Is The First-Gen Mercedes CLK 320 An Emerging Modern Classic Or Just Another Cheap Mercedes?
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- Опубликовано: 9 сен 2023
- From as little as £1,500 for a useable example, and approximately £4,000 for a really good one, the first generation Mercedes CLK 320 (W208, A208) is well worth considering as a bargain convertible, that may just be an emerging modern classic.
Join me in this video where I'll take this excellent example of an CLK 320 for a drive and talk you through what it's like to drive, what to look for if you're thinking about buying one, and why I think they're not as popular as they possibly should be. 
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i have both first gen and second gen clk , first gen is uncomparable to the 2nd gen , the desgin is nicer , the driving experience is way much better and smoother than the 2nd gen,i think first gen is one of the most underrated car of mercedes manufacturer history
Loved the summery vid! This car is a beauty. The driving experience is outstanding, so comfortable you barely even feel you’ve moved. The whole car just feels solid and well built, with a very satisfying quality all round.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I bought a 2002 clk 320 3 months ago, beautiful car to drive absolutely love it
Good choice!
this CLK is a classic. there are almost no good used cars from this series,💪
Yeah, I’d snap up something like this in a heartbeat….
Anything less is just a terrible gamble.
@monk3yboy69 you're talking about 2500 for a decent one
I have a 2001 clk320. Excellent condition. High miles but runs strong.
Good video and fair summary. Yep - its the rust that's the problem so unless sorted / pristine original the later model is better. At the start of first lockdown I bought at 2007 CLK Cabriolet with all the factory AMG stuff and 7 speed gearbox with F1 paddles. It was clear that holidays abroad weren't going to happen so I bought it for pleasure trips days out weekend away etc. and it's been perfect for that yes including 4 adults on a day trip comfortably. It's even ULEZ compliant. I thought I'd just keep it for a year but it's been "pleasant" to use your word to own.The rust proofed ones can be used as a daily driver. The roof is so incredibly good it's just like a regular car in winter conditions. There's little point getting a true sports car given the state of the roads, traffic, cameras, hoards of cyclists everywhere, so i use it as a smooth Summer GT type and it's perfect for that and, using the paddles ,you can really stretch that smooth creamy urge in the v6 and get the revs up between gears nicely when there's a clear road ahead. Will the CLK (not the AMG versions - they'll always be rare ) ever be a classic? Possibly. Mine seems to be worth maybe 20% more than I bought it for 3 years ago but that's just inflation I think still it has held its value at least and I've enjoyed it.
This one is in beautiful condition. My dad has one of these, a 99 model owned since 2010 - the arches unfortunately have rusted terribly like you say but mechanically it’s very solid
Rust unfortunately is this era of CLK biggest problem. The secret is try and keep on top of it, but that's often easier said than done, especially if the car is used throughout the winter.
I have a 2004 CLk 320 Avantgarde, purchased new in 2004, still going strong after 20 years. Its a special feeling wjen you have been the only owner
Absolutely! You're obviously very happy with it if you have kept it for 20 years. Enjoy :)
I have a 2nd gen CLK320 2004, bought it at 114k miles with 3 owners. Bought it as a daily driver and genuinely a great buy! Extremely reliable have had to change the alternator in the first year but for a 20 year old car that is nothing and for a 20 year old car I get everything a modern car has except for a tablet! Great car buy it if you want one!
Great vid!
Definitely from te Mercedes Dark Ages, I only drive Mercedes. I have a SLK from the same era in my garage which has cost me a fortune to have rotten body panels replaced because of the MB painting techniques of that period. and bio degradable wiring harness. Like my SLK I feel in time the CLK will appreciate. My SLK only comes out on dry days in the summer and spend the winter tucked up in it's garage.
Absolutely! Certainly best to go into any Mercedes ownership from that era with your eyes wide open, but I think we will start to see the CLK and SLK start to appreciate, especially the really good examples. Thank you watching. Matt
I got rid of my 95 c220 for the biodegradable harness issue, haven't had any issues with my 99 CLK harness.
Ich habe auch einen 320er Cabrio W208.Beautiful Car!
Nach 365.000 Km. muß die Steuerkette und die Schienen usw. gewechselt werden.Aber das darf er auch bei der Km.-Leistung.
I've had my 99 CLK320 Cabriolet California Car for 20 years (2004) and I'm holding onto it, I have feeling the prices will be going up soon!
Gorgeous car!
better in build quality and engineering than the w209/a209
I own my clk 320 for 2 years .bought it for 2500€
Its been a Dream of a car... so smooth..
