CLK cabrio opinions please

[verytalldave]

As the title says.............
Is this a real world practical proposition for the UK?
This is just a very initial germ of a thought in my tiny little mind at the moment. The idea of a genuine 4 seater soft top does appeal, althought whether our 9 month winter would make this an impractical idea remains to be seen.
I would prefer something like my neighbours Megane with a motorised tin top - but made by Mercedes. Which is a pipe dream I think.
Parking is always off-road and quite secure.
Colour and engine type is immaterial at this moment in time. Its just its inherent practicality in the UK that I seek to resolve right now.
Opinions please...........and a big thanks to all those in advance who answer.

 

[imadoofus]

I know I'll upset lots of people, but don't I really see the point of a convertible car in this country. It costs more to buy and insure, and you end up having to dress up like a motorcyclist when you go out, just so you can drop the roof, even though it's March and it's raining...

Having said which, I've considered R129s more than once

If you want one, you'll probably get one anyway. I suspect you will find that anyone who tells you it's a daft idea will have a very quiet and instantly forgettable voice, whereas people in favour will be loud and very persuasive

PJ


PS: Having seen that picture, I'd say that colour is most definitely NOT immaterial!

 

[st4]

It should be fine. Soft tops rarely leak these days, it will be refined, you could get a 220cdi one for real fuel economy and still enough power (just) for UK driving.

The problem with soft tops in hotter climates, is sun burn. With less fierce sun in the UK you'd be able to go out in the 3 months summer with the roof down without the fear of sunburn. In spain this may not be the case for someone with fair skin.

In winter it would be fine, the glass window at the back is heated IIRC and the only issue is blind spots. Safety is my main concern in a roll over crash.

Would a CLK hard top with a sunroof, or even a E class with its twin sunroof be a better better.

 

[imadoofus]

I think we all know by now that more convertibles are bought in the UK each year than in France Italy and Spain put together...

 

[verytalldave]

I know I'll upset lots of people, but don't I really see the point of a convertible car in this country. It costs more to buy and insure, and you end up having to dress up like a motorcyclist when you go out, just so you can drop the roof, even though it's March and it's raining...

Having said which, I've considered R129s more than once

If you want one, you'll probably get one anyway. I suspect you will find that anyone who tells you it's a daft idea will have a very quiet and instantly forgettable voice, whereas people in favour will be loud and very persuasive

PJ


PS: Having seen that picture, I'd say that colour is most definitely NOT immaterial!

You are wrong I am afraid to say. I AM open to opinion and if most say as you do, then the idea will be dropped. As I said, its only a germ of an idea at this time and I remain to be convinced. Its not a dream I have harboured over years, its just a thought. Thanks for your opinion.

 

[C240Sport97]

I loved my CLK320 Convertible (208) model. It broke my heart when I had to sell it.

Insulation and noise supression is almost just as good as the Coupe. The roof mechanism is quite an engineering achievement -- the 208 needed manual latching.

It was fast, stable and comfortable.

And you could drop all 4 windows for a truly windowless effect.

A great idea if you need the ocassional 2 extra seats.

The wind deflector is also very effective at keeping the draughts at bay .. although you lose the rear seats

 

[Geezer]

I've got one and I love it. Probably the best car I have ever owned. Hood operates smoothly and there is no leaks or wind noise. In fact, with the hood up you would never know you are in a Cabriolet.

Highly recommended! :bannana:

 

[imadoofus]

You are wrong I am afraid to say. I AM open to opinion and if most say as you do, then the idea will be dropped. As I said, its only a germ of an idea at this time and I remain to be convinced. Its not a dream I have harboured over years, its just a thought. Thanks for your opinion.

That sounds very, um.. terse, Dave. I didn't mean to offend

 

[verytalldave]

It should be fine. Soft tops rarely leak these days, it will be refined, you could get a 220cdi one for real fuel economy and still enough power (just) for UK driving.

The problem with soft tops in hotter climates, is sun burn. With less fierce sun in the UK you'd be able to go out in the 3 months summer with the roof down without the fear of sunburn. In spain this may not be the case for someone with fair skin.

In winter it would be fine, the glass window at the back is heated IIRC and the only issue is blind spots. Safety is my main concern in a roll over crash.

