spshond

Would you guys recommend this move. I'am a family man and Ive been thinking about the E500 ide say a 2003 model. Would you guys recommend this? Does the E500 have a better write up than our CLK 430's? What do you guys think? I know its apples and ornages, but I'am mainly asking about the motor differences and the electronics.

55 ON IT

The W211 E500 is a very well built car. If you were to get one, try and get a later model with the 7 Speed tranny.

spshond

Believe me I would love to, but wow there is this thing called money that comes into play. For every gear there is about 10,000 bucks

BCK500

I have made this move. My previous car was a 2001 CLK430 Black Opal with all options except Navigation. My current car is a 2004 E500 4Matic Tectite Gray with just about all options. I made the move because of 4Matic. I can drive the E500 all of the time in all conditions. The E500 has better ride due to the Airmatic system and I like the added electronics. I really like all of the new options like the electronic trunk closer, ventilated seats, parktronic, heated steering wheel, rear climate control computer, electronic display in center cluster, one touch close of sunroof (my CLK did not have this) and smaller blind spot. 302hp 5.0L V8 in the E500 vs. 275hp 4.3 V8. Acceleration is about the same. E500 has bigger engine but weighs more. No big difference. You could always do more to increase power in either car. I have never had a big service problem with the E500. CLK had only a couple of things wrong but were fix by warranty except for a dead pixel in gauge they wanted $3000 to fix. Find one with a warranty.

I do miss having AMG Aerodynamics package and wheels (My E500 has the Appearence Package) but that can will be changed soon. I am going to get the AMG Aero pack put on this Spring and would like to get the SL65 Titan Gray Wheels.

2003 model year cars have a lot more problems then the later models it seems. Finding a 2003 with Navigation can also be hard. Get a 2004 or later. I found mine on Autotrader.com at a dealership about 40 miles from my house. I went there and bought it. My warranty includes scheduled matainence until Dec. 2007. I do not put alot of miles on it and will not get to 50,000 before the next car. 2005+ models this is not included. The MB dealer offered me $21K for trade in on my 2001 CLK430 with no damage and 35,000 miles which I thought was B.S. considering they had a 1999 Black CLK320 with 50K miles on it for $30,000 on their lot. The BMW dealer where I bought the car gave me $28K and treated me nicely. Make sure you get a decent trade in price if you plan to trade in. Some MB dealers are ruthless and act like they don't want to sell you the car and you are wasting their valuable time when you ask them if they can give more on the trade in. I'm sure all dealers/salesman are not like this but some are.

I hope this helps you. I am happy with the E500 4M but the process of finding one with the options, color, rear or awd you want it is the hardest part. My next car will be a 2007 S550 4Matic with European Delivery.

spshond

Very nice, thank you. Yes I like the look. The CLK is very nice but a bit too small for me. Thank you for your time

grt62

I have both, and unlike bck, find the ride on my clk better than my e. Both are awesome cars. My e is on its third set of tires at 30k, but handles unbelievably at any speed. Each averages betwwen 19-22 mpg; each is a great car to own. The e has been in for repairs 5 times, the clk has never needed needed any. I just got my clk out of storage today, the e is driven year round. You can't go wrong with either, though the e would probably be better for longer road trips.

BCK500

I am on my second set of tires with 24K miles on the E5004M. I rarely ever had tire problems in the CLK430 I think I had two sets in 35K miles. The spare tire looks like crap on the E500. It is a black donut with yellow stickers on it. I never even used the spare on the CLK. They need to start making a full size spare but I think some of the new MB models come with the air compressor and fix a flat in a can. One more thing I like is the awesome CD Changer in the E-Class. It is in the dash rather than in the trunk and the panel with the heated seats, sunshade, triange...etc. opens up and CD player comes forward. I do not miss having to get out and change the cartridge in the CLK trunk changer.

BCK500

P.S. I used to have a 2001 Coupe. I do know if there is a difference in ride quality between cab and coupe but I know they changed the wheels for 2002 maybe that is the difference. I use the comfort airmatic setting on the E500.

TresX

IN 10 years Sensotronic Brake Control will make those cars worthLESS! most have had at least 3 recalls & still malfunctions!

The 2007's WON'T have SBC.........The new S-class doesn't have SBC....Scary **** if you think about the 100's of millions of dollars MB put into developing the system and they're gonna put it to rest already!