1st Impression
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Tampa, Fl
CLK55 and Yukon Denali
1st Impression
I dropped by the dealership to see if my car was in yet. Although I did not see my car I did see some new CLK320's (w209) and the CLK500. As someone posted earlier in the month- it looks deceivinglysmall. I saw it in white (320 and 500) and black (320). I realize that it is slightly larger.
I have to say that the 320 def. needs the sports package- it doesn't seem like a finished product. Although I only saw light colored interiors (stone and light grey) I think that it does look like there is a whole lotta plastic goin' on. I do like the car and will definately buy mine- but I am not sure I am going to trade in my 2002 CLK430. I think I may hang on to it to make sure the 500 grows on me a bit. If not I will get rid of the 500 and add Lorinser rims/Lorinser kit/ and exhaust...
The car does have nice lines, but it doesn't carry the same weight. For instance, on the white 500 the black plastic strip (which I thought was mesh in the photos) on the back looks kinda cheap. Maybe it won't stand out on the black. The 500's fully loaded are in the 60's and it just seems that the vehicle could use a little more quality.
That being said, I cannot wait to drive it and get it into my garage to see if the partiality of a "5 W208 Owner" isn't clouding my jusdgement too much... My 2 cents.
I have to say that the 320 def. needs the sports package- it doesn't seem like a finished product. Although I only saw light colored interiors (stone and light grey) I think that it does look like there is a whole lotta plastic goin' on. I do like the car and will definately buy mine- but I am not sure I am going to trade in my 2002 CLK430. I think I may hang on to it to make sure the 500 grows on me a bit. If not I will get rid of the 500 and add Lorinser rims/Lorinser kit/ and exhaust...
The car does have nice lines, but it doesn't carry the same weight. For instance, on the white 500 the black plastic strip (which I thought was mesh in the photos) on the back looks kinda cheap. Maybe it won't stand out on the black. The 500's fully loaded are in the 60's and it just seems that the vehicle could use a little more quality.
That being said, I cannot wait to drive it and get it into my garage to see if the partiality of a "5 W208 Owner" isn't clouding my jusdgement too much... My 2 cents.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 515
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From: Tampa, Fl
CLK55 and Yukon Denali
I can get by the dealership on Wed. and I will def. take some shots for you. The interior of the white is light grey. I need to figure this digital camera ting out anyway.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: NJ
Originally posted by Benzo
I can get by the dealership on Wed. and I will def. take some shots for you. The interior of the white is light grey. I need to figure this digital camera ting out anyway.
I can get by the dealership on Wed. and I will def. take some shots for you. The interior of the white is light grey. I need to figure this digital camera ting out anyway.
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From: florida/california
2003 CLK500
'lurking' for awhile; enjoy this site and the information from all. Today got my CKL500 (ordered months ago), and really quite impressed. (Drove it for a few hours, then left for final prepping; so didn't have time to explore nuances as of yet).
First observations; much improved torsional rigidity compared to my preceding CLK430; incredible steering (finally with tile and telescopic), and at last a smaller steering wheel. Brakes superb; acceleration notably snappier than the 430, and instrumentation more detailed. Seems like they engineered much more into this, at the same time there are little nitpicks, like just one cupholder; but that's minor compared to the overall taughtness and greater finesse compared to the former model.
Mine (in the FYI department) is black, charcoal, with basically every option other than distronic. Nothing explored as of yet, just the impression of a car that isn't at all disappointing compared to expectations (which were lowered a bit by some perceptions of the styling; though I find nothing objectionable about it), and in fact seems mechanically more advnanced than expected.
First observations; much improved torsional rigidity compared to my preceding CLK430; incredible steering (finally with tile and telescopic), and at last a smaller steering wheel. Brakes superb; acceleration notably snappier than the 430, and instrumentation more detailed. Seems like they engineered much more into this, at the same time there are little nitpicks, like just one cupholder; but that's minor compared to the overall taughtness and greater finesse compared to the former model.
Mine (in the FYI department) is black, charcoal, with basically every option other than distronic. Nothing explored as of yet, just the impression of a car that isn't at all disappointing compared to expectations (which were lowered a bit by some perceptions of the styling; though I find nothing objectionable about it), and in fact seems mechanically more advnanced than expected.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Tampa, Fl
CLK55 and Yukon Denali
Originally posted by CLKfanatic
BENZO YOU ARE THE MAN!!! I also ordered mine in grey interior, thank you so much.....please try to take as many pics as you can...I'm sorry if I'm asking too much....its just that I am itching to see it in white since I am still debating between the M3 and the CLK500, do you mind taking a dead on shot of the front, back, and side, thanks again....I owe you one
BENZO YOU ARE THE MAN!!! I also ordered mine in grey interior, thank you so much.....please try to take as many pics as you can...I'm sorry if I'm asking too much....its just that I am itching to see it in white since I am still debating between the M3 and the CLK500, do you mind taking a dead on shot of the front, back, and side, thanks again....I owe you one
