rjw0501

Hi.... Been looking around this forum for awhile, and I have a few questions for the CLK 500 owners.

I'm currently in the market for a new car, and the 500 is on my list, my problem is, that when i went to look at it,
(Black Opal) it reminded me of going to a Toyota dealership, and looking at a Camry!(Flaming OK, I'm used to it!)

So, the question is, for 55k....am I getting a 55k car, or am I just buying a name?

Sorry if I offended anyone, but I really need to know why people spend 55k on this car?

Any help would be appreciated, I just need someone to tell me if I'm missing something....

Thanks again!

Eich

I think that for any car in this price range, you are paying for both quality of materials and the name.

I drove several cars from BMW, Volvo, Mercedes, Caddy, Infiniti and Lexus before I chose the CLK500. The CLK 500 was the only car that could offer what I wanted... Powerful V-8 engine, room to seat 4 comfortably, room for a 6'2" driver, apealing exterior and interior design and under $60k. As it turned out, mine was barely under $60k but that was my limit.

There's a lot to like about the CLK. It's fun to drive, it's comfortable and I get a lot of comments on the way it looks. Some people are surprised that it's a Mercedes. I think some people still have the opinion that Mercedes cars are big, boxy, tank-like luxury vehicles.

It's not the best in every aspect. Many other cars now have better DVD-based navigation units. Others claim to have better reliability. Really, my only complaint with this car is the number of visits to the service department so far. I do expect better from a $58k car. But I don't regret my decision. Despite reading to the contrary, I know several people who purchased BMW, Acura and Lexus and have made as many visits to the service department as I have.

rjw0501

Thanks Eich...I appreciate your honesty....anyone else?

rjw0501

Eich...what kind of service department visits?...do you think the 2004 have the same problems?

Eich

Well - mine experienced a few of the problems that have been reported here several times. Unfortunately, my service department required several visits to fix them. The problems included:

-ESP malfunction
-Apalling wiper action. This was finally resolved (at least for now) after 4 separate visits.
-Poor midrange power under certain conditions (corrected with a software flash)
-Rattle (and clunk when closing) in the driver's side, rear window. Fixed with a new window regulator.

The 2004's probably have some items fixed but I've read some threads recently that are reporting some of the same problems that were reported with 2003's.

rjw0501

45 reviews, and 1 post (Eich)

No one has any other info?

ohhh well...Thanks Eich, guess the other 44 are still either dreaming, or pissed?

david_101

rjw0501,

i felt similarly to how you feel about the 209.

if you review my posts elsewhere on the 209 board, then you'll understand.

you may also understand why there aren't yet any other negative views posted in response to your thoughts.

hope you make the right decision.

david

Eich

rjw0501 -

I think that general questions such as yours tend to get fewer responses these days since many issues with this car have already been discussed at length. But I do think you'll get a few more responses on your question if the CLK 500 is worth $55k+

Regarding problems, if you do a search on the word "problems" in the W209 forum, you will get a plethora of information on the history of issues with this car.

Good luck with your new car purchase decision !

Eich

Seriously ? If the CLK500 really gave you the impression of a run-of-the-mill Camry, why would you even consider paying $55k for it, regardless of what anyone on this board said?

I remember my first impression well. It was the first time I ever looked at a Mercedes and said, "This car is for me". It has clean lines, received good reviews, 300 hp, plenty of room, nicely appointed interior and yes, the name Mercedes behind it. If my first impression would've been Camry-like, 1000 positive posts from any forum wouldn't have pursuaded me to part with $55k to get it.

rjw0501

thats why I'm going to pass, the car is not for me.
Thanks for everyones input!

david_101

rjw0501,

please post to inform which car you choose and why.

thanks, david.

Predator

he's getting the w208.

Eich

vraa

I don't see the logic in that

Touche.

david_101

vraa,

i guess you're looking for a write-in on the ballot, yes?

david

samwzhang

You, too, feel the CLK has a Camry feel?

I am speechless...

Given that I have driven both cars..........

david_101

samwzhang,

quick, minor corrections: look, not feel, and i didn't mention the camry.

david.

Eich

Seriously ?? You guys really think the CLK and Camry generate the same visual excitement?

david_101

Eich,

sorry, but i really do.

i seriously considered the 209 but was too disappointed by the style changes to drop significantly more dollars for a fully-optioned 500 or 55. (after driving a 208 55, i was stuck on the acceleration.)

thus, i stuck with the 208 when the 2002 55 leftover deal was suggested by my service advisor friend and arranged with the sales manager immediately thereafter. (they even gave me what amounted to private transaction book for my 2000 208 430, so it was a no-lose proposition, and moreso when tax consequences were considered.)

david

theine

W208 rules!

Eich

For the heck of it, I asked several people who came into my office (all business professionals) what they thought of the following pictures.

Picture 1 comments:
Ok, nice, a little old looking, looks fast, is that one of those SLK’s?, and a bit of a funny one – the rear-end looks like a Cavalier

Picture 2 comments:
Nice, modern, classy, not bad, wow-who makes that ?

Picture 3 comments:
Typical sedan, clean but boring, family ride, Ok

Of course, everyone has their own personal taste but comparing the image/stance of a CLK500 to that of a Camry makes me wonder just how good your eye doctor really is..

rjw0501

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Eich
[B]For the heck of it, I asked several people who came into my office (all business professionals) what they thought of the following pictures.

Picture 1 comments:
Ok, nice, a little old looking, looks fast, is that one of those SLK’s?, and a bit of a funny one – the rear-end looks like a Cavalier



About as good as the person who thought the rear-end looks like a Cavalier!!!!!!

Eich

calboy

well I currently own a camry and the clk (2003) and I have to say although the camry has been fairly reliable car it has none of the driving excitement that I get from driving the clk. The clk has a lot of features that make it a pleasure to drive, my only problems have been the windshield wipers, fixed first time, and the engine noise which is normal but they improved that too for at my first service. The clk is smaller, handles much better, you have no blind spot, easier to maneuver and park and much better acceleration. Plus I think it looks a whole lot better. The 208 style is getting old and older. Even the trunk space is better than my camry, at least I can fit more due to the way it is designed (see my previous posts). Anyways, I highly recommend this car. The only thing I regret is not getting the 500, but I will save that money and stick it my IRA.