RE: Shed of the Week | Mercedes-Benz CLK (W208)
Discussion
I quite like that, especially the interior. What a lot of people might not realise, is that it's not an 'off the shelf' interior, it would have been part of their 'Designo' range at the time, which is equivalent to BMW's 'Individual' options. Someone probably paid well over £40k for this car when it was new.
Agree, it's not to everyone's taste, but personally I think it looks way better than the usual boring grey leather with the mis-matched wood trim.
I also remember when these were launched, and people were selling their car for £10k more the following day after delivery, as the waiting list was so long. These were desirable back then.
Such an unloved car at the moment, but it means you can get so much bang for your buck. High spec, decent engines and not bad old things to drive.
I've had a few over the years, two 230 Komressors and one 430 V8. Now the V8 did have some shove, as the car is the size of a C Class! However, the most fun was a 6-speed manual 230 Kompressor, which was nippy and rather engaging to drive.
You can pick these up for under £500, fully running and on the road with valid MOTs. They may be a bit rusty, but there are some half decent ones out there, and are worth a punt if you need a cheap run around. At his vintage, most major issues would have been addressed, and I found mine all to be perfectly reliable.
Agree, it's not to everyone's taste, but personally I think it looks way better than the usual boring grey leather with the mis-matched wood trim.
I also remember when these were launched, and people were selling their car for £10k more the following day after delivery, as the waiting list was so long. These were desirable back then.
Such an unloved car at the moment, but it means you can get so much bang for your buck. High spec, decent engines and not bad old things to drive.
I've had a few over the years, two 230 Komressors and one 430 V8. Now the V8 did have some shove, as the car is the size of a C Class! However, the most fun was a 6-speed manual 230 Kompressor, which was nippy and rather engaging to drive.
You can pick these up for under £500, fully running and on the road with valid MOTs. They may be a bit rusty, but there are some half decent ones out there, and are worth a punt if you need a cheap run around. At his vintage, most major issues would have been addressed, and I found mine all to be perfectly reliable.
I brought one of these for £600 about 4 months ago, 1999 clk320 with cream interior not brown, it runs like a dream, quick, smooth, both fun to drive and has the laid back Sunday saloon drive feel to it also, only real issue is as you've probably guessed is rust, which really let's it down. I'd probably buy another one but not one with a smaller engine.
Agree with other poster, worth a grand at most, probably 500-800 is fair. I had the newer version and they don't go for much these days.
Heavy and with that engine will sound nice only - not that quick. Add in bad economy, it's certainly not worth the fuel costs for the car on offer. Also the usual rust issues, meh chassis and average build quality with this vintage don't help.
Struggling to see who would buy this car. Its not a classic, its too juicy for daily driving/commuter car, its too heavy and boring for a weekend toy and its too old if you want the badge and/or to look good/impress people.
Heavy and with that engine will sound nice only - not that quick. Add in bad economy, it's certainly not worth the fuel costs for the car on offer. Also the usual rust issues, meh chassis and average build quality with this vintage don't help.
Struggling to see who would buy this car. Its not a classic, its too juicy for daily driving/commuter car, its too heavy and boring for a weekend toy and its too old if you want the badge and/or to look good/impress people.
I know 3 people who've had Mercedes Benz cars built from 1999 through to 2013. None still have them, and none have ever bought a Mercedes Benz since.
One of them was my old boss who had a W203 C220 CDi. He referred to it as "the grand car", in that every time it broke (and it did, frequently) or even if it went in for a service, the bill was at least a grand.
Shame, as this shed is a handsome beast. I even like the interior.
One of them was my old boss who had a W203 C220 CDi. He referred to it as "the grand car", in that every time it broke (and it did, frequently) or even if it went in for a service, the bill was at least a grand.
Shame, as this shed is a handsome beast. I even like the interior.
Too provide a bit more of a balanced view!
Not quite the same as the vehicle featured, but;
Due to the unfortunate circumstance of being relived of my Volvo at knife point, I needed a car as a matter of urgency.
I was offered and bought a 2005 W209 CLK with a 5 cylinder diesel.
It has turned out to be an elegant, pleasing to drive motor car - and for not a lot of money.
No trace of rot, an engine that delivers constant 45 to 50 mpg and comfort beyond expectation.
Yes, I did the obligatory power train oil changes, plus renewed the brakes and thermostat and was rewarded with a subsequent clean MOT pass.
We have traveled 4000 miles in it so far and have enjoyed every minute of it.
Perhaps the urban myths and negative comments are, well, urban myths and ignorance?
These cars are well built and from an era where elegance and design integrity was different.
Not quite the same as the vehicle featured, but;
Due to the unfortunate circumstance of being relived of my Volvo at knife point, I needed a car as a matter of urgency.
I was offered and bought a 2005 W209 CLK with a 5 cylinder diesel.
It has turned out to be an elegant, pleasing to drive motor car - and for not a lot of money.
No trace of rot, an engine that delivers constant 45 to 50 mpg and comfort beyond expectation.
