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Mercedes-Benz CLK (2005 and earlier)

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, Coupe, Convertible

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#629 of 1627 Flogging a Dead Garage by mdmetz Nov 14, 2001 (11:45 pm)
There are plenty of people in prosperous city neighborhoods who fit the income demographics of an E or even S class owner (let alone those of a C230 owner) who don't have convenient parking access. Personally, I wouldn't keep a car in Manhattan below 96th Street without parking (less for security than for the hassle of finding a space and alternate side of the street rules), but many people pay up to seven figures for garageless townhouses and large apartments in places like Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Georgetown and Pacific Heights, where street parking's somewhat easier than Manhattan and commercial garages are inconvenient. Since many of these people are childless and the C230 is the most compact (and thus easiest to park) Mercedes sold in the US, it wouldn't be surprising if its buyers are disproportionately prosperous and brand-conscious city residents when compared to buyers of larger Benzes. Not everyone is interred lives in suburbs or sprawling instant cities, after all.   Besides, the C230's comparatively low price point (the average transaction price probably isn't all that much higher than that of a loaded Accord, and is most likely less than that of a loaded Odyssey or S2000, Hondas all) means it will probably be a daily driver for the majority of its owners. Therefore, chances are C230s driven by people who work in the 'burbs will be parked in uncovered lots for eight to twelve hours straight every workday - more than long enough for rain, snow, bird droppings and various and sundry other classifications of grime to build up.
#630 of 1627 Hi skobola- Lease terms by revka Nov 15, 2001 (4:56 am)
Where did you get your original calculations? Have you tried a different dealer...? Also, here are direct links to Edmunds' PowerShopper and Leasing information which you might find helpful. Good luck.   Revka Host Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
#632 of 1627 YMMV on wipers - and needs for same by huntzinger Nov 15, 2001 (7:29 am)
First of all, why leave a Mercedes parked outside overnight?   Could it be because we have only two garage bays?   My wife gets one, and I choose to park my 911 in mine, instead of my daily driver (see the photo is in my profile).   No, I can't add a third bay (long story). I've looked at spending the $3K to put in a "car stacker" lift, but they require 9'6" of clearance and I only have 8'7". FWIW, for the new house alternative, you're looking at $600+K for a McMansion, on a piddling 1/5th Acre lot on fairly steep hillside.   Now why complain about the lack of a wiper on the rear window when the car has gotten an overnight coat of snow...?   I'm not complaining about overnight snow.   Finally, do note that the car does have a heated rear window. Even in a heavy snowstorm, this should serve well enough to melt snow picked up while moving slowly in heavy traffic. Use it!   You don't think I already do?   Frankly, the problem is that I have yet to find a rear window defroster that can honestly keep up with bad NJ snowfalls.   Please don't get me started on those "helpful" manufacturers who decide to put their rear window defrosters on (aargh!!) timers. These timers are a gross disservice for our local needs.   Driving home in a snowstorm is my biggest complaint for a lack of a rear wiper.   Consider yourself "gosh darn" lucky that you don't have the winter driving conditions that I have to cope with here in Northern NJ. For example, instead of nice light fluffy 'Champagne Powder' (or anything close to it), our snowfalls are generally consistency of wet concrete and just as sticky. The melt:snow ratio is often as low as a ratio of 1:5 (Powder is 1:15 to as high as 1:30).   Now add in that over 75% of our winter storms are typically transitional: they start as snow & change to freezing rain, or they do opposite (which is actually worse). You don't know what real fun is until you've tried to negotiate a homeward hilly commute when its 15F (-10C) and driving rain. Please recall that no road salts are effective below ~20F.   If you're not having fun yet, toss in enough traffic congestion so that it can take 2 hours to go 10 miles. More, if there have been accidents.   It really is an example of just how different customers requirements can vary...ie, YMMV. So my suggestion is: "Please come to NJ for a winter test drive and then decide."   If you buy nice toys, put them away. You don't leave a wonderful car like these outside all night.   Its not a toy, but a tool.   I don't really want to rant about this type of attitude, so I'll leave it at that. I buy what suits my needs, and that does NOT include paying extra for perceived image because that might somehow offset my personal shortcomings or massage my ego. It is, and will always be, a tool and nothing more than a tool.   -hh
#633 of 1627 Re #599 by revka HOST by skobola Nov 15, 2001 (9:52 pm)
The calculations came from the Benz's Build Your Own web pages, which come after one configures the car per his/her liking. Those are the leases offered by MB itself! I know that they are not the only way to get a lease, however, I was just disappointed that they are hiking the price up so incredibly high while all the car market is relatively low, so I almost wish that they get burned with their short-term vision and greed, and that people stop considering the car. I thought that I will go for it, but now I believe that I will go back to my Bimmer, namely the 325, which should be in the same price range.
#634 of 1627 Couldn't believe the MSRP @ San Antonio Car Show by martin13 Nov 15, 2001 (11:00 pm)
Former 325i owner that got board with the bimmer after one year. Always looking for something else. Saw the MSRP today on the C230 at the car show. Couldn't believe my eyes on a car with such reliability and quality as MB. Beautiful front 3/4 but the rear takes getting used to. Interior looked somewhat "cheap" such as overhead console/lighting. The car did get a lot of interest from passer-bys.    I guess MB had to cut corners somewhere. Didn't mind the cloth interior. Never liked leather/vinyl.   May go for a test drive. Have only seen on on the road here in San Antonio area.   Hope MB isn't cheapening down now that it has a partnership w/ Jeep, and this is the first car w/ Jeep quality and workmanship. I guess time will tell.
#636 of 1627 C230 ain't no Jeep by jjpeter Nov 16, 2001 (1:14 pm)
Believe me, the C230 coupe in not in the same league as Jeep. Although Jeep is not the benchmark on the low end.... I'm not sure what you are comparing it too... I've owned the coupe for almost a month, and many who contribute to this board have had it since late summer and no one has written about quality issues. Mostly the concerns/negative comments are tire kickers who raise unsubstantiated concerns. If you have not test driven one yet, do so. The build quality is evindent from the moment you hear the car door closed with a solid thunk!   On another note, I went for the rubber floor mats today, from the dealer; $84 OTD. A perfect fit and blends in perfectly with ash cloth interior. Nice addition to the overall protection package as winter looms ahead.
#637 of 1627 Safety features... by huntzinger Nov 16, 2001 (1:44 pm)
...there is no reason for ABS, ESP, head bags, or side bags, either, to make a vehicle that is considered "safe".   Sufficient customers demanded some of these options enough times such that it was more cost effective for the manufacturer to make them standard equipment on the production line. The same thing happened with spare tires and air conditioning.   The other thing to remember is that the cost of adding Traction Control and Stability Control (by any name) is extremely low once you've invested in an ABS system, as both are almost literally 99% software code. Throwing them in allows another competitive 'checkmark' against their competitors.   FWIW, the C230 includes a "Homelink" a standard. How much do you think this is really worth? Hint: Audi bundles it with a $99 autodimming mirror and makes it a $300+ option.   -hh
#638 of 1627 I have to ask... by jjpeter Nov 16, 2001 (4:35 pm)
Huntzinger - what does FWIW mean? Thanks,,, jjpeter

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