Mercedes CLK 500 V8 - Almost an AMG

THe W209 CLK coupe was a sleek and elegant coupe, more grand tourer than sports car, but the discrete 500 hid a secret - a 5 litre V8 and the soundtrack that goes with it!
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[@simonf8902]

One of the best looking Mercs. Still fresh and stylish. Pillar less hardtop very classy.

[@andybowie8590]

Top middle air vent control is for the outer air vents at the ends of the dash. I never liked mercs much but I was looking for a comfy automatic to do my daily commute in and bought one of these a couple of years ago with the 3 litre diesel engine, kept it a year and it never let me down. What amazed me was at 160k moles everything still worked, even the seatbelt butler as they call it, and the level of spec for a 20 year old car surprised me, multi function centre screen, auto lights auto wipers auto folding mirrors and a lot more. It converted me to mercedes and I now have an E class coupe which I love. Maybe its my age.

[@deanthefish314]

I've got 2 of these. A standard 500, and a 2006 5.5. The 5.5 is a dream, really just a baby 63. The 5.0 is a great car, i plan to make it manual. But the 5.5 is another level, in how it handles and feels and how it goes. 7 speed box with paddle shift. I'm besotted its the best thing ever

[@Munakas-wq3gp]

Yes the M273 is way superior in torque and power vs the m113 in the reviewed car. I had the 2003 M113 one and while it was peppy, it couldn't hold a candle to the M273. I was positively amazed how easily you could lose traction on tarmac with the M273. Then again even the M113 sucked at winter for the same reason. Now I drive only 4-matics.

[@jcstuart6978]

I have the 5.5 liter clk 550 I actually bought it at a great price and plan to sell it. But the more I drive it the more I love it. It's red, hard top, amg suspension, so fun!

[@JJonCars]

Lovely car, and super high spec! Never ceases to amaze me what stuff you can get on a CLK - hadn't seen or known about the touch locking or that extra boot security until now. And the rear blind - pure luxury, but no heated seats, madness!

[@donaldtucker4914]

I have a 2004 3.2 petrol with 35k on it.Lovely car, so comfortable with orthopaedic seats (a very rare option) and able to do 35mpg on run if you're really careful. Values for the best ones seem to have increased but prices are all over the place, more than with virtually any other car of that era. You can find a tidy 2.4 or 3.0 priced at less than 2k and a tatty V6 priced at 5k. A lot of elegance for the money though.

[@HowardLeVert]

5:04 "Course it's sturdy, it's a Mercedes!" - says he, whilst the surround to the transmission lever flops about when he selects drive ;) A friend of mine has a CL500 and I am envious.

[@Leonardo555ZZZ]

Easily fixed. Surely ,to be expected on a twenty year old car.

[@maxidyne]

Really like Mercedes's from this era. Stylish coupe with a big engine, what's not to love? Built quality is a bit iffy in this era of Mercedes, but this one helt up pretty well considering the miles it did. Except the loose gearshift selector... Another great review Matt!

[@sailorhms]

Up until 2 years ago, I had a 2003 CLK 270 TD, what a great car, the pillarless look was so cool. Have a SLK 2 litre comp, now its not so good, the folding hood is snazzy, if it ever stops raining, I maybe get to use it.

[@marklawrence2417]

The CLK500 5.5 (mid 2006 onwards) was even better with an extra 80hp - more than a CLK55 + better on fuel, absolute Q car of the 1st order. I had one for 6 years - really should have kept it (sorry Marvin) although its still going strong according to the MOT check with 150k on the clock, Was replaced with another V8 though...

[@user-sf7kl9uh7k]

Far more complicated though, the M113's very tough.

[@marklawrence2417]

@@user-sf7kl9uh7k i had no issues at 130k apart from a very cheap fix to replace the cam shaft end cap seals - and as detailed still going strong with 150k according to the MOT history. The 3.0 and 3.5 V6 versions were more fragile on the timing gear side though. Later cars are also much more resilient to rust.

[@dominicwood3750]

True but not sure how many were sold as they rarely come up for sale maybe owners are keeping them

[@J4cko999]

@@marklawrence2417 I had that with the end caps leaking on a CLS with that engine, oil on the manifold, obviously thought was a big issue, was £40 and ten minutes to fix, immense engine in a CLS never mind the smaller CLK, real unicorn car that. We had a Diesel one of these and loved it, not fast only being 140 bhp but just a lovely thing to waft about in.

