The press releases promised the 04CLK Cabrio would be here in the US by summer. Summer is here. Has anyone seen one show up or otherwise been advised of a build date for a US model? Can't imagine Mercedes would wait until the snow threatens to finally bring in a cabriolet, but then again there may be backed up inventory of the 03 cabrios that need to be cleared out first???

 

no one has a build date assigned yet????

 

Northbenz,

I have one CLK500 Cab. that is sitting at the VPC (vehicle prep. center) waiting for the official wholesale date from MBUSA. I also have another CLK500 Cab. that is on a boat that should dock by the end of next week. This should let you know that the release is very close and they are already building and shipping the first few cars!!

 

We placed an "order" with our dealership in the spring of 2002 after deciding that we wanted one, but we were not happy with the current body style.

Upon my visit to the dealership last week, I have found out that ours will not even be ordered until January, unless anyone ahead of us cancels their orders. This is based upon an allocation of (2) per month to our dealership.

At any rate, we might go ahead and tell them not to order it until March or April since there is no point in having it in the winter and having it sit in the garage.

Anyone know of the base MSRP on a CLK 320?

Should that have enough power do you guys think?

 

MarcusBenz-
I assume you are a dealer when you talk about already having a CLK 500 Cab sitting in the VPC waiting for MBUSA to allow release of the cars and another that is on the boat.

I have a CLK 320 Cab on order from a New Jersey dealer, and he can't tell me anything about delivery dates other than that he thinks September. He doesn't seem to have final or accurate info on options or colors (supposedly there is a new color, Cadet Blue), and the options list he sent me is quite short- several options such as multicontour seats are on delayed availabilty.

Consequently, I haven't finalized my order, though I am the very first on his list for delivery. If they are already building and shipping cars, my dealer should have been asking me to finalize my choices of colors and options, but he says it's not time yet.

So, my question is: how can you have a car already in prep and another on the boat when my dealer hasn't been told by MBUSA to finalize any orders yet, hasn't been told prices, and hasn't been told when deliveries will begin?

Thanks,
caigy

 

caigy,


I understand your frustration and as of right now, even I am unsure of exact pricing on the W209 Cabs. As far as why you have not been contacted to finalize your order, I cannot truthfully answer that. It maybe due to allocation issues with your specific dealer or you may not be #1 on the list as they have led you to believe. This may be because there are some VIP deliveries ahead of your car and they have to be filled before your car can be built. I have included for you a list of all the options and packages that will be offered on the MY04 320 Cabs., I hope this will help you out!

CLK320 Cabriolet
(A) Metallic Paint
048 Navigation/CD Collection, USA/Canada Optional For use with COMAND System
050 Integrated Digital Motorola V60i Telephone Optional
051 Integrated Digital Motorola V60i Telephone with Voice Control System
219 Distronic
220 Parktronic
282 Ski Bag
289 Burl Walnut Wood and Leather Steering Wheel Optional
352 COMAND System Optional COMAND replaces the standard cassette with navigation and/or CD music capabilities.
401 Active Ventilated Seats (Delayed)
731 Burl Walnut Wood Trim Standard
819 6-Disc CD Changer
873 Heated Front Seats
881 Electronic Trunk Closing (Delayed Availability)
889 Keyless Go

Option Packages:

CLK320 Cabriolet
317 Comfort Package Optional Active Ventilated Seats, Multi-Contour Front Seats. Delayed availability.
319 Lighting Package Optional Bi-Xenon Headlamps, Headlamp Washers
322 Appearance Package Optional 7.5" x 17" (front), 8.5" x 17" (rear) 5-spoke alloy wheels, 225/45 ZR17 (front), 245/40 ZR17 (rear) tires, enlarged chrome exhaust finisher, sport shift knob with chrome trim, rubber-studded brushed aluminum pedals and patterned aluminum trim or burl walnut trim. Package delayed on Cabriolet. Burl Walnut wood delayed on Coupe

 

MarcusBenz - Thanks for all the info. Are you able to confirm the new blue color and is it unique to the cabrio? Are you able to describe it? Will Magma Red be available on the cabrio (I see it was deleted for the new coupe.) As to interiors, is it possible to order the berry red charcoal combination interior with the 320CLK Cabrio or is it only available on the 500CLK Cabrio as was the case with the new style coupe? One final question - what are the odds in your opinion that If I wait for a build date after December 2003 that I could get the new 350 engine rather than the 320? (OH, are those cabrios you have coming in already spoken for and if so how much over list (MSRP) are they going for?Do you know what colors and interiors they come with and whether either are special "launch editions?"

With regard to the "delayed availability" items any idea if they will be available by December production, and if not, at least by April 2004 production?

 

No DVD nav ?

