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Let me get this thread started by listing a few reasons I am keeping my 2008 CLK350.
1. It has a classic shape that does not get old.
2. The interior is holding up great. It does not look like a 9 yr old interior. No rattles or squeaks.
3. It is holding up mechanically - besides regular maintenance and tires I have put very little money into repairs.
4. The exterior has a couple of dings and the wheels have a little curb rash, but looks like new other than that. The paint still looks new when washed/waxed!
5. It only has 96K miles and I can't afford to buy a replacement just yet.
Mostly because mine is not falling apart and because I still like it. Just turned to 65k yesterday. I like the powerful engine and smooth tranny in a relatively simple package with no air suspension, etc. I have to keep it nice though. If I get a door ding, I take it to my PDR guy. I literally have none. It's just how I am. I can afford a replacement, but being able to buy one is not a good reason to do it. My criteria is that the rear seat in my convertible has to be usable by adults occasionally without being a joke. Not many meet that criteria. I like the BMW 6 series, but even though it is larger, the rear seat is suitable only for troll dolls. But I have to say that MB's new video game instrument cluster that has made its way into the new E and S classes is a total deal killer for me. Just hideous, IMO. So I guess I'll buy nice older models until I'm dead.
1. Great driving car
2. Great looking car
3. Has cost me very little
4. 46k mi
5. Excellent condition
6. IMHO the interior quality on the newer MB's I could afford does not equal the w209
7. I can work on it
A car salesman once told me a Jeep does nothing really well. A W209 however does, it's a luxury car, a sports car, economical and practical.
- I put a lot of work into it
- Solid mechanically
- Great style. Love the smooth flowing lines. Much better than the severely overstyled cars nowadays (take a look at the new BMWs and Infinitis)
- Love the interior. Things flow nicely and materials are good.
I have been looking for a new car for some time (as a next project) but these newer cars seem to have terribly designed interiors. Mercedes is no exception. First they went through that phase with the stupid display stuck on top of the dashboard with like a 3in bezel all around...and now they stuck 2 stupid screens that look like computer monitors seemingly at random in the dashboard. Wtf happened to designing nice dashboards. Hopefully the next gen of cars in 5 years will incorporate all these separate design elements nicely again.
Till then I am inclined towards a 2011-14 CL63/65...at least the dashboard doesn't look like it was put together by a 12 year old.
For me;
1. I've done several mods making it prefect for me
2. The smooth flow of power and it's availability
3. Interior and exterior build quality
4. Reliability (Too many years on me to do maintenance other oil/filter/fluids/detailing)
- I use an INDY and don't consider the cost too much
5. It addresses my juvenile moments (Mustangs, Dodges, Corvettes, Camaros, M5s, M3s, RS3, etc....
6. I think I am addicted to the opening from the A to the C pillars....
7. As the 127K miles would indicate, I just love the way this car drives.
8. Haven't been impressed enough by the newer models... MB and others
- The GTC, 911turbo, Jag F-type, and DB11 are my top wants.
- Even when I get another toy, I plan to keep the 550.......
- Will probably replace my truck before getting a younger stablemate for the 550
Why do I "hang" onto it? Dang, that makes it sound like its an imposition! Haha.
-B-pillarless - its unique and very few cars have it
-Interior - I dont think even some of the new Mercedes rival the interior fit and finish of the 209, after updating the stereo, it keeps it looking modern
-Performance - with a tune you can be at 400hp and 400ft/lb, not bad for a car < $20k
And I think Fatz put it best, I havent been impressed with the newer (used still) models to justify paying the extra premium for them. And there is no brand new car <$20k that even comes close to this car for overall usability. I dont have any immediate plans to move to anything different as a daily.
I've owned my 2005 CLK 320 since September 2014. I bought it when it had 99k Km - 62k miles and it now has 163k Km - 101k miles.
1. The pilarless design is just gorgeous. The design is so attractive that I still get the "bought-a-new-car feeling" when I look at my car. I still get excited to get inside it and drive.
