What is the difference between an Avantgarde and a Elegance on a Clk. Also advice on

[Brian23]

I would like to buy a second hand Clk Cabriolet around 1998-2001 and wondered what is the difference in these 2 trims. Also does any one have any advice on which to buy and any common faults to look for.
Brian

 

[teddycatkin]

As with all models-classic then elegance then avantguarde as in basic trim-mid -top !
new prices will reflect this too!

 

[Daeths]

Elegance is the comfort version (seats/suspension/different wheels), Avantagarde is the sports version (bucket 'style' seats, lower firmer suspension and sportier wheels). Both have the same engine performance and from my experience the only difference is the ride quality.

You do also get a few minor differences on gadgets.

Best way to check for the year you are looking at is go onto Autotrader, find one of each and then go onto the specification tab and it will tell you the exact standard trim (it will also show you how it differs from the one you are looking at, i.e. the extras).

 

[Brian23]

Thank you for the help and Info
Brian

 

[GRAHAME2001]

I have just purchased a CLK 230K Avantgarde cabriolet 2001 and it took 2 months of searching.£7750. There are some right rip off merchants out there and i ended up with a good one but at a price.. Then the day after another was offerd to me in Stoke on Trent with better spec and similar price but too late .it had been for sale but now not advertised. if you are interested pm me and i will send the details..

 

[helljcat]

I recently bought a 2001 avantgarde 320 cab for £8500 with full service history, 45K miles and loads of extras (heated seats, headlight washers, memory seats, folding mirrors, full leather, full climate etc). Took some looking but there are good ones.

Watch out for rust (wheel arches and boot) but i found the main difference was the ride, i prefer the slightly sportier ride on the avantgarde to the elegance but other than that no real differences.

They are great cars and look the dogs!

 

[Kompressor]

Elegance is the comfort version (seats/suspension/different wheels), Avantagarde is the sports version (bucket 'style' seats, lower firmer suspension and sportier wheels). Both have the same engine performance and from my experience the only difference is the ride quality.

You do also get a few minor differences on gadgets.

Best way to check for the year you are looking at is go onto Autotrader, find one of each and then go onto the specification tab and it will tell you the exact standard trim (it will also show you how it differs from the one you are looking at, i.e. the extras).

Didn't know that. My C200 Kompressor says Avantagarde on the side. I wondered what that actually meant. Thanks for the info

 

[PeterCLK]

If you go to here
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Summary.aspx?model=522
then select the model you like then select facts and figures then select equipment it will give you a reasonable idea of the spec.

 

[Miffy]

spec seems to be exactly the same other than the sportier ride features, i have a elegance and I think the only things I do not have in that list is the parktronic and memory passenger seat

 

[SQ_W211]

I have Elegance too and love it as all the extras.. Mine is a coupe hence i would prefer the one with sunroof which is £1500 option i think and very hard to find one but the feel of sunroof in CLK is amazing. This is because i would never enjoy a cabriolet as we dont even get any good day to enjoy the soft top. Also another thing to look for is climate control, again, thats an optional extra for our models (i think) but makes a huge difference

 

[Miffy]

yep, climate control is good, I set the temp and the car does the rest

 

[P_BELLY]

When sold the Elegance and Avantgarde were identical in price. Trim/suspension etc were slightly different but the main thing different inside was the standard Aluminium trim in the Avantgarde with wood in the Elegance. There was no 'Classic' version of the CLK.

There are many more Avantgarde around on the second hand market and they hold price slightly better. As for spec there is so much variability in both versions on the market that you' may be best to just decide which options you can't live without and look for either version that has those things.

I see that for the new E Class, MB UK are not offering the Elegance anymore. I guess this will be the same for the E Class Coupe when it arrives.

 

[winterbrook]

difference between elegance and avantgarde

elegance is smoother ride - i tried both - nicer trim inside on elegance - re. things to watch - i had to replace the cats recently - there are four - the two rear ones alone cost £1,500 - you can't get lookey likeys and that was the cheapest i could find. overall great car - mileage expensive on petrol though only other problems i had were indicator stalk needed replacing - £150 and i dont have parking alert which would have been useful. Oh and also the alloys develop a sort of-worm like crazing which is expensive to grind out and has to be redone every couple of years.

 

[Blobcat]

I would like to buy a second hand Clk Cabriolet around 1998-2001 and wondered what is the difference in these 2 trims. Also does any one have any advice on which to buy and any common faults to look for.
Brian

Rust is the biggest issue, CLKs were only offered in Elegance or Avantgarde trim, as per others Avantgarde is supposed to be the "sportier" version and has lowered suspension. Most things are still optional with either Elegance or Avantgarde so find either one with the most toys and you will get a decent car. I would go for an 320 over a 230 Kompressor as fuel economy is almost exactly the same but you get a nice V6 rather than an IL4 with a supercharger. There also has been a few issues on the 230K engine that a search on this forum will highlight.

 

[Brian23]

Thank you for all the info
Brian

 

[Blobcat]

2 yrs for an update! Did you get one or is your list ------------> ^ still up to date?

 

[Brian23]

No still looking I did see a lovely one with cream leather interior which is what I want,I just thought that I would reply to it just to see if it was still interesting to people, as yesterday the total views was 6840, and today it is 6927, so it was still interesting to another 87 views.
Brian