CLK320 or CLK430

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Mar 16, 2005 | 11:54 PM

kostas86

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From: Chicago

V8, Flat 6, V6, & Turbo flat 4

CLK320 or CLK430

I have a week left to make up my mind, next wedneday i will be purchasing my CLK. Now the big question is should I get a CLK320 or CLk430? Which one is more reliable? Because I have heard that the transmissions and power equipment in these cars go bad

I'm looking at around 30-40k miles on the car.

Mar 17, 2005 | 02:13 AM

blackbenzz

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haters crazy

i would take the 430. Its more powerfull, comes with AMG kit and rims.

Mar 17, 2005 | 07:58 AM

DELCLK430

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From: Orlando florida

CLK 430 cabriolet, Ford explorer, 2004 Hayabusa

430 for sure

Mar 17, 2005 | 08:04 AM

The Godfather

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From: Khalifonia.

4 wheeled car.

430.

Mar 17, 2005 | 10:03 AM

E55Freak

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From: Littleton, CO

2005 E55 silver

definitely go with the 430. the looks and the wheels that come standard give you a better looking car. Plus the V8 give you more power (and a higher gas bill). I never even considered the 320 because some just look cheesy with the stock wheels and no body kit. I have had mine for 2 weeks now and love it. No offense to the 320 owners.

Mar 17, 2005 | 02:09 PM

King320

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From: Atlanta

03 C32 AMG

The only real reason to buy a 320 is if you dont have the cash for the 430 (like me), kinda like buying a boxter instead of a carrera. The 320 is a great car and AMG wheels really help it out. I like mine but if i had the money i would have bought the 430 for sure.

Mar 17, 2005 | 02:27 PM

myNAMESterry

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From: SF Bay Area

991.1 gt3, w204 c63 507

just get the 430... if you're gonna end up getting the 320, just save more money and buy a civic

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Mar 17, 2005 | 03:12 PM

Luthor

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From: So. Cal.

Why I picked the 320

Okay, I picked it because of the price. That said, I now believe the 320 is the better car, especially if you're planning to make your own mods. Here's why:

(a) The 320 has less weight up front. This means better balance, and the power-to-weight ratio is only a little less than on the 430.
(b) Though it has less power than the 430, the power of the stock 320 can be upgraded by adding various products -- and it still has less weight!
(c) The 320 gets better gas mileage (see (a) above). Incidentally, this means greater range between fillerups on long road trips. (Vegas baby!)
(d) The better-looking stock trim and the bigger wheels on the 430 are meaningless if you plan to install your own trim and wheels anyway. IMO the stock wheels on the 320 look better than the ones on the 430 for model year 1999, when the 320 came with polished alloy rims. (The 320 also had the same rims in 1998 -- but the 430 was not offered during that year, so I guess there's no comparison for 1998.)

Last edited by Luthor; Mar 18, 2005 at 02:18 AM.

Mar 17, 2005 | 04:29 PM

#10

King320

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From: Atlanta

03 C32 AMG

Quote:

Originally Posted by myNAMESterry

just get the 430... if you're gonna end up getting the 320, just save more money and buy a civic

There's nothing wrong with a 320, but the 430 is preferable. A 320 isnt a bad car for a college student

Mar 17, 2005 | 04:36 PM

#11

myNAMESterry

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From: SF Bay Area

991.1 gt3, w204 c63 507

Quote:

Originally Posted by King320

There's nothing wrong with a 320, but the 430 is preferable. A 320 isnt a bad car for a college student

any mercedes is great for a college student... just if it were my choice.. i would save the money and buy a commuter car. i hear scions tC's are well worth their value

Mar 17, 2005 | 05:27 PM

#12

unsung

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From: Chicago

06 M3

I think if you have to ask you shouldn't buy one at all.

Mar 18, 2005 | 12:42 AM

#13

kostas86

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From: Chicago

V8, Flat 6, V6, & Turbo flat 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by King320

There's nothing wrong with a 320, but the 430 is preferable. A 320 isnt a bad car for a college student

Totally agree, I'm 19, first year in college, and it's the perfect car. Not good for commuting but that's ok. Ever since I test drove the CLK i fell in love with it. 5 Days left till the purchase...yeah!

Mar 18, 2005 | 12:43 AM

#14

kostas86

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From: Chicago

V8, Flat 6, V6, & Turbo flat 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by unsung

I think if you have to ask you shouldn't buy one at all.

Why, are they that problematic, not that it'll change my mind on the purchase but i just would like to know what I'm getting myself into.

Mar 18, 2005 | 02:41 AM

#15

King320

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From: Atlanta

03 C32 AMG

Quote:

Originally Posted by kostas86

Why, are they that problematic, not that it'll change my mind on the purchase but i just would like to know what I'm getting myself into.

I didnt get that comment you're referring to either. Maybe he was saying its such a no brainer you shouldnt even have to ask? Either way, they're both great cars. The CLK 430 has a power advantage over the CLK 320 in the same way that any other v-6 benz has over a v-8 or a v-6 has over a 4cyl Kompressor. Really it all depends on your budget. Dont rule out the 320 as a good car just because the 430 is faster (and better if you ask me) I mean, my dad's E430 is a great car and lots faster than an E320, but the E320 has been MB's bread and butter for a while now and is by no means a poor car in its own right. Reliability on both the v-6 and v-8 is about the same, the only problem ive heard of is that on the 3.2l V6s the harmonic balancer can slide out of the crank pulley, but this is a very easy $50 fix if you catch it on time. I would get the 430 if you think the extra money is worth the extra speed (as most guys on this forum do, including myself) and if you can afford it. My reasoning for buying a CLK320 was that it was a better car than what i had at the time (2000 Audi A4 2.8) because of rear wheel drive and body styling. I agree that the 430 is the better car, but i dont think that you can say the 320 isnt worth buying.