 

northbenz,


Yes, Cadet Blue will be available on the MY04 CLK's, but you will be able to order on the coupe or cabrio. It is very difficult to discribe, but if you have ever seen the Designo Slate Edition on the W208 CLK, the color is very close in appearance. Magma red has been discontinued for the W209 body and the two-tone interior is only available with a special order charge in the 500 coupe and cabrio.
Now, about the 320 vs 350 engine, I have not heard anything from upper levels about when the conversion will happen, so I would hate to speculate. As for the 500 Cabs. that are incoming, they are not spoken for, I think these were left open for specific reasons and I am positive they will be sold for a premium. The 1st car is Brilliant Silver/Charcoal and the 2nd car is Pewter Silver/Charcoal and to my knowledge, they are not Launch Editions.
When it comes to "Delayed Availablility", I never guess when they will be ready, I learned my lesson with the Split-folding rear seat with folding front passenger seat option. Your guess is as good as mine on this one!!

 

Thanks again to MarcusBenz for a most informative reporting.

On the subject of pricing I see that the CLK Cabrio feature in the July Car and Driver suggests a price of $50,000 for the 320 and $58,000 for the 500. I believe I have read elsewhere that in addition to the engine upgrade the 500 also has the AMG styling and larger wheels. Out of curiosity if offered the choice between the 320 and the 500 which would you recommend to your customers assuming the performance difference isn't a major concern for the buyer. (i.e., actual value and resale issues being greater considerations than performance.) I had been planning on getting a 320 but if the 350 engine shows up mid year then I see that as a negative along with the fact that my preferred interior of charcoal and berry red is available only with the 500. I guess I'm trying to justify paying the extra 8 grand.

By the way would that new blue (cadet blue?) go with the charcoal/berry red interior or would I be better off sticking with brilliant silver? Magma red would have been my first choice, but the other red that is available is a possibility too.

 

MarcusBenz-
Thanks for all the info you provided on the CLK 320 Cab options. I do believe my dealer is being honest with me about being first on the list; I've even seen the list on his computer. So unless he's delivering cars to customers that don't even show on that list, I believe I'll be the first in this area of New Jersey to take delivery.

By the way, I saw a press release somewhere that said that from June, Mercedes would offer a universal phone interface on all models that would have interchangeable adapters so you could use your own phone in the car instead of buying the Motorola V60 option. You didn't list that as an option (is it standard?). Have you heard anything about that?

Thanks again,
Caigy

 

northbenz,


As far as recommending a car to a client, I would need to know how they planned on using the car and a little about their personality. If performance is not a concern and the car maybe a daily driver, I would advise the 320 over the 500. Personally, I know most of my clients very well as they have bought numerous cars from me and I understand their personality. I think this plays a big part in most people that are buying this car. The customer will fit into the category of I want the biggest and best and don't care about price, that person will buy the 500. On the other hand, you have the person who is buying it because he wants a convertible to enjoy and as long as it has four wheels, engine and a top that drops he is happy. That person will buy the 320 because of price and usually due to gas prices as well.

My preference is the first, the more cylinders the better, so that is the reason I got the 430. BTW, I would have gotten the AMG, but that car was not eligable for employees to purchase at the time I got my car.

Now, about the Berry Red two-tone with the Cadet Blue, I do not think that will be a very good combination, I would stay with the Brilliant Silver!! Just my .02 cents!!

 

ttt

 

I will be one of the first people in San Diego to get one (so they say) and, apparently, my car is at the vpc in Long Beach awaiting the official release of the model here in the US. It has already been released in some European countries. My salesperson said I will have the car in my posession the first week of August.

 

By the way...that was a clk500 cab. Now, MarcusBenz, I was told that one of the cars was Brilliant Silver with Ash interior. Personally, I like the idea of the charcoal better. Can you confirm which of the 2 cars has the optional lighting package and that they both have charcoal interior? I think 1 has the xenon lights and the other one has the heated seats.
Thanks for all your info.

 

Marcusbenz,
Is there any information on any possible new designo editions on any of the 2004 mercedes models?And will the two tone interior be offered on the clk55 amg cabriolet, or will it just be charcoal again like on the 2002? And is orion blue available in cabriolet form ( for a while is wasn't only until 2003),and if it is, with what color tops? And last question, what are all the color tops for all colors, i would imagine i would still be green black blue and grey, but mabe there is a tan for desert silver? Thank you in advance.

 

Color for Soft top: Black,Blue & Ash
Two Designo Edition: Bronze Edition
Expresso Edtion.
See PIX

2301tom

 

Expresso Edition w/ Mocha Black
Cabriolet

 

Tom, thanks for posting the brochure pictures! I've been waiting forever for my own brochure.