Sasquatch1

All,

I don't post much, but do browse for information from time to time. I recently purchased this convertible and it is my first convertible. I've owned 3 other CLK coupes so I'm quite familiar with them. The car has 40K miles and is in great shape. What I'd like to know especially from anyone who has owned both hard tops and convertibles is what you think of the difference in overall tightness of the car. I know the structural integrity is different once you cut the roof off, but I feel a lot more movement in the overall car. Is this just a convertible thing? A few examples are:

• Appears to have more movement in the wheel over rough surfaces
• The A pillar seems to have some movement in it with top down
• The overall feel is just not as rigid

I guess my overall question is are these just traits of a convertible I need to get acclimated to?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!!

Rudeney

There will be a difference in rigidity in the cabriolet vs. a CLK copue, but it should still feel more solid than, say, a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic. Even though the mileage is low, the rubber components in the suspension are now 15+ years old. You may have worn out control arm bushings, rotten ball join cups that let grease leak out, and crumbling anti-sway bar bushings.

mcgsxrclk500

I have a 2005 Cab. My first open top car too, purchased this year with about 70K miles on it.
Overall it is a nicer ride than my 2009 Ford Fusion or my wife's 2014 Acura RDX.
The only time I have ever really noticed cowl shake was over a VERY rough level crossing at train tracks. During normal driving, I never notice any shaking of the A pillar or rear view mirror etc.

waveterrorist

Having both a coupe and a cab I can tell you that even with mods (lowered suspension, BS sway, front sway) the coupe is a better driver.
That said NOTHING compares to the ragtop on a nice day.

Rudeney

The W209 is definitely solid, but there is cowl shake. I would feel it driving around with my hand resting on top of the A-pillar. When I traded for the SL (R230), the first thing I noticed is that there is ZERO cowl shake. The way they solved it is with side beams along the "frame" that are about three times as thick as the CLK's. Of course this makes the door sill wider and taller, and thus more challenging to enter and exit.

If you want to compare the CLK to something else, go drive a Mustang or Camaro convertible. You will be VERY glad you chose the CLK.

mcgsxrclk500

In paying more attention to it, or by putting a hand above the windshield I do have to say that it does move around some. But nothing noticeable unless I hit BIG bumps for me.

My time riding in Mustang drop tops was much more movement filled! Those I swear I could feel the car torsion-ally twisting, and it was very present a lot of the time by comparison to the CLK.

I don't doubt that a coupe would be a much more satisfying performance machine. I am loving what I bought though. Big smiles!