Running costs are low. Regular maintenance is vital. If anything breaks, fix it. Find a decent MB specialist to look after it. These are great cars and disappearing from our roads quickly. Looks great in black….but a bitch to keep clean.
I just bought a '04 CLK55 pillar-less coupe for the weekend cruise. At the lights I had some asshat in one of those new 4cyl AMGs tell me my badge was fake due to my dual, not quad, exhausts. Cars like these need more love.
I was at my MB Specialist last month to collect my CLK following a service and repair, and standing on their showroom floor was a stunning 560SEC ….. I did not go in …..I just knew what the consequences would be 😀
The Mercedes C209/A209 is a gem that even Mercedes knew was something special with their dive into the Black series, CLK DTM, CLK GTR, 05' only CLK 55 Avantgarde "AMG Sport", CLK 550 and the AMG CLK 63. That's not even getting into the Convertible and Designo Two-Tone models lol
This is a fantastic video review. I fully agree the CLK is a timeless classic. Ignore the people that punt it down saying it was based on a C class. It is a gorgeous classic from Mercedes. Last year I bought my father an '07 CLK Cabriolet and can fully agree to great value on the used market for these cars. I liked it so much, I have just gone and bought myself a 2016 E400 4Matic Coupe. I have fully converted to appreciate the elegance and design of these types of cars from Mercedes.
Had mine since '12, can't get myself to selling it, ever. The only thing it needed in 11 years is a radiator, the plastic cracked on it causing a leak, which is a good thing - in these cars the coolant radiator (made by Valeo) also cools the transmission fluid, and they had a tendency to leak coolant into the ATF part of the radiator, causing transmission failures; that's their achiles heel. The AMG package suits them perfectly. These cars are a gem, and you did it justice with your review.
I currently own a 03 clk500. I unfortunately have experienced multiple transmission problems, mostly due to a failed transmission cooler in the radiator which slowly killed the transmission without any real signs until it was too late. I've since replaced the transmission and updated the radiator. Despite all of this I love this car. They're absolutely gorgeous and a pleasure to drive. I've lowered mine on h&r spring, put 19" wheels on s and opened up my exhaust a bit as well.
Sorry to hear of your woes! Sounds very unlucky with the gearbox, we've seen the same happen on ZF equipped BMWs. As you say, the drive is worth it still!
It is well known issue of early w209 with 5g tronic. This tranny is pretty popular and relatively chip to be repaired i.e. comparing with Audi s8. Fortunately this is the only bigger issue with clk500. There are others like leaking cam covers or squirking rear suspension but it is peanuts. Absolutely great car and faster on twisties than many people guess. 5g tronic is learning transmission - a bit lazy if not pushed but after few miles of spirited driving it shows other face. Very True review Sir! BTW... I have one since 2017. It is in tanzanite blue and elegance trim. Will probably stay with me as long as I will be able to drive cars :)
Ive had mine for around four years now and it is sooooo good I love this video because it makes me feel the same way. I live in Canada and where I live the population density so low I can really drive it the way it was intended. Only downside is I store it during the winter justt missin her lmao
An excellent review! The pillarless thing is something Mercedes does very well and is the CLK USP. I'm in the market for either a CLK or an E63 Six Series BMW - although probably in 3.0 diesel form.
@@shootingbrake I'm extremely interested to see your take on the two of them. The E63 Six Series should be a class above as it's based on the 5 series. Mercedes seem to base their coupes on the C-Class platform - including the E-class coupe - which always seems a bit compromised. I shall look forward to your findings . Cheers.
Great review ...I have had one of these (2005) for 6 years now (Elegance version) and yes it has cost me some dosh to look after it and keep it looking and driving as it should but nothing major thank god ..orsm car to Drive and seriously quick and has so much kit/toys quiet astonishing for its year .. I love it :-)
Bought a 2003 CLK500 with 81,000km (52,000 miles) in January 2024 based partly on your review. There was no turning back once I heard the rumble of the V8 in the smallish coupe. The naturally aspirated 3 valve per cylinder provides strong, uninterrupted acceleration. Had a recent 'win' with the car last week when I tracked down the previous owner who held the 2nd key. Replacement cost at the MB dealer (taxes and programing included) was a shocking $724 CDN. **How do I determine what type of radiator is in my CLK500? May be worth switching out preventatively if its failure could damage the transmission.
My clk has not lost a drop of water in 10 years. A 'feel safe' tank. The 'old people' front seats had to go because one slides out on corners. Drop some AM bucket/Recaros in n enjoy life.
I bought a slightly interesting version with some issues for use as a dog/older parents car but I'm still quite smitten. It's like having a 20 stone bouncer next to you as when trouble occurs you just ask it to step in and most people don't even bother as if they're not insane they know they'll come off bruised ego and all.
339ft-lb in the CLK500 vs 398ft-lb in the E350, so the E Coupe wins there. I’ve not driven an E350CDI but the CLK500 feels punchy enough and also delivers its torque in a smooth and organic way making it a great GT and easy to drive around town
Silver is a classic on any Mercedes of this era. We loved the dark navy blue on this one though, and it carried so many different shades depending on the light!
excellent video mate. trying to decide between this and a 55 AMG model. i’m 22, so i get the feeling the AMG will be a bit more geared to someone like me. what do you think? i imagine cost to maintain will be more, but not sure how much.. they’re very similar cars
I've not driven the 55 but I found the 500 to be more than enough for the road. The AMGs don't come with an LSD and the traction control in these is pretty intrusive so I'd imagine up to about 60 the 55 AMG would be traction limited. I also don't think the 55 AMG chassis changes are particularly dramatic. Personally I think the CLK is a great looking car but really benefits from the AMG kit - a 55 AMG comes with all the gear most people would want so it's possibly worth it for that. I think you'd be happy with a 500 in the right spec, but can't go wrong with a 55 and you likely wouldn't lose money on either!
500 is better bang for buck since 55 got pretty costly. The difference in performances is visible but not that huge. I was thinking about more powerful coupe but ended up on keeping CLK500 and added CLA45 shooting brake. However I am 50 and CLK500 is just unbeatable as complete package. You can't get 55 with light interior like in tested one. If you need something older and brutal from merc go for c63.
@@zegarmistrz2619 the 500 is slow compared to the 5.5L in the 550. 382hp vs 302hp… the 550 pulls way harder than the 500 and N/A 55 and is the best bargain if you want a CLK.
Depend what you want. You cant get 55 with such interior as in tested one. The acceleration is better but not that much. The only clear advantage of 55 is sport mode of transmission not upshifting in manual mode when on the limiter. But come on who would drive like that with such cars. IMO For the same money mint 500 is better than tired 55.
