Mercedes CLK 500 // The Bargain V8 German Muscle Car

I finally get to drive the CLK 500, one of the best examples of the Mercedes CLK, the pretty and pillarless coupe from the early 00's.
I own a CLK 200 - should I have bought this V8 model, and how does it compare to my car?
www.igmpedigreemotors.co.uk
More CLK videos: • Mercedes-Benz CLK 200 ...
Car on review is a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK W209/C209 5.0 V8 500 Elegance.
#mercedes #clk #mercedesclk
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[@CarsofGlasgow]

This takes me back! My aunt had a CLK 270 diesel back in 2003 as a company car and it was in that blue colour! My first memory of a Mercedes.

[@JJonCars]

Brilliant company car :)

[@SimonBrightman]

Love the commentary JJ. Well tailored to the right audience, people who take their cars and driving seriously, but appropriately so 😊

[@JJonCars]

Thanks Simon, much appreciated :)

[@vantransit5692]

Firstly I would like to say thank you for the content JJ, Earlier this year I was offered a CLK 200 kompressor avantgarde, just like yours with the black leather & aluminium trim, it looks identical from the outside to this 500, same (rare) colour and year. I'd always had BMW's in the past, and still have an E36 320 convertible, but liked the look of the CLK and after checking out a few videos on KZbin, mainly yours👍 I bought it, and very glad I did 🙂 I find it a perfect balance of performance, comfort, economy, and looks. It's a joy to drive, I must be getting old 😉 cheers 🥂

[@JJonCars]

Awesome, thank you. Glad the vids helped you with your decision. That's it isn't it - the CLK has a bit of everything, they drive well, they are comfortable and look great too. E36 convertible is a cool car, and rare now! Cheers!

[@rogermwoodbury4966]

Before I bought my '04 CLK320 I pondered and pondered and pondered if I should buy a CLK500 or if the CLK320 would have "enough". There were quite a few good looking candidates on the market and since my last Audis were all V8's I wondered if the V6 would have enough power. I thought again about that this morning when I "put my boot into it " pulling out onto the two lane highway between Belfast and Augusta. I seldom bother really "kicking it" but there was the road and traffic was approaching pretty quickly so I let it out. The 3.2 litre V6 has more than enough power. It did make me smile and I was "only" in Comfort mode on the transmission. On those longer trips where Interstate highway is traveled for distance, the CLK is comfortable at ANY speed and if fast traffic is moving a t 80 miles per hour, the CLK is right there with no hesitation. Here in the US, the CLK is electronically limited to 130mph and I have NO doubt the car will do all of it. (Don't ask me how I know and I won't deny I even know you.). So in the end, yes the V8 growl is cool, but the car really has no performance lacking with the 3.2l V6 and with fuel prices for premium fuel as they are, that V8 growl comes at a price that that growl all that cool.

[@JJonCars]

Nothing wrong with the 320 Roger, sounds like you made the right call for you :) V6 might not sound quite the same as a V8 but they still sound nice! At the end of the day we still have a great looking pillarless coupe whichever engine we go for

[@coolcat23]

Good to see that front-seat JJ and back-seat JJ get along with each other. Keeping my cigar supply topped up is a challenge sometimes, but as you say, one must have a cigar in one's mouth at all times when driving with the wood-trim spec. I do use a pipe from time to time, though, because I have the darker wood trim, which is not as much in your face. FWIW, I find that the CLK 200 Kompressor belies it's lack of brute engine displacement because the supercharger makes it feel rather torquey at low revs already. It may not give one a true sports performance through and through, but I never feel like I'm lacking oomph from the engine in my CLK 200 Kompressor.

[@JJonCars]

😂 Pipe is a perfectly acceptable replacement for the cigar! Yes the 200 does have its charms, the supercharger makes it feel like a much bigger engine, and for a 4 cylinder it actually sounds quite nice. I think I'm sometimes a little bit harsh on it because I live in about the hilliest place there is in England. But generally speaking its a really nice smooth car, and reality is I'll be keeping it for a good while :)

[@shinjisan2015]

You need to try the facelift (MY07-09) CLK500/550 with the 5.4 litre and 7 speed. I can attest it's what the VXR Monaro should have been, I've had one of them for over a decade now.

[@JJonCars]

I would love to. You have a CLK or a Monaro? Or both?

[@TopiasSalakka]

Quite a difference in pricing between UK and continental Europe. Here in Finland, CLK 200s and 240s cost around the same as high mileage 500s over there... Also, the CL had Mercedes' ABC suspension, which was even more complicated and expensive than Airmatic. It used hydraulics to keep the car level, i believe just one strut costs 1000€. A rear air spring for a W212 costs just 210€.

