Mercedes-Benz series 208

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Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz CLK 230 compressor (1997–1999)
Mercedes-Benz CLK 230 compressor (1997–1999)
Series 208
Sales designation: CLK class
Production period: 1997-2003
Class : Middle class
Body versions : Coupé , convertible
Engines:
Gasoline engines : 2.0-5.4 liters
(100-255 kW)
Length: 4567 mm
Width: 1722 mm
Height: 1366-1380 mm
Wheelbase : 2690 mm
Empty weight : 1375-1755 kg
Previous model Mercedes-Benz 124 series
successor Mercedes-Benz 209 series

The Mercedes-Benz series 208 (type 208) was produced as a coupé (C 208) from mid-1997 to summer 2002 and as a convertible (A 208) from mid-1998 to spring 2003 and was the first generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-class .

The designation W 208 is not officially used by Mercedes-Benz, since the CLK is not a sedan (“ w agen”), but it is used as a collective term for C 208 and A 208 .

Technically, the 208 series is based on the platform of the former C-Class (202 series) . Externally, the CLK is based on the CE 500 design study at the beginning of the 1990s, making it more like the 210 series .

From 2000 to 2002 Mercedes-Benz used the shape of this model in its DTM racing cars.

Model history

Coupé study from 1993

The first study and concept vehicle in the style of the CLK, some of which were very close to series production, was already on display at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1993.

After Mercedes-Benz had stopped production of the C 124 at the end of 1996, the CLK was delivered as its indirect successor (since the C-Class now served as the basis) from August 1997. Unlike its predecessor based on the W 124 , this series had a fixed B-pillar so that the windows up to the C-pillar could no longer be lowered. For the first time in a Mercedes-Benz Coupé, a through-loading option with a folding rear bench seat was offered as standard, which was divided in the ratio 1/3 to 2/3. Initially there were the equipment lines Elegance and Sport , there were three petrol engines to choose from.

In June 1998 the cabriolet was launched. By May 1999 over 100,000 coupes and 21,000 convertibles had been sold.

In September 1999 there was a facelift , with external changes. The standard equipment became more extensive. The coupé expired in June 2002, the convertible was manufactured until May 2003.

CLK (1997-1999)

The original version of the CLK was produced from June 1997 to August 1999 and was available in the basic versions Sport (no extra charge) and Elegance .

Standard equipment

The standard equipment included: driver, front passenger and side airbags, ABS, ASR, heated and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, outside temperature display, automatic child seat recognition, brake assist, foldable rear seats, electric windows, belt tensioners including belt force limiters, trunk lid remote release, light alloy wheels in seven-hole design , Power steering, thermal insulation glass all around, bitless key including radio and infrared remote control, electronic immobilizer and central locking with locking button inside.

Design elements of the Sport equipment variant were: light-colored speedometer dials and heating control panels, the “Sport” badge in the gear lever, Mescalero upholstery and trim that looked like carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.

The Elegance equipment line, which was around 600 euros more expensive , also included exit lights in the doors. In addition, some design elements have been changed compared to the Sport equipment , including now five-hole wheels, dark speedometer dials and heating control discs, the "Elegance" badge in the gear lever, the Neptun upholstery fabric , decorative elements made of burr walnut veneer , door handles with chrome inlays and the characteristic chrome frame around the side windows.

Optional extras

A large number of optional extras could be selected for the CLK, only the most important ones are mentioned here: 5-speed automatic transmission (always with cruise control), trailer coupling, ESP for six-cylinder engine, automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors, air conditioning / automatic air conditioning, memory package ( including electric seat adjustment), level control, various metallic paintwork and wheels, Parktronic (parking aids), rain sensor, heated windscreen washer, tilt and slide roof , multi-contour seats, heated seats or xenon headlights .

CLK (1999-2003)

The modified edition of the CLK appeared after just two years and rolled off the assembly line from September 1999 to June 2002 (convertible to May 2003). The Sport equipment line was omitted . From now on, the Elegance and Avantgarde lines could be ordered. Avantgarde was the continuation of the Sport line that was supposed to convey a more dynamic impression. From mid-2000, revised four-cylinder engines were also installed.

In 2001, the equipment line Master-Edition and in the last year of construction 2002 the Final-Edition were available exclusively for the convertible, which differed from the other two lines through extended standard equipment, mainly optical.