Yes, I did the obligatory power train oil changes, plus renewed the brakes and thermostat and was rewarded with a subsequent clean MOT pass.
We have traveled 4000 miles in it so far and have enjoyed every minute of it.
Perhaps the urban myths and negative comments are, well, urban myths and ignorance?
These cars are well built and from an era where elegance and design integrity was different.
Integroo said:
AC43 said:
That is possibly the most grotesque interior I've seen in any car ever.
I like it.
Am I right in thinking it is from 2003 onwards that Mercs stopped rusting?
After that period the shells were galvanised and they managed to make the base coat stick properly again. That was the core problem with mine. I sold that one on through the trade.
I had one for 6 months in 2018. A friend had a 2001 model with only 69k miles on it, full Mercedes history (silver with grey interior thankfully). He was buying a BMW 650i and the dealer didn't really want it. I bought it for £1500. He was the second owner and a recent full set of new Pirellis and new lambda sensor helped my decision.
There was evidence that the front wings had already been replaced and the rears were starting to go on the edges. Under the plastic sill trim covers, it was starting to go fwd of the rear wheels too. Rust areas underneath too. Wafted about in it for the summer and sold it, for £1500. Lovely drive, and the 320 is faster than the W209 model that replaced it.
They do still fetch big money if they are mint, especially the convertible, but not many are!
https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/results/re...
There was evidence that the front wings had already been replaced and the rears were starting to go on the edges. Under the plastic sill trim covers, it was starting to go fwd of the rear wheels too. Rust areas underneath too. Wafted about in it for the summer and sold it, for £1500. Lovely drive, and the 320 is faster than the W209 model that replaced it.
They do still fetch big money if they are mint, especially the convertible, but not many are!
https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/results/re...
sjwb said:
Too provide a bit more of a balanced view!
Not quite the same as the vehicle featured, but;
Due to the unfortunate circumstance of being relived of my Volvo at knife point, I needed a car as a matter of urgency.
I was offered and bought a 2005 W209 CLK with a 5 cylinder diesel.
It has turned out to be an elegant, pleasing to drive motor car - and for not a lot of money.
No trace of rot, an engine that delivers constant 45 to 50 mpg and comfort beyond expectation.
Yes, I did the obligatory power train oil changes, plus renewed the brakes and thermostat and was rewarded with a subsequent clean MOT pass.
We have traveled 4000 miles in it so far and have enjoyed every minute of it.
Perhaps the urban myths and negative comments are, well, urban myths and ignorance?
These cars are well built and from an era where elegance and design integrity was different.
The negativity to the W208 CLK is justified they rust at the same rate as a Lancia Beta but your W209 (gen2 CLK) doesn't suffer with rust & the 270 has a peach of an engine performance/fuel wise & it actually responds well to a K&N panel replacement filter along with a map will see your performance improve as well as being even better on fuel.Not quite the same as the vehicle featured, but;
Due to the unfortunate circumstance of being relived of my Volvo at knife point, I needed a car as a matter of urgency.
I was offered and bought a 2005 W209 CLK with a 5 cylinder diesel.
It has turned out to be an elegant, pleasing to drive motor car - and for not a lot of money.
No trace of rot, an engine that delivers constant 45 to 50 mpg and comfort beyond expectation.
Yes, I did the obligatory power train oil changes, plus renewed the brakes and thermostat and was rewarded with a subsequent clean MOT pass.
We have traveled 4000 miles in it so far and have enjoyed every minute of it.
Perhaps the urban myths and negative comments are, well, urban myths and ignorance?
These cars are well built and from an era where elegance and design integrity was different.
Perhaps the urban myths and negative comments are, well, urban myths and ignorance?
These cars are well built and from an era where elegance and design integrity was different.
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 28th June 12:39
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-clk-230-kompre...
CLK Convertible, Strategic Shedding at it's finest
Get this for a grand. Drive it for the summer, stick it back on Ebay in October, sell it for the same. Job's a good 'un.
CLK Convertible, Strategic Shedding at it's finest
Get this for a grand. Drive it for the summer, stick it back on Ebay in October, sell it for the same. Job's a good 'un.
I had one of the first in the country.
Produced at a time when MB were cost cutting and their quality control was sadly lacking. It was a horrid car with squeaks and rattles galore. I got bored of the frequent trips to MB and got shut pledging to never own another MB!
However, twenty years on and I am just beginning to consider the marque again.
Produced at a time when MB were cost cutting and their quality control was sadly lacking. It was a horrid car with squeaks and rattles galore. I got bored of the frequent trips to MB and got shut pledging to never own another MB!
However, twenty years on and I am just beginning to consider the marque again.
can't remember said:
It's a shame but that interior really is a show stopper. What was the original owner thinking?
Judging by the registration the original owner may well have been MB UK and the interior was chosen to demonstrate the potential options.Apropos of nothing: The car in the article is a C208. If it was a cabriolet it would be an A208. The only car that might have used the W208 code was this one:
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