CLK vs. C-class on ride quality
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From: San Francisco
2004 CLK 320 Coupe
CLK vs. C-class on ride quality
I have a 04' CLK320 coupe with appearance package. I had it in for service a week ago and the service center gave me a new C240 sedan as a loaner. To my surprise, it not only rides better, but is quieter, too.
I have no experience with sports cars, is it normal for a CLK to have noticeable worsened ride quality as opposed to C-class sedans? The 17' wheels are probably part of the reason but it should not be that much of a deal. I am starting to think that the ride quality issue has something to do with my car's alignment problem. I hit the curve once and left it as it was for about 700 miles. The service representative claims that the alignment adjustment is not covered by warranty in this case but they fixed it free of charge anyway out of "good will". Well I thanked him for that, however, right now when I drive my CLK320 which is back from service, I still feel the car has a tendency to pull right--- a problem my visit to the service center was originally for.
My questions are:
1. is it normal for CLK to have a tendency to pull to the right?
2. Is it normal for CLK to have worse ride quality than C-class sedans?
Just FYI, I live in San Francisco and the road quality is pretty bad except for some major streets. And BTW, the C240 loaner car was overall not as good as the CLK except for its quietness and ¡°softer¡±ride, IMO. When I first sat in a C240, I could not believe such low grade materials were used in a Mercedes. But then again, BMW didn¡¯t do much better in their 3-series¡_
Thank you for your time, and good night.
I have no experience with sports cars, is it normal for a CLK to have noticeable worsened ride quality as opposed to C-class sedans? The 17' wheels are probably part of the reason but it should not be that much of a deal. I am starting to think that the ride quality issue has something to do with my car's alignment problem. I hit the curve once and left it as it was for about 700 miles. The service representative claims that the alignment adjustment is not covered by warranty in this case but they fixed it free of charge anyway out of "good will". Well I thanked him for that, however, right now when I drive my CLK320 which is back from service, I still feel the car has a tendency to pull right--- a problem my visit to the service center was originally for.
My questions are:
1. is it normal for CLK to have a tendency to pull to the right?
2. Is it normal for CLK to have worse ride quality than C-class sedans?
Just FYI, I live in San Francisco and the road quality is pretty bad except for some major streets. And BTW, the C240 loaner car was overall not as good as the CLK except for its quietness and ¡°softer¡±ride, IMO. When I first sat in a C240, I could not believe such low grade materials were used in a Mercedes. But then again, BMW didn¡¯t do much better in their 3-series¡_
Thank you for your time, and good night.
Last edited by samwzhang; Jan 28, 2004 at 01:35 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Bay Area, CA
03 CLK500, 04 X3, No 07 GT3RS :(
many of the 2003 owners on this board have the pull to the right issue - mine certainly does. It's apparently some sort of camber design component issue (or something related) - search and my guess is that you'll dozens, if not hundreds, of instances of the same issue. MB has consistently tried to duck responsibility based on related posts on this site.
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From: Los Angeles
2003 CLK 320
I thought the pulling was only with the clk 500's though, is it that correct? Has anyone with a 320 had this issue? As for the C240 being softer, it would make sense that the sedan was designed that way as the clk is probably targeted to people interested in sportier suspension which handles better but has a stiffer ride. Also, maybe the clk is stiffer.
Last edited by calboy; Jan 28, 2004 at 02:15 AM.
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From: Los Angeles, Ca.
2002 S500 & 2004 CLK320
same problem
I've had my 04 CLK 320 Brill silver on black for bout 2 weeks now, It has the same problem. It pulls to the right,, im going to take it in for an alignment and see if that does anything. That is so weird.. Ohh and you know the 3 turning knobs for the air conditioning vents in the middle of the ****pit, right above the blue sliding knob, The light in one of the knobs, i thing its the right knob, went out on me,, So only 2 are illuminated.. Thats weird,, Anyone else with that issue?? Its a new car and already a light burned,,I had a 95 S320 and i rememeber some dome lights going out on that boat. Ohh and today,, I had the AC on LO.. both sides,, and it took a long time for the cold air to blow,, The air was hot,, HAs anyone had AC problems with there CLK? Im going to take it in for service soon,, Ohh and another thing,, THe FM reception is really bad,, Keeps flickering from good sound to bad sound.. Those are my CLK issues of my 2 week old car.
Anyone with similiar issues??
Anyone with similiar issues??
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From: San Francisco
2004 CLK 320 Coupe
Hi, everyone, thank you for your inputs. I just came back from a 10-minutes drive to confirm the pulling to right problem.
I did a little bit of research on the pulling to right issue as Frisco suggested, and found out that it was not a problem with the wheel alignment but something associated with the camber component. Well that explains why my first visit to the service center didn't fix the problem.
