When speaking to my dealer earlier in the week to confirm that I won't be paying $7,500 over sticker for my CLK500 like some other saps at my dealership are paying, he told me that there would be a CLK320 at my dealership today (Thursday) and that if I wanted to stop by and take a look, I'd be free to.

So I got breakfast with my dad, and headed over the dealership around 10:00am. What do I see when I arrive? Not the 320 that my dealer told me would be there, but a 500. Oh yes, a 500. It was silver, with a light-gray interior. While I didn't get a chance to sit inside, I still got a good feel for the car.

The first thing I noticed from the side was how "open" the car looks, even with the windows up. The pillarless windows look great, and give the car a very distinct look. The front of the car is noticbly smaller than a CL, but in no way looks "insignificant". The one thing that the numerous moron Mercedes salesmen that I've spoken to over the past few month have told me is that the car looks like a mini-CL. I definitely agree. Its somewhat scaled down, but the car is very classy, very sporty.

The rear of the car was the only part I wasn't wild about. It looks a lot better in person than in pictures I've seen (and better than the one below), but still does not have the appeal of the W208's.

To sum it up, seeing the car in person was an extremely gratifying experience, and I'm anticipating its arrival a lot more than before this morning. I personally find the car a lot more visually appealing than the W208, although some say its too "plain" looking. Its has a very modern look to it [der.. I know that's probably a stupid comment], and is sure to turn heads.

If anybody's got more questions about the car for someone who has seen it in person (and doesn't mind raving about it), contact me on AIM @ likuidM5. Enjoy the pictures!

 

nice

 

The front..

 

the side..

 

the back.. i'll definitely be purchasing the AMG 'fin' when it becomes available..

 

mmmmmmmm

 

I second that! It's a gorgeous car!

 

how come the gap between the wheel and the front is so big compared ot the back?

otherwise, the car looks great

 

I agree why is there such a gap in the front tire well

 

Pics are wonderful, thank you :P I have to agree w/ the extra space in the front tirewells though...could it possibly be a suspension feature because in the following picture:

http://www.germancarfans.com/photola...001&Photo=1040

the space is gone when the car is moving. however, when the car is still as in this picture:

http://www.germancarfans.com/photola...001&Photo=1004

there is space. just something to throw out there...i'm not really sure. someone with more knowledge please tell

 

oh yeah i almost forgot...i noticed the windows don't seem to be tinted at all. does anyone know if we can get factory tinting? i don't want to have some cheap aftermarket job done...

also, if it is not available, does anyone know where a good tint job can be done in the VA area...possibly purchase new tinted glass? thanks

 

I forgot to mention that in my writeup.. I noticed as well that there was no tinting done with the windows. I was under the impression that the CLK500's were coming with a slight-blue tint (opposed to blacked out)?

 

its looks to me like it has that slight blueish tint, but i havent seen one in person. it looks like the new clk is smaller then the current model...I mean length and width wise, how was in person liquid? is it bigger then the C class by much?

 

Honestly, I did not notice a tint when I saw it in person.

When you say "smaller", in a sense, it is smaller than the W208. The car has a much sleeker look, and does look 'slimmed down'. However, if you compare numbers - I believe it is actually higher, longer, and wider than the 2002 model.

 

That's correct figures do point out that the car is wider, higher and longer.

The picture taken; did it have the sports kit on it?
Is that the twist along the side skirting and a more pronounced front spoiler?

The photos posted at german car fans
http://www.germancarfans.com/photol....001&Photo=1040
and http://www.germancarfans.com/photol....001&Photo=1004
thanks 500AMG!
Is it true that the first goesn't have the sports kit, and the second one does?
What is the difference between the AMG kit and the sports kit?

Sorry about all the questions. Thankyou liquidM5 for going to the trouble of posting these pictures- they are very good.

 

That car looks hot...Liquid, what dealership were you at? Was it Ray Catena? Write me at slika@lehman.com w/ the details, I wanna go today.

Thanks,

 

Yes, that is the AMG package or sports package...