[@JJonCars]

I think we are lucky in the UK for car prices, they seem cheaper than just about anywhere in Europe. But we also like to throw cars away for that reason. Definitely, I love the CL but I'd be too scared to own one 😂

[@markhooper1352]

Another great CLK JJ, thoroughly enjoyed that! I'm still loving my CLK280 Cabrio, I truly believe they are a superb modern classic for the money. The styling is just gorgeous! Nice V8 sound for sure, but my V6 will do me..silky smooth and quiet. Mine is the Avantgarde too 👍

[@JJonCars]

The sound of a V6 has its own charms I think! I've not had a V6 CLK but my old Ford Cougar sounded great. Cheers Mark 👍

[@arda9440]

I have bougt an 240, to be honest, I preferred the 280/350 over the 240 because of the 7 speed, but it wasn’t in my budget. It is comfortable, but not as quick on launch as I would have liked.

[@Mrwinecontreras]

I just bought one today 04 clk500 with 103k miles, love it!!

[@JJonCars]

Congrats! 😁

[@sandman7373]

For how much ?

[@Mrwinecontreras]

@@sandman7373 $2500

[@Munakas-wq3gp]

I loved my CLK500 on summer but in winter it was pretty horrible. Frameless door glasses were stuck practically every morning and with 300hp RWD the traction just wasn't there in slippery conditions. Driving the CLK was the breaking point where I switched to all wheel drive on all my future cars...

[@Mrwinecontreras]

@@sandman7373 $2400 cash

[@adebrade172]

Come the summer months all my windows go down cant beat it .

[@JJonCars]

Yep! Every chance I get.

[@willswheels283]

What a lovely car, I like Most Mercs, the CLK is the nicest looking in my humble opinion, I think we could tell you were enjoying it. And being V8 gives it that extra bonus. Enjoyed the vid JJ, thanks👍

[@JJonCars]

Cheers Will 👍 yeah I think it is you know, I can't think of a better looking one. At a show recently a nice couple in an old Lancia asked me if the car has been designed 'in house', aka by the Germans, and it made me realise something I'd not thought about before - it was indeed designed in house and not by the Italians! Nearly all great looking cars are Italian designed, no matter where the car is actually from. So kudos to the guy who designed it :)

[@willswheels283]

@@JJonCars I hadn’t thought of that but your right, you had Michelotti, and Pininfarina for starters both have a design in a lot of car companies. So the fact that the CLK was designed in house is brilliant considering the Germans are better known for engineering not so much car design and flair.

[@jimmybattiston4192]

Yes it's no amg

[@awurft3755]

There is honeslty nothing better than a big engined merc of this sort of era. Went from a 911 gts to an SL 350 and i genuinely prefer it

[@JJonCars]

Totally, they were meant to have these massive engines. And we won't ever be seeing it again so now's the time to enjoy

[@KingLexus]

Shoulda went Sl500 or 550 that lil V6 Puny 👎.

[@borax92]

I have clk 500, 5,5L,2007,340.000 kilometres,8,8l/100km highway

[@mikenkk1]

Some Goo-Gone solvent on a napkin will remove the stickiness from knobs and buttons. Our Cayenne radio knobs were gunky like that. Pop them off, scrub a little and good as new! My wife is still driving our 2006 CLK500. She'd be happy if we can if we can find a low mileage replacement of the same model.

[@JJonCars]

Will have to try that if it happens to mine 👍

[@benjourniee9285]

Turtle neck lol back seat j j lol

[@willoffer7119]

Yeah I’m in agreement with backseat JJ (and his early 2000s turned up collar 😅) re that wood trim. Not a fan, and hasn’t aged well IMO..!! Unlike the collar - which needs to make a comeback..!!

[@JJonCars]

😂 I told him he looks ridiculous, but he doesn't listen. I think part of it is that the CLK is a sporty, sleek shape, so it seems weird to fill it with wood. In an E-Class saloon, makes much more sense

[@Cydro12]

Great video! I watched your review of your own clk a week or so back, and wondered what your opinion would be on the 500. well, here it is. I'm looking for a car myself, and had my eyes on the clk 500. However, the most important thing i look for in a car is sound insulation, really can't enjoy driving in a car that lets through too much road noise. I've owned a w220 s430 for a bit, and that was very good on this part, it's just not really a car you would step into for a fun drive when you're feeling like that. How would you rate the sound insulation on the clk? Have you tried an older S class/7 series or something alike, and could you maybe compare it to a different car? thanks!!

