03 clk 500 convertible - what were the options?

[Bobby Dazzler]

My only concern is you in all this David, the W209 CLK is so pretty that once you're viewing one it's easy to gloss over its foibles, so stay alert my friend!

They are pretty, you're dead right Lee

 

[PobodY]

I think there was only one upgrade choice-the amg pack which comes with the body kit. On the CLK avantgarde the aluminum trim is standard with slightly stiffer suspension than on the elegance which come with wood trim as standard.

Perhaps; I'm just going by what the brochure for the facelift models, and it you are right that the "Sports Package" option requires you to have the Avantegarde trim already.
It says "...lowered sports suspension, 18" multi-spoke alloy wheels and chromed exhaust pipe. Perforated discs and brake calipers with 'Mercedes-Benz' lettering. Multi-contour seats for driver and front passenger. Sports package also includes the steering wheel gearshift paddles" - So trim comes from the Avante.

The optional trim of Avante was black ash. - Was that the designo option?

 

[dan-mb]

Perhaps; I'm just going by what the brochure for the facelift models, and it you are right that the "Sports Package" option requires you to have the Avantegarde trim already.
It says "...lowered sports suspension, 18" multi-spoke alloy wheels and chromed exhaust pipe. Perforated discs and brake calipers with 'Mercedes-Benz' lettering. Multi-contour seats for driver and front passenger. Sports package also includes the steering wheel gearshift paddles" - So trim comes from the Avante.

The optional trim of Avante was black ash. - Was that the designo option?

I think piano black was the designo option with the designo badge on the glove box handle

 

[tanuie]

Hi David, that is not an AMG bodykit on the car shown in the picture, it looks a nice car though, be careful if you are thinking about buying.

 

[DavidL]

Blimey, lots to digest! Thanks all, discussions are ongoing!

 

[DavidL]

Hi David, that is not an AMG bodykit on the car shown in the picture, it looks a nice car though, be careful if you are thinking about buying.

As in its aftermarket or another genuine merc option?

 

[clk320x]

As in its aftermarket or another genuine merc option?

It's just the normal CLK styling with AMG rims...nothing to worry about really

I'd say go have a look

Common issues as I mentioned

Also check the coolant is bright blue as 2003 ones had the Valeo radiator problem causing coolant and ATF to mix and basically kill the gearbox

This is prevented by fitting the new Behr radiator, however if it hasn't failed after 14 years it highly unlikely to fail now.. mine hasn't

 

[tanuie]

As in its aftermarket or another genuine merc option?

Hi, as CLK320X said, it is just CLK body styling.

 

[PobodY]

Blimey, lots to digest! Thanks all, discussions are ongoing!

Apologies for getting slightly off-topic.

 

[DavidL]

No problem PB, its all useful. Is it likely to have isofix?

 

[DavidL]

Oddly the plate doesn't come up on MOT checks or the gov road tax one. But it does register on the merc page to get the VIN.
Might it be its been changed off the plate but merc have seen it on the plate so keep it listed?

oh and it has option 790
- AMG 18" SPOKE WHEELS WITH MIXED TIRES
so it looks like the wheels are OEM

 

[PobodY]

I believe that it will have isofix points for both rear seats.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Specification and rarity.

I understand the concern about understanding specification, but before getting "too picky" about "it hasn't got this," or "I really want one with such and such," it's worth bearing in mind how rare these cars are.

There are pre-facelift 700 CLK500's on the road, which probably means just 200 convertibles and 500 coupes. Of which 100 will be Avantgarde and 250 will be Elegance. If you add facelift cars, that only adds another 100 cars to the mix, making the total population about 800. Obviously most of those are silver.

If you're looking for a black CLK500 Avantgarde convertible, you're maybe looking at maybe 20 cars in the country, of which only a handful will change ownership in a given year.

Which is not to say that this should be bought regardless, it's just that you won't see many cars to choose from.

Very tasteful colour mix. As others have already said, that's the Comand CD based SatNav unit of that era, you won't see the wider DVD-based system on the CLK500 until they did the next (Facelift) production run. (2005?)

