JeffWilson

OK..I KNOW..comparing apples and oranges. But I happen to LIKE both apples and oranges. I have narrowed my list down to 2 cars..the CLK and the GS. I can get them for ABOUT the same $. The Lexus is more luxurious I think while the CLK is more fun to drive. The Lexus should be more reliable, but the MB looks awesome. I am wondering if these assumptions are all true. Thanks very much

Jeff

TNH

I assure you that the Lexus will be more reliable. As far as being more luxurious, I think that both cars are quite similar. If you are into performance, there is a virtually limitless amount of mods available for the Lexus 300 engine, while the CLK 320 aftermarket is weak as hell.

The rest is just personal opinion, I like the looks of both cars, but prefer the CLK.

JeffWilson

Thanks for your input. I am a bit concerned about the CLK's reliability. But I am leasing the car so aftermarket stuff is not an issue. I won't make any mods to either one. Thanks again

Goldeni245

I'd pick the CLK over the GS300, too man GS's out there, the CLK is truly unique. Performance wise the CLK is faster, ( cuz it's lighter) but i guess Japanese cars a bit more reliable and the interior is more...plush, the leather is more...supple. Appearance wise the GS looks like a turtle but the CLK looks much more agressive...like a Puma springing into action. There are lots of mods out there, but yes, not as much as the GS, the mods for the CLK are extremeley nice but at the same time extremely expensive, although KN Filters and Upsolute chips increase the performance a little bit.

Are you talking about 2002 Clk's or 2003...cuz if you talking about 2003 clk's then i would probably pick the GS...cuz the new CLK is tad bit slower and performance wise sucks more...either taht or just go straight for the CLK500

JeffWilson

Thanks! I am talking 2002 only

djamer

jeff,

Depending on your style and what you what out of a car, both are excellent choices. For me, I have to pick the clk hands down. Before buying mine, i was deciding what to buy, but here were the deciding factors to purchase the CLK over a Lexus:

1. Design - CLK are unique vs. all MB and other cars on the road.
Lexus doesn't stand out in my mind.

2. Performance - smooth V6 w/ quick acceleration
3. Reputation of build - warranty plus dealer perks are unmatched.

4. Chick factor ;-) - I can almost bet you, more positive responses when you pull up in a CLK at the nightclub or country club.

djamer

MarcusBenz

djamer,

Your fourth point is totally the reason I leased my '02 CLK430 coupe. That has got to be the deal breaker, if it doesn't attract the opposite sex, why make the payments!!!! LOL!!

MarcusBenz

On a serious note, I know a lot of people think my opinion is one sided, but even if I did not work for a MB dealer I would buy the CLK. I am just not into paying more for something that is not original. To put it bluntly, can you buy a 1920 Lexus, I think not. When you buy the MBZ, you are buying a piece of the history as well!!!

JeffWilson

marcus and djamer

Thanks for the comments. The chick factor is not too important as I am happily married and plan on staying that way for a long time. The uniqueness is nice for sure, but what dealer perks are you referring to? Right now the reliability of the Lexus vs. the problems with CLK's is weighing on my mind, and I need to make a decision TODAY! Thanks again

Jeff

djamer

Jeff,

Good luck w/ the purchase. Hope to see some wonderful pics of your ride in the near future..cheers..

djamer

sungulent

bro u r in clk forum and asking if about the car

of course we all gonna say good thing about the car


go with the clk

uncle has gs400 i dorve it few times and i still love my clk 320

i just love that car

imo lexus looks old and its mb e class wanna be

go with clk believe me i wont regreat

MarcusBenz

Jeff,

A lot of the perks will solely depend on the dealer in your area, but I can give you a few from here in sunny So. Cal. They offer free car washs 6 days a week for as long as you own the car. We offer MB loaners when you have your car in for service with appt. The MB has free Road Side Assistance for as long as the car is on the road, not just the term of the warranty. Some dealers here offer shuttle service to the major airports and if your office is within a 15 mile radius we will drop you off there or same applies to your home. Now, the service lounge will strickly depend on the updatedness of the dealership. Most here offer breakfast snacks with coffee and Espresso & other snacks for the evening, some here even have shoe shine booths and even a flat bed delivery service for your service needs that will pick up your car and drop off loaner from a flat bed wrecker. So, the perks are endless with the MBs!!!!!!

