I still love the W208s, but they are to outdated in many ways IMO.

[dennism13]

Originally Posted by BlackC230Coupe

well, the W202 C class and the W208 CLK have pretty much the identical interior. Which is the car the W208 is based on, so its not really right to compare it to the W203.

I agree, but I only compared by year because I think he originally requested '55s, so didn't want to throw in something else. It maybe the interior is the same, but IMO the exterior seems even more different between the 202 and 208 (just looks). Interior, as I said earlier, goes to the newer models, but i just can't get into the 209 as the replacement for the 208. It seems to have an E butt and a C front end, and didn't keep any CLK.

I guess all I meant to say was that, to me, the 208 body looks different enough not to confuse with other models when you see it driving down the street.

[rguy]

I can't really see what all the clamoring is about here. The w209 is a w203 chassis platform with a coupe body construction on it, that is no one has ever disagreed with me here. I am kind of suprised to see this kind of hating on the w203 amg. From the front glass forward, the car IS a w209 AMG. AMG plasma cuts the front off of the w203 and welds a w209 front end onto the edges of the firewall.

I don't know, same engine, same performance, same tranny, same front clip, same brakes, same wheels, same tires, anybody noticing a trend here? I could go on, but I don't think I want to run down all the common part numbers between the two. You guys paid the extra 15k for mostly image. You might have one or two extra features like automatic climate control, but we have everything else you do: nappa leather, black birdseye maple wood, steering wheel shifters, leather steering wheel, full leather seats, alcantara seat inserts, widescreen comand availability, voice activated and hands free mb phone, harmon kardon logic 7 stereo, 6cd changer in the glove compartment, auxillary input for mp3 players, embroidered plush amg mats, textured aluminized pedals, seat heaters, power seats, amg 200 mph and tach gauges blah, blah, blah, blah.

Somebody please explain to me why so many don't want to be considered to be like the c55. Personally, I think you guys overpaid, but then, that is why I bought my c55. I had a w208 and it looked good for its time, and it was arguably the best looking car that benz had produced up until that time. I mean that sincerely. I can't really say that about the w209. I think the lines are kind of awkward and I never even considered it because its looks didn't jive with my sense of beauty. Looks are obviously very subjective. Seriously though, do some of you guys really think that the c amg is inferior? If you do, have you seen/driven/sat in one? Not in pictures or magazine road tests mind you, but in the metal so to speak? Like I said, I am confused. I thought we were all one big happy family. I never would have started posting crap about your fraternal cars on my own, but somebody decided to make a stink.