Best Car Reviews - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK350

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Introduction

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 is an elegant rear-wheel-drive luxury coupe, also offered as a cabriolet, aimed at drivers who value classic Mercedes-Benz styling, a refined V6 engine and comfortable long-distance motoring. It combines a 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine with a seven-speed automatic transmission and premium-gasoline operation. Rather than being a compact economy car despite some database classifications, the CLK350 is best understood as a personal luxury two-door with four seats and a strong emphasis on style.

Design and Exterior Features

The CLK350 has the graceful proportions that defined the second-generation CLK: a long bonnet, low roofline, short rear deck and pillarless side-window appearance when the windows are lowered. The coupe measures about 183 inches long, giving it a more substantial presence than its slim profile suggests. For 2007, the standard car retained the established facelift-era design, while the optional Sport Appearance Package added a more purposeful visual and chassis treatment.

Distinctive two-door coupe silhouette with a wide grille and prominent Mercedes-Benz star.
Standard 17-inch staggered-width alloy wheels and performance-oriented tyres.
Optional Sport Appearance Package with lowered suspension, cross-drilled brake rotors and 10-spoke wheels.
Available bi-xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination.
Coupe body with a sleek, formal roofline; cabriolet buyers received a powered insulated soft top.

Interior and Comfort

The CLK350 cabin is focused on front-seat comfort and traditional luxury rather than maximum passenger or cargo capacity. Premium leather upholstery, polished wood trim and a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel give the interior a suitably upscale atmosphere. The 10-way power front seats, driver memory function and dual-zone automatic climate control make it a comfortable car for commuting or touring. Rear-seat space is usable for occasional passengers but is tight for adults on longer journeys, especially in the coupe.

Premium leather upholstery and polished wood interior trim.
10-way power front seats with three-position driver memory.
Digital dual-zone automatic climate control with dust and pollen filtration.
Power tilt-and-telescoping multifunction steering wheel.
Split-folding rear seat in the coupe for added practicality.

Performance and Handling

The 2007 CLK350 uses a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 with six cylinders, rated at 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Power reaches the rear wheels through Mercedes-Benz’s 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission with manual Touch Shift control. Period manufacturer information lists approximately 6.4 seconds from 0 to 60 mph for the coupe and about 6.7 seconds for the cabriolet. The chassis is tuned for stable, polished road manners rather than hard-edged sports-car responses, so it feels composed on motorways and confidence-inspiring through flowing corners. The supplied fuel-consumption figure is 14.8755 L/100 km, equivalent to roughly 15.8 US mpg; because the test method is not specified, it should not be treated as directly comparable with official EPA figures.

3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 with 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Rear-wheel drive and seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.
Manufacturer-quoted 0-60 mph time of about 6.4 seconds for the coupe.
Independent suspension and a balanced grand-touring character.
Premium gasoline requirement and potentially high fuel costs for frequent urban driving.

Technology and Connectivity

Technology in the CLK350 was sophisticated for 2007 but is now clearly from a pre-smartphone era. Standard equipment included a single-disc CD audio system, six speakers, weather-band radio, trip computer and Tele Aid emergency communication service. Available upgrades included DVD COMAND navigation, a glovebox-mounted six-disc CD changer with MP3 capability, harman/kardon Logic7 surround sound, satellite radio, Parktronic parking assistance and a hands-free phone integration setup. Modern Bluetooth streaming, touchscreen interfaces, smartphone projection and contemporary driver-assistance systems were not standard features.

Standard CD audio system, multifunction steering-wheel controls and trip computer.
Available DVD COMAND navigation system.
Optional harman/kardon Logic7 digital surround-sound system.
Available Parktronic ultrasonic parking assistance.
Tele Aid emergency communication system was standard when new.

