Hello all! This is another "what car should I buy" tread.

I'm looking to replace my wife's 2001 ML320 for her 80 mile round trip commute... something with higher MPG, a newer model, less miles, more reliable, etc. We have narrowed down our search to a 2007 C230 Sport and a 2005 CLK320. Both of them white and in our price range. Here's the pros and cons we've been looking at:



2007 C230 Sport, 55k miles, white exterior, light grey interior
Pros
- The last MY of the C230 so most of the bugs have been worked out.
- 2 years newer and 20k less miles than the CLK320
- Is out of balance shaft gear range (checked the engine #)
- full maintenance records, camshaft sensors replaced.
- 4 doors (although we have no kids, the rear access is nice)
- AMG appearance bodykit
- more MPG...about 28+MPG on the highway.

Cons
- Less powerful engine, small engine component problems here and there.
- the 7 speed transmission scares me. I read about problems associated with it and that it constantly hunts for gears. 722.9 transmissions speed sensor problem, conductor plates going bad
- less interior features (ie. no heated seats, no navi)
- no warranty and probably won't spend $2k-$3k for one.
- I've read about little reliability problems here and there.





2005 CLK320, 75k miles, white exterior, tan interior
Pros
- The last MY of the CLK320 so most of the bugs have been worked out.
- Engine is bulletproof (head/valve? gasket was replaced awhile back at the dealer) I heard this is a common problem for this model.
- 5 speed transmission is bulletproof (tranny was serviced awhile back at the dealer)
- full maintenance records, camshaft sensors replaced.
- the sleek coupe look with pillarless windows
- Has a 1 year aftermarket warranty (not MB)...whatever that is worth.
- Has Navi, heated seats, full power seats...even though it's based on the C class, it drives and has the features more like an E-class
- More powerful engine...not much more than the C230 but more torquey.

Cons
- 2 years older and 20k more miles than the C230
- less MPG than the C...about 25mpg but not bad
- no AMG kit...the coupe styling looks nice but bland from the beltline down. will have to get AMG kit+rims, etc.
- 1 cup holder is ridiculous...

Soooo...we're looking for the most reliable, cool looking, great driving of the 2 cars. I had a 99 CLK320 and it was great...no problems. I'm a DIY kinda guy and my dad has a body shop so working on the cars is not a problem but I don't want my wife stranded in the middle of the highway or want to work on the car fixing things every weekend (like my ML320). Appreciate it if anybody can chime in on the stuff listed above, especially on the reliability part of the C230 drivetrain.

And no we do not want a Lexus, Camry, Accord, <insert 4-wheeled appliance here>

 

The c230 sport has the advantage in terms of daily driving. Higher MPG, 4 doors (to take clients or coworkers to lunch, and probably kids if you have any later on) and is two years younger. It's more 'future-proof' than the clk320.

But if your wife is looking for a step up in prestige/luxury and is willing to sacrifice some of the convenience, then the CLK is the better bet; E class inspired interior after all. But realize that the CLK you're looking at is already seven years old, and certainly isn't getting any younger

You pretty much laid out everything on the table already; there isn't much else you could really find out to make your decision. Just choose what you/your wife wants and enjoy it!

 

The CLK is definitely a higher end car, as stated before. I bet its also slightly more reliable in the long run. However if this was me, I would probably get the C because it gets better MPG, it looks a TON better, its newer, has less miles and has 4 doors.

But once again, if your buying partially as a status symbol, the CLK is a stronger candidate. Not feeling the white/tan though...

 

c230 if it's for commute, you'll probably save 15 to 20% on gas

 

You'd save about 40 miles per tank of gas by going with the c230, but thats IF it does get 28mpg highway. I drove one of my friend's 07 c230 plenty back in the days and i have never seen 28mpg highway. More like 25mpg hwy most of the time.

Personally i'd take the CLK. the 320 is proven to get you around 24-25 mpg hwy.

 

Thanks everyone for your comments. much appreciated!

thepinoc - I agree with your comments but 99.9% of the time, there is no one in the back seat of our ML320. It's usually just her or the both of us. Kids?! bleh...we're gonna wait a couple of more years

ferrariyellow44 - The C230 with sport does look very yum. Especially with the AMG kit...which is one of the main reason why it's on my radar. Slap on some 18"-19" AMG rims and looks awesome right out of the box.

FrankW - Thanks...if the MPG numbers are true, then the difference is marginal.

Gonna test drive the CLK320 again this weekend. Damn.. If it had an AMG kit or something, I would have taken it in a heartbeat. I would probably have to spend another $3k+ to get it looking like I want - AMG kit, rims, suspension, exhaust.

Unfortunately the white C230 I had my eye on just sold and the next closest one is 100 miles away. But I'm not in any rush. I plan on pulling the trigger within 3 weeks.

 

iono i would go with CLK, 2 door is nicer

 

i get around 28-30 mpg in the hway with cruise control (35miles each way @55-65)

 

I would go for the CLK, it just generally seems like a nicer car to me, plus that warrentys nice because you don't want to be paying for repairs just after you spent a ton of money buying the car. I am trying to sell my C to get a CLK, I consider the CLK a step up. Its really just all up to your opinion though.

 

The C230 looks perfect just as is. It is far better looking than the somewhat awkward CLK. I do think, however, that any hope for fuel economy is a total myth here. The C230 V6 is not known to be efficient.

That said, even if you could only squeeze 25mpg out of either, I'd pick the C230. It's newer, looks better, is more practical, looks better, has less miles, looks better, and so forth. Mercedes navigation is nothing to write home about and the C230 has factory Bi-xenons to the CLK320 halogens.

 

yeah mpg figures seem to be a hot topic at any car forums. If I get 25+ mpg for either car, I'm a happy man. Not basing my decision on 2-3 mpgs difference..

I'm still in the hunt for a 2007 C230, white. Most of them out there seems to be either black or silver.

 

My Lexus GS450h (yes is a hybrid) only giving me 22mpg... I DO NOT miss my coupe tho

 

Common jordan you know you miss it a little

 

More like 25mpg hwy most of the time.

 

230K for sure. Newer model, lower miles, still looks sleek, great MPG, and very reliable.