clk W208 v clk W209

[laffertyn]

Hi,
Well I made the big leap of moving from my old w208 320 2000 to my new w209 320 2005 (both navy) not sure if I done the right thing ! a few reasons .....
The build quality does not seem in the same class, the first thing I noticed after I set off the doors clicked down on the self locking where my old 208 silently closed, the rear headrests/protection where they once, on the button raised and lowered smoothly mechanically, now they pull up by hand and flop down on the button, no coffee cup holder, headrests dont tilt , stereo not that great and I do miss the butch rear to the car
But....... the accleration is so much better and smoother as is the handling, much prettier inside, love the looks front and side, roof operation easier, newer car. What do you think , have I done the right thing ??

 

[turbopete]

theyre totally different cars. what you are doing n essence, is comparing a 202 to a 203 (under the party dress thats what they are!)

the new car has electric central locking instead of vacuum hence the click when they lock. cupholder, im surprised that there isnt one. there certainly was in my 203, which is what the 209 is based on. ive never had a CLK but on the saloons the headrests were ALWAYS manually raised and dropped by the button on the dash. not sure about the tilting headrests but think the outer part on the 203 pivots relative to the inner part, ie the bit the users head would bang against moves, but the bit where a DVD screen would be fitted if specced, stays still. stereo i never found to be a problem, but again it may be a cabrio thing as i had the 202 and 203 saloons

have you done the right thing? only time will tell, but from a drivers point of view the 203 was far superior to the 202. as mine was an early 203, it was only let down by the rust issues.

 

[laffertyn]

Hi turbopete, sorry it was the rear headrests that pull up and flop down , however from a driving point of view the 209 is so much sweeter, cant wait for the summer !

 

[turbopete]

Hi turbopete, sorry it was the rear headrests that pull up and flop down , however from a driving point of view the 209 is so much sweeter, cant wait for the summer !

rear headrests in the 202 (which the 208 is based on) AND the 203 (which the 209 is based on) BOTH had manual pull up self flop down with the button. im not aware of ANY MB that puts them up on the button

 

[laffertyn]

my old w209 did

 

[Abb]

I think the OP meant the rear headrests operate electrically up and down on the 208 cabriolet unlike the coupe version.

 

[turbopete]

I think the OP meant the rear headrests operate electrically up and down on the 208 cabriolet unlike the coupe version.

are we talking about the height or the fold flat facility? ive just been looking at some online and the ones i could see the dash in enough detail had the same dash button as the 202/203 saloon ie just to fold them flat

 

[television]

Yes very sad that the vacuum locking system has gone, the 230471 was the last car with it. My 140 locked in silence as does my 2 SL's, my 216 is let down by the electric locking, it has self closing doors as did the 140.

Yes I can understand that the 209 is better to drive, but the 208 and 209 have both proved to be loved and good cars.

 

[laffertyn]

The height turbopete as it acts as your passangers head protection should it roll

 

[laffertyn]

I think its just a matter of not liking change television, but they are both lovely cars , just seems the 209 was a little more cost conscious sadly

 

[television]

I think its just a matter of not liking change television, but they are both lovely cars , just seems the 209 was a little more cost conscious sadly

Yes, you are right, its change 70 years of vacuum locking all gone for ever. Enjoy your car, they are nice.

 

[coxyhog]

My CLK had cup holders in the glove compartment door.

 

[laffertyn]

Thanks Coxyhog, going to look now hehe

 

[laffertyn]

No coffee holder but nice chrome sun glasses case in lid ;o)

 

[television]

cup holder 95, it does not say tea or coffee

 

[laffertyn]

looks like it clips onto the arm of the arm rest before the gear stick ?

 

[rf065]

The cupholder was an optional extra on the 209, it fits on the dash to the right of the glove box door in place of the coin tray. (doesn't look anything like TV's diagram above)

Russ

 

[television]

There is another one listed 500 in the dash, perhaps if a CD us fitted or CD holder, then the other one is used.

 

[rf065]

That's the one, just push it & it pops out of the dash.

Russ

 

[ajlsl600]

Yes very sad that the vacuum locking system has gone, the 230471 was the last car with it. My 140 locked in silence as does my 2 SL's, my 216 is let down by the electric locking, it has self closing doors as did the 140.

Yes I can understand that the 209 is better to drive, but the 208 and 209 have both proved to be loved and good cars.

i think the w208 is a better looking more substantial build ie merc like and the 209 looks more built to a budget , i accept i may be a little slanted in my view. 209 mat drive better i have never tried it.