Finally confirmed by Benz. CLK is over.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 13
From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
Finally confirmed by Benz. CLK is over.
Article here. Sorry again you guys.
Although it has been rumored for some time now, Mercedes-Benz has finally confirmed it will end production of its CLK coupe in favor for a bigger, E-Class based two-door. According to reports by Automotive News, the all-new car will hit U.S. showrooms by mid-2009 as a 2010 model, with a convertible version arriving around one year later.
Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Ernst Lieb revealed the car will be positioned to compete with the likes of the Audi S5, BMW 6 Series and possibly even the upcoming Porsche Panamera. He further stated the E-Class coupe will cost more than the current CLK's MSRP of $48,975.
Although it has been rumored for some time now, Mercedes-Benz has finally confirmed it will end production of its CLK coupe in favor for a bigger, E-Class based two-door. According to reports by Automotive News, the all-new car will hit U.S. showrooms by mid-2009 as a 2010 model, with a convertible version arriving around one year later.
Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Ernst Lieb revealed the car will be positioned to compete with the likes of the Audi S5, BMW 6 Series and possibly even the upcoming Porsche Panamera. He further stated the E-Class coupe will cost more than the current CLK's MSRP of $48,975.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 613
Likes: 1
From: Sparks, NV
03 CLK 55 AMG, IMCO muffler/Magnaflow tips, KW V1 coilovers, 19" Petrol Metrix Wheels
that concept car just looks too big. our cars already feel too big and heavy sometimes. can you imagine an even bigger two door coupe. the bmw six series is enormous and there is no interior room. i think mb is going in the wrong direction here. bigger and heavier seem counterintuitive.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: living in Paris, France and San Diego ...
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupé
Agreed. Most cars get bigger from one generation to the next, in order to grow with (the wasitline of) the earlier buyers.
It's usually a mistake. IMHO MB (er, Daimler Chyrsler) did not help itself by making the 209 a slightly bigger car and then styling it to look even bigger (think CL, not pony car).
Now, judging by this article, it's going to get a lot worse. I saw the "Fascination" at the Paris Show and it is a very busy front end. It compares so poorly to the classic good looks of the 210 E/208 CLK that I'm starting to like the chances of resale values firming up a bit.
BMW 3 series cars are now bigger than old 5 series. Eventually, the manufactuer has to pull a new small car out of his hat, such as the BMW 1 series. That might turn out to good news for small Merc coupe fans in a few years' time.
It's usually a mistake. IMHO MB (er, Daimler Chyrsler) did not help itself by making the 209 a slightly bigger car and then styling it to look even bigger (think CL, not pony car).
Now, judging by this article, it's going to get a lot worse. I saw the "Fascination" at the Paris Show and it is a very busy front end. It compares so poorly to the classic good looks of the 210 E/208 CLK that I'm starting to like the chances of resale values firming up a bit.
BMW 3 series cars are now bigger than old 5 series. Eventually, the manufactuer has to pull a new small car out of his hat, such as the BMW 1 series. That might turn out to good news for small Merc coupe fans in a few years' time.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 111
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From: Atlanta
03 CLK55 AMG, 95 3000GT
One would think, but it doesn't always work with cars. My 3000GT value sunk like a rock when they stopped making it. So I would't jump to that conclusion, just off the bat. Cause often times parts become incredibly difficult to find an when people hear the car is going to be discontinued they often flee from the platform.
Last edited by GSUNole; Nov 10, 2008 at 06:14 PM.
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Vegas
2005 CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet
One would think, but it doesn't always work with cars. My 3000GT value sunk like a rock when they stopped making it. So I would't jump to that conclusion, just off the bat. Cause often times parts become incredibly difficult to find an when people hear the car is going to be discontinued they often flee from the platform.
Just need to enjoy our CLKs everyday until the day we need to sell.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,734
Likes: 65
From: Hotlanta
AMG
Just remember the esteemed cars that have been associated with the CLK name:
CLK63 Black Series
CLK GTR coupe
CLK GTR Roadster
CLK DTM coupe
CLK DTM Roadster
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Agreed. Most cars get bigger from one generation to the next, in order to grow with (the wasitline of) the earlier buyers.
It's usually a mistake. IMHO MB (er, Daimler Chyrsler) did not help itself by making the 209 a slightly bigger car and then styling it to look even bigger (think CL, not pony car).
Now, judging by this article, it's going to get a lot worse. I saw the "Fascination" at the Paris Show and it is a very busy front end. It compares so poorly to the classic good looks of the 210 E/208 CLK that I'm starting to like the chances of resale values firming up a bit.
BMW 3 series cars are now bigger than old 5 series. Eventually, the manufactuer has to pull a new small car out of his hat, such as the BMW 1 series. That might turn out to good news for small Merc coupe fans in a few years' time.
It's usually a mistake. IMHO MB (er, Daimler Chyrsler) did not help itself by making the 209 a slightly bigger car and then styling it to look even bigger (think CL, not pony car).
Now, judging by this article, it's going to get a lot worse. I saw the "Fascination" at the Paris Show and it is a very busy front end. It compares so poorly to the classic good looks of the 210 E/208 CLK that I'm starting to like the chances of resale values firming up a bit.
BMW 3 series cars are now bigger than old 5 series. Eventually, the manufactuer has to pull a new small car out of his hat, such as the BMW 1 series. That might turn out to good news for small Merc coupe fans in a few years' time.
The W209 replaced the W208 which had the design style of an e-class. It was a mistake for the W209 to become a C-class companion. MB are going back to the classical E-Class coupe which sold extremely well and made a strong impression on owners who claim that the W124 was the best Mercedes ever made.
Most importantly the W124 was sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible. It also offered a number of engines which were high performance for that time.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, OH
2003 CLK500
I agree. Over the next 10 years the value will drop like a rock. You'll start seeing CLKs rolling through the ghetto (already seen some w208s) over the next few years. Once they crash and trash 70% of the old inventory, then the remaining 30% will call for a demand for a "Classic CLK" in about 15 to 20 years from now, for cars in good to excellent condition. The NADA value won't mean much then. It will all be about demand and quality. I wouldn't be surprised to see the CLK, most likely AMGs, at the Mecum or Barrett-Jackson auctions. Who knows how much they'll go for, but we can hope to at least get back what we paid for them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
2017 W205 C43 AMG
Precisely! Many great cars have been based upon the CLK platform. With a N/A 5.5L or 6.3L engine, the car is positioned to be admired for a longtime to come. Only time will tell, but we now know we have Limited edition cars, whatever that means!
