Mercedes-Benz CLK Coupé (02-09) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 25 March 2009
The CLK goes down the 'looking good' rather than 'feeling sporty' coupé route. Its sleeker shape and big pillarless doors lend it a more sophisticated air than a Mercedes saloon. It's a competent driver and the more powerful variants can call upon considerable straight-line performance. But it feels more at home cruising to boutiques and beauty parlours or commanding respect in the office car park rather than chasing down twisty roads. Changes in 2005 introduced new six-cylinder engines and two new diesels, including the excellent 320 CDI model.
4 out of 5

Other Mercedes-Benz reviews

2.5 out of 5

Running costs

Mercedes servicing rates are particularly high but residual values are impressive so used values should hold up well. Fuel and insurance costs will depend upon your extravagance in the engine department - the CLK500 only averages 25mpg and is group 20 insurance.

* based on most recent data

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles per year

Unleaded

£1,805 - £2,557 *

Diesel

£1,491 - £1,781 *

The estimated fuel cost figure is a guide to how much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars. It's calculated by using the model's average mpg (calculated from both town centre and motorway driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-litre: petrol 135p and diesel 141p. Prices are updated daily.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

According to on board computer.

Warranty

Three years/unlimited miles.

Road tax (12 months)

£195.00 - £475.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

2 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
    169
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
    276

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

The CLK is quite a polluting model. With an average of 226g/km CO2 across the model line-up, its emissions are a little high for a sports coupe. The best model is the C220 CDI which emits 169g/km of CO2 and returns 44mpg.

Find the exact engine and CO2