2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK

Mercedes-Benz CLK

Mercedes-Benz’s CLK once filled that elusive gap between C-Class practicality and E-Class luxury, and for a while it made sense for buyers who wanted something different from a BMW 3 Series Coupe or Audi A5. In South Africa, only the petrol-powered versions ever made it over, all tied to auto ‘boxes—so don’t expect a manual or a diesel. This isn’t a segment for browsers or bargain hunters. Right now, there’s exactly one CLK on the market, a 2002 CLK 500 Coupe, and it’s yours for R119,900. You’re not picking from a fleet; you’re hunting down a unicorn, and this one’s travelled 232,640 km, which is no small number even by local standards. You get a 5.0-litre V8, which sounds like a steal at this money—on paper at least. The reality, though, is that the maintenance can sting, because specialist Mercedes-Benz workshops don’t come cheap and parts aren’t getting any more plentiful. If you’re serious, look hard at the gearbox and make sure the cooling system isn’t living on borrowed time. South Africans have always had a soft spot for the CLK’s W209 body—still turns heads, still manages to look relevant two decades on. But with just one car up for grabs, there’s zero room to haggle or shop around. That matters: you either want this exact beast, or you keep swiping.