BackRoad

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. I have a '02 CLK convertible which I bought used in '04. It's been a great car and virtually trouble free. It still looks and runs great. Problem is I'm getting an itch for something newer. I've been looking at getting an '07-'09 CLK convertible and wondered if anyone here has owned both and wish they kept their W208.

Fletch

Yidney

Have not owned a W208. I've always like the exterior styling - more classic looking. Don't like the interior as much. The separate chunky buttons always sort of looked like a kit car to me. But all else being equal I'd get a 209 just because it's newer and has newer systems, even if they are already ancient by todays standards.

Rudeney

At least the power window switches are in the proper center console location int he W208!

I think I answered this on benzworld, but for me, one big advantage of the W209 cabriolet over the W208 is the addition of the automated front latch on the soft top, which means the ability to use the SmartTop aftermarket module. Without it, I would not drive a cabriolet!

sick430

Man I'm in the same boat! I really love my 430 w208, but kind of wish it had the 550 power. keep in mind that your suspension is much more sophisticated with the double wish bone and that the automated front latch on the soft top has problems, at least that's what i heard. All so, the gps is the same as in our cars, so while there are some updated features (new tech) the technology is about the same. Maybe they're all just excuses. But man I just cant seem to bring myself to replace this car.

~Liran

Yidney

The gps is not the same. The 550 is DVD based. Isn't yours multiple CDs? Even in the 209 the tech was updated in about 2005. So 550s have a different interface with the COMAND system than pre-2005 or 2006 209s. Rodney knows all the details of those changes. To me, "MOST" describes the percentage of my paycheck spent on gas or the last name of the red-haired actor on Happy Days, but it's actually a technology in 209s.

BackRoad

I'm getting a lot of reassurance here that a W209 is in my future. I just took the W208 out for a ride. Over here in Maryland the fall colors are spectacular this year. Man that car rides nice. Engine and drive train are so smooth. I hope the W209 is just as good, or should be better.

Interesting what you said about the 208 having a more sophisticated suspension. One complaint I have with the 208 is the clunky ride over uneven pavement. On a nice even road the car ride is smooth as silk. But if I take the car into DC or Baltimore (where the roads were built and last repaved by the Romans), its really annoying. I test road a '09 350 Cab and tried to hit some rough roads to see if this was improved in the 209 series. It appeared to me the 209 has a better ride but it may have been the salesman steering me away from any roads with bumps. Smooth ride is important to me as I have a weak back when seated in a car. If I'm leaned forward as on a motorcycle it doesn't bother me, but in a car the jolts are not good.

I don't have Nav in the 208 but want to get it in the 209. I assume it's a deal breaker to try to add it to car that didnt come with Nav. I assume most of the wiring is there but adding cables to an assembled car would be a major modification not to mention the dash mounting and controls.

Redcab

I've been driving an 02 W208 without regret for a couple years now. I got an itch for something that had similar style but more in the way of performance so I chose a CLK 63.

After about 2K miles of experiencing the W209, I drove the 208 again. There was no disappointment at all. The 02 CLK 430 remains a joy and has every bit the best of what I like most in any 209...open air, gorgeous lines and plenty of power.

Differences that I notice: the 208 has controls in locations I prefer. The Bose sound system gives up little if anything to the HC logic 7 system. The seat warmer is faster and hotter in my 208 and the glove box locks. The top locks manually but chimes when fully cycled open or closed. The 209 auto locks and makes no audible warning of convertible cycle completion.
The 209, however, has vastly superior headlight illumination and the command functions are also far more developed. I never thought these simple features would add so much to the driving experience, but they do.

Both are very powerful cars. While the 430 has HP to make it quite agile on the interstate, the CLK 63 is an outright beast and becons to be driven like it owns the road. While I have learned to drive safely within the limits of the 208, I have not found a road or situation to even scratch the surface of the 209's limits. It is fun...lots of fun...but don't sell the 208 short. I thought the 208 would pale by comparison yet it does not.

Final conclusion, I'm keeping both

Rudeney

I agree on the Bose vs. HK - I think the Bose system in my W163 sounded much better than the HK system in the CLK.

One note about the glove compartment - the W209's does in fact lock. It's actually automatic with the door locks, or, you can manually lock it by sliding the small lever just above the latch strike (it then unlocks with the door locks).

BackRoad

Just thought I'd update what ended up doing since everyone was so helpful. I drove some W209 Cabs, '08's and '09s and although really nice I didn't see as big a difference over the 2002 W208 Cab as I was expecting. Then I made a big mistake and drove a 2011 A207 Cabriolet just to see what that was like. I really liked it a lot. Much different than our cars, but damn expensive. I ended up with a new 2014 A207 E350 Cab with the sports package, radars and some other options. It drives like a luxurious Corvette. No regrets. Now if I could just sell the W208....