Item: Used Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet 2002 - 2010
Author: What Car? Team

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Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

The Mercedes CLK Cabriolet is a practical convertible, but it's not as reliable as Mercedes of old

Used Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet 2002 - 2010

The CLK cabriolet is desirable, so used prices remain high, especially as most cars tend to be well looked after. While this means you'll pay more when you buy, you shouldn't lose too much in depreciation when you sell.

In almost every other respect, a CLK will be dear to run. Maintaining a Mercedes is never cheap, for a start, so you can expect large bills, even though the car has a service indicator, varying the service intervals depending on your driving style. You could use independent specialists for servicing, which should save you 50%, but the lack of a franchised dealer service history might cost you when selling.

Fuel consumption may be a concern - you could manage as little as 23mpg on the most powerful examples, although you can get more than 30mpg on the smallest. The V6s manage around 28mpg.

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The Mercedes CLK Cabriolet is a practical convertible, but it's not as reliable as Mercedes of old


The wide range of engines has been modified since the car's introduction in 2004. There's an entry-level 2.0-litre Kompressor (supercharged) engine, two V6s and a V8. For those with a need for real speed, the 376bhp 55 AMG should do the job.

Unlike the CLK coupe, there is no diesel option, and automatic gearboxes are standard on all the models except the two lowest-trimmed cars in the range.

Four-cylinder Mercedes are generally not good news on the second-hand market, so opting for one of the V6s means you're protecting your investment and will enjoy the engine as it serenades you on faster roads. It also guarantees you an auto gearbox - another essential.

Equipment levels mirror those of the CLK coupe, so all models have alloy wheels, climate control and a CD player, as well as a remote-controlled fabric roof.

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What we're looking for:<ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so we’re after a roof that opens (and closes) slickly and quickly and good top-down cruising refinement.

There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top versions of existing models. Mini will sell you a drop-top version of its style-focused hatchback, if you’re after a bit of flair.&nbsp;

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a5/sports/review/n17253">Audi A5 Cabriolet</a>, meanwhile, brings all of the benefits of the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a5/hatchback/review/n170">A5</a> – refined engines and a beautifully finished interior. Alternatively, the much more expensive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/sports/review/n24424">Bentley Continental GT Convertible</a> is one of the most luxurious convertibles on sale.

Convertible

The Cabriolet is not inherently unreliable but, as on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/clk/coupe/used-review/n485">coupe</a>, there have been some issues.

Build quality is not great, for example, and, in particular, small items of cabin trim coming loose seem common. This was one of the major problems highlighted by owners in the JD Power Survey.

Replacement parts are expensive, too, so be careful if your car is out of warranty. Electric gremlins have also been reported, affecting everything from the lights to the boot release, so don't buy a car unless they all work.

Likewise, the seats can be problematic, so check that all the adjustments work as they should. There have also been cases of the hood mechanism needing to be replaced - a tricky and time-consuming job. Luckily, these seem rare.

Higher-than-expected tyre wear has also been reported, and in some cases they have lasted less than 15,000 miles. So, when you look over any car, check the tread depth and the evenness of wear across the face of the tyre. And, while you're at it, check the finish on the alloy wheels, as some have suffered from peeling and discolouration problems.

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They don't come much classier than the Mercedes CLK Cabriolet. It's the sensible choice for those who want the practicality of four seats and the ability to cruise the Cote d'Azur in style.

However, this car does more than just look good. The rock-solid chassis stays taut over bumps and around bends, delivering a satisfying drive. There's a good selection of engines, ranging from the entry-level four-cylinder unit to the competent V6s and powerful V8s.

There's enough room to comfortably seat four adults, even with the fabric hood up. It's a bit blustery in the back with the roof down, but with it up you could almost think you're in a hard-top. The boot is big enough for this style of car.

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Used Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet 2002 - 2010 review

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