CLK-Class (W209) 2003 on: CLK 270 CDI, CLK 200K, CLK 200 CGI, CLK 240, CLK 320, CLK 350, CLK 500, CLK 550 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

supply and demand issues

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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 06:10 PM
  #1  
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supply and demand issues

Hello everyone, I'm new here although I've been lurking on this board a while now.

I'm going to get a CLK500. Every dealership I contact tells me something different. One dealership says expect delivery in 90 days. Another dealership manager told me 45-120 days, yet his subordinate told me it will take 6 months. He also says that they have already stopped production on 03's and started on 04's..and that I would be getting an 04 if I placed my order now.

I'm looking for a Silver/Charcoal CLK500 with K3, K4, and keyless-go.

One dealership has a used CLK500 Silver/Charcoal with K3, and K4 600 miles, everything is perfect, but no keyless-go. Another dealership just received a Silver/Charcoal with COMAND, heated seats and K4...that someone backed out of.

How long have others waited?
Do you any of you live in the Houston area?
For those waiting on an order, what is your dealership saying?

Sorry for the long post.

playa
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Old Apr 25, 2003 | 10:43 AM
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CLK, ML, GL
I put my deposit on a CLK 500 with Mercedes of Miami las May and just got the call to put in my order 2 weeks ago. Almost 1 year on a waiting list. It was the same thing at all 4 dealerships in South Florida. I put off my order for the 2004's. They will call me in July to get delivery in September. DVD Nav and Sirius satellite will be new options for 2004, plus some of the kinks will be worked out by then. Also, since the cabriolet has been introduced a lot of people have switched over. My salesman told me that there is now a 2 year wait for the cabriolet at Mercedes of Miami. This should free up some of the coupe's. The CLK 500 is very limited production. The top dealerships in the country are only getting 2 a month. Mercedes of Miami was alloted 25 for the year and they are in the top 10 of dealerships. 25 a year! That's nothing. That is why it takes so long. Wait for the 2004's!
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Old Apr 25, 2003 | 11:12 AM
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Hey thanks for the info.

I talked to the dealership yesterday.
They claim to be the largest in the nation.

Anyway, the manager told me that if I ordered a CLK500 now, I would be getting an 04.

I'm going today to make sure of this and place my order.
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Old Apr 25, 2003 | 11:36 AM
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I've been trying to find out information as to what differences the 04 model will have. Some people have been mentioning DVD Nav although I can't find out anywhere where this has been confirmed.

I also spoke to a dealer a couple of days ago and he has no information at all on the 04 models, including whether it will have DVD nav or not

We won't be getting Sirius in the UK, but I would be really interested in the DVD nav....
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Old Apr 25, 2003 | 07:36 PM
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I ordered my CLK500 today!

My production start date is the beginning of June.

It will be an 04.

I will take delivery in August/September timeframe.

I happened to get a slot that nobody had finalized yet.

Otherwise, the wait would have been 8 months.

The sales guy told me I was in the right place at the right time.

Man the car is sooo sweet.. I can't wait!
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Old Apr 25, 2003 | 09:05 PM
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Congrats! Whenever you find out the option details/differences for the '04s, please post here. And of course, pics when you can.
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Old Apr 25, 2003 | 09:52 PM
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My salesman is going to call me in a few weeks to finalize any options changes. I will ask him if he has any info on changes from the 03 to 04's

So far he says the changes are minimal..

I did not ask about the NAV DVD COMAND because I'm not getting that option.

I did ask about the SIRIUS option, but he was not completely aware of the details. I'm not really interested in that option so i didn't push him on it.

Hey 500AMG, do you have a pic of that charcoal/wood steering wheel of yours?
I would like to see it, I may get that option.


My CLK500 Silver/Charcoal K3, K4, CD changer, Keyless-go
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Old Apr 26, 2003 | 02:42 AM
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The picture is not head on, but you should get a good idea of how it looks. Personally, I love it and every future car I have will have it (if available )
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Old Apr 26, 2003 | 03:37 AM
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I like it!
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Old Apr 26, 2003 | 10:44 AM
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From: J to the V I double L E, Florida
2003 CLK320
I live in Jacksonville Florida. I ordered a 320 the wait was 2 months
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Old Apr 27, 2003 | 07:20 PM
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I just got my CLK500 with the K3, K4, Keyless Go, and Command system (black on stone) and never ordered it. I walked into the dealership in Houston and just bought it and even got it for below MSRP. I know North Houston has one Silver one similarly equipped 500 in stock as well (at least they did on Friday and Saturday).
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Old Apr 27, 2003 | 07:23 PM
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Various
Was a trade involved and how much under msrp?
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Old Apr 27, 2003 | 07:39 PM
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A trade was involved, but I got good money for the trade. Actually it was abouve KBB trade in.
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Old Apr 27, 2003 | 07:45 PM
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How fast is that Viper of yours? Do you have specs on it? God that thing must be so fast!
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Old Apr 27, 2003 | 07:54 PM
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The Viper is insanely fast. It is supercharged by Heffner's Performance in Maryland. It makes 775 RWHP and Over 760 RWTQ (approximately 900 Flywheel Horsepower). You can light up the tires at will and the car pretty much makes any AMG car seem like a crawling turd.
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Old Apr 27, 2003 | 07:57 PM
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welcome to the MB world, i used to have a clk55, but from advice on this very board, i upgraded to the Viper GTS. in fact, mine is getting supercharged by Heffners.....
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Old Apr 27, 2003 | 08:24 PM
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SmokinV10,

