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My New 2004 CLK 230
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My New 2004 CLK 230
Here are pictures of the 2004 CLK 320 that I purchased Feb 27th.
Firemist Red with sunroof package, performance package and CD changed. Only upgrade I have installed to date is a light tint on the windows. I have ordered the chrome door handel shells and wood insert for glove compartment handle.
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/html/Clk320_2.jpg
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/html/Clk320_5.jpg
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/html/Clk320_6.jpg
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/html/Clk320_4.jpg
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/html/Clk320_7.jpg
Really loving this vehicle except for the factory suspension setup that causes it to pull to the right (drove two test vehicles that both have this characteristic and have read similar complaints throughout this forum).
Have an agreement with the service manager to bring it in after 1K miles for alignment and if necessary, installation of camber/caster bolts.
Firemist Red with sunroof package, performance package and CD changed. Only upgrade I have installed to date is a light tint on the windows. I have ordered the chrome door handel shells and wood insert for glove compartment handle.
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/html/Clk320_2.jpg
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/html/Clk320_5.jpg
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/html/Clk320_6.jpg
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/html/Clk320_4.jpg
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/html/Clk320_7.jpg
Really loving this vehicle except for the factory suspension setup that causes it to pull to the right (drove two test vehicles that both have this characteristic and have read similar complaints throughout this forum).
Have an agreement with the service manager to bring it in after 1K miles for alignment and if necessary, installation of camber/caster bolts.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SJ, California
2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet
Wow!!! Your new CLK looks great...I love the color too.
On the subject of the car pulling to the right. One thing my sales guy told me was that the reason its that way is because it's a safety feature. If you fall asleep at the wheel you won't get into a head on collision. He said other european cars(saab, volvo, mb) were like that too.
What did the performance package include?
sjclk
On the subject of the car pulling to the right. One thing my sales guy told me was that the reason its that way is because it's a safety feature. If you fall asleep at the wheel you won't get into a head on collision. He said other european cars(saab, volvo, mb) were like that too.
What did the performance package include?
sjclk
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From: Chester, England
CLK 270 Avantgarde Auto
In the eight years, between myself and my father we have driven 5 Volvos, 3 Saabs, 1 Audi, 1 VW, 5 BMWs and none of these either pulled to the kerb or were sensitive to road camber (even on wide rubber/18" wheels)
The sooner MB admits the CLK geometry is a mess the better. Mines going in next Tuesday, after the dealer eventually succumbed to pressure to put it on the warranty.
The sooner MB admits the CLK geometry is a mess the better. Mines going in next Tuesday, after the dealer eventually succumbed to pressure to put it on the warranty.
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Originally posted by sjclk
Wow!!! Your new CLK looks great...I love the color too.
On the subject of the car pulling to the right. One thing my sales guy told me was that the reason its that way is because it's a safety feature. If you fall asleep at the wheel you won't get into a head on collision. He said other european cars(saab, volvo, mb) were like that too.
What did the performance package include?
sjclk
Wow!!! Your new CLK looks great...I love the color too.
On the subject of the car pulling to the right. One thing my sales guy told me was that the reason its that way is because it's a safety feature. If you fall asleep at the wheel you won't get into a head on collision. He said other european cars(saab, volvo, mb) were like that too.
What did the performance package include?
sjclk
i don't consider that a "safety feature". i consider it a dangerous feature.
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Yes, there are very few of these color combinations on the road.
The appearance package (not performance package as I stated in error earlier) includes 17" x 7.5" 5-spoke alloy wheels with P225/45ZR17 high-performance tires in the front, 17" x 8.5" 5-spoke alloy wheels with P245/40ZR17 high-performance tires in the rear, enlarged chrome exhaust finisher, patterned aluminum or burl walnut wood interior trim on doors, dash and console, sport shift knob with chrome trim and rubber-studded brushed aluminum pedals (including parking brake).
I don't know whether it is ignorance or arrogance but it is so unfortunate that Mercedes Benz corporate is putting it's sales at risk and putting sales managers and service managers in a position where they have to withold information or lie about this steering issue.
I love my salesman to death but I also recognize that a salesmans loyalty is split (but not evenly) between the customer and Mercedes Benz management and he/she will do/say what it takes to make that sale (e.g., the road is causing the pull, it's a safety feature, the wider tires cause the pull, give the suspension time to settle in, etc.).
We all know that this is bull**** because none of this applies to non-Mercedes vehicles that we have driven. There are enough postings on this forum (which Mercedes monitors) to know that this is a real issue, not a consumer fabrication.
Given the fact that the Mercedes Benz Consumer Report initial quality ratings on their vehicles has been on the decline for the past 5 - 7 years , you would think that they would deal with easily addressable situations like this. Either change the factory engineering to allow for camber/caster adjustment or install the camber/caster bolts on all new vehicles and align before delivery to the customer.
It makes for a happier and loyal customer base and would improve their initial quality rating if this vehicle did not display this characteristic upon delivery.
I also work for a corporation. Some corporations do not like to admit failures. To address this problem would require re-engineering (which could be expensive). Correcting the problem before delivery would be an admittance that it is an engineering problem.
However, since I love all other characteristics of this vehicle and based upon forum postings, the right pull can be corrected, I made a decision to purchase. I will go from 95% satisfied to 100% satisfied once the right pull is corrected.
