W208 CLK,opinions please.

[esox]

OK,whats the general MB community`s thoughts on the 208-mine is now over 3 years old and only done 14,000M.Since my wife changed jobs and no longer commutes its sat on the drive most of the time doing nothing(exept depreciating).
For a long while now i`ve been thinking about selling it but when push comes to shove never advertised it.
Are these cars still considered desirable-they are getting on a bit now and i wondered if they are beginning to look a bit dated?
What do people think when they see a good-spec 208(Avantgarde in silver ).
Im just trying to get a feeling for whether its worth selling it sooner rather than later.
Thanks.

 

[Alfie]

OK,whats the general MB community`s thoughts on the 208-mine is now over 3 years old and only done 14,000M.Since my wife changed jobs and no longer commutes its sat on the drive most of the time doing nothing(exept depreciating).
For a long while now i`ve been thinking about selling it but when push comes to shove never advertised it.
Are these cars still considered desirable-they are getting on a bit now and i wondered if they are beginning to look a bit dated?
What do people think when they see a good-spec 208(Avantgarde in silver ).
Im just trying to get a feeling for whether its worth selling it sooner rather than later.
Thanks.

Personally I think the W208 CLK is one of the classiest shapes ever to grace a car. I would keep it just to look at it myself if I were you. But I am not you and only you can make that decision.

 

[Flash]

The frosted headlamps/foglamps in my opinion now make the car look outdated as the newer generation MBs have bi-xenons with complete clear headlamps/foglamps or sort of half clear headlamps/foglamps lenses if non bi-xenon. Even the old frosted headlamps on the W203/W220 (non bi-xenon) make the cars appear to look outdated. Another factor that would put me off a W208/210 are the rust issues.

I really like the shape of the W209 which is very sleek and sexy...

 

[grober]

Keep the Merc

Sorry to say this mate but I think you are already in in the "later" phase now. New model now out and looking at the prices of 208s on dealer forcourts you might get a shock at what its worth. Your car is probably on a steep part of the depreciation curve right now. If its got low mileage,and is running well then why not keep it until that depreciation levels out a bit. The beauty of Mercs is that they do hide their years well and keep that feel good driving factor for a long time. It will still drive like new another 2-3 years down the line. After a while if well kept they take on an aura of distinction denied other makes and lose the brashness sometimes associated with the newer models. (Not to mention the electronic gremlins) Given the choice would you rather be seen in a brand new toyota carina with all the gadgets or a pristine 3 year old merc coupe. No contest

 

[esox]

aura of distinction

I`ll remember that,"aura of distinction"

As for the clear lamps/zenons/thing manufacturers are using these days-i hate `em.Makes an otherwise OK car look like it`s been with slapped with a Max-Power catologue.Saw a Vauxhall or other yesterday with all the clear lens/seperate chrome bulbholder etc-looked like a Thunderbirds toy....

209`s i ve never liked either,look a bit "flacid"

 

[Alfie]

I`ll remember that,"aura of distinction"

As for the clear lamps/zenons/thing manufacturers are using these days-i hate `em.Makes an otherwise OK car look like it`s been with slapped with a Max-Power catologue.Saw a Vauxhall or other yesterday with all the clear lens/seperate chrome bulbholder etc-looked like a Thunderbirds toy....

209`s i ve never liked either,look a bit "flacid"

Agreed. Well said. Have a rep point and a bannana :bannana:

 

[Paul Grainger]

I can only agree about the 'clear' headlight 'Max Power' comments. I prefer the 208 shape, particularly the rear end, around the light clusters etc.

Paul G

 

[mickl]

I`ll remember that,"aura of distinction"

As for the clear lamps/zenons/thing manufacturers are using these days-i hate `em.Makes an otherwise OK car look like it`s been with slapped with a Max-Power catologue.Saw a Vauxhall or other yesterday with all the clear lens/seperate chrome bulbholder etc-looked like a Thunderbirds toy....

209`s i ve never liked either,look a bit "flacid"

the proportions of the 209 doesn't look right to me. **** is too long and droopy and the passenger area is too short.

 

[Flash]

Dont get me wrong the W208 is a nice classy looking car BUt is outdated now in my opinion with its body lines but AMG bodykit does transform the car. To me the frosted headlamps look so out of place.

W209 is a modern good looking car...