[@marklawrence2417]

@@J4cko999 yeah - really should have kept him, even my wife gave the green light but two lots of ouch that hurts a lot road tax etc etc overrode the man maths. Still would be very tempted if I saw him come up forsale...

[@davidhinkson8856]

So much has changed in the last 20 years! This car has loads of buttons on the dashboard and as you said, now all of those functions have been replaced with a screen. Not sure which one is better, but I like the Mercedes of this era with their more understated styling, especially on the sportier models.

[@raycroal]

buttons are better, screens is cheap and inconvenient

[@danielrussell446]

Well done Matt a fabulous review and the merc pillarless coupes are one of my favourites especially the w124 they have a classic style and surprisingly lots of room inside That v8 engine is fab I remember an older version of it in the S Class it sounds wonderful Maybe one for the furious fleet!

[@jonreynolds1655]

The Elegance version (2005) which I currently have has a keyless entry and the engine start button is in the centre of the shifter.....mine has wood trim and a half wood steering wheel and loads of tech for its age ...lovely car and orsm engine but not cheep to keep/maintain but I knew that when I dived in and bought one ...MPG shouldn't be a concern for anyone who wants one ...lol .... I love it .........and great review, oh and I am older and play golf too haha..tks

[@jcstuart6978]

I have the 550. I really love it, very fast, great handling!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

A excellent review as always Matt, what a beautiful noise it makes.

[@furiousdriving]

Nothing like a V8

[@charlesreid9337]

For anyone thinking of buying a CLK 500 add worried about repair cost what's Parts aren't really expensive but a Mercedes specialty shop for dealership is going to eat you alive on labor cost. So if you do it yourself it's not going to be expensive. Do you think about Mercedes and BMW actually is they take a lot of specialized knowledge which you can learn from KZbin etcetera. My theory on why they resell so cheap is the new Mercedes buyers are generally well off and would never consider working on their own vehicle but the maintenance costs from a dealership just make it worth it to get a new vehicle instead

[@michaelbacon561]

I've often been tempted by one of these, probably a V6 petrol - the last elegant Mercedes produced. I've always liked the pillarless coupe format to which only Mercedes showed any commitment since the 60s although the signs are that this is ending. I did have a W114 280 CE years ago and wish I'd kept it but it already was embarking on a typical Merc programme of incurring huge servicing and repair bills despite taking it to an independent specialist. I was amused by Matt declaring some part of the car was solid because it was a Mercedes and then almost instantly showing some loose bits of interior trim! That's the problem - this model probably hadn't recovered from Mercedes' cynical decision in the 90s to rest on its laurels and reduce build quality. Many believe it still has not returned to the levels of the legendary 190E and the W124 predecessor of the E-class. I've seen quite a few of these CLKs with rusty wheel arches and wondered what state they would be in underneath. So much rot is hidden by composite sill covers these days. I think what has finally made me decide against one is all that horrendous gadgetry - especially that connected with the seat belts and headrests. If any of that goes wrong I suppose it would be an MOT failure and the prospect of huge bills!

[@markbrennan4693]

Love it. Great review.

[@glynjones2540]

That seat belt handler originally had the wonderful name "gurtbringer". First seen on W124 coupes, I think.

[@anthonystevens8683]

These were great cars with cracking styling and performance for the gentleman... who possibly liked to play golf on occasion. A car that oozed upper class and status but at the time was on occasion driven with a light right foot. I loved these cars. Quality was arguably not the highest priority for Mercedes around that time though which was a shame. BMW and later Audi took over for a while but thankfully it looks like Mercedes are well and truly back. How tomes change.

[@tommyolsen8224]

Miss our CLK ❤ Brilliant cars! Can you please make a video of a first generation SMART Forfour Brabus ?

[@JokerUK1963]

Nice review- and a beautiful car

[@AJC508]

Matt, great video as always. However … I must disagree on the ‘almost an AMG’ side. The m113 is a completely different animal from the reworked, rebored, supercharged AMG m113k. The 5.0 as tested was 306 bhp from the factory, vs. 476 for the AMG unit in the E-class. Torque is also very much up by the same 50+ percent. The stock MB engine is a lazy thing paired to a lazy gearbox, but the torque covers most of the slowness. The AMGk engine is also lazy down low, but becomes a snarling monster when above 3k rpm, then builds ever faster to the redline because of the supercharger. Paired to a remapped gearbox with faster(ish) shifts, there is not much comparison. For instance, in the heavier e55, 0-60 is about 4 seconds. Even now, 20 years on. In that sense, it’s almost an AMG in the same way I am almost Daley Thompson. If you want to try one, It could be arranged next time you are in France.

