Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.33 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $54000.00 from Prestige Mercedes Be

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 CLK 320A - Convertible

Strengths:
Very quiet engine. Handles extremely well in traffic as well as on the open road. Excellent finish and particular attention is paid to both the interior and exterior of the car.

Weaknesses:
the single CD player is not available on the dash unless you buy the navigation system. Inability to lock trunk when giving valet key to parking attendant. This is an unacceptable situation that should be corrected. The cruise control lever is to close to the turnsignal so that it is used when the turnsignal lever is meant to be used.

Summary:
it is a great handling vehicle. It provides all the power and control needed. I highly recommend it.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $25000.00 from Luxury for Less / Ri

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 CLK 500

Strengths:
Motor, Handling, Comfort, Quiet, SMoooothness, Features, Flexibility, Style, and Class leading saftey

Weaknesses:
Electronic concerns; of which a longer warranty grately make more tollerable, slightly higher maintanence costs over the long term than similar products

Summary:
This MAY BE THE BEST REVIEW EVER... You get what you pay for. My current CLK 500 makes my 3rd Mercedes. The first being a 1985 190e (read 'a legend') which gave more than 200 thousand origional miles without fault. This is a typical tale of a 190e. My second Mercedes was a 2001 C240 sedan (read 'mixed blessing'). After buying my first mercedes, I discovered a world where $5000 bought Rolls-Royce quality and Lexus reliability. Like many great sequels, however, when I came upon my C240 I found that this was not a like the smash-hit Mercedes-Benz of old, but rather a product of the new 21st century corporation of the same name. Gone now was the obvious robustness; replaced by near-futuristic computer-aged style and engineering which only lately is Mercedes blending successfully with old world traditions of dignity and comfort. Also unfortunate was the fact that in Mercedes' efforts to make more with less (typical of any company operating in an increasingly expensive, yet energy-conscious Europe) led to a finished product that sometimes comes across as "corner-cut". In short, I could see that some of the same materials that seemed to reek of quality in my 1985 car now lacked that same edge of precision when applied to the 2001 car; precision that the Japanese have since become so famous for. Additionaly, with the entire developement approach being reinvented, it seemd that the final product suffered, mechanically speaking. Namely the electronics. Like any smart consumer, I read all the reviews and follow Mercedes news closely and knew what I might be getting into. It was therefore no surprise when my C240 spoke up ime and agin for unscheduled visits to my dealership for 'minor issues'. Most of them were covered under warranty, and I always recieved a brand new car on loan until mine was ready. Perhaps the perks masked the reality that by the time I parted with my flawed beauty, she'd been in some 37 times for seatbelt sensors, faded information screens, a faulty trunk latch and the list went on. All in all, usual 'issues' cost between $100 to $500 which, althouh not always impossible, was always frustating. I shudder to think of how much I paid beyond the inital sales price. So you might be asking "why did anyone buy yet another one?" The truth is, it's all about priorities. Dispite the constant issues I experienced, my car never truly broke down. In fact, I can't recall anyone I've ever know who had one saying it left them stranded somewhere. I often tell people that if all they need is a reliable car, they should just buy Japanese (Toyota) and worry about other things. But I know better. I know that cars are more than just a box with wheels and a motor; and how one utilizes a car makes all the difference in their percieved value of it. In short, after having an old Mercedes, I bacame accustomed to having it all. Top-shelf ride quality, predictably superior handling, and a car that seemed to do every job asked of it without ever batting an eyelash. That was and always will be a Mercedes. I have driven numerous Lexus, Infinity, BMWs and the like and always found that at the end of the day, only two companies offer cars that seem made for life in the real world; they are Audi(read Volkswagen AG) and Mercedes. The BMW (any of them, really) will always shine on a track, but put 3 people in a bmw and hit the highway. Unless you drive a 7 series, no one will want to ride back ith you. BMW's just can't unwind enough to be truly at home on the Autobahn. And while one might argue that high speed is all that mercedes do well, they would be mistaken. the truth is that once you get all the gadgetry swithed off (there IS a way, mind you) a mercedes performs as brilliantly as any BMW but never punishes it's occupants in the proccess. Ask anyone who's traveled an L.A. freeway at 90mph. The harder you push a Benz, the better it responds. Seemingly indeifferent handling gives way to superior 100mph-plus stability and a highly forgiving nature. It's just sad that most reviews come from those who have only driven one, and only for a few hours at that. In reality, these cars truly shine when you consider the diverse rnge of situations thay accomodate and the ease with which they do it. And I'm sure that as you read this the 9000 plus Engineers in Stuttgart continue to fine-tune and integrate cutting edge science and technology with standards and traditions of yore and will inevitably regain the title of most reliable cars on the road. It's just a shame that I had to buy one (but hopefully not two) of the inbetween cars that seems to have tarnished the illustrious history of this great company.