Would a CLK hard top with a sunroof, or even a E class with its twin sunroof be a better better.

I have a C Class now with a sunroof. While its a nice feature, its only a small opening and is a poor compromise. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[verytalldave]

That sounds very, um.. terse, Dave. I didn't mean to offend

Sorry. Not meant to be at all.
It was a genuine reply.
Apologies..............

 

[LeighW]

My ex wife had a new astra cabriolet back in 04, and we used to drive with the roof down an awful lot. Even if it's cold, as long as it isn't raining, you can drive with the windows up, heater blasting out, it's great. No need to dress up like Ranulph Feinnes either - if you have a wind deflector, it's quite toasty. The only problem I had was when it was really hot, as because I have my full quota of male hormone (ie, I'm losing my hair ), my head would fry a bit.

All in all though, a four seater convertible is a very viable option in the uk. Go for it I say.

 

[gbjeppm]

Well I have one, OK a 208, but it is not far off.

Roof is excellent, when inside difficult to tell that it is a fabric roof. Scuttle shake, yes there is a little but its not a problem.

Even though it has 4 seats, I would not want to go on a long journey (1 hour plus) with 4 adults. Especially if the adults in the front are 6 feet plus. So check that carefully, it is more a 2+2.

Personally I think that this country is actually not a bad place to have a convertible, as it does not get too hot (yes sometimes it rains, so put the roof up). I had an SLK in majorca last year, and the sun was so hot in the day we kept the roof up a lot.

Must have kit, Parktronic, visibility is not that great with the roof up through the rear.
Heated seats, for those bright winter days with the roof down.

Do you need one? No
Is it fun? Yes.

 

[gbjeppm]

I forgot to mention that roof down in the front is pretty OK in all weathers. In the back, my kids tell me that it gets pretty blowy and cold.

I don't take too much notice of them though

Seriously though much blowier in the back than in the front. Wind deflector is a good piece of kit to have as well if you have nobody in the back, cuts down the buffeting in the front further.

 

[BTB 500]

My grandfather was an ex-racing driver and had a Jag XK 150S drophead ... as a kid I had a leather flying helmet & goggles for when I went in the back of that!

I agree about the visibility with soft-tops ... I guess you get used to it, but I really notice the difference between hood up and hard top on my R129.

 

[jeremytaylor]

Our w209 CLK240 cab lives outdoors all the time. The roof never leaks. It's warm and dry in winter and great fun in spring summer. In fact I had the roof down just yesterday! (my 320 was in the garage having some work done).

The other nice thing about the cab is that with the pillarless doors, you can have all the windows down for the half-way-house between enclosed and roof down.

Yes, there is scuttle shake, but this is only really noticeable on bad potholes.

 

[C240Sport97]

Mine did not have parktronic, parking it was an absolute nightmare.

Truth be told, I didn't even know about parktronic or about the poor visibility as I had never driven one when I ordered mine from Stockholm!

Must have kit, Parktronic, visibility is not that great with the roof up through the rear.

 

[GRAV888]

Our 208 lives outside too.
Never leaked.
I do clean the roof and treat it though with the sealer.

 

[The Dent Guy]

It should be fine. Soft tops rarely leak these days, it will be refined, you could get a 220cdi one for real fuel economy and still enough power (just) for UK driving.............

I wouldn't bother with the diesel as a soft top.

Ok - i know mines not a CLK - but its a panoramic 203 coupe diesel. And it sounds naff with the roof back and/or windows down.

I'd stick to a throaty, smooth sounding petrol for that reason alone!

 

[Brett]

On my second - lives outside in all the weather a Scottish winter (and summer) can throw at it. Just make sure you put the roof up and down on a regular basis, and not much should go wrong e.g. roof mechanism parts don't become "sticky". Go for it!

 

[st4]

I wouldn't bother with the diesel as a soft top.

Ok - i know mines not a CLK - but its a panoramic 203 coupe diesel. And it sounds naff with the roof back and/or windows down.

I'd stick to a throaty, smooth sounding petrol for that reason alone!

Very true, I only suggested it to illustrate that it has a "practical" i.e. real world appeal engine. Most buyers would go for a petrol engine, probably with 6 cylinders or more