CLK-Class (W209) 2003 on: CLK 270 CDI, CLK 200K, CLK 200 CGI, CLK 240, CLK 320, CLK 350, CLK 500, CLK 550 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Newer or higher up the range?

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Old Jun 4, 2016 | 09:47 PM
  #1  
Coruscator's Avatar
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2004 CLK 270 CDI Avantgarde
Newer or higher up the range?

Hi, I know this is probably in the wrong forum but I've only ever posted
in here and like and trust your opinions.

(Moderator please move/remove this thread as you see fit)

I'm looking to change cars sometime soon. Obviously only a MB will do.

I like my 2 door CLK coupe and don't want or need any more doors. :0)

I quite like the newer C350 and E350 class coupe's but IMO they don't have as nice
an interior as my current car. The dashboards are hard plastic and don't feel
quite as luxurious. That said, they do have better tech, Bluetooth, sat-nav,
etc, simply because they are newer.

What I do like is the SL350 and I really like that it's a hardtop convertible.

But I would have to get an 'older' one to better suit my budget.

So my question is....

What would you do/advise?
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Old Jun 4, 2016 | 09:59 PM
  #2  
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I am actually looking for the same thing. I love the CLK, but I don't need the back seat, and like the idea of a hardtop convertible. The R230 SL seems to be a great car for the current market prices. I've done a lot of research and besides the "usual" stuff, the main problem with the R230 seems to be the ABC (Active Body Control) system. It uses the power steering fluid and pump to hydraulically control the suspension and it's very susceptible to any contaminates in the system, and there are some parts that tend to need maintenance/replacement. Still, I think I am willing to deal with that given my skills.

I'm looking for a MY2011/2012 SL550. We don't get the V6 over hear (well, not until now with the R231 SL400). On an SL350, I'd avoid anything prior to MY2008 so you don't have to worry about balance shaft failure, plus the transmission got better. The SL suffers from the same potential hydraulic system issues as any cabriolet. It is a bit more complex of a car than the CLK, but it sure is nice!
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Old Jun 4, 2016 | 10:15 PM
  #3  
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2013 CLS63, 2001 ML430, 2012 e350 coupe
MY wife has an 12' E350 coupe, i dont dislike the interior, but i agree its not as nice, But honestly i love her car. If they made an E63 coupe i would already own it. And IMO the E coupe exterior is allot better looking than the c coupe.
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Old Jun 4, 2016 | 11:02 PM
  #4  
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The only thing I don't like about the A207/C207 are the rear fenders. Looks like a '79 Chevy Monte Carlo to me.
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Old Jun 4, 2016 | 11:10 PM
  #5  
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From: Dallas
2013 CLS63, 2001 ML430, 2012 e350 coupe
Originally Posted by Rudeney
The only thing I don't like about the A207/C207 are the rear fenders. Looks like a '79 Chevy Monte Carlo to me.
lol, im never going to look at her car the same
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Old Jun 5, 2016 | 05:26 PM
  #6  
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2004 CLK320
I tried the new C Coupe and for a test drive, I did not have time to test all the new technologies. I found it has a nice and modern interior but definitely not as elegant and refined as our w209.

I have been driving my 2004CLK320 for 12 years and after 220k miles, the ride still feel great and solid. Wonder if the newer coupes can complete with this.

Unfortunately, our cars are getting old and we all have to look for alternatives.

Last edited by mis3; Jun 5, 2016 at 06:58 PM.
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Old Jun 5, 2016 | 06:23 PM
  #7  
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From: Dallas
2013 CLS63, 2001 ML430, 2012 e350 coupe
Originally Posted by mis3
I tried the new C Coupe and for a test drive, I did not have time to test all the new technologies. I found it has a nice and modern interior but definitely not as elegant and refined as our w209.

I have been driving my 2004CLK320 for 12 years and after 220k miles, the ride still feel great and solid. Wonder if the newer coupes can complete with this.

Unfortunately, our cars are getting old and we all have to look for alternatives.
I as impressed with the C coupe as you were, i cant bite the bullet and buy a c63 coupe. I think next year im going to have to get an e550 coupe and build that, i want a turbo car.
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Old Jun 5, 2016 | 06:53 PM
  #8  
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2004 CLK320
I love my burlwood interior and steering wheel but the younger folks think this is old school. Apparently, aluminium and piano black are in style now.

I read that the new E Coupe willl be bigger than the current one. Hope it is not going to be too big.

