are you talking in all out terms of driveability/ergonomics or power/preformance?

 

Reliability, over-all quality... Anything and everything really. I don't really care about horsepower and torque though, as the car's not supposed to be used "that way".

Apparently it's C208 and not W208, I'm new to Benz.

 

Reliability, over-all quality... Anything and everything really. I don't really care about horsepower and torque though, as the car's not supposed to be used "that way".

Apparently it's C208 and not W208, I'm new to Benz.

no it was W208...you were right the first time.

Its a tough choice...the coupes you are comparing are of different schools of thought and meant for opposite purposes. the CLK is going to be more a more comfortable cruiser, whereas the E46 will be slightly more harsh and demand more input from the driver. you cant beat the 4.3L V8 of the CLK430, with it you get that V8 grunt and torque...but I've even heard some people regard BMW's 3.0L I6 as being comprabable to a small V8. the cars make two completely different statements, and its up to you which statement you want to make. if you dont mind driving an automatic, you can go either way. but if you prefer a manual, BMW is the only way to go in this situation.

 

It's been said before that a Mercedes-Benz is for people who like to be driven, where as a BMW is for people who like to drive. I like both cars and almost got a CPO CLK430 when I bought my E46. Decided to go with the BMW for the sheer driving dynamics, and a manual

 

i've seen a couple 75kmile clk55s going for around 25000
a clk55 with chrome foose speedsters is sick
i just can't get over the fact the ****ing steering wheel has no tilt option only telescoping....makes for a really akward position when the seat is low

 

Like our cars having a steering wheel tilt that is worth anything?

 

Like our cars having a steering wheel tilt that is worth anything?

yep...my steering wheel is tilted all the way down

 

we have a 2000 clk 430 convertible. It's got around 60,000 miles. Before that we had a slk 320 and i wish we still had the slk just cause the steering was so tight and the sound of the v-6 was rather sweet though the noise of the v-8 put out by the clk is rather attractive and comfort wise for a long trip we are about to embark on i have chosen to ride/drive in the clk instead of an e class. Because i find the front seats are much more roomier. Compared to an e46 coupe i would choose a clk mercedes also makes there cars to be somewhat driven not just to drive. Even though hp and torque aren't a factor the clk is far faster than a 330 for the clk 430 your looking at 275 hp 4.5 liters and the clk 500 302 hp 5.0 liters. The stock stereo in the clk is a bose system which i must say has NO rattles what so ever though i cannot say that about my e46 as others also have experienced here. My conclusion is though the clk is more expensive i would choose it not that i dont like my 3 series or anything but i love the beefy v-8 mixed with a nice suspension and the luxurious benz feel.

 

The CLK320 is the other car I was looking into when I bought my 02' 330Ci a year ago. For me after driving about 20 or so different cars of both Merc's and BMW's the choice was clear. I like to DRIVE the car.

Both cars, being 6'ers were similar in performance. I'm not looking at specs but the Benz probably had the edge on torque because of the V6 configuration. It also "felt" like it was slightly peppier from a low speed 'step on it' get up and go thing but I'm fairly sure that was also in part to the suspension which deadens the road a bit more.

The ride of the Benz was definately more refined if you are looking for the Cadillac type of experience, on the other hand the BMW allows you to feel the road very well, all of it.

The interior of the Benz, as far as I was concerned, was a litter austere for my taste. I mean what's with control buttons that are the size of a door bell??? Slight exageration but I mean really, what's with that? Six black buttons lined up next to each other on a plank of wood! BUT the CLK320 does have dual zone automatic climate control instead of single zone.

The fit and finish of the car is as good as the BMW at least in the 2001-2003 models I was looking at.

I think the longevity of the mechanicals for both is pretty much a toss, but the electricals for 2002 and 2003 BMW's they were very highly rated at least from Consumer Reports perspective. I know a lot of people bash these types of guides/reports but at least it gave someplace to start from.

In the beginning when I set out to buy a car this round I was actually going out to buy an 02' CLK320, but after looking and driving many cars, In the end the styling, lines and feel of the BMW clearly swayed me to buy that car and I have absolutely no regrets. I still think the CLK series looks sharp too, but I like my Bimmer.

 

I've taken a liking to the Mercedes-Benz CLK W208 model and was wondering if anyone has hands-on experience from that AND an E46 Coupé... I can think of several pros and cons for each of the two, but it's hard when you haven't REALLY compared them. I'm not looking into the AMG or M3, but rather the cheaper models, as this is supposed to be a "second car".

Any thoughts?

I have both and can give you the ups and downs of both...

Having owned numerous BMW's and Mercedes', I am pretty unbiased.

The CLK430 has ALOT more power and torque than my 330Ci, and will easily out accelerate it from a stop, or from a roll. The power is a noticable difference and I can easily light up the tires(19 inch, 275s) if I so choose. I have also done some suspension mods(springs, shocks, bushings). The ride is really smooth although it is not as quiet as my previous E39 inside. It's a decent sports coupe, for the price but the handling is nowhere near the caliber of a BMW. I think even my 528 5 speed could have out handled it. Seats are better than the BMW.

That said, the 330Ci is much more fun to drive. It is a true drivers car. It has about the same level of noise in the interior, and the seats are better in the CLK, but the fun factor in the bimmer is much higher. My 330 is a 5 speed and that contributes to much of it. The suspension is hands down, much tighter(mine has the Sport package), and my bimmer is totally stock. If I had to buy another one of these cars, I would buy the bimmer first unless cruising from city to city was my priority.

I would say that you would probably be much happier with the BMW as it seems to put more of a smile on my face everytime I drive it.

Justin

 

I know this thread is dead but just where did everyone get that he (seeman) was comparing against a 430? W208 represents Mercedes engineering code for the CLK body style, not an engine size. It's the same with E46. Within the W208 body style there are 230/320/430 and 55 AMG's. The W208 body style was manufactured from 1998-2002.

 

I know this thread is dead but just where did everyone get that he (seeman) was comparing against a 430? W208 represents Mercedes engineering code for the CLK body style, not an engine size. It's the same with E46. Within the W208 body style there are 230/320/430 and 55 AMG's. The W208 body style was manufactured from 1998-2002.

I was just giving my input. The only one i've driven was a 430 so i compared to that :thumbup: