Mercedes CLK 230 Kompressor Coupé

Advantages: A super stylish motor car
Disadvantages: Expensive

...Once again, a review of a discontinued model (!), but here are my thoughts on my 1999 Mercedes CLK 230 (W208) Kompressor Coupe, in Elegance trim. Bought in 2001, with one previous owner (originally registered in 1999 so its an "S" reg) and 25,000 miles, my CLK has now done 72,000 miles and is soon to be sold as the baby seat doesn't fit in the back ! Mine is the 230K (4 cylinder, 2,295cc), and turns out 197 bhp with a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds (the manual is a claimed 9.1 seconds, as opposed to my 5 speed automatic) on its way to a top speed of 136mph - although I clearly couldn't claim to have ever gone that fast, officer.... Also available is a 3.2 V6, a 4.3 V8, and the ultimate, the CLK55 AMG high-performance model. The "Elegance" trim means walnut wood inlays in the doors and centre console, plus a chrome strip around...

matt_fantastic 03.04.2006 (14.04.2006) · Read review
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Review of Mercedes CLK 230 kompressor coupé

Mercedes 320 SLK

Advantages: Lots of admiring glances
Disadvantages: People don't let you out of junctions !

...I bought a 320 SLK after many trips to the local Mercedes garage and after test driving a few CLKs and the new Coupe. The SLK was the only one I got out of with a smile on my face, and it was a big one! So rather than buy one big CLK to load up with miles I bought a 1.2 Corsa for running around and an SLK for nice days. Performance is enough to get you into trouble in the wet but the traction control always kicks in before you realise you've even had a problem. The flashing light on the dash tells you you almost did! The sound from the engine is fantastic - especially with the roof down - it's like being in a computer game. Handling isn't quite what I'd expected. I'd had a couple of BMW coupes before and the SLK feels a bit bouncy compared to them - comfy rather than taught. The brakes are fantastic though (they sense...

fastpotato 04.01.2003 · Read review
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Review of Mercedes SLK 230 kompressor 

Mercedes SLK 230

Advantages: Very stylish, nice to own and drive.
Disadvantages: Very little luggage space with the roof down.

...We purchased our first SLK in March 1998. The first sports car we had owned. It was sitting there in the local Mercedes dealer's showroom and following a test drive we decided to buy it. At the time, this Mercedes dealership afforded a first class service and was a pleasure to deal with, but more about that in another opinion. What a brilliant piece of engineering this car was with it's folding roof, watching the whole thing disappear into the boot at the touch of a button. The bodywork was finished in silver with a black leather interior, the best combination, in my opinion. It had the standard 7 spoke polished alloys fitted and again, these 16" wheels suited the car really well. Later styles of 16" wheels fitted to the facelift SLK 230 are not so appealing in my view. Out on the road the super-charged 4 cylinder engine...

Springbok 01.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Mercedes SLK 230 kompressor 

Mercedes SLK 230 Kompressor.

Advantages: It's a hard top, it's a convertable.
Disadvantages: Running costs.

......

Plodd 15.07.2004 · Read review
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Review of Mercedes SLK 230 kompressor 

Expensive Car but Cheap Feeling

Advantages: Good interior
Disadvantages: Gas guzzler!

...of different automobiles that were available to us. They included Volvos, Fords and of course the Mercedes. We were offered a more powerful C180, or the better C200K. What does that K mean?… Now you’re all thinking that K means something posh. I do know that it is some engine bit, but it’s purpose is unknown to me. It is probably some wonderful device which will allow you to alter the note produced by the horn to create festive jingles with it… That K stands for Kompressor. Now I am no car technical guy, so I can’t tell you all sorts of amazing facts about horsepower. But I can tell you about how comfy the seat is – that is more my league. To me, Kompressor means it’s got a nice big juicy engine… However, when driving, you can hear the Kompressor spreading its magic as it roars away in its...

danieletheridge 19.12.2001 · Read review
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Review of Mercedes C 200 Kompressor

Feel Good Factor

Advantages: Quick speed to get you out of a pickle
Disadvantages: Expensive to buy

...I have previously owned 3 Mercedes cars and really do like the brand not only because of the prestige of owning one of these cars but also because they really are good value and roadworthy. I have only ever had to replace tyres in the past but had been looking around the garages at the 2 door coupe style, especially in the silver exterior with light grey leather interior. Drool, drool and more drool. A couple of weeks ago we happened to be looking at one of our local used car garages when we saw a dark blue pearlised Mercedes 230 Kompressor sports. You know that moment, when you see something even though it is totally opposite to what you were looking for, and you fall in love. Well, that happened to me. I fell in love with this car which was dark blue with black leather interior. I had always INSISTED that my next car would not...

