Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes CLK Coupe

The whole world may be going crazy for the latest Harry Potter book, but not me. My current bedtime reading is an even lengthier affair than JK Rowling's 607-page epic. I'm ploughing my way through the owner's manual for our long-term Mercedes CLK270 CDI - all 782 pages of it.

Pros
  • Interior layout, pillarless doors, comprehensive manual, cruising ability
Cons
  • Coarse engine, unusable Bluetooth, fuel economy, hours spent with handbook
Find your Mercedes CLK
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The whole world may be going crazy for the latest Harry Potter book, but not me. My current bedtime reading is an even lengthier affair than JK Rowling's 607-page epic. I'm ploughing my way through the owner's manual for our long-term Mercedes CLK270 CDI - all 782 pages of it.

Advertisement - Article continues below

No, I'm not joking. In all, there are five separate hand-books, including a 238-page guide to the COMAND satellite-navigation system, as well as the 434-page owner's manual. So why, given that the Merc has now been with us for three months and covered more than 5,500 miles, do I find myself spending hours poring over the literature?

Well, I'm trying to get to the bottom of all the electrical operating systems. Most are straight-forward, but everyone who has driven the CLK has found the buttons around the screen fiddly to use and the sat-nav voice impossible to turn off. While I now know that pressing and holding the mute button turns off the audible directions, I am still com-pletely stumped by the Bluetooth link.

This should allow me to do away with having an unsightly hands-free kit wrapped around my ear, but I've struggled to get the system to work. The car detects my phone, yet despite ploughing through the manual on several occasions, it won't function properly.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

i10

2019 Hyundai

i10

38,755 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £7,490
View i10
HR-V Hybrid

2017 Honda

HR-V Hybrid

70,277 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £8,790
View HR-V Hybrid
EV6

2024 Kia

EV6

20,984 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £26,795
View EV6
1 Series

2021 BMW

1 Series

36,564 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £17,990
View 1 Series

A phone call to Mercedes clarified the matter. At the moment, the company isn't happy with the connectivity - so, although there's a Bluetooth button, the system has been disabled until the technology works flawlessly. It's not only the complex controls I'm struggling with. The manual backrest adjustment for the seat is really badly positioned. The knob is on the side of the chair, down by the centre console, and it's very difficult to reach.

Still, these gripes aside, the CLK270 remains a very desirable car. I love the interior design, the comprehensive trip computer and the extending arm that automatically presents the seatbelt.

As we mentioned in the last report, the ageing five-cylinder diesel is rather rough, and the extra miles haven't changed that - nor improved the economy much: it's risen from 30.5 to 32.3mpg. However, Mercedes has launched a new 3.0-litre V6 diesel, and it's a much superior powerplant. Perhaps it's time to consider an upgrade?

Second Opinion

I really don't get on very well with our long-term CLK Coup�. The five-cylinder diesel isn't refined under acceleration, there's too much lag when pulling away from traffic lights and the flat front seats need more lateral support. It's practical, but I also think the CLK is a touch dull - which a coup� shouldn't be.
Piers Ward, road tester

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £3,331 off RRP*Used from £9,600
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,211
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,075 off RRP*Used from £14,448
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025