Standard equipment

The facelift brought the standard equipment to a standard and contemporary level. In addition, some changes were made to the exterior: the standard equipment now included: multifunction steering wheel, exit lights, trip computer, partially electric seat adjustment, cruise control, ESP, mechanical six-speed gearbox (from March 2000 also for CLK 200 compressor), heated windshield washer nozzles, on-board computer with, for example, consumption display and a larger one Display, modified bumper strips and sills painted in body color as well as (the most noticeable feature for a CLK from the facelift) the modified exterior mirrors with integrated indicators.

The Elegance equipment line still had the usual design elements such as a chrome frame, burl wood decor, "Elegance" badge, green-tinted glazing, door handles with chrome applications, 16-inch wheels in the Elegance design, etc.

The Avantgarde equipment line led to changes in the design, including: Thermally insulating glass in blue all around, decorative elements in bird's eye maple, gray speedometer dials, side window frames in hematite and seven-spoke 16-inch wheels and all-round sill / bumper trim in the vehicle color. In contrast to other classes, the avant-garde equipment in the CLK did not result in lowering or sportier chassis settings.

Optional extras

The most important optional extras that could now be selected were: automatic transmission (new version with changed shift gate, faster response and manual Steptronic, still 5 gears), Sequentronic transmission (semi-automatic transmission, without automatic mode), and AMG package. In addition, various more modern media equipment with, for example, Audio 30 APS or COMAND 2.0 could be selected.

Technical weak points

A weakness of the model is the right hakelige switching gear , a problem which naturally does not occur with the automatic. Furthermore, there is a slight to severe susceptibility to rust (depending on the vehicle's production facility) on the wheel arches, the handle strip of the trunk lid and around the lock of the trunk lid. Models of the 208 series also often show weak points in the on-board electronics, such as unusual segments in the instrument cluster and unusual command systems. In addition, the air circulation flap of the heater can jam. Furthermore, the timing chains occasionally crack if the cylinder head is improperly repaired.

Despite various small weak points, the models of the 208 series are extremely reliable and, with appropriate maintenance and care, achieve high mileages of well over 300,000 km in some cases.

Engine variants

model Engine designation Displacement Valves power Torque V max 2 0-100 km / h construction time variant
Four-cylinder
CLK 200 M 111 E 20 1998 cc 16 100 kW / 136 hp at 5500 rpm 190 Nm at 3700-4500 rpm 208 km / h 11 s 06.1997-06.2000 Coupé, convertible
CLK 200 K M 111 E 20 ML EVO 1998 cc 16 120 kW / 163 hp at 5300 rpm 230 Nm at 2500-4800 rpm 223 km / h 9.1 s 06.2000-05.2003 Coupé, convertible
CLK 200 K 1 M 111 E 20 ML 1998 cc 16 141 kW / 192 hp 1 at 5300 rpm 270 Nm at 2500-4800 rpm 233 km / h 8.4 s 06.1997-08.1999 Coupé, convertible
CLK 230 K M 111 E 23 ML 2295 cc 16 142 kW / 193 hp at 5300 rpm 280 Nm at 2500-4800 rpm 234 km / h 8.4 s 06.1997-06.2000 Coupé, convertible
CLK 230 K M 111 E 23 ML EVO 2295 cc 16 145 kW / 197 hp at 5500 rpm 280 Nm at 2500-5000 rpm 236 km / h 7.9 s 06.2000-05.2003 Coupé, convertible
Six-cylinder
CLK 320 M 112 E 32 3199 cc 18th 160 kW / 218 hp at 5700 rpm 310 Nm at 3000-4600 rpm 240 km / h 7.4 s 06.1997-05.2003 Coupé, convertible
Eight-cylinder
CLK 430 M 113 E 43 4266 cc 24 205 kW / 279 hp at 5750 rpm 400 Nm at 3000-4400 rpm 250 km / h 6.5 s 06.1998-05.2003 Coupé, convertible
CLK 55 AMG M 113 E 55 5439 cc 24 255 kW / 347 hp at 5500 rpm 510 Nm at 3000-4300 rpm 250 km / h 5.4 s 08.1999-06.2002 Coupé, convertible
1 Export model (only for Greece, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Bulgaria and Hungary)
2 Values ​​apply to the coupé

Individual evidence

  1. Autobild.de Mercedes-Benz CLK: Worth considering
  2. a b c d http://www.autobild.de/artikel/gebrauchwagen-mercedes-clk_791197.html
  3. a b http://www.autobild.de/artikel/gebannedwagentest-mercedes-clk_421455.html

Web links

Commons : Mercedes-Benz A 208  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Commons : Mercedes-Benz C 208  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files