Wearsidelass 17.08.2004 · Read review
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Review of Mercedes C 230 Kompressor

supercar

Advantages: looks good- sporty image
Disadvantages: very small only two seats

...This Mercedes-Benz has really surprised me. Mercedes are world-renowned for their brilliant build quality and brilliant cars. The S-class and the CL coupe are terrific cars and can the SLK continue this feat? The SLK two-seater sits slightly lower than before and certainly looks a bit meaner too. However, the car remains very small and a little toy like. Newer engines have been introduced including a wonderful 3.2-lite V6 214 BHP! The old four-cylinder 2.3-litre still remains yet the power has been increased to 194 BHP. There is also a brand new 2.0-litre which creates 161 BHP. Both new engines are very impressive, typical Mercedes. Now, there is a manual box available in the UK. The good news is that it is a six-speed gearbox. However, the surprising thing is that both the 2.3-litre and the 3.2-litre V6 both do 0-60 quicker in...

shak_y2k 24.12.2000 · Read review
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Review of Mercedes SLK 230 kompressor 

Style over substance

Advantages: flash coupe/convertable - you decide at a touch of a button
Disadvantages: Does not live upto the percieved Mercedes Quality

...I'm having a love hate relationship with my slk - some days I love it (Usually the sunny days, what there are of them) other days I?m not so impressed. Its not a question of reliability, more to do with Mercedes lack of thought when designing the car, I think that they probably blew the budget on designing the clever roof which they co-developed with Porsche. I have a '97 pre facelift model, I am aware that on the 2000 facelift model some of these design issues have been dealt with so it is good to see that Mercedes have acknowledged some of their design issues. However on a car that costs in the region of £30K new, the car should have been right first time. The seats are uncomfortable over a long distance and they do not grip me when going around corners so I end up sliding about on the seats unless I use my legs to brace...

BANKS 03.10.2003 · Read review
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Review of Mercedes SLK 230 kompressor 

Unreliability

Advantages: Some good accessories, comfortable ride
Disadvantages: Poor reliability, expensive servicing, disgraceful aftercare

...I own a 2002 (52 plate) Mercedes, C200, Avantgarde, Kompressor and feel I must let you know (the public) about the vehicle I bought. I am not a "boy racer" but a sixty year old male who has never experienced such unreliability in 40 years of driving with the more common cars (Fords, Vauxhalls etc.). This car was a 6 month old demonstrator with 7,500 miles on the clock and I paid £ 21,500 for it in 2003. It required a replacement CD player and wing mirror (whilst in warranty). Whilst it was in warranty I also complained about the noise coming from the engine but was told there was nothing wrong with it. Since 55,000 miles it has needed: 1) A new mass air flow sensor for the engine (a static component) 2) A new cylinder head gasket (a static component) 3) Another new wing mirror (due to defective wiring for the indicator) 4...

password006 30.08.2008 (01.11.2008) · Read review
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Review of Mercedes C 200 Kompressor

Company car

Advantages: Comfort, dashboard, engine, build quality
Disadvantages: Badly thought out reverse gear on manual gearboxes

...I recently changed positions within my own company and ended up with either a company car or a car allowance. Given my previous car had been written off by a driver who crossed a give way sign in broad daylight, I took the company car option. Given a choice of a German make, a German make, a German make or a German make, I went for a German make. Specifically a Mercedes. I could have gotten a cheaper car (still have to pay benefit in kind costs) but had always wanted to drive around a brand new Mercedes, at least once. So that's what I did. Exterior/Image: One of the reasons I went for a Merc, rather than a BMW is that the image of a BMW driver is inconsiderate, tail-gaiting and impatient and those that drive Beemers are all tarred with the same brush. In other words, I actually wanted to be let out at a junction. The Sports...

dancomp 14.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Mercedes C 180 Kompressor Sportcoupe