Karljr79

Hey everyone,

I am in a little dillema, a pretty typical one actually! I am looking at a CLK500 coupe and the question is this:

I can get a fabulous deal on an 04' and an OK deal on the 05'

The only thing holding me back on the 04 is the dated radio and center console. Sounds silly but I just think if I am paying 60K for a car, I should not have to stare at a big void under the stereo because I don't want COMMAND. I have had C240's as rental cars in the past and thought that the dinky head unit they put in them was substandard when compared to other cars out there (esp a CLK500). Not only that but don't the 04' cars still have the old Bose system?

I am also considering a 2005 Audi A6 4.2 and a BMW 545i and those seem like they will age better technology-wise.

Am I wrong about the 04? FOr example were 04' cars built after a certain date changed to be like the 05 cars???

Thanks for the insight!!!

ElkGroveCLK

how much are you gettin' off from msrp for '04?

Harris

You cant compare a MB CLK vs Audi A6 or 545i. Those are totally different cars. When you sit on an Audi, it seems like you are sitting in a fighter jet ****pit, there are so many buttons and lights, all of them in red. Its just too much (for me), but I am sure some people will find it cool. The 5 series has never been a nice looking car, so...... put three cars side by side and I am sure people will peek into the CLK more than the two.

The money that you saved from the '04 will hurt you big time when you sell the car in the future as people know '05 has the interior facelift. Since we are only days away from '05, I think you should get a '05.

Karljr79

Thanks for the thoughts, keep em coming.

I was offered 8,000 off MSRP for the 04'

Resale is not my biggest concern because I would be leasing the car. The issue is more for me personally. I tend to get sick of things fast and I am worried that the 04 technology will become (already is) dated.

tampaclk

the '04 gets you free maintenance...if your leasing go with the '04, if you buy, get the '05. I was looking at the A62.7t and 530 before I "found" my clk...I'm glad I did. plus, in the words of a bimmer salesman, "there's a big difference when you pull up in an BMW as opposed to an audi"...In my opinion even more so in the Benz, over the bmw and audi. although sweet, my old 5 was never the car left in front by the valet, however, my clk almost always is.

tampaclk

also. it sounds like a decent deal. on my '04 320, i got about 7500 off my msrp...with the high residual value on the clk, you s/b getting a pretty good payment...even though MB is making the $$ on the int rate. over 3 years, the car will probably be worth around 38K. 60k msrp - 8k = 52 k - 38 residual= 14k of depreciation over 3 years...even if you're at 5-7% interest, your payment s/b in the mid 5-to low 600 range.

rough math, but you get the point.

if you're a techno freak go w/ an Acura RL or TL with bluetooth wireless and all the other techno gadgets.

Karljr79

Not sure why it's been so hard for me to make up my mind on this.

Gotta agree with you on the Audi thing, I have owned 3 in the past few years and you are dead on. Great cars but I think I am ready for something different.

Got a price from the dealer on the 2005 and I think its more than I want to spend right now.

If it weren't for the 04 being dated inside I would go for the CLK hands down.

Why am I such a cheap *******, LOL

ElkGroveCLK

i think you also have to pay $ 1,000 for gas guzzler tax for '04 and not for '05.

OzCLK

I've got an 05 CLK320 Cab and a mate has an 04. I feel like I got a Big Mac and he has a cheese burger.

Go for the 05, you sound like the type of person that will kick yourself for ages if you dont. (and you know it!)

04 =

05 =

Karljr79

I knew you were gonna say that!

Anyways, I am going to go and look at both the 04 and 05 today as I haven't seen the car yet. I've been dealing with a salesman over the phone for the last few days.

I think it's gonna be a 545i though as the 05 vs 04 lease is coming out at over $200/month more. My gut just tells me the 545i @ $825/month is a better deal than an 05 CLK @ $1006/month.

Who knows, maybe I will go to the dealer and think the 04 isn't that bad because I've been expecting the worst.

Ben'sCLK

You could always get steve to put a command unit into the '04 !!

zee

I have just bought a 2004 CLK500, and here are my reasons for buying 04 and not 05:

1. I got a good deal on 2004. Granted I got a demo model, but it was almost 16% off the base MSRP in Canada. The car has all the optional goodies that I would have liked (Keyless Go, Sunroof, Heated and Contoured Seats, Winter Rims). With all the stuff, I think I saved around 14 to 15 thousand dollars in total, compared to the money I had to pay on 2005 Model with all these options. That was the key for me.

2. The stereo system was not an issue for me, since I have to get something more powerful anyways in the car. I need more bass in the stereo, and in my view Harmon and Bose Systems are almost the same.

3. I intend to keep the car for at least 5-6 years, therefore depreciation was not a major concern. However if you are going to change cars sooner, 2005 is definitely a better choice.

The things that I truly liked in 2005 are the twin exhaust, plus the manual gear shifts on the steering wheel. If I were getting a discount of (say only 8% of MSRP), I would have easily picked 05. In my view, they should offer you more discount to get you to buy the older model. Otherwise, go for the 05 Model.

As a side note, I hope you would stay with CLK and not 5-Series. I really dislike the shape of this car .

All the best with your decision.

jyg e500 maybe

difference 7sp auto vs 5sp 22mpg hyway on 04 25 on 05. and no gas guzzler tax. go for 05.

Karljr79

Thanks guys! I am ready to go ahead and do a 2004. They 2005's on a 0 down 36 month lease are just a lot more than I want to pay.

I'm thinking of asking him to find a car with COMMAND which would ease my pain a bit.

Also MB dealer is giving me a lot more for my Audi trade-in than any other dealer (even Audi dealers!!)

My last question is this:

Can you have Sirius installed on the 2004 cars???? And if so, it probably looks pretty crappy on that small screen. Or if I do find a car w/ COMMAND will it work with that?

Who knows, I may be posting tomorrow as a CLK owner

cntlaw

Correct me if I am wrong , 04 is not a facelift and the 05 is.
The small facelift of CLK gives a new ****pit design like all the 05 W203s.

You are still paying a large sum of money for a 04 Benz , do not buy it if
there is something on it that you hate about it. You have already made a good choice to the beauty 05 CLK500.

I am quite shocked you would even consider to downgrade from a Benz coupe to an old man's saloon 545.

I have zero comment about you are also thinking of Audi S6.

Chip

Sirius works fine in a 04. The 05 has better improved radio and a few other things. But the 04 is the same strong wonderful car. Depends on what you want.

Karljr79

Well, I went to the dealer again and took a look. I then went to the Audi and BMW dealer just to confirm my decision.

Looks like tomorrow I will be cruising in a Pewter CLK500 with Xenons, Bun Warmers, Parktronic, CD changer, and yes cubbyhole under the stereo

I just could not live with myself if I got another sedan. Even if the Audi and BMW have more whiz-bangs. I just love the feel of the car, and when I drove it again I knew I had made up my mind. If the cubby hole keeps bothering me, I will have SteveNL pop in a euro spec COMMAND, simple as that.

BTW, how does the SIRIUS work with the standard head unit???? I did not notice a SAT button on the stereo, or a way to get a lot of info on the screen.

Chip

After Sirius is installed it will appear on the screen and work as another band added to WB,FM,AM. But you can directly go it instead of having to scroll through all the bands. With the cabs you don't have an external antenna but with the hardtops you do. I don't know how I would live without it.