Is the CLK fun to drive? (W209)

A follow up to my initial review of the W209/C209 Mercedes-Benz CLK 200 Kompressor.

How does the car drive and handle on the A537 "Cat & Fiddle" road in the Peak District, UK? What is it's performance like? Can the CLK be a driver's car as well as an accomplished motorway cruiser and a relaxing drive around town?

This is my own 2006 W209/C209 CLK 200K Coupe, in Avantgarde trim.

Includes a few thoughts on the Dunlop Sportmaxx RT2 tyre.

Covers CLKs sold in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

#clk #mercedesclk #w209

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[andrein.]

Your reviews are great. I love the CLK 200, I watched all the reviews that I could find and I really enjoy this fresh POV. Thanks :)
Keep up the good work!

[lightice]

I have just bought a 2004 CLK convertible, your reviews really helped in my decision. Solid car that doesn't break the bank and it's a great car to drive. My previous car was a Saab 93 cab, but the clk is a far superior car, mine is only the 240 with full AMG body kit, it looks and drives amazing.

[drumpaul]

Another great video! :-) I've just bought a 54 reg CLK 320 petrol Avantgarde coupe (80k miles). Really loving it. The slowest of my four cars, but the most comfortable, the smoothest, the classiest and the quietest. Looking forward to longer journeys in it.

[hammersboy]

Another very high quality and interesting video! Very easy to watch and I look forward to the next one :-)

[georgeachillea]

I have a black CLK 350 Sport, had it nearly five years, it’s quick 273bhp super smooth quite and very comfortable and pretty cheap to maintain and handles really well, it’s the kind of car you could drive all day and night and still feel relaxed. Speck is amazing for a 2005 car auto lights and wipers full electric seats comfort mode with the electrically adjustable steering wheel nav etc and mine has the front cup holder lol not a tray. One of the best bits is putting the windows down pillar less makes it look amazing and it’s like driving a convertible. I think these are underrated, there are load on the roads as well. Built to last.

[itfcjim]

Great vid. According to YouTube auto generated subtitles, your exhaust goes "Uh"

[VivekProinstall]

Hey man, enjoy your video. Mine is a CL K2 80 V6 3.0 L very sporty black interior silver on the outside. Also I love my car very very fast not so heavy reliable powerful I never gets old. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

[baiawld]

recently bought myself clk 320 avangarde 2003 263km its also has LPG, economy and power at its peak, reliability is insane even with that much pressure on car (LPG and little maintenance) it keeps with modern cars in every aspect... also thanks for content, channels like yours mad me make decision to buy one :)

[terryreilly]

I had the suspension lowered my CLK 320 cabriolet with Eibach springs. I also put on a set of 18 inch Michelin Pilot sports 4. It sticks to the road like glue. Handles beautifully around corners. The silky smooth V6 delivers incredible performance. Brilliant car. And when you lower the food….. sheer magic.

[Rjhs]

Sounds like you were in the same neck of the woods that my wife comes from, Chinley to be precise.
Lovely car you've got there JJ and it's just the kind of quality bargain that I love.
Cheers, great channel.

[OktoberFilms]

I’ve had a 2005 200 Kompressor cabrio since 2018 and I haven’t managed to get used to it. In a good way. When I drive another car and get back to the CLK, I’m always pleasantly surprised at just how smooth it is. And opening the roof on a good day is worth the running costs. I really don’t see myself selling this car any time soon. I’d love to install a new head unit with Apple CarPlay, but that’s the only thing that makes the car feel “old”. The CLK is pretty close to perfection.

[SmithM]

I have the v6 sport and it’s absolutely amazing. Love it.

[phil]

Hi again,
Ive just got a CLK55 amg.35000 miles FSH. Thats a different tool all together. Amazing,

[johnminshell]

Your right about cruising on Motorway so smooth went passed my Interchange from M25 to MI by about 30 miles.
Just got carried away

[odysseusreturns]

I agree, these are a delight to drive and take me back to the days where I looked for an excuse to go for a drive. Despite the fact that mine is a 220 diesel. Throttle response from stand still compared to my previous W208 230k is sluggish but this is to be expected but the payback is an incredible 52MPG in a car that weighs 1.5 tons and is 18 years old! And more than adequate high speed performance.

The handling? more feedback and more precise steering with rack and pinion as compared to the steering box of the previous car. Corners on rails, (in the dry), but ride quality inferior to it's predecessor due partly to the optional sports suspension and partly to it's Mc McPherson strut front suspension which I feel is a step backwards compared to the double wishbone layout of the W208
.
Often used for long 3 hour plus drives to London, it is in it's element, just as steady and reassuring at high motorway speeds as when ambling along in country lanes.

Mechanically, no major issues with the diesels, mine at 99, 000 miles runs like a Swiss watch and just as reliable. My local mechanic has come across examples of this engine at over 500, 000 miles!

Bodywork? The previous car rusted around me, and having suffered a dent in their reputation, Mercedes Bens went to great lengths to protect these cars. Result, an 18 year old Benz without a single rust bubble!

[md-detailing]

Im buying a 220 diesel CLK from 2006 as a 1st car.

i just love them.

[peterbarton]

All the CLKs look great i dont think there ever look old just total class i think

[jordanyeohjinyi]

Great video, can't wait for a comparison video between the CLK 200 and the higher trims, primarily the 350.

[markbrian]

Just bought a CLK 220 CDI. The exact same options like yours, but a 6 speed manual. Other than that, identical twins. Cool videos, keep up the good work !

[janneoksanen]

Really liking these CLK videos and your channel, great work! I've been planning on buying a cheap "hobby" car in near future, hoping to score a RWD with V6 and now this W209 is becoming a contender. I was into R170 SLK first, IMO it has aged better (especially the nose on W209 with those round headlights look badly dated), it's a bit more compact and thus easier to store. However, with CLK I could get my hands on V6 at lower price and there's the back seat so entire family could tag along joyrides. I also hear the W209 isn't as prone to rust as early R170 SLKs were.