2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class - Consumer Discussions

Mercedes Benz generations. Mercedes-Benz has learned its lesson. The W107 SL was sold for nearly 20 years, the car's exterior was changed VERY LITTLE, imagine having the same basic SL for that long with only moldings being changed. Those days are gone. In the early 2000's, 01-02 Mercedes-Benz released a press release saying that from now on, Mercedes Benz would only keep a current model for 3-5 years at the most without changing it. In other words, the W208 CLK which was made in 2000 is nolonger made. The newer CLK is the W209, so I would think we should see a new CLK in a couple years give or take. Mercedes-Benz has had the W211 E class out for a few years now and this year they gave it a facelift so I dont look for that car to be around much longer. Also another good indicator of when they'er about to bring a new model out is the AMG model cars. When the AMG model car has been out for about a year and a half or 2 years you can look for a new model. And just as Mercedes did with the CLK they took the 430 and upgraded it to the new 550 engine, I would look for them to increase horsepower in the next generation CLK as well. The real changes in these cars is what you cant see. Mercedes-Benz like many other luxury car makers have started using Aluminum, Magnesium, Boron, etc in their cars. Because of the gas issues Aluminum has become the new favorite metal for exterior and some structural members, because it weighs less and is still strong.