Fantastic! Luxury motoring on a sensible budget.
i am driving 1999 CLK 320 convertible. i love it. it costs me a little but still love it. it is still my first car.
Great to hear you're still enjoying it.
Thanks .I had a first gen CLK open top. many yrs ago. It was my first Mercedes . It only had 4 cylinders. but I really liked it . A pleasure to drive . About ? 15 years ago I swapped it for a second generation CLK cabriolet . I still have this CLK. I missed the head rests in the first car. They raised automatically . I also missed the raised Merc roundel on the bonnet and I think that first car had heated seats But after many years I now really like my current car . I think the best thing in my current series 2 CLK is the 6 cylinder engine . Driving gives me pleasure in the CLK. I have another smaller car for local journeys . But I like driving the Mercedes. I have always garaged my CLKs. . But be aware the mpg or miles per litre are not good. I would recommend a GOOD CLK. They look good and give me pleasure
Great to hear you're enjoying CLK ownership.
When ever I am asked what is the best used car to buy I say an older Mercedes. They are so well made and specified and were expensive cars when new. As they always sell well there are plenty of used examples to choose from, so be patient and source a loved and well looked after example, they are out there, and cost only a little more than the more widely available tired examples.
Absolutely! Buying the best example is key with one of these. It just isn't worth buying a ropey and rusty example. Thank you for watching. Matt
Very good video. I have a 2000 clk320 with 59K miles and it's in excellent condition. I'm the second owner. Everything is original and everything works including the CD changer. Question; when you say wings what do you mean? Also, you suggested a set of AMG wheels. My car came with 16 inch 7 spoke bright chrome wheels with ET37. What size rims would you recommend with an ET that would be compatible. Would you recommend all 4 be the same size or the rear being a different size. The ET is my biggest concern.
Thxs. Tom
Glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for watching. Wings is what you may call 'fenders' depending on where you are in the world? Whatever you call them (wings, fenders etc..) the CLK or any Mercedes of this era have a bit of a reputation for rust, so it's important to check them regularly. When it comes to wheels, a good pair of AMG Monoblocs (genuine or replica) always suit this era of Mercedes really well in my opinion. I hope you continue to enjoy your CLK for many years a miles to come.
Matt
This will be my first car. I cannot wait
Enjoy!
I bought a new '99 CLK320 in southern California and drove it for 245,000 miles. It was a fun car - I went through two convertible tops and loved it. There was a 2-year waiting list @ a $10,000 premium. My vehicle was loaded and quite comfortable. Rust was never an issue but the top coat on the paint did begin to fade... bear in-mind I was driving a lot of miles near the ocean in direct sunlight. My CLK loved to be driven long distances. The dashboard was subject to cracking which led to a factory recall. The rear visibility is not that that good with the top raised... but who drives a convertible in southern California with the top up? Bear in-mind, due to the low profile, the tires had to be changed every 25-30K miles. I preferred the feel of Michelins.
After about 150,000 miles I noticed several systems were beginning to fail (including electronics, lights, sensors, insulation). In my opinion the first generation CLK is the best looking of all CLK's - ESPECIALLY with the classic grille and 3-pointed Star. The first generation Mercedes CLK went through two "refreshes" during its lifetime - largely due to some of the system failures I described and to enhance the overall styling. I own a 2002 CLK430 Roadster which is unbelievable. I would strongly suggest an 8 cylinder (430 or 55) model...
Great to hear your ownership experience has been such a positive one, and 245,000 miles is good going. Here in the UK, rust tends to kill them off at a much lower mileage and V8 models are rare. Nonetheless, it's still just about the only four seater convertible you can still pick up for a bargain price.
Definitely a 430 or a 55 otherwise don’t bother .
Got my eye on a CLK 200 Kompressor 2009. Is it worth it?
They are a good car! and terrific value Personally, I think a bigger six-cylinder engine suits them the best but that really is just personal choice.
go 6 cylinders to experience the silky smooth drive. not much difference on gas
rust is an issue with this model
It certainly is!
E38 728i all day no rot ,
I do love an e38 :) Hoping to feature one of the channel in the near future.
Never selling my clk55
A rare car, that's definitely worth keeping. Enjoy :)
Not good etiquette asking people to subscribe before they have even watched any content. Nice videos though, I like the channel.
Thank you for watching.
Rusr. Rust. Rust. If you can get one without rust then you'll have oodles of fun. You'll feel like a millionaire. Unfortunately, they are mostly rust buckets.