bzliteyear

Hi guys,

I recently sold my 1995 E320 Cab with 85k miles after a nice 3-4 yrs, and already have some regret. Yday I started to notice some CLK55 cabriolets (both W208 and W209s) and I showed it to my wife to get her her input(approval in married people term). Surprisingly, she didn't object to my interest but said - "that's a girl's car"...and that she would look good in it.

What do you think guys - I need some help to get over the macho hump. Thx.

P.S. If any of you are in NYC, I'd REALLY appreciate you checking it out for me. I'm going to ask MB dealer to do PPI, but the people on this forum have much sharper eyes.

Patrick

Ifari

She's right...especially if talking about the 209.
Coupes are more masculine, specifically the 208.
Cabrios are not masculine, unless they have only two seats (exclude miatas) or are big cars! IMO

Coupecrazy

Agreed. The 209 only looks B.A. as the Black Series. The 208 coupe looks plenty masculine to me. Cabrio's of either just never move me.

betrezra

Looks are sooo subjective. You'll get allot differing response here based on personal taste.

Do you want rack-n-pinion steering or not?

Regarding looks I like em both. What got me into these cars was the DTM versions..... with my bank account the w209 CLK55 with bolt-ons will get me "closer" to my DTM dream (for now)

dynomite05

Ultimately your the one driving it, so go with whatever you like. I don't think either one is a bad option.

Klinh

I have to agreed with her and so the Slk too. Two cars that I happen to like the look alot. I currently enjoy my Clk Cabrio alot and also looking to get back into the AMG model again like the Slk 55 in the future.

bzliteyear

I saw a nice SLK55 yday to my right as I stopped at the light - yep, a 40 yr old woman. Although CLK shapes are commonly driven by female, they're mainly the 350/500/550's. My guess is most of the 100 AMGs are driven by men.
PL

dohcfiend

personal taste but i do not care for soft top conv. i agree they are a little less masculine than a coupe. Not sure if u considered it but overall the w208 seems more masculine than a w209 amg coupe.

All one needs to do to one to dramatically improve the looks is change out the grille and lose the hood ornament. unless its a newer model slk style grille; most of em can be had for under $400 with shipping(i got mine for less than $250).

Also there are a ton of hood badges out there for less than $30 shipped.

bzliteyear

I agree about 208's look more classic and masculine, but from what I've read, the chassis for 209 is much stiffer and is a big benefit on the cabs. also, the w209 has updated options, including keyless, better command, interior, parktronics(some), and (supposedly) 2 more inches of rear legroom for my kids. Surprisingly, my old E320 Cab has less leg room by the specification than the CLKs, but from personal experience it feels LARGER.
P.S. I think W208 2 pc wheels better, but I think 18" on W209 probably handles better also?
PL

dohcfiend

i do admit the keyless and command would be nice. In time i will be able to have a good sat nav system w/backup camera installed for a little over $1000 but as far as i know im stuck with the key . i haven't really seen the interior of a w209 other than the cluster but i didn't like bright green backlighting of dash clusters i seen.

dkaf

Love my w208 clk55 amg cab. It's plenty masculine. Especially at 110mph with the top down

dohcfiend

update: i looked through some photos of the w209 interior and IMO I like the look of the w208 interior more.

dkaf

The interior is not as elegant as the later models. My interior is all black. The black walnut wood is very cool looking and unique. The seats are very comfortable, highly adjustable, and have great bolsters and lumbar support. Easy to drive hard or on long road trips. I commute 50 miles a day to work.

SoCalCLK

I've owned a W208 CLK430 and now a W209 CLK55. Both cars are great. The W209 with the 40% stiffer chassis and some other refinements, really stand out, when you drive the car.

The W208 bodystyle is aggressive, masculine and classic. Looks are personal taste, but you can't lose with either one.

betrezra

really two different cars...... similar in name only.