[@JJonCars]

Thanks, that's good timing :) To be honest, if you're used to driving S-Class or 7 series level cars, the CLK will be noisier. I haven't driven either of them (yet), but I know that the sound insulation is better, I mean that's what those cars are all about. The CLK is certainly good for low sound levels though, it's far better than a lot of brand new mid-level or budget cars, and I can listen to people chatting away on radio stations and podcasts without having to crank up the volume to dangerous levels. But at the end of the day it's a C-Class rather than an S-Class. One thing I do like about it is that there's no noise that comes from the side windows- I'd imagined that it might be a spot where you'd hear wind whistling against the seals, but it's silent.

[@emjay1249]

I do have the same wood trim 😂 i don't mind it even in my younger age of 25 but i think the facelifted Version has the same wood trim but a little darker which looks more elegant wish i had that. Fortunately you can change the pre facelift rear lights with the facelift ones no problem. Makes the car look more modern as a pre facelift

[@JJonCars]

I agree I think the dark wood trim does look better. Either way you look at it, nice car for someone your age, compared to what most are driving :)

[@emjay1249]

@@JJonCars thanks. I'm a fan of older Mercedes-Benz and cars in general. The days where build quality was really top notch. Maybe except for the fact they used a water based paint which leads to rust. Most in my age want new stuff or still drive their Opel corsa until they earn more money. I also replaced the timing chain. Plan to keep it for a long time. Fingers crossed lol

[@goldenrist]

Love the channel JJ! I own an 07 CLK 550 Cabriolet (purchased Apr 2021 115k miles). I love it! If you're ever in the US (SF/Bay Area), let me know I've love to know what you think of the 550 after going as high as the 500 so far.

[@JJonCars]

Thank you! I would love to visit the bay area, will be sure to let you know if I do

[@Munakas-wq3gp]

The 550 is a huge improvement over the 500. I owned a 03 CLK500 for a couple of years and when I test drove a 07, difference was like night and day. Especially low end torque was much higher...

[@fredonline]

Looking like the cat that got the cream, JJ! 😊

[@JJonCars]

Haha yep, sums it up well Fred :)

[@silkdestroyer]

Hi again. just hopped over from your other vid. Now, I first watched this vid maybe 3 weeks ago. You know that I have a 320, but I have sometimes wished that I had looked harder for a 500. I quite fancied an ice blue one, Elegance trim, maybe a sun roof, not may owners and low miles. I regularly go on the site 'Car and Classic' and had seen an ice blue, Elegance 500 on there which seemed to tick most of my boxes. It was only towards the end of your vid when you mentioned where you were that I thought "Hang on a bit" and then checked back to discover that it was the same car. Which, I note, is coming up for auction this week. So, I am half tempted to watch the auction and 'see what happens'. So, can you tell me if you noticed any faults with it? Could I hear a 'ticking 'noise as it drove past? Does it have the CD player in the glove box? Cheers, LG.

[@JJonCars]

Oh, funny coincidence! I do remember that ticking noise but I suspect it was not anything serious. It's a very nice condition car, everything worked perfectly, except for one issue - the clicking noise when you first start the car from behind the dash. It goes away after a couple of minutes. It's the 'stepper motors' for the hvac system I believe, the plastic teeth on them break after time (happens to almost every CLK).

[@elpatudo3670]

If the price is right grab this gem!!! You won't regret it 🍻🤙🏽🚔

[@francescolasovicent109]

What mpg does it have?

[@Rjhs001]

Hi JJ, lovely car but just remind me of the engine in your car and the mpg difference between yours and the 500. I guess you don't buy a CLK with fuel economy at the top of your spec list but even so, I'd be interested.

[@JJonCars]

Hey John. It's something like 33mpg vs 40mpg so quite the difference though I've done no scientific testing! These are extra urban 'long run' figures :) average in my car is 33, and the 500 well, it will be solidly in the 20s ⛽

[@Romans828KJV]

My dad said v8 with high gas prices is a bad idea 😂

[@jheric0ol]

What a beautiful car... i always wonder how it would be to have that 5L V8 when i drive my 200K :D

[@JJonCars]

You still get all the best features of the CLK with the 200 :) So don't feel like you're missing out too much. Just that nice sound and a bit more power 😄

[@stalker-hris-6963]

I have a 2.7 cdi from 04 and as a young person I love my machine . Is some a beater on the outside but my tech is in a good shape.I use it for work and travel and for 2 years and 2 mounts I made 55 00km . We have terrible roads here in Bulgaria but my baby is smoot and some what fast after the chip :D . One day after I graduate Uni (after 9 mounts ) and become a hated cop :D theat I can afford a 500clk but this time I want to mod it and maby put a mannual trans!