I'm sorry to hear that hyepower is experiencing such inconvenience. I suggest that you inquire your local service center for more than just wheel alignment in order to really fix the pulling to right problem. As of the burned light and AC, I don't think they are normal. However, the bad FM/AM reception (plus loud windshield blade issue) are almost universal to W209 CLKs. Hopefully a pleasant service center visit will make up for the inconvenience... CLK is still a sweet car, 10 minutes of test drive just confirmed that.
I did a little bit of research on the pulling to right issue as Frisco suggested, and found out that it was not a problem with the wheel alignment but something associated with the camber component. Well that explains why my first visit to the service center didn't fix the problem.
I'm sorry to hear that hyepower is experiencing such inconvenience. I suggest that you inquire your local service center for more than just wheel alignment in order to really fix the pulling to right problem. As of the burned light and AC, I don't think they are normal. However, the bad FM/AM reception (plus loud windshield blade issue) are almost universal to W209 CLKs. Hopefully a pleasant service center visit will make up for the inconvenience... CLK is still a sweet car, 10 minutes of test drive just confirmed that.
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Re: CLK vs. C-class on ride quality
Originally posted by samwzhang
[B]I have a 04' CLK320 coupe with appearance package. I had it in for service a week ago and the service center gave me a new C240 sedan as a loaner. To my surprise, it not only rides better, but is quieter, too.
IMO. When I first sat in a C240, I could not believe such low grade materials were used in a Mercedes. But then again, BMW didn¡¯t do much better in their 3-series¡_B]
[B]I have a 04' CLK320 coupe with appearance package. I had it in for service a week ago and the service center gave me a new C240 sedan as a loaner. To my surprise, it not only rides better, but is quieter, too.
IMO. When I first sat in a C240, I could not believe such low grade materials were used in a Mercedes. But then again, BMW didn¡¯t do much better in their 3-series¡_B]
As for a lowgrade materials. hmm. As far as I remember the C class and the CLK interiors look pretty identical, especially the center console. The materials used arnt too different. Im not sure about the leather though.
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From: Bay Area, CA
03 CLK500, 04 X3, No 07 GT3RS :(
Re: Re: CLK vs. C-class on ride quality
Originally posted by Noble C320
Ever since I have upgraded to 17s and pilot sport tires it has harshened a bit.
Ever since I have upgraded to 17s and pilot sport tires it has harshened a bit.
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From: NYC
I had my clk500 at dealer and they gave me a loaner, which was a 2004 c240 and i felt that the ride quality on my clk was much better. Also I couldnt believe how cheap the interior was for the c class. my clk had a much much richer interior.
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Originally posted by Predator
I had my clk500 at dealer and they gave me a loaner, which was a 2004 c240 and i felt that the ride quality on my clk was much better. Also I couldnt believe how cheap the interior was for the c class. my clk had a much much richer interior.
I had my clk500 at dealer and they gave me a loaner, which was a 2004 c240 and i felt that the ride quality on my clk was much better. Also I couldnt believe how cheap the interior was for the c class. my clk had a much much richer interior.
Last edited by Guest0001; Jan 28, 2004 at 12:55 PM.
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From: NYC
Just because the clk is based on c-class doesnt mean they are the same class. It seems like people assume that. They are two different classes.(not trying to downgrade c-class)
btw Is their a difference in suspension for clk320 vs clk500?
btw Is their a difference in suspension for clk320 vs clk500?
Thread Starter
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From: San Francisco
2004 CLK 320 Coupe
I may have answers to my problem as I just found out the tires on my CLK320 are continental sportcontact 2 which are supposed to be noisy and stiff. It is optimized for ¡°uncompromising performance¡± as stated in its official website.
Good news is it lasts for only about 11000 to 15000 miles... I will definitely change it to some quieter and softer tires when it wears out. Any suggestions on that, please£¿
BTW, according to Mercedes-Benz 2004 CLK brochure, the front/rear suspension, spring and shock absorbers for CLK320 and 500 are identical.
Good news is it lasts for only about 11000 to 15000 miles... I will definitely change it to some quieter and softer tires when it wears out. Any suggestions on that, please£¿
BTW, according to Mercedes-Benz 2004 CLK brochure, the front/rear suspension, spring and shock absorbers for CLK320 and 500 are identical.
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From: Los Angeles
W209
Originally posted by Frisco
Bilstein PSS9 Coilovers set to '5' in the front and '4' in the rear, it handles like a dream and I can feel EVERY bump in the road.
Bilstein PSS9 Coilovers set to '5' in the front and '4' in the rear, it handles like a dream and I can feel EVERY bump in the road.
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Good news is it lasts for only about 11000 to 15000 miles
I've owned several cars in the past 15 years and I've never seen tires wear out as fast as some of the tires on this car. All my cars have been high-performance cars with wide, Z-rated tires.