[@raycroal]

clk55 amg doesn't have a super charger

[@AJC508]

@@raycroalI know. More’s the shame, as it woke that engine up considerably. Nevertheless, the rest stands. The original 5.0 is not ‘nearly’ the reworked amg 5.5.

[@raycroal]

@@AJC508 so it is only 50 hp difference in clk form

[@jcstuart6978]

would you say the same thing about my CLK 550 vs the CLK 55?

[@petrolhead28]

Forgot to check 4 door box on autotrader. Ended up with a clk200 love it

[@adrianh765]

You forgot the rain sensor wipers, auto dimming driver's door mirror and interior mirror and the summer opening and closing of windows and sunroof from the remote fob. My clk 320 petrol has all of these.

[@Munakas-wq3gp]

Auto freezing doors at winter also...

[@ExAnimoPortugal]

I always liked this CLK. The thing that bums me out of these generation's interiors is that even the well equipped models seem to have a number of blank switches, which always makes you feel you should've worked a bit harder. In older Benzes, if there was no need for a switch, you got just wood instead. Not a placeholder.

[@raycroal]

I hate blank buttons too, the generation clk before this didn't have blank buttons i have had 3 of them, the clk430 is a bargain if you find a clean one.

[@azza8249]

I have the2004 clk270cdi the 5 cylinder one used as my daily for the last 2 and a half years it's a perfect motorway muncher

[@v8will]

I've a 2003 E Class with the same M113 5.0. Great cars and the drivetrain is pretty bullet proof, my best cruising mpg is around 24mpg. Worthless and I'll likely never sell it!

[@raycroal]

i had an 03 cl500 and it could do 36mpg on a run from glasgow to oban 60mph ish for about an hour and half, which amazed me as my clk430 which is lighter and less cc could never get such good mpg

[@Goshawk49]

Interestly at 10:10-35 the steering wheel is exactly like mine. I own a first gen 2007 CLS 350 V6. Seems like Mercedes robbed the "spare parts" bin. Who knew?

[@adebrade172]

I have the 220d avantgarde clk funny how times change I think the maple wood trim of elegance model looks nicer now.

[@PerttuNiemela]

I have W215 CL500 with the same m113 engine and I would say that this CLK 500 is clever man's CL500. I do love my CL but it is far to big and pointless, no real room to carry items and only 4 seater. This CLK smaller CL with still same room for people and luggage, real practical version from CL500.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

8 blank switches is unforgettable on a high-end V8 coupe

[@jamesardrey1069]

it does make it look cheap, but that's the problem with brands who make far too many variants of models - there will always be blank switches. Mercedes, audi, bmw are all guilty of it

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@jamesardrey1069 Absolutely, off putting to me

[@habsom1406]

Wasn't it a left over or shared parts bin from the Chrysler/Benz coalition days? Apparently that centre console appears in some Chryslers in USA I believe, but I could be wrong!

[@raycroal]

@@habsom1406 your wrong, the crossfire has same circuit board and similar swithces to slk, mercedes didn't use any chrysler parts it is a myth but chrysler did use older merc parts

[@raycroal]

it was only the 2 heated seats on each end that were blank, but i hate blanks aswell.

[@stefanbadass5357]

Get that Diamond Brite on the camera lens. Strangley the area around the dash speedo area is all blurry....😎😎

[@worldofrandometry6912]

My 2010 E Class had that type of automatic box. I believe they called it Tiptronic with left and right nudges on the shifter. I never used it, didn't see the point really.

[@MrConor159]

Rather useful in the diesel for me anyway

[@raycroal]

only used it on very steep down hills

[@Jon-bx1ij]

Stunning Car.

[@giulianomarco]

11:02 "Betcha the kid's got an automatic." Movie quiz for you, Matt! 😁👍

[@furiousdriving]

You’ve got me on that one, no idea!

[@giulianomarco]

@@furiousdriving Joe Pesci in Lethal Weapon 2. Talking about the type of Mel Gibson's hand pistol. Not his car transmission, admittedly... 😋😁

[@furiousdriving]

@@giulianomarco ah! Thought it might be a non car quote, I’ll have to watch that again!

[@rekord1969]

Have two of these, a clk270 in the same colour and spec as this and a clk55 which is quite a bit more rapid and drinks quite a bit more fuel. Have owned for years, great cars.