Another point is many car guys told me that the newer MB are not as well built as the older ones. I for one am impressed with the quality of the w209, still rides and looks great after 12 years, after 220k miles.

Last edited by mis3; Jun 5, 2016 at 07:15 PM.
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Old Jun 5, 2016 | 07:24 PM
  #9  
Coruscator's Avatar
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2004 CLK 270 CDI Avantgarde
Im liking the looks and specs of this (not so little) beauty!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...used&logcode=p
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 05:23 AM
  #10  
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2004 CLK 500
Originally Posted by Coruscator
Im liking the looks and specs of this (not so little) beauty!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...used&logcode=p
I really like the two toned interior on that car. But, the steering is on the wrong side!
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 06:22 AM
  #11  
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2004 CLK 270 CDI Avantgarde
Originally Posted by Gary C
I really like the two toned interior on that car. But, the steering is on the wrong side!
Nah, the steering is on the correct side.

Its all related to which side of your brain you use whilst driving.

The right side of the brain is related to creativity and the left side is used
for logic.

We have the steering wheel on the right because it encourages creative
driving, you guys have it on the left because it encourages logical driving.

This is probably why we dont have 'Stop' signs, we have 'Give Way' signs.

Using a 'Give way' sign is simple, if we approach a junction and can clearly see
that there are no cars coming , then we can use the junction and join the
adjacent road, without stopping.

Whereas using a Stop sign is also straightforward enough but infuriating if
there are no cars coming because you still have to stop,
albeit for no real reason other that there is a sign that says Stop.

This is the reason F1 drivers sit in the middle of the car so when racing
they can use both the right and left side of their brains equally at the same time.
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 04:40 PM
  #12  
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W204 C63 AMG, W212 E250 CGI, C207 E250 CGI
E coupe is one of the best looking coupes out there. bmw and audi cant hold a candle.

the rear fender bulge is what defines the car. sexy yet mean. got it for the mrs to replace her W209 and she couldnt be happier.

go for it mate. youll be smiling every time you get in the cockpit.
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 05:18 PM
  #13  
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2004 CLK 270 CDI Avantgarde
Originally Posted by beejAMG
E coupe is one of the best looking coupes out there. bmw and audi cant hold a candle.

the rear fender bulge is what defines the car. sexy yet mean. got it for the mrs to replace her W209 and she couldnt be happier.

go for it mate. youll be smiling every time you get in the cockpit.

I think your right.

Ive looked everywhere for alternatives.

BMW? Not a chance, over here (UK) they are generally driven like they are
weapons. Don't expect to be flashed out from a junction in front of one
or overtake one without them wanting to race you afterwards either.
Its because they are driven like this that they have a really poor image.

Plus they have interiors that would make me want to take my own life
if I had to sit in one everyday.

Audi? I quite like the A5 coupe, but they don't have the prestige, luxury or
the style that MB do. What really turned me off it was when you
open the door there is a light that shines the Audi emblem onto the floor
to light your entrance. I think I would die of shame if someone saw,
theres no way to turn it off either.

I can't afford the SL that I want so its looking like the E350 Coupe is the perfect answer.
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 05:33 PM
  #14  
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W204 C63 AMG, W212 E250 CGI, C207 E250 CGI
You mean this light? i love em.






The A5 coupe is nice (havent seen the interior but). just not nice enough to replace our CLK then so i dint bother. BMwhat? I reckon they have the same designer as hyundai, so doesnt deserve a second glance when i see 1 on the road.
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 05:49 PM
  #15  
Coruscator's Avatar
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2004 CLK 270 CDI Avantgarde
Originally Posted by beejAMG
You mean this light? i love em.






The A5 coupe is nice (havent seen the interior but). just not nice enough to replace our CLK then so i dint bother. BMwhat? I reckon they have the same designer as hyundai, so doesnt deserve a second glance when i see 1 on the road.
Oh no. :0(

MB what are you thinking? These lights are offending my eyes! Rape! lol

I hope that these lights can be changed for a plain bulb.

I like MB when they are understated and not shouting, 'Everyone look
at me!'. Like a woman wearing too much make-up or too short a skirt.

I don't like the elegance models because of the big star sticking out of the
hood either.

Each to their own I suppose.

I think the letters B.M.W. should be replaced with E.G.O.

