bodyart27

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=15581

So I got to check out the new CLK - there was a 320 and a 500. The 320 was not a looker (kinda like the 208 320). After seeing all the pictures I thought the interior was going to make me envious. To my surprise it wasn't that much "better" really. I don't like the "thumbs" on the stearing wheel and I didn't like the anolog clock on the main intrument panel - I'd rather have more gauges regarding the engine (oil temp / pressure, etc) than a big analog clock taking the left third of the center cluster.

I was also surprised that the headroom was just as bad on the new 209 as the 208. I thought they had picked up more headroom for the over 6' driver, but maybe it was just in the back seat. I like the nappa leather in my 55 much better over the standard leather. Windows controls move to the driver doors - I kinda liked the long standing tradition of putting them in the center console. Even my mom's 83 300SD has them there - very familiar feeling.

The best feature has to be the b-pillarless profile - very CL-esq though it is a much smaller car. OK, the front calipers are way cool - I'll give props to that as well. I'm all for over-engineering.

They did have a black CLK500 and I thought the contrast was as dramatic as the 208 from a 320 to a 430. The body kit makes the car look like a Mercedes vs an Acura. The front end treatment has a black rice-like wire mesh grill that is pretty tastefully done(really!). If you catch the 320 car from a rear 3/4 angle (remove the rear badges) - it looks like an acura / volvo C-70 something. From the front - it's a benz.

The 208 wins on the brawny side (430/55), the 209 looks more slippery wind tunnel designed at the expense of it's muscle car character. The 209 seemed awfully small for some reason standing 6 feet back compared to my 208. Can't put my finger on it - just looks smaller.

I walked away feeling pretty OK about my 55. Still pretty rare and not going to be significantly outgunned by any other benz without a 5.5 w/ a supercharger.

~shell
13.7@107
2001 CLK55

ps - At Ewing Autohouse in Dallas (Plano?) TX I spied two used CLK55 cabs for sale. A black w/ nav with I think 10K miles and a silver w/ nav w/ 3K? (don't qoute me I was more interested in checking out the new CLK - but I thought I'd pass this on.)

If interested - ask for Kevin Hampton - he was my original salesperson. http://www.ewingautohaus.com/

Callaway

Agree with most of what you said especially with the clock...Yuck!!

MDCLK500

I agree with your assessment regarding the 209 appearing to be smaller when in reality it is a larger car. Talking to my salesperson about this her comment was that the 209's roofline extends farther back and this makes the car look smaller (and less muscular) because you lose some of the definition (vs. the 208) and it appears to be more like a hatchback. Regardless, I think it looks great and can't wait to get mine.

rexdog29

Forget about the clk 320 in any year, new body or old. Without the amg pkg. it just doesn't look as good. Besides the rear 5.5 amg badge and monoblocks its hard to distinguish it from the clk 430. You probably have to advertise to your friends that it has 342 hp and goes 0-60 in 5sec. Get an Unbiased opinion from somebody who doesn't own a 208 and i promise they will shed the light for you. 208 gonna look dated in about 2 months. Come December you might find it a little harder to convince youself.

Sonny
clk 500 October

bodyart27

yep - I know I know

It is just a matter of months before my 208 is old school. As soon as the new SL hits the street the last model SL - as hot as it was - seemed so dated. The swoopy look is in (the new SL is drop dead hot).

Now if those damn jeans with the bleached out fade patterns would go out of style - they look like sh*t!

I went a little nutty in my 55 last night. HUGE parking lot with no obstacles. I turned off the ABS, cut the wheel left at a standstill, juiced the gas and ZINNGGGG!!!! The car did a 360* before I knew it. My girlfriend freaked. She has never seen me do something like that in any car. I don't usually get nutty in it. It was way too easy. Damn torque rocks! :p

rexdog29

Oopps.

dtclk320

LOL

I also agree with you Shell about not liking that the window buttons moved to the doors.

stockseer

triple agree on the power window buttons...preferred traditional center-console arrangement. There was space for the double cup holder too (missed). Yes the new one is more roomy, but likely it depends on indiviudal if this is important. To those of us under 6' (unfortunately) the addition of controls on the center console in may ways would have been preferable. However, it's one of just a few faults I can find with the car, after 10 days with it now. As to the 'clock', agreed on that one; especially given the redundant digital clock in the middle of the speedo, it seems absurd to use that space for an alalog electronic clock.

charlesu

Ditto on all said! The exterior is "sweet" but the interior is lacking. In addition the power steering wheel adjustment is on the steering column and not near the power seat controls as on the C-320 (step backward!)