MERCGUY

understand that the CLK 500 may find a Kleeman on it someday soon....

-My challenge is that you get so much value with the C32 for 54K or so with Nav, Nappa leather etc....

-But I really love the look of the Coupe, although I'm struggling with the fact that it basically a C-Class for 60K, with a V8

Opinions welcome, Please................

btw, we all have high grade headaches on these types of decisions...so believe me I feel lucky to have this headache.

FrankW

just look at the W209 as a E-class coupe, then you can complaint about the crappy C-class like interior. The CLK IS a market replacement for the E-coupe anyway.

My sis has a W208 and I have a C32, does that explain anything to you. CLK is for girls...lol j/p

I would get the C32 just because it is a AMG & MB, instead of the CLK500 just being a MB.

Accord

I was struggling with this decision many months back aswell. After studying pictures for hours upon hours of the W209 CLK, I cancelled my order for the CLK500 and ordered a C32 AMG. I got to drive a W209 CLK a few weeks ago, I just don't like the car; I don't like the handling, I don't like how it looks, I can go on. After I got to drive the W209 CLK, I finally was able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing that I made the right decision by getting a C32 AMG instead.

The W209 CLK looks like the spawn of a C230k and an Acura CL. Not that there is anything wrong with those two cars, it's just I wouldn't want to spend 60k on a car that looks nearly identical to an Acura!

The C32 AMG is a lot faster, a lot sexier, more comfortable, looks so much better, and finally; it is an AMG. The W209 CLK just has a cheap feeling and look to it.

People who I talk to tell me they would have gotten the CLK500 because it has a V8, well I tell them my puny V6 can kill their V8 . The C32 AMG will hold it's value better than the CLK500 aswell.

While you may put a Kleemann Supercharger on the CLK500, Evosport and many other companies already offer and are developing modifications for the C32 AMG.

FrankW

John, man. The NEW CLK does not look like the Acura CL, and it certainly will not be mistaken for a C-coupe, although C-coupe and CLK is quite similar. Heck all the MB model these days are similar. The exterior of the CLK is still very much like the E-class.

The only thing i agree with you is that the center console of the new CLK really made it looks cheap.

Accord

The entire car doesn't look like an Acura CL, however when you look at it from the 3/4 rear view, it is nearly identical to the Acura CL. There was a thread about it in the W209 forum with comparison pictures, i'll try and find it.

The C32 AMG also looks a lot more aggressive than the W209 CLK.

Accord

Can't find the picture of the Acura CL, however when I was searching I found this...

Volvo C70:


2003 Honda Accord Coupe:

I think the rear of the Accord looks more like an SL.

W209 CLK:


MB Lineup:

Taucher

Get the AMG, take the four door (one day you'll be glad you did) take the extra money you saved and take a nice vacation.

MERCGUY

I made the decision, silver C32 with black interior, and Nav, gotta have the Nav!!

I think car design has really departed from a single mfg. having it's own originality/trademark. It's sad to see such a great brand (MB) get so lost in it's design efforts.
I like the CLK and the 'look' is growing on me, in fact I saw the Brabus 6.1 and it looked ready for a fight. In the end though I agree the C32 has more going for it, and it will be a shame when MB wrecks that car and makes it look just like all the other 'fishes' in the sea.

Thanks for all the feedback, to the dealer I go to start the 'waiting process'

Shine

Wise decision & enjoy the AMG !
besides, the performance of C32 is much more better !

if you're interested in mods, the V8 is then very potential......

Accord

Congratulations on your AMG .

tango

dont forget that amg body kit and wheels come standard with the clk 500 so the clk500 is not just an ordinary mb, it is partially an amg as well

FrankW

Congrats...

John, the new accord looks more like the CL-class. and as for the C70, the rear does not look like the CLK at all.

As far as, E, CLK, SL, C, etc...they all look a like.... That's just the trend MB is going with the styling of their cars. From that rear shot of the E and the CLK, you can tell it's a sedan with it's coupe counter part.

Accord

It's not an AMG without the engine .

FrankW

that's only true for the US market. MBUSA want to differentiate CLK320 and CLK500/430, so that people will feel better when they bought a more expensive model. lol

tango

so i guess what you are saying is that ppl shouldnt put a brabus or carlsson badge on unless they have a brabus mod or carlsson mod engine?as far as im concern i think its fair enuff to call your ride a brabus or carlsson after you have their products installed on your car right?

tango

excuse me? i think that is also valid for the canadian market, clk500 comes with amg kits as standard also.
and what is ur point for bringing this up anwyays frank?

JustinTRW

I think he's trying to say that the CLK500 therefore is not an AMG model. As for putting on Brabus badges when only having the bodykit, why bother? People can do what they want, but badging used to mean something. Sometimes in Europe, bodykitted cars are badged. When you see a car with AMG, M, S (Audi), or the R (Jaguar), you know it is more performance oriented than the make's regular line. That's what these cars are about.

Back on topic though, the CLK500 isn't slow, it's just no hot-rod. Let me describe it to you this way. The CLK500 can have the AMG bodykit, wheels, and even interior. When you depress the throttle, you'll know it's not the "real" deal, but still a nice car. Tango, saying that it is "partially" AMG is simply for nostalgic value.

Accord

I saw a CLK430 which had an AMG badge the other day, I laughed in disgust for 3 minutes!

You can consider the CLK500 an AMG if it was built at the AMG factory, however it was not, therefore it is not an AMG. It's like saying a CLK430 is an AMG. The CLK55 is an AMG, the CLK500 is not.

FrankW

Tango, Justin is partially correct on what i was trying to say, but my point was simply point out that what you said about the CLK500 come standard with the AMG bodykit, and rims are not correct, and it is only true in the US and Canada market. Apologies for not mentioning the Canada market, if that is what you are mad about.

Accord, I saw a C320 with AMG badge (no mods) last Saturday. He was drving pretty fast on the freeway, until i got next to him and give him a friendly nod and drove past him. I was just doing 85 mph, and he just slowed downed. My friends was laughing, but i was not.

DL_AMG

I like people try to make there car look like AMG. With $12k over C320, it worth every penny!!

tango

no boys, im not mad not trying to argue, just trying to learn and get a point, isnt that what this forum is all about? discussions and learning more about mb knowledges?! thanx for the lesson boys! so for me its love not war hehehe

JustinTRW

Who said you were mad? I just though we were having a discussion too.

EWCIII2001

I was considering the CLK500, but when I finally saw one at our local dealership the styling just didn't do it for me. I feel the C32 is a "special" car for various reasons. It's a lot of money and I wanted something distinctive that I would be proud of and enjoy, well into the future.

W0n6_3d4n

Get C32 and debadged it, so people will think it's just a normal MB, wait till they race you

mikE55

Agreed, the CLK500 is not an AMG. But technically speaking, I believe the w210 E55 was the last AMG model to have the mods done at the Affalterbach AMG factory. All new models have the AMG components (engines, suspension, trans, areo kit etc.) shipped to the standard MB factories from Affalterbach, and there installation takes place along side the normal MB models.