I went to the dealership and worked out the lease agreements... and drove my CLK500!!!
First look at my car, I realized I made a fabulous choice!! The Black Opal is a great color!! The car did look a little bit smaller than the W208, and MB didn't really butch it up enough, but I still think it is a better looking car than the previous version...
The bi-xenon headlight system looks great also. The Magnifying lenses look nothing like the ones on Lexus.
One question ny salesperson couldn't really answer... How come the brake calipers on the front wheels differ from the ones on the back? The front ones are nicer and has "Mercedes-Benz" logo printed on them but the back ones are just big pieces of metal.
And the Keyless go entry is very cool, although Im' not quite sure it is worth $1100...
As I went inside, I looked at my dealer saying "this is not eh black byrdseye trim like you told me!!" But the Burl Walnut wood didn't look that bad with my ash interior either. The interior was much nicer than I expected. It wasn't 'plasticky' at all...
The stereo system is great, better than the ones in CLK430.
Now let's talk about driving...We went onto the Plaisades Pkwy from the Englewood exit and got off at Alpine exit, and the Acceleration was great!!! I tried to pass this SUV and hit the gas pedal, and without even noticing it I went over 100 mph very easily. I couldn't go any faster because there are many cops on Pal. PKWY... the Handling however felt a bit softer than the CLK430... the ride was much gentler but it felt like 430 was much sportier I would say. The brake was good, but the response on the pedal could have been a bit closer.
I saw 3 other CLK500's, all Blk/charc., and I have to admit that charcoal with walnut trim looked much sportier than the ash.
Anyways, I am really happy with my decision after all!!!
I am going ot pick it up tonight after I get this insurance thing figured out...

 

Congrats!

Question, you just got your car, is it alright to be driving it to 100mph? I always thought it was a good idea to break it in slowly the first 2-3k miles.

Any thoughts?

 

Oh, I forgot... as I promised the pricing and lease info...

CLK500C- 52,200

189 Black Opal- 655
838 Ash Leather
352 COMAND- 2125
731 Burl Walnut Trim
873 Heated Front Seats- 650
889 Keyless Go- 1,015
038 6CD changer- 400
149 K3- 1,375
150 K4- 1,150

Subtotal 59,570
Dest./Deliv. 665
Gas Guzzler 1,000

Total 61,235

Lease Term
He broke it down for me..
~860/month with taxes paid up front... for 42 months w/12,000 mi/yr
~980 with taxes included in the monthly pmt,36mo. 12000 mi/yr
~950 with taxes inlcuded in the monthly pmy, 42mo. 12000 mi/yr

they do not offer 39 months deal right now...

hope this helps...

 

Safet...
I do not think it is a correct statement to say that the car has to be 'broken in'.. this is not a pair of levi's...hehe it is just my opinion and I'm also curious about other people's opinions, especially Shine's!!!
Plus I am leasing my car, so the psychology kinda kicks in, ('this isn't really your carrr~ you are just leasing ittt~~)

 

Haha nice way of thinking!

Leasing is awesome, just pass the car thru the brush car wash instead of paying for hand washes

I always thought that for long-term longetivity of the car, slowing breaking it in would be better but if you're leasing it then you don't care as much. I.e. I know someone who just got their car, was punching the throttle from as soon as he got it, and was having oil leaks at 6k miles.

 

Thanks Schumacher for the info. Could you comment on the Ash interior? I currently have my 500 on order with Ash interior and Obsidian Black exterior. I personally like the contrast of light and dark instead of the black/black that so many others prefer. Does the Ash w/ burl walnut look *rich* and not plasticky? The way people have been talking, it seems that the new CLK has more plastic than the W208? I saw it in person almost 2 1/2 weeks ago and did not think so, but a more experienced opinion would be much appreciated! Thanks

 

I hate to admit that charcoal interior looked sportier than the ash...
However, ash interior looked very luxurious. I was hoping for the black byrdseye trim, but I thought the burl walnut trim went pretty well with the ash interior. And for those who keeps saying that the new CLK's interior has more plastic used than the old version, I don't really know where they are coming from..
Overall, I prefer ash interior with my Black Opal exterior to charcoal interior... Like you said, I like the contrast of dark/light color...

 

Congrats on the new addition to the family, you've got to post some pics ASAP!!!!

 

sorry no digital cam... but my ex-roommate from college is coming to town to visit me and he has a digital cam AND a black opal CLK430 with ash interior so maybe I could do some head-2-head comparison if he brings his digital cam...hehe

 

Cool!!! Look forward to the comparision.

 

I have heard two sides to this story. Some people say that it's a MBZ and should not need the break in period (right out of the box, drive it like you stole it!). Others have said to be easy on the car & not to exceed 4k rpms until you have 1k to 1.5k miles on the car. I tend to play it on the safe side, took it easy for the 1st 1k miles & did not exceed 4k revs & have not had any problems with oil leaks or anything else, but who it to say that I would have if I did run it hard right out of the shoot? I say go with your gut, drive the car the way you see fit!!! Sorry, if this is of not assistance!!!

 

oops, I went over 6000rpm....

 

Don't worry, didn't you say that you leased the car. If it breaks you've got warranty & the great part is that you get to run it into the ground and give it back so someone else can worry about it!!

 

great! at least someone is happy.

lil raja

 

Shumacher, when is your roomate coming to town? Post pictures soon please!!! Thank you, I just have to see what the color I ordered looks like on the real deal.

 

That's not nice advice; I would take it easy for 1,000 miles.

however, the MB engines/drivetrains must be the most robust on planet earth.

 

Really happy to see people here to get his new CLK one by one
and bring everybody more & more understanding of this car.
BTW Learn my english........
I can feel the engine even stronger & smoother than it's new
to me.
I got 2000+ miles so far, push the pedal as hard as I want to
1st oil change was around 1000 miles.

 

Why change at 1,000? Don't you have Mobil 1 in Taiwan and free service for 40,000 miles?

First service here in the USA is the A Service at 10,000 miles,-- FREE!

 

Congrats! how much is your lease payment and for how many months. I also am leasing from Benzel-Bush

 

Karl K, True and how do you know that ?
I just followed the old rules, I'm quite conservative

 

The key with a new engine is to let the rings seat properly. That is why they recommend a variety of engine speeds, but no red lining or full throttle. A long cruise on cruise control (constant RPM) is also not good. Proper ring seating has more to do with oil consumption early in an engine's life (pre 50K when the top end starts to have wear) than anything.