Now, I'm happy...

If you'd like, you can read my review of the car I owned before this one - the 2003 MB CLK-500. Well, all good things (and it was a good thing) come to an end, and I was ready for another automobile. I drove a lot of cars - Porsche Cayman, BMW M5, 500 series BMWs, and new Audis, and even took a look at a few cheaper sport sedans just to round out the mix. However, when the dealer offered me a very reasonable move up to the CLK-550, I was very interested.

Quick note - this car is not the same car I had. The transition to the 5.5L with 382 HP and an inordinate amount of torque, much more on the low end, meant that I inadvertently left some tire at the dealer just pulling out on a test drive. The CLK-500 had seemed relatively docile at low speed, and was quite civilized. This thing is much, much, more of a beast (read fun).

The overall look and layout is much the same. A few controls are different, a few new lights, and again, with very intelligent placement. I am now a fan of the digital slide bars for temperature and gas. The tachometer is again small, but easy to read. Speedometer fills the middle of the display, and has the information screen again in the center. If you opt for the navigation, it fits in nicely. I drive locally, and didn't pay the extra for it. No matter. The screens are again full of information, and easy to reach through wheel-mounted switches. Easy. Big change on this model is the paddle shifters, if you so choose. Two transmission settings, and the alternative to move through the gears with the paddles. I have used them a bit, and find them quite intuitive. Don't get carried away, however, since they will let you do whatever you want, no matter how stupid it might be. I have opted for the 7 speed automatic most of the time, which is dramatically smooth, delivering power through the gears so that you see the speed increasing and the RPMs drop almost simultaneously. Neat. Neat interior touch is the brake and gas pedals - now in a metallic racing style with accents, and still very comfortable.

Again, I opted for the premium II package which got me the cornering lamps and bi-xenon headlamps. I'm addicted to the brightness the headlamps deliver. New to this model is the cornering lights, which track the beams around corners. Works very well. Sunroof is as before, and the harman/kardon sound system is nice, and I got the Sirius radio, as well. Single small antenna over the back of the roof which blends in and works very well. The sound system is easy to master, and the only oddity I find is the inability to select all modes from a single screen in radio mode. Sirius is very nice - displays on the master screen in the dash as well if selected. Slightly bigger screen in the center console compared to the prior model, and very big if you get the navigation system. Interior sound is quiet. I've heard people mention that the CLK is a noisy car - perhaps I just got a good one. It is MB quiet at highway speeds.

Power? To spare. This is fairly impressive to drive. Seems a bit firmer than the CLK-500, handles wonderfully. Always a confidence-builder to have that kind of control. Brakes are actually better than before, with bigger, beefier assemblies. I have no doubt that they can haul you down instantly if needed. The ABS system is just not noticeable - you stop when you want. No fade. Acceleration is much improved from the CLK-500, 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. It is surprisingly agile, and loves S-turns around here. One positive note in this time of modestly expensive gasoline - MB kept the gas mileage almost exactly what the CLK-500 delivered. I'm averaging just about 21 mpg.

Styling is still a plus for me. I've heard and read some discussions about the look of this car, but I'm firmly in the MB camp on this one. It's sporty, sexy, and just a bit understated. Not in your face, but just right. I got the black finish, with black leather. It is just beautiful. Fit and finish is what you'd expect for a fairly expensive car - superb. I have found nothing that wasn't just right. Seats are even better than before, which was wonderful. I drove an S class largely to feel those S-class killer seats, and while this still isn't quite there, they have improved them and are awfully close. Power adjustments allow you to make it just right, and there is no discomfort, at least not for me, regardless of how long you sit. The seats are just superb. 3 position heaters will definitely warm you up quick. Solid feel to the doors, trunk, windows, and sunroof. This is a serious automobile.

Problems? Well, that back seat didn't grow. It is again just adequate. The seats tilt easier than before, allowing folks a slightly easier time in and out. Trunk is fine, a bit small, but slightly bigger. Since the styling is so much the same, I am still wondering about the position of side molding and trim - you're always just a bit different than other automobiles, which means that they are much more likely to ding you. If you do a lot of city driving, you will be well known at the gas station. It is not economical.

Overall, I'm firmly a fan of this car. It makes my second in this line. It is plainly an improvement. If you like gauges, it is not the car for you. If you want a two seat sports car, keep looking. But, if you want a sports coupe with maximum creature comfort and all the power you can use, give it a try.