What do you love/hate about your W209?
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From: Earth
W208 CLK320 & E39 M5
What do you love/hate about your W209?
As many of you know, my father finally decided on a 2005 CLK320. However, it is his "birthday present" so i'll buy him whatever he wants. I would love to hear your opinions regarding your favorite, and least favorite aspects of your vehicle as I really don't want him to regret his decision. Thanks.
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
First see if he can go for a even a base 500 vs. a equipped 320.
My biggest gripes are:
Noisy windows seals
Front tires wearing unevenly even after bolt kit installed
Noisy AC compressor (not reported with other's cars)
Doors do not have the same solidity of the W208's
Blue cluster lighting and amber center stack lighting (corrected on 05s)
Slow speed squeak from brakes.
Otherwise drop all 4 windows open the roof and enjoy the pillarless drive...
My biggest gripes are:
Noisy windows seals
Front tires wearing unevenly even after bolt kit installed
Noisy AC compressor (not reported with other's cars)
Doors do not have the same solidity of the W208's
Blue cluster lighting and amber center stack lighting (corrected on 05s)
Slow speed squeak from brakes.
Otherwise drop all 4 windows open the roof and enjoy the pillarless drive...
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Milwaukee, WI
2003 CLK 320
I have the ash interior would of went with the darker color interior. This is the only thing that I would change when i bought the car. I have not had
many problems with the car just the wiper blades and moisture in the side mirror lights. I have had this car almost two years and still very happy with the purchase.
many problems with the car just the wiper blades and moisture in the side mirror lights. I have had this car almost two years and still very happy with the purchase.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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I have a 2004 CLK Coupe.
Tendency to drift on the slightest road grade. I expect this to show up in tire wear around 8K miles. Since tires are directional, I cannot rotate to even the expected wear. But I am confident I can convince MB to pay fo rnew tires. If steering geometry is such that it causes tire wear under normal driving conditions and good tire pressure, they shound pay.
Steering wheel seems constantly off-center to the right, even on a flat road.
Engine fan runs loud. Not very noticeable when inside the car but very noticeable when outside the car.
Otherwise.....I love this car. Great look, great performance, only had to return to dealership for bad wiper blade insert and to attempt to correct right drift (5 visits, 4 or 5 alignments, and 4 to 5 tire exchanges).
Tendency to drift on the slightest road grade. I expect this to show up in tire wear around 8K miles. Since tires are directional, I cannot rotate to even the expected wear. But I am confident I can convince MB to pay fo rnew tires. If steering geometry is such that it causes tire wear under normal driving conditions and good tire pressure, they shound pay.
Steering wheel seems constantly off-center to the right, even on a flat road.
Engine fan runs loud. Not very noticeable when inside the car but very noticeable when outside the car.
Otherwise.....I love this car. Great look, great performance, only had to return to dealership for bad wiper blade insert and to attempt to correct right drift (5 visits, 4 or 5 alignments, and 4 to 5 tire exchanges).
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From: Sunny California
CLK320
Yipe..doors, off center steering, and cup holder.
My cupholder seems to get stuck all the time despite dealership fixes. Like RJC said, the doors do not seem solid, unlike even a Bimmer 3 series. Don't get me started on the steering drift. Dealer wanted me to pay $125 for alignment when I mention the problem.
Other than that, I like it a lot and it is an extremely comfortable ride.
Other than that, I like it a lot and it is an extremely comfortable ride.
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2004 CLK320
Same here. My 2004 CLK320 has similar problems after almost 1 years and 28K KM, just the wiper blades and moisture in the side mirror lights.
Interior is beautiful, the ride is comfortable and decent gas mileage. I do not see many cars, including BMW, have better looking interior.
The only gripe is I cannot rotate the tires because of the staggered configuration. This will change when I upgrade to 17-inch next summer.
Interior is beautiful, the ride is comfortable and decent gas mileage. I do not see many cars, including BMW, have better looking interior.
The only gripe is I cannot rotate the tires because of the staggered configuration. This will change when I upgrade to 17-inch next summer.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: South Florida
05 E500
My wife wants to trade in here '03 C230K sedan for an '05 CLK 500 (sport package).
I'm reading this thread intently.
One gripe I have is why does CLK come without dual frontal cupholders, neither refridgerated?
