Used Mercedes-Benz CLK Coupe 1997 - 2003 review

What's the used Mercedes-Benz CLK like?

The Mercedes CLK is an elegant four-seater coupe, with excellent space in the front and enough room for two adults in the back. An effective tilt-and-slide seat mechanism makes it easy to climb into the rear quarters as well, but the boot is only big enough for two suitcases.

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Overview

Few coupes have as much class as the Mercedes CLK, but poor examples will cost you

Pros

• Elegant design allows four adults to travel in style and comfort

Cons

• Expensive to maintain with some items costly to replace if they fail

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Mercedes-Benz CLK

2.7 CLK270 CDI Avantgarde 2dr

£1,495

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3.2 CLK320 Avantgarde 2dr

£1,500

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2.6 CLK240 Avantgarde 2dr

£1,800

Mercedes-Benz CLK

3.2 CLK320 Avantgarde 2dr

£1,950

Mercedes-Benz CLK

1.8 CLK200 Kompressor Avantgarde 2dr

£2,399

Mercedes-Benz CLK

2.7 CLK270 CDI Elegance 2dr

£2,500

Mercedes-Benz CLK

2.6 CLK240 Avantgarde 2dr

£2,500

Mercedes-Benz CLK

2.7 CLK270 CDI Elegance 2dr

£3,699

Mercedes-Benz CLK

3.2 CLK320 Avantgarde 2dr

£4,495

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The coupe borrows much of its style from the bigger SL roadster and E-Class saloon. The instruments are well laid out, the seats are well shaped and comfort levels are excellent, especially in models fitted with electric seat and steering wheel adjustment. And, for a coupe, it also has decent visibility.

The CLK is most at home on motorways and sweeping main roads, where it feels as stable and comfortable as a Mercedes saloon. It struggles more on challenging roads and tight bends, and the more powerful versions, like the AMG, can feel too powerful for their own good. However, all models get a range of traction and stability aids to keep things in check, which is good news.

Our recommendations

Which used Mercedes-Benz CLK should I buy?

The four-cylinder engines become coarse at high revs, and even the V6 can sound strained when you work it hard. However, they're all quiet when cruising, and the CLK cuts out wind and road noise well.

Overall, the V6 offers the best blend of performance and running costs, and acceleration is effortless with it or the 4.3 V8 - and simply incredible with the 5.6 AMG. The only slowcoach is the non-supercharged 2.0-litre unit, but both the Kompressor engines are reasonably brisk.

Whichever model you go for, try to find one with the excellent automatic gearbox, which is standard on the V6 and V8. The manual is clunky and frustrating.

The hairy 5.5-litre 342bhp AMG version was designed to take on the BMW M3. And, although it had the performance - 0-62mph in 5.1sec - it fell short of this ambitious target.

Every model comes with plenty of comfort and safety features, but it's worth avoiding pre-1998 cars, as they didn't come with standard air-conditioning.

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