Benzo

The dealership just called me asking for my list of options for my Clk500. First I picked black exterior with the stone interior- they only offer black and the light grey aside from that- the guy told me that stone is new from the sl's and looks like a light tan. Has anyone seen this?

Anyway, they are offering the sport package(about $4,000), which I def. got- and it does include the rims- the sad part is that they are still only 17". They offer the othopaedic seats, park tronic , distronic, navi, and the rest of the regulars. I got every option they offered except the V60 phone- including some card that I can carry that I have to admit- I was in such a rush that I got it but didn't really understand what he was talking about ($900)- if you are carrying the card the vehicle will recognize you and you simply open the door. Then you put your foot on the brake and puch a button and the car starts- so you need no key- I don't know- input would be great from you guys.

He told me to expect delivery in late July and that is the first CLK500 in Tampa- if not early August. I am very excited but have to admit that 17" as an option stinks- I would rather it not be included and be a cheaper sports package and fend for my own rims. I did not include prices on the sports package b/c they weren't available. I will post all when he faxes them. The dealership, by the way, is Merecedes Benz of Tampa, should you have any questions.

oresama99

congrats on picking that up....any talk of pricing? and yes, i agree, it's a shame they aren't going to 18's on the sport package.

Benzo

He wasn't able to give me pricing- only estimates. He said that w/ the sports package and nothing else- the new model should be about 6% north of the current price. I am very curious, though.

oresama99

i'd be really surprised if the clk500 cost 6% more than the outgoing 430. interested to see....

young

sounds like you got keyless go. i think that's a sweet option for only $900. i'd rather have that than distronic

btw, congrats! sounds like a nice color combo

karl k

BENZO:

Is this 2003 CLK500 in addition to your 2002 CLK430? If not, why dump the 2002? :o

Martian

Benzo,

Can you provide a picture of the rims you ordered? If not, what do they look like?

Also, can you give us info on the more expensive sport package?

Benzo

Unless I really don't the new model once I see it in person, this will be replacing my 2002 430. Don't get me wrong, I love the current body(I've had 4) , but I have been driving them since the 320 in '98 and I would like a change.

Benzo

I wish I could show you a photo of the rims but I haven't seen them myself. He said something about the thin spoke which I imagine is similar to that on the c32. The rims are part of the sport package which includes the "CLK55 cosmetics". (front apron, side skirts, rear skirt) The wing like in the photos from Geneva was not mentioned either and it wasn't listed as a seperate option. The dealer told me he would drop me a line once he had more details.

PS I am very glad that I did get the keyless go package- now that I know what I got!!! I decided to have this fully loaded but am wondering whether the distronic and parktronic are worth it- will it help my resale? It is my intention to keep this car for at least 2 yrs this time.

Angel_Dust

parktronic will definitely help if you find yourself parking on the street a lot....if not.....then it's probably useless....as for distronic....don't know if i'll ever use something like that....i like to drive my clk hard so distronic would be useless to me but you might like it......

keyless go is definitely a cool gadget.....makes life a lot easier and you don't have to fumble with keys anymore....

just my 2 cents...

karl k

Seeing & test-driving the new CLK, might also convince me, bring me closer to the new model, minimizing what appear pictorial design atrocities as conveyed by the photo journalism so far.

I just returned from "my" MB dealership. Looked at 5 new SL500s - in awe. What a masterpiece in automotive aesthetics!

The new CLK has many similar features.

SteveChod

I am first on the list for a mercedes here in Raleigh NC. My dealer hasn't called me yet! Why do you think? Im getting a silver clk500 fully loaded too..I wasn's sure about the rims either. Do you think I could just get the AMG pakage without getting the rims. I'd rather put the 19' AMG rims I have on my CLK430 right now. Advice?

Benzo

I'll tell you, it was so hard choosing between silver and black- I loved the silver on the amg in Geneva but have silver currently so decided to go w/ black. Because of all of those plastic looking buttons I think I may switch from Black and stone to black w/ black- I think they might blend better.

As far as not getting the rims w/ the sports package I was told that was not an option but I figure there will be a good market early for the upgraded rims even though thay are 17"s. Back in '99 there was a huge market for the 17" amgs from the 430 b/c so many 320 buyers wanted to ditch their base rims from 98. I know I did!

Benzo

Great poing. I just called and got rid of Distronic but I did keep the parktronic. Thanks for you input.

SteveChod

Good point! I will just try and sell my rims on Ebay or something..Im getting the new Lorinser LD-6 for my Clk500. Just talked to one of my friends and he's hooking me up with a great deal.

borges2001

Hi Benzo,
My dealer (MB of Miami, former LP Evans) just called today about selections on my new clk 500.
I ordered obsidian black and stone leather( beige ) I saw it on a 2003 sl 500 , awsome., and a few electronics./

He has absolutly no idea about a sports package ,pls let me know who's yr salesperson so mine can call him and find out.!

Tks
Borges

Angel_Dust

glad you took my suggestions to heart....hope you enjoy that new clk once it comes....as for me i'm gonna keep using mine until i find out how the clk cab is gonna be....whether it will have a rag top or a retractable hardtop....and also if the 55 will get the v8 blower like the e55 will.....

Benzo

No sweat- his name is Gary Boyd @ Mercedes of Tampa- his digits are 813-870-0010. Hope that helps.

SteveChod

Do you think that I could install an AMG blower on the CLK500 I have on order and still have my warranty honored?

C-Kompii

I think this is the wheel that comes with the sports package



-G'day-

Ahmed

according to AMG website, the CLK55 comes with 18 inch AMG wheels as standard... i'm sure they are also included in the sport package along with the styling package and exhuast pipes!!

check it out guys

Benzo

I really hope 18"''s are standard but according to the onfo the dealer gave me w/ the sports package you don't get the exhaust or the rear wing as on the 55- and the rims are 17's. Maybe it will be a pleasant surprise but I think Benz is more concerned wit the ride quality and maybe they feel their largest market for the 500' and the 320's are cruisers and not sports fans. Who knows. I think that 17's are way too small- knowing that I would be trading into a 500 when I bought my 2002 clk430 I never changed the rims- they look so small. I did have 18"bbs on my other 430's and it made a world of difference.

Ahmed

Well, you can never be sure..

Different markets have different options!

My brother recently placed an inquiry for C32 and guess what... 18's were an option! WOW!

Benzo

As Nabzy pointed out in his guide, perhaps my dealer was confused as well. I asked him if a sports package was an option and he did say that it was. I will call and verify if he was reading the options for a 2003 w208 convt- the last editions. That would be great. Adding the sports package to the 320 would give you the 17" rims. Perhaps the 500 would come fully sculpted in the states. I am checking now.

OK I realize this seems rambled. I just called and my salesperson was not available. I soke to A Rob Stevenson that said he saw the vehicle in Jacksonville last week. As far as he was concerned the sports package was included with the 500- and the fort he 320 it was an option. Thats great news. Only thing to change is the rims- he still said there were 17"s. He said the car was very elegant and still very sporty- more aggresive than the pics show. And yes, I realize he wasn't going to tell me it looked cheap and unagressive so the verdicts still out. The pics from the 2003 CLK55 have really grown on me.

jesej

BENZO,

I can't wait to see pix of your car. You really can;t go wrong with either silver or black. But, being first really makes it extra special. Congratulations!!!