Even her '03 C-Class has two huge (deep) ample cupholders, one refridgerated. (Are C's the only class with this feature?) Have to check into this. We really like the device for our bottled water. '05 CLK has one (dash mounted) cupholder which is not very deep. With our (MB special event elongated test drive session), our same bottled water wants to fall out under spirited driving moves.
I'm reading this thread intently.
One gripe I have is why does CLK come without dual frontal cupholders, neither refridgerated?
Even her '03 C-Class has two huge (deep) ample cupholders, one refridgerated. (Are C's the only class with this feature?) Have to check into this. We really like the device for our bottled water. '05 CLK has one (dash mounted) cupholder which is not very deep. With our (MB special event elongated test drive session), our same bottled water wants to fall out under spirited driving moves.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 578
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From: west valley, ca
Dislikes - One cup holder (should be two), glove box does not lock, A/C not cold enough, not enough storage space in center armrest.
Likes - keyless go (more useful than one would think), gauges, looks, pillarless design, drive and comfort, TeleAid (peace of mind that I will get a call if my alarm goes off), V8 power
Likes - keyless go (more useful than one would think), gauges, looks, pillarless design, drive and comfort, TeleAid (peace of mind that I will get a call if my alarm goes off), V8 power
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Earth
W208 CLK320 & E39 M5
Originally Posted by RJC
First see if he can go for a even a base 500 vs. a equipped 320.
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From: west valley, ca
Originally Posted by c2jones
This is probably limited to your particular car, right?
I sure hope that the case. Yikes!
(I live in South Florida.)
I sure hope that the case. Yikes!
(I live in South Florida.)
Bottom line, I think they could have done a MUCH better job on the A/C. Who knows, the '05s could be better (mine is an '03). You can always try it out at the dealership. A good test is to try the A/C when the car has been sitting in the hot sun for awhile. Then again I don't even think Florida would be that hot in October.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally Posted by c2jones
This is probably limited to your particular car, right?
I sure hope that the case. Yikes!
(I live in South Florida.)
I sure hope that the case. Yikes!
(I live in South Florida.)
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 114
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From: Dublin, Ireland.
CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR Elegance
Mmm interesting, I found the A/C wasn't as cold as on my previous C200K ! Dealer says it's ok ! Might go somewhere else and ask !!
Also I wish there was a light to tell you when the headlights have come on and also a button to send the seatbelts out again if you've missed them !
As far as faults go .........I havent had ANY in over a year and 16,000 miles. Never had any issues with my '01 C-Class either........touch wood !
Also I wish there was a light to tell you when the headlights have come on and also a button to send the seatbelts out again if you've missed them !
As far as faults go .........I havent had ANY in over a year and 16,000 miles. Never had any issues with my '01 C-Class either........touch wood !
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2004 CLK320
Originally Posted by Ben'sCLK
Yeah i have mine at "auto" too but sometimes I'd just like to know if they are on !
Actually I'd also like a button to lower/raise all windows at once !
Actually I'd also like a button to lower/raise all windows at once !
Another option I would like to have is a way to lock the transmission in manual mode. This way I do not have to go back to first gear at every stop. I drove a Mazda-3 lately and they have this option.
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From: Dublin, Ireland.
CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR Elegance
What I do is if my windows are down; pushing in the air filter button for a few seconds will raise all the windows at once. I use this quite often when someone calls to my cellular when I am driving
Not sure I understand your last point, can you explain this feature further ?
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2004 CLK320
Let's say you want to shift manuallly. You will move the shifter to 1 then move up as you drive. When you stop for the light, you will have to move the shifter all the way to 1 again.
In Mazda-3, it can be locked it to manual so one does not have to move it back to 1 everytime.
In Mazda-3, it can be locked it to manual so one does not have to move it back to 1 everytime.
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From: Dublin, Ireland.
CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR Elegance
But if I drive normally then switch to manual , and move the gear lever back down to 3rd and leave it there and come to a stop. When I move off it automatically selects 1st , then 2nd , then 3rd but wont go higher than 3rd !!
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From: Dublin, Ireland.
CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR Elegance
To send the seatbelts out again just open and close the door.
Too see if the headlights are on look at the ashtray light. If thats on so are the headlights.
Too see if the headlights are on look at the ashtray light. If thats on so are the headlights.
