Mercedes CLK (used) Opinions?

An excellent Grand Tourer which bathes you in style and comfort. Standard spec was mean but most S/H ones seem to have been loaded up. It goes just fine (they're all pretty swift for the size of the engine at their respective levels) but the 4 pot Kompressors sound and can feel rough (but this is relative). I prefer the effortless gait of a bigger displacement but it's personal.

I think they're a bit special. They put the emphasis on comfort but I didn't go for one because over longer distances I started to get back twinges. Depth of engineering and style (if you like the Merc house style) were very tempting but IMO the E46 Ci has the CLK well beaten. Nearly as comfortable, better base spec and twice as sharp. The Sports suspension can move teeth about in the head, but you get used to it and over 50mph it's so well sorted that I just don't know how they manage it. Killer USP for me was seat comfort. No back pains at all.

The other thing that puts me off CLKs (and this is mostly smoke and second hand information) is dubious build quality and poor levels of dealer service - the latter being more truth than perception in my limited experience. The BMW Approved Used Scheme is just about the best there is. It's nenewable and includes MOT insurance. If you're staying with dealers and/or doing big miles it's a no brainer. But if you're handy with spanners and/or dont do intergalatic miles it makes less sense.

FWIW

Cheers

Harry

Go for a BMW. I was not impressed with the build of the Mercedes, in particular the interior trim just did not seem up to scratch. I was looking at CLK's last year. Having said that the interior of the BMW may be viewed as somewhat austere in comparison to the Mercedes.

I would imagine that the Mercedes would perform well as a long distance cruiser. If you want to enjoy the driving experience then go for the BMW.

I should imagine that with the new 3 series having been out nnow for three or so months there may be slippage in the values of the E46 range.

Oh oh, make sure you get it in silver.

Chaps

Mercedes produced a good build quality car in the early nineties and frankly they used to beat Jaguars hands down. I ran a succession of Jags and very nearly moved over to Mercedes.

Today the position is reversed and Mercedes seem to be where Jaguar was in the seventies, ie high price without the build quality to match.

Best avoided to be frank.

Regards

Mick

The E46 is still holding its value well and if the E39 is anything to go buy the bottom won't fall out any time soom. The Jaguar S Type is now acvknowleged to be one of the best built cars in its class - but how long has it taken them to get there? The first ones were absolute rubbish and the X Type remains a bit of a joke. If it was my money it would be an E46 330Ci Sport - I could easily live with one for 5 years. Although MB have started to get their act together, cars in the age range 1-8 years will be representative of the worst period for quality. But I have seen, driven and been driven in a few CLKs (new and old shape) that were well built and ran like clockwork - the trouble is, how do you know it's going to be a good 'un? This is where the Approved Used BMW Warranty comes into its own - its comprehensive to a fault.

Cheers

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
Oh oh, make sure you get it in silver.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Any colour but!

Never tried a CLK but I'd recommend you either have a handy non-franchised M-B specialist or very deep pockets. Mercedes dealers are not a good place to be for anyone who pays their own bills rather than sticking them on the company tab.

Steve.