sleepy hollow

I bought my wife an 05 320 CLK Cabriolet. She still loves it. Has about 25K miles. Just replaced the rear tires. Has had some rattles in it and the SRS light came on once. So far the dealer has fixed everything under warranty.

My wife says driving the car is like "being on vacation." That's a pretty apt description in my book. The 05 rims are the nicest of all IMHO and the easiest to keep clean since they have fewer details. I also like the 05 lines the best, frankly, but they are all sweet looking cars.

The 320 V6 is a beast for its size if you ask me. Very smooth acceleration and in "S" mode really gets up and goes.

We get about 21 city and higher on highway, upper 20s at least. Don't forget though, it wants 91 octane.

We do not have the nav pckg as she hates those kinds of things.

I would have no problem using it as an everyday car, though she does not and probably never will. Frankly the car has never given any hint of causing anxiety about reliability.

justuspost

I was originally looking for a SLK. I came across a w208 clk320. It was very nice and after a drive, it had my heart. Unfortunately, it was sold before I got to it. Fortunately for me, a '03 clk500 came available at that same time. It was a fantastic deal.

You need to be prepared to kick out $2k+ /yr for maintenance or accessories. If you're in it for a cheap maintenance, fuel efficient, no worries car, get a hyundai.

My mpg sucks(19-24), insurance is ridiculous and it eats tires as if they were m&m's... But with the windows down and the top open... it couldn't be nicer. If you want a gorgeous, high performance car that can take yourself and three women er.. friends around in style, don't worry about the details and get a car that makes you smile inside.

KrazieKave

I live in Cali, and i'm selling my silver 2003 CLK-320... See below for pics AIM me if you're interested... Kraziekave is my username

EDIT: I cant find the link atm, but here's a pic... AIM me for details if you're interested

beg4m3rcy703

hey ill tell you that my mom baught her 2004 clk320 convertable 4 years ago ..the 320 models are nice rides, chill to drive, good on gas..but for me since i am about speed and racing other vehicles on the street i had to get a 500. BUT if you don't care about speed and how fast it is, get a clk320 for sure , it would be pointless to get a 500. and as far as year wise goes, i reccomend 2004 and up..dont get 2003 because it was their first year of making the body style so you know that sometimes the first year there might be minor erros, but 2004 and up your safe!

rbpeirce

Supposedly the newer ones are much more reliable. I have a 2007 CLK 350 which is quite nice, but I have had a problem with the passenger side seat belt locking and not releasing. It was replaced under warranty but the new one has the same problem. I also had to replace my front rotors at 8000 miles. Neither problem would strand you.

OTOH, I have the Sports Appearance Package, which lowers the car slightly and adds better brakes (Supposedly! See Above.) and this has created a very nicely balanced car. It will easily keep up with an E series AMG in the twisty parts, but of course, it will fade quickly on the straights. The big V-8s will give you more speed, but I can't see the extra weight doing anything for the handling.

rbpeirce

Depends on your location. Coming up I-80 through the Shenandoah Valley I get 30 mpg on my CLK 350. In the mountains of VA and PA (where I live) it can drop to 18, although I have seen as much as 26 on the highway.

The laws of thermodynamics being what they are, downhill doesn't get back what you lose uphill.