[@JJonCars]

Manual CLK 500, that would be interesting!

[@sumkunt0r]

Picking mine up Saturday 70k miles £5k :D

[@zdravkomamic8505]

Great review JJ. I prefer your clk 200 sports suspendion and silver color :)

[@JJonCars]

Yeah me too, ideally I'd put the V8 in my car :) Cheers!

[@bh2155]

I had a clk 300 it was black and beautiful. The convertible vesions were gorgeous. Modern MBs are ugly.

[@arnietwo11]

Ive got a 2008, 220D, which is fast enough for me, i dont see the need for faster or worse fuel economy ?

[@JJonCars]

There's a CLK for everyone - if you like that car then stick with it :)

[@stuarthall2523]

Engine sounds class, worth the extra for that alone. How thirsty is it compared to yours?

[@JJonCars]

Exactly my thoughts - worth it for the noise let alone the performance. I'd say with CLK 200K: On a run: 38 - 40 mpg Average: 33mpg CLK 500 On a run: 30 - 33 mpg Average: 26 mpg So definitely thirstier but depending on the mileage one does, potentially not a big problem!

[@drzoidberg9758]

@@JJonCars26 mpg is wonderful from a 5L V8

[@youngsix6teen391]

love the comment from backseat JJ

[@JJonCars]

Haha, I'll let him know 😄

[@nikusha5911]

Hey man! Very nice cars. How much time does your clk 500 need to accelerate 0-100kph approximately? I am asking because i have one 2005 year with the same engine and it accelerates in 7 seconds and i think that's very slow but when i tried to test it against another clk 500 we were equal, he haven't gapped me. So if you see this message please comment 🙏

[@JJonCars]

Hey, yeah they are :) I believe it should be closer to 6 seconds than 7. This isn't my car, so I haven't tested the 0-60 myself. I have the 200K model.

[@cologne2792]

@@JJonCars I've always been a little confused by the 0-60 figures on the CLK. The 500 with 306 bhp is quoted around 6 seconds but the tested figures for the 320 cdi Sport with 221 bhp is 6.4 - admittedly the diesel has 376 lb/ft of torque and seven gears but even so. Do you think it's a case of Mercedes understatement as I thought the 500 wouldn't be much over 5? Excellent video by the way!

[@JJonCars]

@@cologne2792 I've seen the 500 quoted as just over 5 seconds, but if I'm honest it didn't feel like a 5 second car to me, maybe more like 6. But then it's very smooth so it could be misleading the way it piles the speed on without you noticing. You'd certainly expect an extra 80hp to make a good bit of difference, but perhaps it isn't the 0-60 but the 60-100+ where the 500 shines. Thanks, glad you enjoyed! :)

[@zm321]

@@cologne2792 MB quote 5.9 secs for the 5.0 CLK.

[@MartinJones123]

The CLK 500 is what I'd buy, but fuel economy is a bit of a concern... As for whether you'd swap your CLK200 K for a CLK500, I'd say don't, as your car is very low mileage and you'll be buying something that you don't know the history of, and facelift model looks better too... This CLK500 needs a louder exhaust IMO... Great review 👍

[@JJonCars]

I'm inclined to agree, that's what's keeping me with my car - I know it, I know what's been done (everything that's needed) and it's been a good car to me. I'd also have to get the V8 in the avantgarde spec and probably in silver as to me that's the 'right' colour for a CLK :) Would definitely want to unleash that sound of the V8 as much as possible. They're even quieter as standard. Cheers for watching Martin

[@atoningunifex6067]

@@JJonCars Just been on a trip this weekend in my 500, 210 miles 95% of which was motorway, averaged 33.4 mpg

[@MartinJones123]

@@JJonCars Agreed 👍 Though black CLK's also look pretty sharp, with some AMG wheels and chrome highlights around the exterior in my opinion

[@JJonCars]

@@MartinJones123 yeah for sure. I just find it too much work to keep a black car looking clean/shiny. They do look good when thoroughly cleaned and polished :)

[@JJonCars]

@@atoningunifex6067 decent! That's about what I'd thought for a long run, so glad to hear it backs that up

[@Chris-nx5st]

How is the sound in the original sound system?

[@JJonCars]

It's good in my car, the CLK 200. Lots of speakers and sounds good enough to me, but I'm not any car audio expert :)

[@jareknowak8712]

Did you notice the extra weight over the front axle? According to Wiki the facelifted 1,8K is more than 100kg lighter than pre-facelift V8. How much more fuel the V8 uses?

