C280 Sport

I have 3 CLK's at the moment. 04 CLK320 Cab, 05 CLK55 and a 09 CLK350. So as you can see I enjoy these cars as they provide a nice balance of sport and luxury. Not too soft not too hard. However being that the newest one is now 10 years old it has me thinking. What will you replace your CLK with when the time comes?

I think for me it will either be a E Coupe/Cab or a used 911 Coupe/Cab.

spaulhus

E-350/550 Cabrio

C280 Sport

For my cab I feel that is just the natural progression. Similar but a little newer. I do not see myself switching over to BMW or stepping up to a S Cab or down to a C Cab

Rudeney

I replaced my MY2007 CLK550 cabriolt with a MY2011 SL550. No regrets except for a few times a year when a back seat would be useful for carrying extra cargo or a passenger. I'm still not very fond of the W207 looks. I like the looks of the new C (W205?) coupe/cabriolet much better. When I get readdy to move on from the SL550, I doubt I'd look at the R231 as I don;t especially like its lines. I might just bide my time and fidn the perfect very late model R230 SL65, or even an S-Class cabriolet. Now, if I were not going for a convertible, it wold be a CLS63 AMG-S.

Fatz

For me it will be a C63S or 911 turbo. The McLaren 570S will probably still be beyond my reach in a couple years. Whatever I end up getting I don't plan for it to be a replacement for the CLK, as I plan to keep it.... will utilize storage.

Rudeney

Yeah, don't count on any bargains in the used McLaren market. I think they are actually still appreciating in value these days.

OR-CLK350

I currently own a 2007 CLK350 cabriolet w/approx. 120K miles... I’m planning to replace it w/2014 E350 cabriolet next year, or possibly with a 2017 C300 4matic cabriolet... but prices still seems high...

ambit

Replaced my 05' CLK55 AMG with a 09' CLK550
Didn't care for the headroom in a C63 coupe, didn't like the ride quality of a SLK55 and don't like how the E coupe looks.

Not sure what I'd replace this one with.

NedNederlander

We have a 2009 CLK550 with 90k mi. and really love the car, they really don't make them like this anymore, maybe the S-class.
However, it is 10yrs old too and while mechanically sound the electronic gremlins are starting to showing up. We had a 2004 that succumbed to thousands in repairs for electrical gremlins we didn't want to pay for but this one replaced it and has been solid. The 2009 bluetooth puck is failing, lots of road chips due to commuting and if i do paint it, i want it done right and don't know if i can justify that cost. Tough call, we love the car and really can't think of a suitable replacement and although the E-cab looks nice, this is my wife's car and she is wanting a crossover like a Macan/Cayenne (hate what Porsche did to the back of the Cayenne BTW, looks like Lincoln). Can't really be sure what the comparable MB is to those P-cars but open to opinions.

C280 Sport

Unfortunately there not really many options anymore when it comes to this segment of car either. Not many coupes on the market let alone luxury coupes! S Coupe is getting cut because of multiple reasons.

C280 Sport

I said that too. The C Cabriolet is priced high for what you get. And it is very small inside. Also, the idea of a 4 banger with a turbo bothers me.

C280 Sport

Threw around the idea of a C63S or 911 Turbo. But the car that replaces the CLK Cab will need to be a cab and the 911 turbo cab (991) is way up there in price still. Also, Porsche holds its value so well. Who knows even a 996 Turbo cab looks good to this day if it is well kept. McLaren is way out of my budget unless I get rid of the F355 Spider I have.

insame1

I've been looking at a few cl55 cl63s.

nkx1

I just bought a 2008 CLK550 (coupe) and put $2,200 worth of repairs into it, with another $800 planned. Needless to say, I'm planning on keeping it for a few years lol. It only has 62K miles, though, so I'm hoping it lasts a while.

When I replace the CLK in 5 or so years, I'll most likely get a 2012 or 2013 Corvette Grand Sport, but those might be too old when the time comes, so I might need to opt for a C7 Grand Sport. I need a back seat for now until my little guy is old enough to ride in the front.

Out of curiosity, what is your seat-of-the-pants impression of the CLK55 vs the CLK550? A lot of older comments seem to think that the 550 would be faster, but I'm curious to see what you think since you've had both.

ambit

The CLK550 unequivocally feels much faster. Getting out of one and immediately into the other was such a strange feeling because they're basically the 'same' car.
It should have ~20Hp more but the 7 speed tranny puts the power down way, way better.

I do miss the AMG seats, the exhaust note, and the 550 brakes leave much to be desired.
I'm also pulling high 20's MPG in the 550 vs low 20's in the AMG which is nice.

nkx1

Cool, that makes me feel good about my new 550 purchase! I noticed the same thing about the brakes and exhaust note (both kind of weak). And mine even has brand new brake pads and fluid.

That's surprising about the MPG in the 550- I was expecting much less.

C280 Sport

What issues did you have with your CLK550?

Glyn M Ruck

Benz C238 or baby Aston Martin.

labguy

I honestly don't know for sure. My 2008 CLK350 has 125k miles and still looks pretty new. Interior is still holding up very nice. Maybe an E350, Boxster, or maybe Alpha Romeo Giulia.

nkx1

Oil filter housing was leaking ($540 to replace, plus $170 oil change)
Brake fluid old ($140 to change)
Engine mounts and transmission mount were shot, and one was reportedly leaking ($1,050 to replace)
Thrust arm steering bushings were shot ($355 to replace, plus $150 or so alignment)
One of the front shocks is leaking (still need to replace, waiting on parts; about $650 to replace)

I also need to replace the engine air filters and spark plugs, but I can do that stuff myself.

All of this stuff is pretty common from what I've read (except for the leaking shock), but it still sucks to have to spend money on it. In any event, I knew about most of this stuff before I bought the car based on pre-purchase inspection, so it's not like I was caught off guard.

I also know that my mechanic is a bit high with regard to pricing, but based on Yelp reviews, he knows what he's doing and is honest.

C280 Sport

I wish there was more 6 Banger options for the new C Cabriolets. The R231 I hear is getting a soft top and that is a little bit of a turn off for me. I say that because after owning the CLK Cabriolet I do not think I would want another soft top again. However, it seems like we do not have much choice anymore.

Bmo Pete

Mine's just a weekender and I'm really happy with it, though the mileage is over 80K now. If I got an offer for it I couldn't refuse tomorrow, I'd grab another with low mileage, preferably a rare '06. With that said, down the road a few years if I ditch the second wagon, I'd really like the C63 S as a mid-life crisis daily driver. :-D

mcgsxrclk500

I am only in year 2 of the CLK, so I figure I have a few years yet to sort out what might come next as a summer fun car.

If the kids are gone from the house that could open up a few 2 seaters.

If the convertible bug passes (the CLK is my first) I could easily see my way into a 2015 CLS550 - that biturbo 8 looks like something I should experience before they are all gone!

sailorben

Both my cars have been CLKs. My first, a pre-face, and my soon second being a facelift, which I now have on almost 170k miles. My interior still looks fantastic, and has held up really well, re. rattles. I struggled to find anything comparable on a uni student budget. I have two thoughts when I start earning..
Either go up to a 5.5L CL with the appearance pack (within my repair capability for most things), or keep the CLK as a reliable daily, and find a cool classic; something ridiculous (60s-70s) that I wouldn’t likely loose money on.

C280 Sport

That is a nice weekend toy you have there!