2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Consumer Reviews

First Convertible

Written by: ECB on 05/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK350 2dr Convertible (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

First convertible and I love it! Really wanted a metal top, but wound up trading our 2005 E320 4-matic for the rag top at the dealership. Liked the SLK (metal top) but felt it was too selfish with only 2 seats, but have never used the back seats!

Favorite Features

Just a fun to drive car and I have the top down as often as possible. Left it in Florida for the winter months up North, got 28 MPG on the trip back.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holder locations are terrible. Navigation system entry should be more friendly (not the joystick). Car was supposedly wired for Bluetooth (P1 package)however it is still a $1000 option to get it implemented (found out after purchase!). Need the option to turn off the rearview/side mirror dimming.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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2008 CLK550 Coupe

Written by: JP on 05/15/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK550 2dr Coupe (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Just a great car! Performance is amazing, handling is excellent without sacrificing too much ride quality, and the brakes are phenomenal. I bought the car 4 months ago and am averaging 18mpg, pretty good for 5.5l V8. Bizarrely this is better mileage than I got from my 2005 C320. My only complaint is that sometimes the transmission gets confused, especially if flooring the throttle at around 20-25mph. There is a noticeable lag before things start happening. Also watch it in the rain, it will spin the rear tyres at 70mph under full acceleration.

Favorite Features

Performance & great looks.

Suggested Improvements

Transmission programming. On-board computer needs update.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Awesome

Written by: MLP on 05/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK550 2dr Coupe (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Having owned several performance Mercedes over the yrs including the SL series, the CLK 550 is proving to be the best road machine I have ever driven. Mechanics wedded to aesthetics.

Favorite Features

Responsiveness, looks, and fun

Suggested Improvements

Lock on glove box. There is no secure place in the cabin!

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A good mix of power and luxury

Written by: K. Lee on 04/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK550 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This is a great car. I moved up from an Acura CL-S, so it was an upgrade on all fronts. The acceleration is silky smooth. For the most part, the engine is quiet but still can let out that great sounding growl when you really jam the pedal. There's no cooler sound than rolling through a short tunnel and hitting the gas just before the mouth It's like a sonic boom! Mine is fully loaded, with the P3 package and just about every option available. I think the P2 package is enough though, and you don't need silly options like the automatic trunk opener/closer.

Favorite Features

I would highly recommend getting the 550 over the 350. This stout engine is really worth it. Whether it's from a dead stop or already going 60 on the highway, you always have a ton of power in your back pocket whenever you need it. With its top down, the CLK has few rivals in terms of looks.

Suggested Improvements

I think the navigation system needs some work. My Acura's nav is much more intuitive and useful (and it's 8 years old). It needs to be a touch screen as entering addresses takes forever using a joystick. Sound system needs a little tweaking. I like my Acura's Bose better than the HK.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Fantastic except for the bad paint job

Written by: David Edwards on 01/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK350 2dr Convertible (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

I traded in my 2007 SLK that I had purchased new in March of 2007. It was a nice car, but tight on space and not very comfortable. The CLK Cabriolet is fantastic. The seats are the most comfortable I have set in ... even better than our 2008 Lexus LS 460. The Harmon Kardon stereo is incredible. The ride is crisp yet smooth and it literally glides over the roads. Some of the speakers vibrated at first with any significant bass, but this seems to have subsided quite a bit. The Irridium Silver paint is beautiful in lower light or artificial light, but in sunlight, you see the problems with the metallic paint...looks like it was painted with a spray can. Moral, don't buy on a cloudy day.

Favorite Features

interior comfort and high quality leather, great stereo, fantastic handling, a bargain for the performance and comfort, top is smooth and opens and closes quickly, very little windnoise (compared to the 2008 Lexus in the next garage bay that has a lot for a $73K car...Germans are still the best!

Suggested Improvements

Need to work on the quality of the metallic paint, truly an embarassment to Mercedes...need to get rid of the rest of the Chryler influence there...Where is the blue tooth? What is this with a 900 charge for the ability to couple your phone with the car?

12 out 15 people found this review helpful

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Nice Convertible

Written by: Joe S on 01/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK350 2dr Convertible (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

My very first convertible and what a beauty! We actually had the opportunity to drive with top down in January during an unusual 70 degree day in New Jersey and it turned heads!

Favorite Features

Sound system, Mercedes quality and reliability

Suggested Improvements

C'mon Mercedes - you really need to find a better place for the cup holders. More colorful/detailed Navigation system (Sold my Acura RL which had a tremendous Navi display) and 1 year subscription to Sirus instead of the lame 6 months (we are talking about a $60K car)

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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A Bargain for $60 K

Written by: David E on 01/04/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK350 2dr Convertible (3.5L 6cyl 7A)

Review

I had owned numerous BMWs and bought a new 2008 Lexus LS460 recently. I traded in a 2007 Mercedes SLK on this 2008 CLK to have more room and comfort. This car is so far ahead of the competition that its not even funny. The seats are amazingly comfortable. The top operation is flawless. The interior design and comfort exceptional. The Irridium Silver paint seems a bit splotchy in bright light. The ride quality is excellent. The handling is tight, much better than that of the SLK. I am very impressed with this car! A+++

Favorite Features

Transmission, comfort, incredible H/K stereo, fantastic seats, supple leather, tight handling!

Suggested Improvements

Paint finish needs work..Lexus finish much better. Some rattle in the front speakers. Needs automatic opening trunk

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Black Series - Unbelievable Car

Written by: JDB on 12/28/2007

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK63 AMG Black Series 2dr Coupe (6.2L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This limited production car is truly a unique experience. The acceleration is impressive, but the handling is the vehicle's true standout. The individually adjustable coil-over suspension allows one to not only adjust the ride height, but also the compression and the rebound of the shocks to tailor the handling to your individual taste. The AMG Performance Studio really outdid themselves when the produced this wonderful example of their capabilities.

Favorite Features

This car sounds like no other Mercedes. I love the way the engine sounds when the start button is depressed. Pure fun!

Suggested Improvements

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Step above the rest

Written by: JOHN S. on 11/17/2007

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK550 2dr Coupe (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This coupe will turn you into a racecar driver.IT has the same engine as the S class with a fraction of the price.This car really has it all, from it's 8 cyinder engine to it's body sculpted desing that has AMG written all over it. When night arrives is when the fun begins. It's very spacious cabon has all the bells and whistels to make your drive extremely fun.Whether you are looking for nav, keyless go, heated seats this car has it all. I will have to agree with Mercedes Benz quote. In a perfect world everyone would own one. Moreover, not everyone is going to agree with me, but that is the people who does not own one. As having a great affinity for cars especially coupes this one has it all

Favorite Features

The speed and its spacious cabon. Most coupes are small inside, however, not this one.

Suggested Improvements

Nothing. The car is already 10 years ahead of its time.

13 out 19 people found this review helpful

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