AMGOODNESS

no offense but we have plenty of stop and go traffic here. We have half a million people living in a city that was designed for 150,000. my commute is about 10 miles from my house to my work and it takes 30 minutes of stop and go driving. combine that with knuckleheads here that have no idea how to drive on a highway. braking to 50 miles and hour on Hwy 80 is an everyday nightmare.

regardless dont be afraid of the V-8. it is one of MB's most reliable engines. The CLK is a heavy car that really needs the extra grunt.

slicksterps1

Here, here!

eddieo45

Hey, I'm on my way to an auto auction; went yesterday and spent an hour or so looking at 5 or 6 2006 CLK350s. Seems like there's a few different interiors, or at least consoles: one with a split top that hides a second cupholder,a walnut one that slides open, and one that has no cupholders at all. What's the deal?

NOMO

350 is rated at less MPG.

AzCamel

Here is my story,

My previous benz was a 2004 C320, sport pkg and 6spd manual. It was a good car, but i was not feeling the small 4dr, i had it for a few months, put rims, CL grill, carlsson parts, etc.. but in the end i did not like it that much. Keep in mind that i've been though plenty of cars, 5 within this last 12months, anything for BMW 330ci, rovers, 350z, rx7 FD, my current Supra, etc... What i was looking for was something to compliment my Supra as a daily driver.
I recently picked up a 2005 CLK500 with AMG Pkg, lux pkg, etc... Black on Black. I have to say that this car meets all my needs in a daily driver and more, its powerful, smooth accel and great hwyway crusier. I love that its a 2dr but still has as much room as the W203, also i love how the rear window goes all the way down. From my previous experience with the C320 and cars in general, get the car that has all the features you want, or close to it, because if you are a enthusiast you will eventually put money into the car anyways, might was well start with a better platform. IMO, go CLK500 or CLK55, if you drive like a sane person then your MPG will not be bad, my combine driving with some city and hwy driving i get 25-26mpg, 28 if its all why at 70-80mph. that is very good imo for a V8 car with all the luxury.
In the end its your money but if you plan on mods, then just start off with the CLK500 or higher, the C320 was dissapointing for me, it felt like driving my c320 again, which was a good car but not something i wanted in the long run.

Tony

eddieo45

no offense intended, but they call us MA**holes for a reason. Boston driving is the worst in the country.

Bad_debt

Eddie, I get what your saying but litterally everyone who posted said to get a 500 or better. The advice seems pretty conclusive.

eddieo45

I appreciate that, but I never considered the 500; In fact, I bought a 350 on Friday....should be ready to pick up tomorrow. It needs brake pads, and THAT's an area where I'm looking for advice HERE.

slicksterps1

Congrats on your CLK350 purchase. What year,miles and options? When you have time, post some photos. Now in six months I don’t wants to hear you say….I should have bought the CLK500!!!

Good luck!
Paul

eddieo45

2006 with 37K, warranty till 4/11/10, silver w/ gray (ash?) Interior. Thanks and don't worry Paul, I'll never regret the 8cyl, tho' I already wonder whether I shoulda bought the black on black one I walked away from at $22,500. I pick it up tom'w and I'm psyched to get out of the Ford Focus (Sport) rental!

supacrazykev

Congrats on the CLK 350. The CLK is definitely a smoother ride than the C.

icecream

congratz....

eddieo45

Thanks guys, I'm really looking fwd to it. What is a CLK anyway, half C/half E? Seems as beefy as an E, but it looks like it'll take C-sized wheels (I'll be buying some winter wheels for snows). Supacrazykev, you certainly have a nice driveway duo; any input on my brake pad/rotor choice HERE?

eddieo45

okay, getting close to being able to close out this thread....picked up the car today. Still need to razor some crayon off the windows and wash it, plus get an inspection sticker, but here's the first (lousy cellphone) pic:


I had asked at one point about the different types of consoles I've seen in 2006 CLK's, including one that opened from the side with no (visible) cupholder, one with a split top that (I believe) holds a second cupholder, and the one I got, a tambour door that hides the second cupholder:

Are these due to different trim levels?

Finally (for this post), while I was only given one key with the car , I did get the original window sticker, which, when compared to my purchase price three years later, amounts to a 59% discount!


[edit: sorry, thought would show up better: new=$50,790; now=$20,795

supacrazykev

My trim looks exactly like yours

mbenz8219

That's a good price IMO. Congrats with the new car v

AzCamel

got a question, anyone ever get the 2006 center with the cup holder/slide lid and put it on a 2005? would that work?

dynomite05

Interesting

eddieo45

I found this pic online of the console that was my LEAST favorite:


..no cupholder in there, but it's probably more comfortable for the "gangsta-lean", like we useta drive in East Boston BITD, lol.

I'm glad I found that MSN Autos page, which also had this pic, showing a cupholder I hadn't yet even realize I have:

You'd be amazed how long it might have taken me otherwise to find an "Easter egg" like that!

This is my fourth auction-bought Mercedes since 2003, and I've been very happy with my cars and the deals, but it's not for everyone. Some of the blems on this one, for example, include a little ding in the door (paintless dent removal is about $99):


... a scratch on the nose:


...and on the rear bumper:


....rear quarter:


...under the fuel filler door (this one irks me):


...and the easiest to correct, but still a mind-boggler:


all in all, though, it's pretty clean:


Surprised the rear windows don't express, and happy the HU plays CD-RW's (my W203 didn't in the changer, so I assume this doesn't either). There seem to be fewer "pages" in the multi-function dash display too: I haven't yet figured out how to zero out the trip odometer (not the "since start" or "since reset") and the W203 had a setting that made my headlights automatic---the CLK seems to require that I turn the headlight knob to "automatic"....obviously, I've still got some reading to do. I look forward to getting used to that analog clock!

Gotta get crackin' and order those brakes: still thinking these front pads and these rotors.