Would u get CLK55 AMG or BMW M3?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 386
Likes: 2
From: Cali
2000 CLK 320
Would u get CLK55 AMG or BMW M3?
well currently i have a clk320 and will try to sell if very soon to get an amg or m3. i am very happy with its looks but not with the power,and cant really do much to add power to it. so if you could get your hands on an m3 or clk 55,what would you choose?? i would like to hear your opinions,THANKS
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 9
From: Seattle
05 E55
Benzes are great for looks, power and sex appeal. BMW's are great for looks, performance and driving excitement.
So, if you want a cruiser that get's looks, go Mercedes.
If you want to feel connected to the car and get driving excitement, go BMW.
So, if you want a cruiser that get's looks, go Mercedes.
If you want to feel connected to the car and get driving excitement, go BMW.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
My tastes may differ from yours, but given those two choices, I'd prefer a W208 CLK55. My circumstances may differ from yours. I tend to keep cars a long while, so maintenance is an issue. Whether or not it had a warrantee would also matter. I'd hate to buy a car, and then figure out the previous owner was selling his "pride and joy" because that heap of junk had a rather large repair looming. I'd forgo the M3 because their Vanos units have a history of failing, and I don't care to change busted Vanos' with any degree of regularity.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 0
From: Houston
88 Caddy on 28's
Originally Posted by MarcusF
My tastes may differ from yours, but given those two choices, I'd prefer a W208 CLK55. My circumstances may differ from yours. I tend to keep cars a long while, so maintenance is an issue. Whether or not it had a warrantee would also matter. I'd hate to buy a car, and then figure out the previous owner was selling his "pride and joy" because that heap of junk had a rather large repair looming. I'd forgo the M3 because their Vanos units have a history of failing, and I don't care to change busted Vanos' with any degree of regularity.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Originally Posted by MJ1133
But, with BMW's the warrenty you get everything done for free. And the VANOS unit was only a problem on the early production model's. If he get's a 04+ he'll be fine.
You say the 04 and 05’s are good, and that’s very good to know, but please tell us what was changed in the Vanos design that would cause an 04 to last longer than an 03? Vanos failures are usually after 35-60 thousand miles. If there is no change in the design, is it possible the 04-05 models simply haven’t accrued enough miles to fail like it does in all the previous model years?
Last edited by MarcusF; Nov 25, 2005 at 02:19 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Originally Posted by Co 55 AMG
Not being a BMW owner, What is a VANOS unit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
03 C32 AMG
In my opinion...
E46 M3>W209 AMG>W208 AMG>E90 M3>E36 M3
I have wierd preferences with these cars, but let me offer what explanation i can.
I think the E46 M3 will be a classic. It has over 100hp per litre and great looks, its been around for so long and set such a high mark for performace (bearing in mind it has the same displacement as a clk 320) that i think it's a more important car than any of the others. The M3 also looks completely different from any of the other E46 3 series wheras the CLK 55 looks only marginally different (especially in the w208's case)
I like 208s better than 209s, EXCEPT for when it comes to the AMG model, i think the 209 looks better, especially with the brabus bumper looks amazing.
The E90 M3 is going to be fast as ****e and ugly as the same, like most modern day bmws (which is another reason the E46 M is special, because it's beautiful, and not Bangled). The E36 M is just starting to get old, true you can mod it into a four wheeled rocket, but it just looks old in my eyes, the E46 is just too enticing.
P.S. if you get an E46 GET Laguna Seca Blue!!! If you get a CLK, get BLACK! (there are no other options)
E46 M3>W209 AMG>W208 AMG>E90 M3>E36 M3
I have wierd preferences with these cars, but let me offer what explanation i can.
I think the E46 M3 will be a classic. It has over 100hp per litre and great looks, its been around for so long and set such a high mark for performace (bearing in mind it has the same displacement as a clk 320) that i think it's a more important car than any of the others. The M3 also looks completely different from any of the other E46 3 series wheras the CLK 55 looks only marginally different (especially in the w208's case)
I like 208s better than 209s, EXCEPT for when it comes to the AMG model, i think the 209 looks better, especially with the brabus bumper looks amazing.
The E90 M3 is going to be fast as ****e and ugly as the same, like most modern day bmws (which is another reason the E46 M is special, because it's beautiful, and not Bangled). The E36 M is just starting to get old, true you can mod it into a four wheeled rocket, but it just looks old in my eyes, the E46 is just too enticing.
P.S. if you get an E46 GET Laguna Seca Blue!!! If you get a CLK, get BLACK! (there are no other options)
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: NY
CLK320
If you're a fan of the current M3 I'd take it anyday over the CLK55 because you get a comparable car to the CLK55 for significantly less money, and there is a larger aftermarket for performance parts/accessories that will let you customize your car to your liking for significantly less than the CLK55. Not to mention resale is higher on an M3, and if you get an 02 with the bearing recall, you have a 100K warranty.
Now is not the best time for either car, as Mercedes is getting ready to unveil new engines, BMW is ready to unveil a new 3 series coupe/M3. I'd say go with an S4 and call it a day
Now is not the best time for either car, as Mercedes is getting ready to unveil new engines, BMW is ready to unveil a new 3 series coupe/M3. I'd say go with an S4 and call it a day
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by krayzie_e99
well i was lookin at either gettin an 02 amg cause i like the 208 or a 2002 M3.thanx for the opinions,but dam,im still undecided
One other thing to keep in mind between the two in that model year is the engine failures on the m3. There have been a few recalls on internal engine parts for that year, which can cause the negine to blow up <literally!>. Now because of this you also get a 100,000 mile warranty on the engine for free, but it can be voided if the previous owner abused the car..and how could you really know?
The BMW is certainly the more nimble driving car, but the brute force of the clk55 still appeals to me more. Both of these are excellent cars and will be selling at incredible discounts used in another year or so. Mercedes is putting the 6.3l motor out in the clk soon, and the new M is supposed to have more than 400 hp in it. If you can wait until early 2007 you'll get a much better buy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,734
Likes: 65
From: Hotlanta
AMG
Originally Posted by krayzie_e99
well currently i have a clk320 and will try to sell if very soon to get an amg or m3. i am very happy with its looks but not with the power,and cant really do much to add power to it. so if you could get your hands on an m3 or clk 55,what would you choose?? i would like to hear your opinions,THANKS
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
1999 CLK430
all things being equal, I took 2002 M3 over 2002 CLK55. '02 M3 you get 100K engine warranty and it should be under normal warranty as well. Something may go wrong on the M3 but it is just as likely something may go wrong on the CLk too. I had a CLK430 and also got to drive the CLK55 and it was nice and powerful, but didn't feel that much faster than my 430. When I drove the M3, it felt so much more powerful. Taking it up to 8000 RPM is also a great feeling. With the M3 you get 6speed or SMG, with MB you have to drive an automatic. M3 handling is also amazing. The CLK55 AMG is a rare bird, but then again it looks like a CLK430, M3's are more common, but they don't look like their lesser 3 series cousins. AMG has crappy resale while the M holds its value very well.
Don't get me wrong I am still a true MB fanatic and always will be.
Don't get me wrong I am still a true MB fanatic and always will be.