[@JJonCars]

I didn't push the car hard enough to really see the difference, but you're right that it's 100kg heavier so it will definitely affect it when really going for it.

[@JJonCars]

The V8 gets max 33mpg (8.5 l/100km) where's I can get 40mpg from the kompressor (7L/100km). But that's on a good long careful run!

[@jareknowak8712]

@@JJonCars Thank You! 👍

[@JJonCars]

@@jareknowak8712 no worries! Do you have a CLK or are you looking for one?

[@alexandersklavenitis3597]

@@JJonCarswhat do you get around the city

[@Birmingham_racing]

Forgot about these

[@JJonCars]

They're overlooked :) especially compared with the E46 350ci that I invented 😂

[@oliverstemp9132]

It’s sad that this kind of driving experience has gone forever. Your car is much more modern though.

[@JJonCars]

Indeed, though at least we will have a supply of these cars to drive for a while at least. I do prefer my car for its Avantgarde interior and facelift dash and bumper. Add in the 18" wheels and lowered suspension and you've got a more modern looking car for sure.

[@encinobalboa]

Small car, big engine. My C55 has W209 front end so I can relate.

[@JJonCars]

I love how Mercedes used to do that. The W203 I believe had the biggest difference in engine sizes of any car I can think of - like from 1.6 up to 6.3 litres? 😄

[@encinobalboa]

@@JJonCars Yes, amazing. My C55 has only 362hp but the car does not feel over-engined. Don't know the particulars of the CLK500 but if it is as simple as the C55, it is a winner. C55 has no Airmatic, no SBC, and no PSE operated door locks. Don't want any of that. Do want the bank vault chassis and the M113/722.6.

[@JJonCars]

@@encinobalboa it's basically a coupe C-Class designed to look like an E-Class, so yep all the good simple stuff. 5 speed auto in this case but I think they put the 7 in later on. 'only 362bhp' :)

[@encinobalboa]

@@JJonCars Good to know. 7 speed would have been nice in the C55. I keep wishing for a taller 5th gear in my 722.6.

[@asdasd01]

Yes, you should have 😢

[@JJonCars]

Haha, maybe one day

[@novicetheaf]

Your car looks a little better and fuel economy is important in the real world, v8 would be fine if it was a weekend second car i guess

[@JJonCars]

This is very true. I prefer the silver colour, as well as the look of the wheels and lower suspension. It's one of those where the grass looks greener - when I have an economical car, I wish for more performance, and when I have a performance car I wish for more economy 😂

[@emjay1249]

​@@JJonCarsabsolutely true. But at least the 200K isn't underperformed. Like you don't notice the car struggling a lot. I do miss the v8 sound tho. Also I think the clk 500 you can sell for abway better price when you're done with it

[@JJonCars]

@@emjay1249 Yeah, the 200k is a lovely car still. What year is yours? You might have 18hp more than me 😄

[@emjay1249]

@@JJonCars no actually i have less than you because u have thr facelift Version while i have 2004 pre facelift one. It's one of the later Pre facelift Versions with 163 hp. It certainly feels like it drinks quite some fuel but on the autobahn (i live in Germany) the lowest fuel consumption i got was 5.9L/100km. Idk how much that is in mpg but that's really only possible when you're driving like 90-110 km/h. Question is how accurate is this average fuel consumption monitor lol

[@JJonCars]

@@emjay1249 well, normally you'd be right, but they must have phased the facelift and engine upgrade as mine is the 163hp engine too 😄 That's 47mpg which is phenomenal! I just achieved my best ever on a 250 mile drive of motorways and got an indicated 44.5mpg. I think it's fairly accurate, I'm about to do another test with it so will report back here if I remember haha

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

Lovely car. What I don't understand is, how do you guys in England sit in a piping hot car with shit hot leather seats 😂 my backside would melt! Hate leather seats

[@JJonCars]

Yeah lol, you're not wrong. They get proper boiling hot and sweaty in summer. But, with aircon or those pillarless windows down, it doesn't last long :)

[@automotivetvchannel]

Very similar to the CL500.

[@JJonCars]

Yes - just a bit simpler and more affordable to run :)

[@jaimeherrera4797]

CLK 500 is faster! Weight facts!

[@zm321]

Same drivetrain but overall a much simpler car and far cheaper to maintain.

[@ianpurvis]

Good but I'll stick to my astra sri

[@JJonCars]

Well, quite a different ride, but they are nice cars 👍

[@ianpurvis]

@@JJonCars but always enjoy your videos

[@JJonCars]

@@ianpurvis thanks Ian :)