 

It does look great but I have to admit that I am not 100% sold. I have decided to keep my '02 CLK430 until I can see the W209 in person. I imagine there was such a large gap on the fron tire b/c the vehicle had probably been up on a track. I remember when I had my rims added to my '00 and my '01, when they put it back on the ground it looked the same way. Just a guess- hoping that is the case b/c it is a HUGE gap.
ps I know this is unrelated, but if anyone is interested in a Hummer H2 allocation please let me know. I have decided not to buy it b/c it wouldn't fit so well in my garage. I am not trying to make any money on this so just let me know and I can replace your name w/ mine. It is black w/ tan leather, luxury package, and all brush guards. I believe it will be about $56k sticker. These spots have sold on Ebay already for almost $14k. If you take the spot, please do not flip it as I could have done the same.

 

The pix r looking nice. Can't wait to see it in person. I can only imagine this car on 19s with tint and oh my god. It's gonna be a phat ride.

bling bling

lilraja

 

Hey Likuid5, I sat in the same car that you took photos of! The car was phenominal! They had it next to the CL 500 in silver and my dealer wanted to get the CL out of there because it does not compare! The CLK 500 is the hottest car by Mercedes to date. It was so georgious, I went crazy! This is definetely an eye catcher and you will be noticed in this car!

I personally liked the rear of the car. I thought it was nice, but I don't like how the plate goes on in the back like it's caved in. Other than that, it looked unbelievable. I was screaming at the bend dealers that this was a TEASE! I'm going crazy now for the car. I am so bad now, I can't sleep. That is how you know the car was unbelievable. I am glad you took the pictures likuid5. I was pissed that I didn't bring my camera, but you got me the memories now!

I spoke with the rep from Mercedes who brought the car down and he said that right now the cars are being built in Germany and should be here no later than the first or second week in August. It is possible to get one in late July he did say.

He also told me that he's seen the aluminum trim and two-tone seats and it is very beautiful. He stated that it's a very high quality aluminum and the pictures do not do it justice.

I can't wait for this dam car! Hope these questions helped. By the way, I sat in it, started up the car with the START BUTTON on the shifter! It was so kewl! The car had the grey interior which I'm not fond of, but it did look good.

One thing for you BMW people, BENZS come straight off the boat from Germany and that is the final and only assembly, a true German car. BMW's final assembly takes place in America. That sucks!

Ciao,

"The Don"

 

NOT ALLL BMWS r assembled in usa. ONLY z3 and x5s. No, 3/5/7/m cars ever assembled in usa. As for Benz they are made in usa as well in alabama MLs that is.

Honestly BMWs are real nice cars, just like Benzs. They are different catagories however people like to compare them always for some reason. u will notice most lawyers will buy bmws and doctors will buy Benz. BMWs qualtiy is good and for people who are money conscious/value oriented prefer the bmw over the benz. But they could afford a benz if they wanted to.

But anyway, let's just see how my things pan out, it will only tell what cars i have in my future.

LIL Raja

 

Haha.. I know the feeling buddy. I've yet to loose any sleep over it, but I've certainly been dreaming about the car nightly (something about.. me and 3 drop dead Maxim-quality ladies... ?). I was really glowing all day after seeing it, and did make a few schoolgirl-like outbursts that we don't have to get into.

As far as BENZES vs. BIMMERS, I saw my friend who moved to Connecticut last night for the first time in months. While showing him pictures of the car, he told me it was sick, but why not consider an M3? I told him it really wasn't a question after seeing the CLK500 in person. Later in the night he took me for a drive in his Jetta (w/racing chip, exhaust) and I almost shat myself. Driving with him showed me why he was pulling for an M3, and why based on my driving style alone, I wouldn't consider getting an M3 over the 500.

 

Another thing that I noticed on the car which I forgot to mention before was that the door-handles had 2 buttons on them. Picture wrapping your hand around the handle as if you were going to pull it open. There was 1 button by where your thumb would be, and one button by the middle-knuckle of your other 4 fingers (on the 'inside' of the handle).

Anybody know what these buttons are for? Is this for keyless go?

 

Hey likuid, will the 55AMG fin for the rear deck really be available for a mod on the 500? If so, how difficult will it be to add?

 

Above is a picture of the AMG 'fin'.. I think it looks hot, and really makes the back of the car look much much better. I'm really not sure at the moment where to get it, but I'm sure it won't be too hard to find once the CLK is released to the public.

Anybody have an idea of how much it may cost? $100? $500?