[@rostislavbolgurov1781]

Hello. Any problems from the 2.7CDI? Is the engine's power enough for the car and it's weight? Thanks

[@rekord1969]

@@rostislavbolgurov1781 clk270 is a very compétant daily driver, I have owned since 3 year old and now 20! Mine is a 6 speed manual which results in 2k revs @80mph…. Lots of torque and efficient on diesel:)

[@TG-pd3ft]

sort your cameras out mate - all the close ups are blurred AF

[@habsom1406]

"AF"....'auto focus'....😁

[@stephenholland5930]

It's not the first time. He needs to actually look at what he's recording through the camera's screen.

[@andypicken7848]

While watching this I was reminded of when I first started driving and my firat car a 1.1 Ford Fiesta

[@liamcinq]

Surely the expansion tanks on these are plentiful and cheap enough to not need that bodge looking patch.

[@Leonardo555ZZZ]

Key less Go enables keyless entry start stop and locking. The button on the door handle is to lock the car, not to unlock.

[@miamibeachsunnydays8274]

What year??

[@ianfrost3529]

I had the 320cdi which was my favourite car plenty quick enough yet amazingly world still better 40mpg on a run.

[@jameshunterford4099]

Oh no! Last time I watched you review a Mercedes I went out and bought one… I’ve not got another … but this could be the start of another one! 😫

[@furiousdriving]

Uh oh better hire auto trader…

[@simonf8902]

Seat goes up and down btw.

[@Billy_W]

Should have opened it up down the Snodland bypass!

[@MANUMADRID00]

You forgot to mention the DMT version

[@martinfromseacity2010]

Thanks

[@stugill4513]

thats when dashboards were sensable easy to read at a glance and not over compilcated

[@dominicwood3750]

These were fairly popular plenty for sale although the 500 are rarer

[@warrenpeas]

did they make an AMG clk500 in 2005?

[@wacman]

Was someone speeding, was the dash clocks blurred out 😂

[@J4cko999]

£3250 for that car seems a good deal given all the work done and condition.

[@morgman43]

These lost money so quickly that I remember them being £5k by about 8 years old. I was mighty tempted at the time, but decided against buying one due to the automatic gearbox. Lovely cars if you like an auto, though.

[@crusinclassicslucas6218]

10:27 HONK!

[@allanriches9381]

Love my Mercedes

[@habsom1406]

Rust blistered though she is, I love mine too! 😍

[@MrCwalker]

Has aged so well

[@Timberwulf2]

I thought my glasses had stopped working,...Then I realised you were recording out of focus

[@peterriggall8409]

Very nice but…….that interior is so Germanic and plain. I would argue the Rover 75 has a much more classy interior. Votes taken below. Thanks for voting. A resounding win to the Rover 75. 🤣 Thought so…..

[@MercedesBoyzz]

0 to 60 was more 5.3 and 5.5 with the 06 models being quicker.

[@raycroal]

460 nweton metres of torque not 350

[@MallocFree90]

Hey man, please.. lock the focus when you are showing us the interior

[@angrymuffinsb]

Why are the dials blurred? 🧐😂

[@stephenholland5930]

As if it would be even visible at that range...

[@Astonvanquishs]

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee i've never been this early in watching one of your videos!!!

[@martinsvensson6884]

350 lb-ft. Not Nm. 470Nm.

[@peterriggall8409]

Thought 350nm was a bit low. 🤔

[@markdoyle6414]

Still had mercedes rust issues, such a shame.

[@RichardStieltjes]

Close-up not in focus, terrible...

[@fhwolthuis]

Lovely sleeper, much better than ganster AMG 😂

[@LiquidChild99]

Absolutely not "Almost an AMG"!

[@monk3yboy69]

No , indeed.

[@JoeyBrod]

Jesus Christ for such an expensive car of its time, no heated seats?

[@marklawrence2417]

Not the later face lift ones - apart from the brake lines a problem every car this old has - my 2006 had zero. Pre face-lift do rot though but no more than the equivalent BMWs most E46s rot in the same spots even on the run out models...

[@James-ld2jc]

I was loving the car until you mentioned golf... very off-putting

[@raycroal]

It should have been female corpses he used to describe boot space that is what most guys understand.

[@billgriffiths1685]

Yipee I'm 2nd

[@grayfool]

If you're gonna have one, might as well have the biggest one you can get. This is where MB lost me. The start of the bland, built to a price era. Shame.

[@jcstuart6978]

I've got the 550, it's a beast!

[@grayfool]

@@jcstuart6978 very nice. One hell of an engine.

[@d33b33]

Of course it has a totally useless slush box.

[@martinsvensson6884]

Its really good though. Lasts forever.