sungulent

definatelly get ur car from house of imports

djamer

marcus,

you are definately on point w/ the dealership perks. I get the the perks are you talking about. Free car washes, anytime..i get loaners..got a choice of Audi, BMW, or Benz and overall customer satisfaction is pretty good w/ dealing w/ MB.

djamer

byip25

i say go with the clk. i think lexus has been ripping off mb too long. gs is an e-class rip off. sc with the retractable hard top.... can we say slk or new sl? even the model designations are almost a complete rip off. suddenly the gs400 is now a gs430? it may seem like im ripping lexus, but i agree, they are solid cars. my gf has one, but if i had to choose between mb and lexus..... thats not even a choice imo.


b

mmgrad

If you are leasing the car... then don't be concerned about reliability too much.

Both cars will be covered under the warranty the entire time it is under the lease. Benefits of MB is, even if you ever have to take the car into service, you will get a loaner car. You will never be without a ride.

As for Lexus, most dealers will offer you shuttle ride back home... and thats about it.

So, put aside reliability.

Think about these concerns:

Practicality: Do you need a sedan? How much space you need?
Fun-to-Drive: CLK is much faster, better handling, much more fun overall.
Exclusitivity: You want to stand out? Get a CLK. GS series are much more common.
Prestige: How much more pretigious can you get then with a MERCEDES-BENZ!

Anyhow, both are great cars. You can't go wrong. It all depends on what you are looking for. You know what you want in your heart.... just go with that.

newsguy

Although your tough decision has likely already been made, I'd like to add some suggestion to the mix... being a Lexus owner, but an MB dreamer!

Unfortunately I can't afford an MB just yet, and for the money Lexus offers an amazing product! I purchased my car certified, and after 3 years have yet to use the road side assistance for anything. When I do schedule oil changes, they drive me a brand new RX-300 or in some cases IS-300 or ES-300 out and pick up my car, then swapp when my car was ready. No doubt about it, Lexus has got the reliability and service factors down. But as others have suggested, if you're only leasing, you needn't worry about reliability... and if you can afford it, ya might as well go with the CLK, for sport, speed, and heritage...

Good Luck!

yipikaye

i guess i am late in giving my opinion, but if you want reliability and comfort, go get the lexus. If you want performance and technology, you should take CLK.
it just my opinion.

btw, i have driven both lexus and mercedes and i think they are in the same level. both have plus and minus.

Accord

Jeff, what did you decide on?

Thanks

newsguy

Yeah, let us know which way you went!?

Maybe he's not replying because he opted for an M-5 instead

JeffWilson

Damn! I cant figure out how to insert this pic of my NEW CLK320!!!!!!! Yes...I went with the MB. Funny thing...if the saleswoman would have let me take it out on the highway for more than 2 or 3 minutes, I would have not hesitated. I can't beleive how rock solid it feels. Or as my father put it, "The car feels much heavier than it looks". (Although still handles well). So here it is......sitting in my driveway. I just tried Tele-Aid which has a very high "cool factor". I am considering signing up for the traffic reports and commute routing. If anyone uses that, please let me know what you think. I believe it's $75/yr. Thanks to everyone for their opinions on this!

Jeff

mmgrad

Congrats on your new ride.... you made a wise choice.

Whats the specs on your car? Color? Options?

Accord

Congratulations Jeff.

To post a picture, just make a post and below the text box where you type your message, you will see a section that says "Attach File." Just click on "Browse," choose your picture, and hit Submit. That's all you have to do to post a picture! Each time you want to add another picture, just reply to the post again.

JeffWilson

Evidently my pic is too big. I got a 2002 CLK320 Silver/Black with K3 and K4 and a 6 CD changer..I just love it! Can't wait for along trip in it

Jeff

Accord

Jeff, if you e-mail the picture to me I will post it for you.

jgordon@southfloridaairsoft.com