Last edited by Coruscator; Jun 6, 2016 at 05:51 PM.
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 05:56 PM
  #16  
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W204 C63 AMG, W212 E250 CGI, C207 E250 CGI
i actually added those lights on. love it especially at night.

a few would disagree with you when it comes to the standing star on the bonnet. i think the big star on the grille is more shouting than the lil standing star. yep, to each his own.

at least we can agree with bmw. ill be nore than happy to take the bus when it comes down to that.
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 06:13 PM
  #17  
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2004 CLK 270 CDI Avantgarde
Originally Posted by beejAMG
a few would disagree with you when it comes to the standing star on the bonnet. i think the big star on the grille is more shouting than the lil standing star. yep, to each his own.

at least we can agree with bmw. ill be nore than happy to take the bus when it comes down to that.

Hmmm, I never thought of it that way but yeah I see what you mean about
the star in the grill. It is bigger than the hood one.

The other thing though is if it hasn't got the star sticking out of the hood, then it
means its an avantgarde which means its lower and has sportier suspension.

Hmmm BMW or bus?

Bus everytime!
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 06:24 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Coruscator
The other thing though is if it hasn't got the star sticking out of the hood, then it
means its an avantgarde which means its lower and has sportier suspension.
not entirely correct, my W211 and W212 are Avantgardes but has the bonnet star. youre right about the lower and sportier suspension but.

anyways, W205s are nice but if you can do without the rear doors and the extra room at the back, then go for the E coupe. unless you wanna go all out and get the S coupe or wait for the 213 coupe or even the 205 coupe. too many choices givin me a headache!
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 07:07 PM
  #19  
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2004 CLK 270 CDI Avantgarde
Originally Posted by beejAMG
not entirely correct, my W211 and W212 are Avantgardes but has the bonnet star. youre right about the lower and sportier suspension but.
Oh wow, I did not know that. Damn google. I looked it up the other day
and was sure thats what it said.

Hopefully someone will chime in and explain.

I suppose you can have whatever you want if you buy new.
An avantgarde with the star on the hood as an option, maybe.

I'll never know because I could never afford to go and look at
a new one, let alone buy one and choose the options.

Cheers bro.

Last edited by Coruscator; Jun 6, 2016 at 07:15 PM.
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 07:35 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Coruscator
Oh wow, I did not know that. Damn google. I looked it up the other day
and was sure thats what it said.

Hopefully someone will chime in and explain.

I suppose you can have whatever you want if you buy new.
An avantgarde with the star on the hood as an option, maybe.

I'll never know because I could never afford to go and look at
a new one, let alone buy one and choose the options.

Cheers bro.
lol

i reckon they got rid of the Avantgarde, Classic, Sport, Elegance variants from 2012?
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 11:12 PM
  #21  
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2005 CLK500
Originally Posted by beejAMG
i actually added those lights on. love it especially at night.

a few would disagree with you when it comes to the standing star on the bonnet. i think the big star on the grille is more shouting than the lil standing star. yep, to each his own.

at least we can agree with bmw. ill be nore than happy to take the bus when it comes down to that.
My 2016 Q5 came with just standard lights. I added the logo lights. I like them a lot. Not as nice as those MB lights, but nice anyhow.


Newer or higher up the range?-door-20lights-204.jpg
Newer or higher up the range?-door-20lights-201.jpg
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Old Jun 7, 2016 | 01:13 AM
  #22  
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^they look good Jim!
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Old Jun 7, 2016 | 02:35 AM
  #23  
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2004 CLK 270 CDI Avantgarde
Originally Posted by JimVonBaden
My 2016 Q5 came with just standard lights. I added the logo lights. I like them a lot. Not as nice as those MB lights, but nice anyhow.




Rape!

Please someone, shield my eyes from this gauche horror! lol

Originally Posted by beejAMG
lol

i reckon they got rid of the Avantgarde, Classic, Sport, Elegance variants from 2012?
They did.

I'm not sure why thats relevant, but thanks for sharing.

Last edited by Coruscator; Jun 7, 2016 at 02:40 AM.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 03:14 PM
  #24  
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From: Worcester, MA
15' CLS400
As Jeremy Clarkson would say to James.. "Its complete trash"..


Joking aside.. I as well am drive an almost decade old car and am scoping out my next vehicle. I'm either going with a E350 or an older S550. Decisions.
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 04:13 PM
  #25  
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From: Georgia
2011 E550 Cab
I test drove an E550 Cab before I bought my 09 CLK550. I didn't like all of the tech in the E550. All I saw was $$$$$$ when something went wrong. It was a 2012 with 9k miles. Glad my CLK only just turned 26,000mi yesterday.

Last edited by BigMike62; Jun 17, 2016 at 04:30 PM.
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