Similar Products Used:
Mercedes: all classes, BMW: all series, Lexus: all models, Infinity: most of their range, Jaguar: all models, Range rover: all, Bently: Coupe and Sedan, Porsche: Various, Volvo; all, American cars, Korean cars and Japanese cars: Numerous assorted. I know them ALL very well.

Price Paid:  $65000.00 from globe motor car

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 convertible

Strengths:
smooth ride ,awsome pick up especially on the highway when you need to jummp from 60 to say 120 the car does it effortlessly!

Weaknesses:
it is very very bad in the snow .because of 1}the power 2}the super wide back tires.i justb put 3 50 pound bags of rock salt in the trunk. just remember when in the snow put the trans in w mode and dont i repeat dont put the esp on !you just have to push the pedal ever so slightly and you get there.dont worry though spring will be here soon and hello 155

Summary:
im in love with the car. the quickness,smoothness and all around looks of the convertible .its a real head turner.true luxury

Price Paid:  $65000.00 from Mercedes Benz of Mem

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 CLK 430 Cabriolet

Strengths:
Powerful V8. Excellent styling. True Mercedes quality. Top-down fun.

Weaknesses:
Hmmm... it's a little difficult to reach back for the seatbelt.

Summary:
This car is fun to drive. The 4.3 liter V8 supplies tremendous performance effortlessly. The smoothness of the engine is noticed by everyone who drives it. On the highway it drives like a dream, with the ability to accelerate from 80 to 110 (as fast as I have gone so far) with no problem. In fact, at 100 it feels so solid you would think you were going 50. This car is well appointed with many features that aren't immediately apparent when you first get in. Mine is equiped with the NAV system which makes getting to unknown destinations a breeze. Independant temperature controls keeps you and your passenger comfortable. The large 17" wheels and high-performance, low-profile Michelins, combined with the AMG ground effects give this car a very agressive looking stance. Put the top down, and the lines of this automobile are hard to beat. I also recommend the voice control system which lets you control the radio & CD changer, as well as the integral telephone without taking your hands off the wheel. This is a great car with lots of power, comfort, and smile inducing performance.

Similar Products Used:
I have not owned, but test drove the Mercedes SLK, BMW M3, BMW Z3, Porsche Boxster S, Honda S2000, and the Lexus SC430. I felt the Mercedes CLK 430 beat all of these out for my personal needs.

Price Paid:  $54300.00 from Benzel Busch

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 CLK430 Coupe

Strengths:
Style and performance (quick GT, not to be confused with a sports car)

Weaknesses:
Build quality, too much cheap plastic, squeaks and rattles, rattles and squeaks

Summary:
This car is beautiful. I opted for the black with oyster interior. The AMG ground effects and wheels complete the package. The 4.3 liter engine is a wondefully smooth and powerful. You're not going to out accelerate any Corvettes or M3's, but it's plenty quick and downright impressive when accelerating from 70mph-100mph. The brakes are phenomenal. There is no fade from 90+mph to 60mph. And they feel great. Unfortunately, build quality and the quality of interior materials were not paramount to Mercedes when building this car. It's obvious Mercedes was on a cost cutting mission when they built this car. The interior is filled with cheap plastic and thin carpet. The squeaks and rattles get very annoying. This IS a Mercedes, not a Chevette.

Similar Products Used:
1994 911 Turbo 3.6 1997 M3 Coupe