As soon as the W203 is repalced in 2006/7 it will too become outdated and I will end up updating it for the modern look... CLS styling is now the next generation forward for new MB styling which all the mdoels i.e. C & S Class will resemeble in some ways from the styling for interior/exterior.

 

[C240Sport97]

Xenon headlamps on the 208 sort of deals with the frosted 'problem', and the AMG round fog lights do the same.

I think the 208 has the potential to be a 'classic' Merc ... it's the first MB that got the 2 round eyes look right. It also has a fabulous rear 3/4 and a distinctive and contemporary front. The 209, in my view, looks generic MB, is far less well balanced -- the rear is disaster, and the front looks like many other Mercs.

If the 208 also had the wind down rear windows of the 209, then it really would be perfect -- it's the only thing I don't like about the 208.

 

[Brett]

W208 = assertive, slightly aggressive, means business
W209 = wimpy, unsure what it wants to be, not distinct

Just my opinion - it's looks were the main reason I didn't replace my 2000 W208 with a 2003 W209.

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

i like the 209 when kitted - but without kit and lowering it has an **** that sits so high up it looks awkward as.

 

[pluggers]

I like the lines of the 208,I think its a nice distintive style(possible classic).The frosted or clear lights shouldn't really be an issue,I reckon the only people that will ever notice the difference are the enthusiasts or someone that has a new car every 3 years or so.From how you describe the car, its just a car that is now cluttering up the drive so maybe its time to sell.

 

[Alfie]

I think the W208 shape is a classic shape and will be remembered as such. Perhaps not in the same light as the Ferrari 308/328 or the E type but definately a classic.

 

[chrisbain]

Does anyone else think some of the new style mercs (209, CLS) are a bit bland. Not as badly designed as the new style BMs (ugly) but certainly not as classy as the 208. I just bought a 208 and, having owned an A6, BMW (and even a Vel Satis??), I love it. The car just exudes class - even if I myself, have none!

 

[fuzzer]

you saying the front of my car is ugly ?

 

[Alfie]

Does anyone else think some of the new style mercs (209, CLS) are a bit bland. Not as badly designed as the new style BMs (ugly) but certainly not as classy as the 208. I just bought a 208 and, having owned an A6, BMW (and even a Vel Satis??), I love it. The car just exudes class - even if I myself, have none!

The new style BMW's may not be to everyone's taste and some do think they are not as classic or graceful as earlier models (me included). However when it comes to ugliness, then the Vel Satis is way out in front of BMW and pretty much everyone else for that matter!

I agree though that the W208 shape is classy.

 

[Plodd]

you saying the front of my car is ugly ?

Sorry mate but I think all the new BMs are ugly.

I would never buy one but the last 3 series had a nice sporty look to it but the new one. Blech, too fussy by far especially the back. And the 6 series What does that look like? I may be in a minority of 1 here but BMW make some of the ugliest cars around. Some of the best engineered best performing ones yes but ugleee.

I'll get my coat.........................

 

[esox]

Less is more.

Does anyone else think some of the new style mercs (209, CLS) are a bit bland. Not as badly designed as the new style BMs (ugly) but certainly not as classy as the 208. I just bought a 208 and, having owned an A6, BMW (and even a Vel Satis??), I love it. The car just exudes class - even if I myself, have none!

I wouldnt say the new Mercs are bland-the opposite,they`re far too busy-looking and finicky.
The 208 is a beauty of a shape-no awkwardness about it from any angle.They got the basic shape right and left it at that.
The 209 is far too fussy,Merc seem to have taken every part of it and tried to make it more stylish/modern but ended up with something rather annominous.
I like the 210 too in the right spec/colour,it can look like a proper tool-a bludgeoning road-weapon with intent

I cleaned the CLK yesterday and it looks good,i think i`ll be hanging on to it.

 

[Alfie]

Sorry mate but I think all the new BMs are ugly.

I would never buy one but the last 3 series had a nice sporty look to it but the new one. Blech, too fussy by far especially the back. And the 6 series What does that look like? I may be in a minority of 1 here but BMW make some of the ugliest cars around. Some of the best engineered best performing ones yes but ugleee.

I'll get my coat.........................

Make that a minority of two. Include me.

BMW should shoot the bloke that styled the latest batch. Sales are down because of him! I find it so sad that such a well engineered car is then styled by a bloke with a white stick. Great great cars....why????