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]

2 door with kids

Old May 17, 2003 | 03:12 PM
  #1  
1iron's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
2 door with kids

Sorry to sound like the nervous novice, but I am on this one...

We have 2 daughters, ages 7 & 10. They are infrequently in my car--once or twice on the weekend and occasional soccer game.

How much of a pain is it having only 2 doors with kids?

This is the only other issue that I need to resolve before I make the CLK plunge.
Reply
Old May 17, 2003 | 04:04 PM
  #2  
Ebrigham's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2004 Maserati Coupe
Hmmm

Well, the kids are likely to bear the brunt of the "inconvenience" (i.e. you can make them put the seat forward and back as they get in and out). The seats are mechanized, so they should have no problems. And if working correctly, the seats should move back to their memory position. Spacewise, two girls of that age will fit fine, and the new pillarless design will give a sense of space not felt in the 208. When I was that age, me and my older brother often sat in the back of my mom's 300 CD Turbo Diesel and we had plenty of room.

Now, if your two kids are a real handful (ie. they like to scream, wrestle and pull hair when in the back seat), it might be better to get an E class if only to have them sit farther from your ears. If they are quiet and well behaved (and are not expected to sprout to 6+ feet tall in a few years), I say go for the CLK. I guess the only other real consideration is safety, which is of course make/model dependant.
Reply
Old May 17, 2003 | 04:18 PM
  #3  
RJC's Avatar
RJC
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
The w209 seats operate differently than the 208 when allowing access to the back seats. The w208s are electric forward and back when you lift up on the release lever, on the 209 the lever actuates a spring loaded mechanism that pulls the seat up and forward...this allows more access (the up part) but is not as conveniant as you have to lift up on the lever to initiate and then keep lifting to get the seat all the way up and forward, then you have to push down on the seat to get it back. This looks like more co$t cutting to me :o
Reply
Old May 18, 2003 | 12:20 AM
  #4  
alex-gasman's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: new jersey,usa
clk500,x-5,4.4
2 door issue

No big deal, if you have to drive them EVERYDay,then it,s another story.
Seats operation is very easy, and back seat is quite comfortable and has plenty of space.
I love my clk-500, and this is my first coupe, but definetely not last.
Alex
Reply
Old May 18, 2003 | 09:06 AM
  #5  
Shine's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
From: Lean runner
Smile Re: 2 door with kids

Originally posted by 1iron
Sorry to sound like the nervous novice, but I am on this one...

We have 2 daughters, ages 7 & 10. They are infrequently in my car--once or twice on the weekend and occasional soccer game.

How much of a pain is it having only 2 doors with kids?

This is the only other issue that I need to resolve before I make the CLK plunge.
It sounds fine, weekend car, two_daugther_father.....me,too.
Mother get the 4 door sedan,she drives them school everyday.
Reply
Old May 18, 2003 | 02:59 PM
  #6  
lucycat's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
'02 BMW M3 convertible
for what its worth --

I had a Porsche 911, which is much snugger than the CLK, and my son rode in it's rear seat between ages 5 through 14, and it was never a problem for him or me, and there was no electric assists moving the seat forth and back.
Enjoy your CLK!
Reply
Old May 18, 2003 | 07:56 PM
  #7  
Michael T's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: Houston, Texas
My Dad always had two door cars. When I was young my Dad had a Chevy '66 Malibu and later a '74 BMW 2002.

I have had 16 two door cars myself over the last 27 years, my kids are 11 and 8 and they are the ones who have to crawl in the back.

Two door cars always look better and most always have better depreciation curves than their sedan equals.

Since my our child was born, I have had:

'75 MB 450 SL
'92 BMW 318is
'96 Corvette
'99 Corvette
'01 BMW 330 Ci
'01 MB CLK 430
'03 MB CLK 500
Reply
Old May 18, 2003 | 08:06 PM
  #8  
DKSNY's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Westchester NY
BMW 330CIC
I've had the same issue's concerns for the past 5 years.
Started out with a 911 c4cab. Kids where 6 & 2. Worked o.k. as I only drove them occasionally and on weekends. We all love to take drives with the top down in the summer. Due to maintenence expenses, I switched to a BMW 330 CIC.

As I've been shopping for a new car, of course I was considering the CLK cab. After checking out the '04 at the car show, and taking my kids to the dealer to ride in the '03, I've decided on the E class.

As the kids are getting older, I tend to spend even more time with them, and the 2 door is getting difficult. In addition I'm 6' tall, and they want more room behind me every week.

Now that the kids are 11 & 7, and will be 14 & 10 by the time I consider getting rid of the car, I think the 2 door is just too inconvienent.
I love ragtops, and will probably get one again in a couple of years, but for now I'm going with the 4 door.

Just my 2 cents
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:47 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE