PaneraiLover

Hey guys, I own 01 GS430 with 100k miles and thinking of selling it and getting 2003 C32, CLK55 or E500. I know BMW and MB have more problems then Lexus is what I hear from friends. But I love the style of the new E-class and always loved the quality of materials they use inside. My family owned 96 S500, damn I loved that car, it was built and felt like a tank, new S class is amazing and the previous model is great, but not like the 96 model, they got more buttons but not as solid as the older S class. Anyway, getting off topic here, nothing beats the sound of german car doors like MB or BMW espacially, make when they close!! I owned 3 Acuras, 2 Maximas, BMW 323i was my car before my GS. And nothing drove and felt better then german car and the way it was made. I got the Lexus for the reliability factor, but I have little ennoying problems with it, that seems not go away, thats another story. The GS is fast, but feels like a boat on the road. The way its made is ok, but not like MB or BMW quality of materials used, I am not that impressed tell you the truth. I am getting Tein CS coilovers and replacing bushings now with Daizen to stiffen up the suspension. If this will not satisfy me, I will sell all the parts and the car.

I was thinking of getting Silver 2003 C32, CLK55 or E500 with 35k miles (BMW M3 or 745i are a bit more, but I never own the MB cars, so I want give them a try). I think E-class looks better then CLK, but CLK is still very beautiful but does not look as aggressive as the older model. How is that year for these cars.? That was the first year for the E-class. What problems I should be expecting? I need some feedback from current owners of these cars. How reliable are they?

SACAMG

I considerd buying the Lexus GS 400 back in 2002, but it left me emotioanly empty. The car is nice, comforatable, smoooth and reliable, but the GS did not have any pasion for me. That is why I got the C32. This car has been reliable since the day I got it, it is VERY fast, fun to drive, and built German solid. After owning this for nearly 5 years and 70k miles, I still love it. I love to drive it, to polish it, and I think I will hold on to it for another 5 years (it will be paid for in 4 months).

A friend of mine has a 2001 CKK55, and it is a great car also. I also have a friend with a 2005 M3 whitch I drove and loved it. It depends what your needs are I suppose. If you need room for 4 adults most of the time, buy a E class, if you need room for people arround 5 feet or shorter to consitenatly ride in a back seet, get the C, if it is just you and the wife/GF. by the CLK.

Just my 2 cents........

TopGun32

C32 smaller, lighter and probably as fast as the CLK55 209 or 208

CLK209.. very sexy and coupe

E500, luxury and comfortable, but unless you have kids, you don't need it.

I'm moving up to the E55, due to my 2 boys. If not, I would complete the C32 project with ECU and headers and make it even quicker.

madblznguy

Come on now Dino!!! All you have to do is ask Mr Wong...

I'll tell you what I wouldn't get the c32 if I were you....If you get one with the about the same mileage as mine...around 60,000 you'll have to put some money into it unless someone already has.

So far here are some of the problems I've had. A belt fell off a pulley and I had to have it towed to the dealer. The intercooler pump is going and when it's hot out the supercharger shuts down (common problem) The front sway bar bushings are shot and need to be replaced causing a squeeking noise (another common problem) My malfunction light is almost always on due to one thing or another and everytime I clear it out something else lights that thing up...

Don't get me wrong I still love the car b/c its so damn fast but it doesn't handle anything like my BMW 330ci did.

Andras

just a hint: you can forget about that "probably" and that "or".
C32 still has the edge on both CLK55 amg..........

yeuchau

out of those 3, get E500, otherwise get M3.

Andras

you've got to be kidding, E500 is a cow, ///M3 E46 is a tiger, if the dude wants to stay put with MB he can always go for a pre-owned C32 or a C55/CLK55 etc
but for God's sake stay away from the heavy and flawed E class!!!!!!!!

PTE

I've got one I would concider selling. It is modded in the engine & drivetrain E-mail if you are interested ___PTE___

Andras

terrific car, the guy who's going to get it is a very lucky one

PaneraiLover

PTE I PMed you

PaneraiLover

I want to stay $30k-35k range. I drove 03 E500 sport w/ 12k miles. It was ok, steering feld diconnected from the road, it was not as smooth tranny wise shifting gears and not as fast as my GS. The fit and finish materials in it are supurb and a lot nicer then GS (06 GS is close to MB though, just test drove that too, it was very simular to my GS feel though), but e500 feld richer while driving, it feld heavy in a good way but suspension wise feld like my GS after I upgraded bushings on my GS and coilover Tein CS suspension. After all I did to my Lexus, still feels heavy and there is body lean. I just realized that nothing would feel like a BMW on the road, just nothing. E500 shifted through gears alot rougher then my GS also.. S, CL, and Sl classes is what makes the benz in my opinion. Yesterday I found 03 CLK55 AMG with 26k miles, Silver/black w/ NAV.. It was sitting on the lot of this used car dealer right next to 01 M3 slver/black w/NAV and it manual. And there was 05 C230 Sport in white next to them also. CLK is the most expensive fastest car out of 3 and looked least sportier and agressive!! This CLK just doesn't do it for me. M3 looks so agressive and looks like its got *****, as I stated before previous CLK looked beafier and more agressive then this new body style. So, I went for test drive on the CLK55. Steering felt very light even compared to my GS. Take off was fast!! It is a very fast car, but it was so loud, so unMercedes like, I guess thats the only way to achieve this HP. On the road it feld more composed then my GS but very simular to E500, they both felt like they handle the same and same as my modified GS. The inside was nice, but not as nice as E500, it is like C-class what it is based on. So, for speed, it is a fast car. But C32 looks more aggressive then CLK, but very simular look to c230 sport on the road, it does not stand out like M3 does, lets say.. If I had the money I would get CLS500 or 55, or E55. If I had more money the new S550 with AMG package in silver looks insane in and out, or SL550 or 55. But I don't know about the 3 I started this thread for. My friend in NJ bought 2002 C32, had it few month and wants to sell it already. Said, yes it is a fast car and he bean M3's on the road a few times, but it just does not handle or feel as good on the road as his previous 330ci. I will look towards 2002-2003 M3 I think with 30-40k miles. This are my impressions guys.. Sorry for long one.. lol