The appearance package (not performance package as I stated in error earlier) includes 17" x 7.5" 5-spoke alloy wheels with P225/45ZR17 high-performance tires in the front, 17" x 8.5" 5-spoke alloy wheels with P245/40ZR17 high-performance tires in the rear, enlarged chrome exhaust finisher, patterned aluminum or burl walnut wood interior trim on doors, dash and console, sport shift knob with chrome trim and rubber-studded brushed aluminum pedals (including parking brake).
I don't know whether it is ignorance or arrogance but it is so unfortunate that Mercedes Benz corporate is putting it's sales at risk and putting sales managers and service managers in a position where they have to withold information or lie about this steering issue.
I love my salesman to death but I also recognize that a salesmans loyalty is split (but not evenly) between the customer and Mercedes Benz management and he/she will do/say what it takes to make that sale (e.g., the road is causing the pull, it's a safety feature, the wider tires cause the pull, give the suspension time to settle in, etc.).
We all know that this is bull**** because none of this applies to non-Mercedes vehicles that we have driven. There are enough postings on this forum (which Mercedes monitors) to know that this is a real issue, not a consumer fabrication.
Given the fact that the Mercedes Benz Consumer Report initial quality ratings on their vehicles has been on the decline for the past 5 - 7 years , you would think that they would deal with easily addressable situations like this. Either change the factory engineering to allow for camber/caster adjustment or install the camber/caster bolts on all new vehicles and align before delivery to the customer.
It makes for a happier and loyal customer base and would improve their initial quality rating if this vehicle did not display this characteristic upon delivery.
I also work for a corporation. Some corporations do not like to admit failures. To address this problem would require re-engineering (which could be expensive). Correcting the problem before delivery would be an admittance that it is an engineering problem.
However, since I love all other characteristics of this vehicle and based upon forum postings, the right pull can be corrected, I made a decision to purchase. I will go from 95% satisfied to 100% satisfied once the right pull is corrected.
Last edited by inthemix; Mar 5, 2004 at 12:35 PM.
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From: House of Imports, MBZ (So. Cali.)
'06 ML500 w/Apperance pkg & '07 SL550 w/AMG pkg
Very nice color choice, I don't think you will see yourself coming and going as much as if you had went with Silver or Black. (Meaning the color is not very common & will not see too many on the roads) Congrats and Enjoy!
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209
Beautiful Color Combination!!! Have your drooling neighbors Mosey'ed on over yet? While you're ordering your chrome trims, check out http://www.globalautoshop.com/access...benz_index.htm
for the chrome strips for the grill. I live and work in Singapore, I I'm having them shipped across the miles. Personally, I think they look cool. By the way, those are the exact same wheels I have on mine, and on another thread, I was wondering if I should up them to 18 inches? Was thinking of the AMG CL2, but not sure of the performance/wear trade-off.
Noticed you're from FL, I went to UF, still a fighting Gator.
for the chrome strips for the grill. I live and work in Singapore, I I'm having them shipped across the miles. Personally, I think they look cool. By the way, those are the exact same wheels I have on mine, and on another thread, I was wondering if I should up them to 18 inches? Was thinking of the AMG CL2, but not sure of the performance/wear trade-off.
Noticed you're from FL, I went to UF, still a fighting Gator.
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Hello 209Mad.
I was born in Detroit Michigan, raised and educated in Huntsville Alabama. I have been living in Central Florida since 1988 and I am loving it here.
Here are a couple of mods I made this weekend (glove box handle burl walnut wood insert and chrome door handle guard)
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/Clk04_05.jpg
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/Clk04_07.jpg
The only other option I am considering right now are the mud flaps. I will take a look at them this week when I take my vehicle in for alignment (and possibly installation of camber/caster bolts) to correct right pull.
I'll take a look at the link that you sent on the chrome grill strips
I was born in Detroit Michigan, raised and educated in Huntsville Alabama. I have been living in Central Florida since 1988 and I am loving it here.
Here are a couple of mods I made this weekend (glove box handle burl walnut wood insert and chrome door handle guard)
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/Clk04_05.jpg
http://home.mpinet.net/~inthemix/Clk04_07.jpg
The only other option I am considering right now are the mud flaps. I will take a look at them this week when I take my vehicle in for alignment (and possibly installation of camber/caster bolts) to correct right pull.
I'll take a look at the link that you sent on the chrome grill strips
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 135
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209
Hello inthemix,
Sweet car you have there. Love the chrome handle plates. I said it before, I'll say it again, love the color combination, really very unique.
I'm from Singapore, but ended up in Forida and Columbia SC for my education. My sister currently resides in Naples FL.
Post some pics of the mudflaps, can't quite picture it in my mind, but seeing what you have right now, I'll trust your taste.
Enjoy your new car, drive safe!
Sweet car you have there. Love the chrome handle plates. I said it before, I'll say it again, love the color combination, really very unique.
I'm from Singapore, but ended up in Forida and Columbia SC for my education. My sister currently resides in Naples FL.
Post some pics of the mudflaps, can't quite picture it in my mind, but seeing what you have right now, I'll trust your taste.
Enjoy your new car, drive safe!