Safety Features

The CLK350 came with a strong period safety specification, including antilock four-wheel disc brakes, Brake Assist, traction control and Electronic Stability Program stability control. Standard occupant protection included dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags, front active head restraints and front-and-rear side curtain airbags on coupes. Cabriolets used automatically deploying pop-up rear roll bars for rollover protection. A model-specific modern crash-test score should not be assumed where a directly applicable rating is unavailable.

Electronic Stability Program and traction control.
Antilock four-wheel disc brakes with Brake Assist.
Dual-stage front airbags and front side airbags.
Front and rear side curtain airbags on coupe models.
Active front head restraints and automatic pop-up roll bars on cabriolets.

Pricing and Variants

The CLK350 Coupe carried a US base price of approximately $46,200 when new, before destination charges and options; the cabriolet cost more. The 2007 CLK range also included the more powerful CLK550 Coupe and Cabriolet, plus the CLK63 AMG Cabriolet. Main rivals included the BMW 3 Series Coupe, Audi A5’s later predecessor models, Infiniti G35 Coupe and Lexus SC 430. The Mercedes stood out for its polished cabin ambience and elegant design, while some competitors offered sharper handling or lower ownership costs.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Timeless Mercedes-Benz coupe design with strong kerb appeal.
Smooth and responsive 268-horsepower V6 engine.
Refined seven-speed automatic transmission.
Comfortable front seats and high-quality leather-and-wood cabin ambience.
Comprehensive period safety equipment and stable highway manners.

Cons

Premium fuel requirement and potentially high real-world running costs.
Rear seats and boot space are limited for a car of its length.
Infotainment feels dated and lacks modern smartphone integration.
Repairs and parts can be expensive compared with mainstream coupes.
Some early M272 V6 engines require careful inspection for serious balance-shaft-related wear.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A reliable, model-specific annual maintenance-cost figure is not consistently published, so buyers should avoid relying on a single estimate and instead obtain a pre-purchase inspection plus local specialist quotes. Maintenance costs can be substantial because of premium tyres, brakes, electronics and age-related Mercedes-Benz parts. Five commonly reported concerns for this model or generation are balance-shaft gear wear on affected early M272 engines, intake-manifold runner or swirl-flap faults, oil leaks from ageing seals, camshaft-adjuster or sensor-related fault codes, and electrical or convenience-feature problems such as window regulators, seat controls or roof mechanisms on cabriolets. Service history and engine-number verification are particularly important before purchase.

Rating

Overall rating: 7.6/10. Design: 9.0/10 for its enduring proportions and elegant detail. Comfort: 8.2/10 for front-seat refinement and ride quality. Performance: 7.8/10 for strong V6 acceleration and relaxed touring ability. Technology: 5.8/10 because its original systems are now dated. Safety: 7.4/10 for its substantial standard safety equipment, while recognising the absence of a directly applicable modern crash-test rating.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly reflects affection for the CLK350’s appearance, comfortable cruising ability and solid road manners, balanced against warnings about specialist servicing and diligent maintenance. Well-kept examples are often appreciated as stylish everyday classics, while neglected cars can become costly quickly.

Owners frequently praise the elegant exterior and upscale cabin atmosphere.
The V6 is generally appreciated for smooth power and effortless motorway cruising.
Many drivers find the front seats comfortable on long journeys.
Rear-seat room and luggage capacity are often considered modest.
Experienced owners emphasise maintenance records, inspections and prompt repairs.

Best Cars in This Category

2007 BMW 335i Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 Coupe
2007 Lexus SC 430
2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet
2007 Volvo C70

Summary

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 suits buyers seeking a handsome, comfortable rear-wheel-drive luxury coupe with a smooth V6 and classic Mercedes-Benz character. It remains appealing for weekend use, relaxed touring and drivers who prefer understated elegance over an aggressively sporting image. Its value depends heavily on condition, documented maintenance and a thorough inspection, especially of the M272 engine and age-sensitive electronics. A well-cared-for example can be a rewarding modern classic, but it is best purchased with a realistic budget for premium fuel, specialist service and preventative maintenance.