Testdrove a 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK200 Kompressor
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So today I bring the E320 up for a scheduled service, which would take at least an hour and half. Having nothing better to do, I checked out the demo car section for anything new. Nothing. They had a new GL, a silver-colored version but it was a GL320 CDI, which I have already testdriven. Next to that was a base model smokesilver CLK200 Kompressor and beside that was a base model B150 B-Class. I went with the CLK200 Kompressor, naturally.
As much as I love the C209 CLK, this model was particularly boring looking. You heard me, BORING. I wasn't very fond of the smokesilver color and the fact that this classy car was made ugly with plastic hubcaps: winter tires obviously. Why couldn't they have chosen nicer wheels? They've got access to some hot AMG rims or some classy standard Mercedes wheels and they apply these cheap and FUGLY plastic hubcaps. If this was my car, I'd spend money on some nice winter wheels. I'm no cheapo.
Interiorwise, the CLK200 Kompressor showed its base model roots. The cockpit appeared very spartan and "empty". The materials were decent, not class-leading but decent. The facelifted CLK has a much better interior. The wood was really nice but I am not a fan of darker interiors as they feel so "empty and boring" somehow. I personally would have preferred a nice creamy white or khaki colored interior. The seats were comfortable enough and were made out of dark cloth. Side support was decent.
The engine came to life with a nice refined rumble. As was mentioned before, this was a prefacelift CLK200 Kompressor so it was powered by a 163-horsepower supercharged 1.8-l 4-cylinder engine. I've experienced this motor in many Mercedes models and I have nothing but praise for it. Even though it is a 4-cylinder, it has the feel and refinement of a 6-cylinder to it. No vibrations and no rough 4-cylinder sound when you hammer it. Mercedes installed a TWINPULSE system in their 1.8-l 4-cylinders which is composed to counter-rotating-balance shafts which cancel out the inherent instability of 4-cylinders. And the engine response is very good despite the use of forced induction. The motor is also rev-happy and the torque reserves are impressive too. Midrange power is pretty sweet and so is the sprint from 0-100 km/h as you can see in the video. Bottom line: this car is not underpowered at all. Give it a try and you'll be surprised. The engine sound is really nice too, refined, not harsh and rough.
Although the North American-spec CLK isn't known for razor sharp handling, the European CLK is a different car. European-spec Mercedes' tend to have a sportier suspension and steering setup. The suspension on this CLK was more comfort than sport, yet the car still handled well thanks in part to the direct steering response. Corners were not really a problem - and where I live, we have some serious roads that are almost track-like. They bend and twist like on a racetrack, and the CLK performed admireably here. I did push the car to its limits and quickly discovered that body roll becomes quite bad when the CLK is pushed through corners with a madman behind the wheel. But for most aggressive drivers, the handling qualities of this car are more than adequate.
Transmission was a 5-speed automatic, which worked very nicely with the 1.8-l Kompressor engine. It also responded quickly to driver input so driving in a sporty fashion was no problem. I didn't do much manual shifting and left the automatic to handle the gears, which it did very well. The CLK200 Kompressor comes standard with a 6-speed "fuel economy" manual transmission which is still criticized in the German press for lacking in smoothness and precision. Most are bought with the automatic anyway.
Best of all, all these factors combined made the CLK200 Kompressor a very fun car to drive. It might not have the power of the CLK63 AMG, but it was an eager little worker that just made you smile. I expect the facelifted CLK to be much better of course. Hopefully I can drive one sometime. I'd love to get my hands on a CLK320 CDI and a CLK350 and of course the badass CLK63 AMG. What a fun testdrive one of those would make. Still, I was very pleased with the CLK200 Kompressor.
OVERALL: A decent car for those looking for some driving fun while not wanting to pay too much at the pumps. The CLK200 Kompressor combines the agility and refinement of a 6-cylinder with the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder. For an entry level car, the peformance, sport and comfort are completely acceptable. The only downside is that this car is basically a stripper: it's empty of useful options which you'll have to pay extra for.
Videos
0-100 km/h Video: http://media.putfile.com/CLK200K-0-100-kmh
Interior Video: http://media.putfile.com/CLK200K-Interior
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