Be careful to investigate how it has been maintained, but bear in mind that an SL500 of the same era is three times the money, so whichever way you look at it, it's good value for money, if you're in the market for a 5 litre 24mpg convertible. Why is a CLK500 a third of a cost of an SL500? Because people who don't know better confuse it with common or garden CLK230s etc. Which reminds me, for most of its life the CLK500 was an expensive car to buy, so "probably" its previous owners looked after it - but that's for you to investigate.

The long term demand for an SL will always be stronger, but in essence neither car is going to depreciate. Maintenance is the only issue.

 

[dan-mb]

If it was me asking what is it missing, i think i would probably come to the conclusion i don't need that option or i would of thought of it sooner. its a good spec car take it for a drive

 

[Darrell]

It looks lovely.

 

[Darrell]

I understand the concern about understanding specification, but before getting "too picky" about "it hasn't got this," or "I really want one with such and such," it's worth bearing in mind how rare these cars are. There are pre-facelift 700 CLK500's on the road, which probably means just 200 convertibles and 500 coupes. Of which 100 will be Avantgarde and 250 will be Elegance. If you add facelift cars, that only adds another 100 cars to the mix, making the total population about 800. Obviously most of those are silver. If you're looking for a black CLK500 Avantgarde convertible, you're maybe looking at maybe 20 cars in the country, of which only a handful will change ownership in a given year. Which is not to say that this should be bought regardless, it's just that you won't see many cars to choose from. Very tasteful colour mix. As others have already said, that's the Comand CD based SatNav unit of that era, you won't see the wider DVD-based system on the CLK500 until they did the next (Facelift) production run. (2005?) Be careful to investigate how it has been maintained, but bear in mind that an SL500 of the same era is three times the money, so whichever way you look at it, it's good value for money, if you're in the market for a 5 litre 24mpg convertible. Why is a CLK500 a third of a cost of an SL500? Because people who don't know better confuse it with common or garden CLK230s etc. Which reminds me, for most of its life the CLK500 was an expensive car to buy, so "probably" its previous owners looked after it - but that's for you to investigate. The long term demand for an SL will always be stronger, but in essence neither car is going to depreciate. Maintenance is the only issue.

There's 5 on EBay now.

 

[Darrell]

I understand the concern about understanding specification, but before getting "too picky" about "it hasn't got this," or "I really want one with such and such," it's worth bearing in mind how rare these cars are. There are pre-facelift 700 CLK500's on the road, which probably means just 200 convertibles and 500 coupes. Of which 100 will be Avantgarde and 250 will be Elegance. If you add facelift cars, that only adds another 100 cars to the mix, making the total population about 800. Obviously most of those are silver. If you're looking for a black CLK500 Avantgarde convertible, you're maybe looking at maybe 20 cars in the country, of which only a handful will change ownership in a given year. Which is not to say that this should be bought regardless, it's just that you won't see many cars to choose from. Very tasteful colour mix. As others have already said, that's the Comand CD based SatNav unit of that era, you won't see the wider DVD-based system on the CLK500 until they did the next (Facelift) production run. (2005?) Be careful to investigate how it has been maintained, but bear in mind that an SL500 of the same era is three times the money, so whichever way you look at it, it's good value for money, if you're in the market for a 5 litre 24mpg convertible. Why is a CLK500 a third of a cost of an SL500? Because people who don't know better confuse it with common or garden CLK230s etc. Which reminds me, for most of its life the CLK500 was an expensive car to buy, so "probably" its previous owners looked after it - but that's for you to investigate. The long term demand for an SL will always be stronger, but in essence neither car is going to depreciate. Maintenance is the only issue.

There's 5 on EBay now.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Exactly.

There's 5 on EBay now.

Precisely: all four of them for more money - £7,700 in one case (twice as much)

Two of them in black.

One or two will sell this month

And only one CLK500 showing as having been sold in the last three months - but remember eBay doesn't show all sold cars.

Personally, I'd still go for the more expensive, lower mileage, full service history car, but it's all a question of budget. At £3750 there aren't many cars around especially if you like black on black