CLK/SLK what to choose?

[Blobcat]

I know I will more than likely get shot down in flames for saying this but if I was offered a w209 or a w208 both with similar mileage, service history, overall bodywork and interior condition and accessories, I would choose the w208 anyday.

Of course this is a personal thing and my particular taste...

Everytime I have looked for a CLK I have looked at both and everytime I have found the w209, to put it bluntly, cheap.

To maybe put it better I would say the w208 CLK is more like a E Class Coupe and the w209 akin to a C Class - and I know what I prefer. The w208 is far superior in ride comfort and superior overall noise insulation. Not only that but nearly every w209 I looked at had some piece of trim either lose or broken/missing, which I found quite surprising considering the asking prices were a fair amount higher! It felt like you were just going to buy it because it's a "newer model" so therefore must be better.....

Not only that a nice w208 has just "got the look"....

Sorry.....

I like the 208, just bodywork issues

 

[LostKiwi]

I prefer the looks of the 209 if I had to choose between them. A much prettier more integrated appearance in my view. That said if I had to choose one over the other I'd choose an r171...

 

[Oldspanners]

I know I will more than likely get shot down in flames for saying this but if I was offered a w209 or a w208 both with similar mileage, service history, overall bodywork and interior condition and accessories, I would choose the w208 anyday.

Of course this is a personal thing and my particular taste...

Everytime I have looked for a CLK I have looked at both and everytime I have found the w209, to put it bluntly, cheap.

To maybe put it better I would say the w208 CLK is more like a E Class Coupe and the w209 akin to a C Class - and I know what I prefer. The w208 is far superior in ride comfort and superior overall noise insulation. Not only that but nearly every w209 I looked at had some piece of trim either lose or broken/missing, which I found quite surprising considering the asking prices were a fair amount higher! It felt like you were just going to buy it because it's a "newer model" so therefore must be better.....

Not only that a nice w208 has just "got the look"....

Sorry.....

I understand your opinion and have heard from a lot of people that the earlier model is much better built (finished if you like) and I like the duo colours of the seats in some models. The only problem I can come up with is the age, (both myself and the car) if like me you wish to keep it for the foreseeable future and the maintenance problems that all older cars bring as I will be doing the work, 6G against 7G transmission etc. Certainly a low mileage W208 is a very strong option.