Jim Banville

Why is a basic CLK320 coupe $7000 more than a basic C320 Sport sedan? Seriously! They have the same engine. Aren't they roughly the same size? Other than losing 2 doors, what does the $7000 premium buy? Better looks?

Jim Banville

Wow! No one can name a single material thing that makes the CLK 320 worth $7K more than a C320?

BogeyGolfer

The CLK class was recently rated as the top Luxury model for resale?

Jim Banville

MB charges more for the car because it has a good resale value?

bryanm

I think that the reason no one has responded is that no one can believe you asked the question!

What about that CL 500? For a mere $55,950 more than a C320, you only get 87 more horse power. Those Benz guys have really been fooling us for years, thank you ever so much for setting us straight!

Ben'sCLK

Having owned a W203 before my 209 I would gladly pay that difference. The quality of the car is better IMO. The materials used inside are slightly nicer and the whole feel of the car is better. It all adds to a better ambience and image.

I dont think there is any true tangible reason why the price difference is that amount, just think yourself lucky you dont live over here where the difference is well over twice that.

In Ireland the C-Class Sports Coupe is cheaper than the sedan, so if you compared an SC with a CLK of the same spec there would be over $20,000 between them !

E320Star

It is about owning the STAR man !!!

tampaclk

the clk uses the c platform, but it's stretched a few inches. the seats, dash, brakes, and overall interior are different, plus, it's a much more attractive car, and not nealy as common as the c class. c class has its own coupe version.

IMO the b pillar-less design is sweet and clean, just like the CL. also, for a coupe, the rear seat may be larger than the c class. the question you s/b asking yourself is for 50k, do you buy a pretty loaded clk 320 or a c55 w/ a v8. they're almost the same price, and that's the c class that commands some respect.

Jim Banville

Okay, so everyone agrees the extra $7K pays for looks and image (i.e., looks= no B pillar and a STAR on the grille, image= people know you paid more $$$$). That's what I had assumed. Thanks

bryanm

Pal, image is obviously what YOU are after, otherwise you would have stuck with the Toyota instead or ordering a new MB.

You also feel the need to list the details of your current ride in your signature -- really no one here cares what you drive for any reason other than putting requests for help into context.

If on the other hand you can't afford a CLK and have to settle for the C320, we can all respect that, but to attempt to pooh-pooh something to make yourself feel better or to solve a case of buyers remorse is something else.

I, like most others on this forum are here to help and be helped. Please go annoy the folks in the W203 forum with your petty rantings and leave us alone, or better yet don't annoy anyone.

Jim Banville

I was expecting a comment like that!
Hey, bud, just because you can't come up with a valid reason the CLK costs SO much more than another MB the same size and with the same engine, that's no reason for you to get personal! Blame MB, not me!
The CLK is a decent looking car. I wish the rest of the C class cars had the same front end treatment. It's just kind of small for its price.
Anyway, I guess I just ***umed that those people on this forum who paid a lot of money for their CLK320 would have looked at the price at some point and said, "Wow! Why so much more?". Surely price IS a consideration to you folks, isn't it? I figured at least ONE person here would have wondered why it was so much more while they were in the process of deciding on buying it and got some valid answers they could share with me. Maybe I'm alone in thinking that $7000 is more than just chump change

zee

Jim,

I believe the phrase that answers your question is called Niche Marketing.

We can always argue why CLK 320 costs 7000 more than the C class? Or why a CL55 costs a whopping 50,000 more than CLK55. After all, the engine is only supercharged for CL55, and for slightly different looks but essentially same utility should one pay so much extra for the second car?

What Mercedes is doing is catering to small niches that have specific requirements. It is tweaking the body frame, chassis, interior and engine all too minutely but making sure that the end product is all too distinct. For this service, it is charging a premium that is bothering you.

I don’t want a C-class. It is a good family car that will probably appeal to someone looking at Acura TSX or Toyota Camry as her next car. But since I need a two door coupe with interior styling options, and a stronger engine, Mercedes tweaked around their C-class, added some more goodies to the package, made the car a 2-door coupe, and packaged it with a premium price. I like the fact that CLK is more exclusive, and fits my view of a nice car rather well with me. For all my perception, Mercedes will charge me extra $$$, since they know I’ll pay for the increased “exclusivity” of this car.

I do think that the phrase “If you can’t afford a CLK” was in extremely bad taste .

Cheers,

Zee

Jim Banville

Thanks.
I guess you could call it "the price of admission"?

Jim