I'm betting you picked up that CLK500 from Mercedes Benz at Greenway.

I think they had a couple of Pewter with Stone and a Black with Stone...

I saw the Silver one at Mercedez Benz Houston North...but it had heated seates and Comand which I'm not interested in.

So I'll just have to wait for my order.
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Old Apr 28, 2003 | 12:48 AM
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The Viper is insanely fast. It is supercharged by Heffner's Performance in Maryland. It makes 775 RWHP and Over 760 RWTQ (approximately 900 Flywheel Horsepower). You can light up the tires at will and the car pretty much makes any AMG car seem like a crawling turd.
Dude, I bow down! You're going to be sorely disappointed with the CLK500's performance after driving that Viper. Aren't the back tires 335s? Spinning those out would take some serious juice. Do you have 0-60 & 1/4 mile times by any chance?

Oh, and welcome to MBWorld! Make sure and come by the Off Topic section.
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Old Apr 28, 2003 | 12:57 AM
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Playaplaya,

Have you decided on the wood wheel yet? It's a must.

SmokinV10,

You should consider the wood & leather wheel as well. It's very nice.
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Old Apr 28, 2003 | 10:32 AM
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500AMG

From the pick you posted of the steering wheel, I like it and I'm considering it. However, I would like to see it in person. I'm going to call my sales guy and see if they have any cars on the lot with that style wheel so I can check it out.
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Old Apr 28, 2003 | 11:38 AM
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Im not dissapointed in the performance of the CLK whatsoever. The Viper is a great toy but I dont use it as a daily driver. I suppose it can be done, but the ****pit is so hot and cramped that I couldnt imagine having to do that everywhere.

I was thinking about getting the wood steering wheel. How much is it? Is it an install that I can do myself? If not, how much do they charge to put it in? Also has anyone done the chrome headlight bezels? Has anyone installed the wing from the 55AMG? Do they come painted? How much?
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Old Apr 28, 2003 | 07:08 PM
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did someone say VIPER....

Difference in power.....

Try having a W209 320 vs. 97 Viper GTS

215hp vs. 513 flywheel (dyno tested) hp!

I'm glad to have another Viper/MB guy on here. Many people at www.viperclub.org own MB's also. I love both sites, and both cars. Both totally different in comfort & power.

Why buy a 500 or 55 when you have something like a Viper? That's what persuaded me to go for the 320, maybe a 500 in a year or so. For now, I'm happy with the 320, looks are more important to me on the 320 -- and it does have a lot!

SmokinV10:

Nice to see you on here, I see you on the Viper site. I can't imagine how easy it is to light them up with your SC, it's easy w/o one! Didn't go with the Roe SC? Seems that's the way everyone is going now.
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Old Apr 28, 2003 | 11:17 PM
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I was thinking about getting the wood steering wheel. How much is it? Is it an install that I can do myself? If not, how much do they charge to put it in? Also has anyone done the chrome headlight bezels? Has anyone installed the wing from the 55AMG? Do they come painted? How much?
I got the wheel at dealer cost (~500 or so)...however I believe retail is more like ~700. You have to remove the airbag and place it in the new wheel. I wouldn't attempt it, but then again I would have no idea where to begin.

I was thinking about the wing, but I haven't had it priced. No clue about the headlight bezels.
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Old Apr 29, 2003 | 08:39 AM
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since smokin hasnt replied, i'll step up to the plate. first of all, your gts looks great! the paint looks very nice from what i can tell. I also have my car at Heffner's and i dont know about smokin, but i wanted to avoid the Roe system. His first batch of s/c's are basically a test run, and he just now discovered that he has some engineering problems. It will be a GREAT system for under 10k, but NOTHING can compare to the engineering, appearance, and quality of a Heffner system! Heffner offers as much or more than anybody else for thousands less, and his customer service cant be touched! if you ever consider upgrading your viper, i would call heffner first and save yourself some time.....you should come check out www.viperalley.com


(sorry for hijacking the thread guys, but the question did come up)
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Old Apr 29, 2003 | 09:17 AM
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I bought the 55AMG wing it comes painted for 462 USD
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