MercedesFTW

So upon final inspection of a 2003 CLK55 I notice that the "aluminum trim" is nothing more than...painted plastic?

Did this particular one get the shaft on the assembly? Or are all the 2003s like this? If so...are there any solutions to make the interior less cheap?

Also any problems I should look for in a 2003 CLk55 before buying it?

Thanks.

Holson

You could always swap in the burlwood trim from the CLK500 or even CLK320? I love wood trim, one of the reasons I decided to get the CLK55 over the C32 (if I bought the 203, I was going to buy the Designo Cinnamora Wood from the euro version W203)

good luck

sdsilverm3

Swap in the wood trim as Holson said. The aluminum trim just looks cheap.

neilbo75

If it makes you feel better, the Aston Martin Vanquish was also criticised for using painted plastic in lieu of real aluminum.

scrapes55

MB has been taking some short cuts since Diamler C. accusition. What do you think?

PS: I still prefer sporty look of plastic than confused look of wood trim in AMG. That was one of the big dissappointment I had for my last CLK.

Stiggs

I agree...even though it looks kinda cheap...I like the sporty look of it. It goes well with my black and merlot leather seats. As crazy as it sounds....I think it looks better than wood in this car! I don't mind the wood inside a CLS55.

MercedesFTW

Hmmm thanks for the opinions. I might just have to get used to it.

*shrug*

Jaki

+1

I think the wood trim doesn't fit a sports car too well.

ProjectC55

I think MB really went away from what they used to do since the yr 2k .I don't like the interior of my Mom's 05 C230k sedan at all compared to my C43.Looks like very cheap material all around.I'm assuming this is tru for the CLK55 and C55 as well.cheap looking, No?

sdsilverm3

Agreed

scrapes55

wut I dont get it is why the prices are going up?

Stiggs

What do you mean?

Holson

inflation? The euro's stronger too.

I get a C280 4Matic loaner when I bring my car in for service. While I love the way it drive, I hate the rubbery steering wheel, the rubbery seats...

In general, newer cars drive better, but the older ones always feel more substantial. If you ever get a chance to drive or just sit in an immaculate 87+ 560SEC, you'll know what I mean.

*miss my W124 - the CLK's interior feels cheap in comparison*

scrapes55

Well if the quality goes down but the price is the same then we could say they are trying to increase their profit margin. If the quality stay but the price goes up we can say the same.

But if the quality goes down but the price goes up that is just plain BS.

:-)

Then again I still keep buying benz so I guess they are doing ok.

ProjectC55

My C43 has a Strong firm MB feel to it.The newer cars seem like a totally different car from a different company.Plus the interiors seem smaller.Definitely a more compact feeling as if I'm possibly driving in a 3 series BMW.Small inside.Is this all in my head?

scrapes55

nope it is not. When i was growing up my uncle always had E and S series Benz's. I loved them because they felt huge.

I think there are couple factors one of them is the steering wheel. Steering wheel body used to be much bigger even my W208 had a bigger column than W209. Same thing with front console, arm rest.

scrapes55

You know I am having a really hard time understanding how these companies work???

Dont they have any market research guys? I love the options come with Porsches, you can have full interior with carbon fiber and they are not so much more expensive than AMG (A Carrera 997 is same price as my CLK55 for another 8-10K you can get Carrera S ).

Same thing with the rims, while BMW has so many nice options benz have almost none (I like the stock AMG wheels though).

Enough ranting back to work :-)

sid 951

i hate wood interior in anything!-high end cars need high end interiors manuf. are just getting cheaper horrible