2. The M112 3.2L engine and the 722.6 5-speed transmission have been very reliable and decent in terms of power and torque. I won't lie that I would love to have an 09 CLK 350/550 to experience the added power and the 2 extra gears on the same chassis but the incremental cost is not worth it. I'd rather put that money towards an E-Coupe.
3. The interior, like a lot of you said, does not seem to age or deteriorate. It still looks brand new and I take care of it with SONAX solutions. Step into any other 2005 car and the interior will make you feel that it's from stone age.
4. The fact that I mechanically know the car so well and since I have my own SDS. There's hasn't been any major repair surprises and I know from reading all the forums (thanks everyone) about any potential problem the car could face and what the solution would be. I really enjoy the car's "simplicity" compared to the newer models with airmatic, sensitive engines, costly fuel injectors, sophisticated electronics, etc.... which all seem to fail more often and cost a lot more to repair.
I will probably keep it for another year or two and maybe then transfer it to my dad who inspired my love for Mercedes Benz from a very young age. This way the car stays in the family and I could still drive it when I miss it.
I would replace it just to get something more modern, but not very complicated. Most likely it'll be an '10 or '11 E350 Coupe so that I stay away from the '12 model and the scary M276 engine and its questionable reliability. The M272 was very reliable by 2010 and 2011 and I can live with its power. I could also apply the facelift upgrade to the '10 or '11 when it starts to age for a fraction of buying a new car.
This is a lovely thread and thank you labguy for starting!
Why do I "hang" onto it? Dang, that makes it sound like its an imposition! Haha.
I did use the phrase with purpose because it is a bit counter cultural to keep a car for as long as we are keeping our W209s. I see the commercials and get excited when a coworker buys a new car. I get "car fever" sometimes as well. And yet, I still drive my CLK.
At the same time, I look at my car in the parking lot at work and say, "dang that's a great looking car!" I drive it (after spending time in other cars especially) and think, "I love how this car drives, how it handles, how it performs."
Timeless design and elegance.
No true successor, making it the last model.
Pillarless coupe design is exquisite and rare.
Reliability, especially for a Mercedes.
Mechanical simplicity, especially for a Mercedes.
Lightweight, especially for a Mercedes.
Performance (CLK550).
Value. Nothing out there for the money comparable.
Some aftermarket support as a modding platform.
Excellent interior quality/durable materials (except shift boot design flaw).
Haha, completely agree!! As I am walking away from my car, I am usually looking back at it just admiring how good it still looks.
I think with many other cars I've owned, Ive always had that "hang on" feeling. Just hang on a little longer! Just get a little more out of the car! But I have to tell myself to "hang on" because its, realistically, not a great car. With the CLK, its more that I dont want to let go. Ive looked and tried to get myself to buy another car.
And I ended up with 3 CLKs. Ha, I think I have a problem..........
Originally Posted by labguy
I did use the phrase with purpose because it is a bit counter cultural to keep a car for as long as we are keeping our W209s. I see the commercials and get excited when a coworker buys a new car. I get "car fever" sometimes as well. And yet, I still drive my CLK.
At the same time, I look at my car in the parking lot at work and say, "dang that's a great looking car!" I drive it (after spending time in other cars especially) and think, "I love how this car drives, how it handles, how it performs."
At the same time, I look at my car in the parking lot at work and say, "dang that's a great looking car!" I drive it (after spending time in other cars especially) and think, "I love how this car drives, how it handles, how it performs."
Originally Posted by 91ser
Haha, completely agree!! As I am walking away from my car, I am usually looking back at it just admiring how good it still looks.
That is soo my case as well!! When I am walking away from it or approaching it and I look at it, I admire it so much it feels as if it's a current year model and I just bought. That "new" car feeling and "excited to drive it" feeling are always there!
Some days I think of keeping it for 50 years or so (garaged) and taken care of and driven lightly and maybe selling it then for a fortune or leaving it to my future son/daughter. Yeah Yeah I know you're saying it: we're all addicted to our CLKs!
Sometimes while walking towards the car in a parking lot with my wife, I'll say something like, "Wow! Now that's a great looking.... oh wait, that's my car." HAHA
My cheap daily old tractor is the longest car I have ever owned nearly 3 years now, I love the way it feels getting in after driving something else, I love the way it pulls from 50mph onwards, and the the main reason I still have it is because I cant find anything else that would match it for 3k and I've had 4 Audi's, 2 BMW's, 2 Honda's and VW Golf.
2009 CLK 550 convertible, 46000 miles. Beautiful car, real leather interior, goes like stink when you want it to, all issues addressed - needs nothing. Besides -- my wife would divorce me if I sold it.
I no longer have my CLK (traded it a year ago for an R230), but all of things you guys say are 100% accurate. Even with the additional complexities of the soft top models, it's really a low-maintenance vehicle in terms of MBZ ownership. Being based on the W203 chassis, it's much simpler than other models - no dual-battery system to worry about or pneumatic/hydraulic suspension systems. The interior quality is much better than the W203 (e.g. more solid door pull handles). At ten years old when I traded it, my CLK really looked great inside and out. Most people had a hard time believing it was that old.
Too bad. I do not like soft tops so I will be stuck with the b-pillar.
When knows. If I get a C Coupe, maybe I will keep it for another 14 years. I am concerned that the new C Coupe may not be as well-built as our w209.
On the one hand, the CLK was developed during the dark ages of the Daimler-Chrysler years. On the other hand, the W205 is built in Alabama, and you know what a bunch of yahoos live down here... The reality is, the Chrysler factions never influence the Daimler business. It was quite the opposite: Daimler gave Chrysler some great technology that created the 300C, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Crossfire, and Dodge Charge platforms and engines. And some of down here have done some hard work to improve the quality of auto manufacturing at MBUSI. I'd say that there is really no difference in MBZ quality over time. Only the perception and expectations of the customer base have changed. Back when MBZ was selling 35K cars a year in the USA, no one complained. Now that they sell 350K cars, every little tiny extra maintenance issue is consider a "serious problem". I really don't see then new generation MBZ vehicles as being any more or less reliable than those form 10 years ago. However, as with all cars, they are becoming more technologically advanced so if you can't keep up with how to work in that environment, you will be left behind or left to relying on <gulp> the dealer for maintenance.
Well put. Maybe this is why some people say that MB does not make car like they used to be.
I drove a C Coupe and while the ride is almost the same, there are a lot of technologies built into the car. All good stuffs beside the stop/start feature. Hope they will improve on this, the little vibrations at 'start' is quite annoying.
Oh, I hate start/stop! It is so annoying, especially in stop and go traffic. When the car ahead of you move, there's just enough lag before you get going that the jerk in the other lane whips in ahead of you. I rented a GL450 in Las Vegas last year and I turned it off - it was MOST annoying.
For my next car, would I get it fully loaded? If it is a MB, good chance I would drive it for 10-12 years. The new cars now have tons of electronics which are prone to fails after a few years. I am not a DIY person so repairs can be expensive. One such option is airmatic suspension, I read that this is like the ABC in the older CL class which would cost $10K to replace.
05-31-2017, 09:49 AM
The reality is, the Chrysler factions never influence the Daimler business. It was quite the opposite: Daimler gave Chrysler some great technology that created the 300C, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Crossfire, and Dodge Charge platforms and engines. And some of down here have done some hard work to improve the quality of auto manufacturing at MBUSI. I'd say that there is really no difference in MBZ quality over time. Only the perception and expectations of the customer base have changed. Back when MBZ was selling 35K cars a year in the USA, no one complained. Now that they sell 350K cars, every little tiny extra maintenance issue is consider a "serious problem". I really don't see then new generation MBZ vehicles as being any more or less reliable than those form 10 years ago. However, as with all cars, they are becoming more technologically advanced so if you can't keep up with how to work in that environment, you will be left behind or left to relying on <gulp> the dealer for maintenance.
