bzliteyear

hi guys,

just for fun...any thots on the choices above?
i'm thinking a clean E320 Cab could be $15-20k, or up to $25k for concourse condition. the CLK320'as around $20-25k(isn't it the same engine?), and the CLK could be $23-30k for 2000-2001 years with about 60-75k miles on the odometer.
obviously there are huge differences ranging from E-class derivation vs. C-class chasis as well as limited-production full-size 4-seater cabriolet vs. "tons" of the CLK ones (though i'm not sure how big the differences are for the backseats).

just food for thoughts and perhaps some fun discussions.
(i've posted this on both W124 and the CLK forums).

Amir_AMG

clks in los angeles go for way less than that...you can easily buy a 00 clk in la for about 17k with 65kmi

Holson

I drive a CLK55 myself but I think the W124 Cab is the more elegant ride.

The CLK320 uses a SOHC 3V/cyl V6 while the W124 E320 cab uses the older DOHC 4V/cyl V6. They both make about 217hp I think.

The 430 on the other hand has a 275hp V8.

What about a CLK55 Cab? That's gotta be a fun ride.

Silverbillet

Hey Prznkillz, are the clk your talking about for 17k a 430 cab?

grt62

I have the clk430a and chose this because of the back seat, although I've only used it like four times since 9/02. The v8 is great, though sometimes I wished I'd gone for the clk55. For the most part, the ride in the clk is better than the ride in my e500. The w208 body style is a classic; I only have 5400 miles on mine to date, and plan on keeping it for a long time. The one major design flaw with the w208 is that the steering wheel doesn't tilt and only telescopes. I've gotten used to it over time, though I still wish it were more adjustable. The AMG body package adds a great look to the 430, especially when the top is down. You can't go wrong, though, with any of the cars you listed, as long as they've been cared for properly.

Hal H

The E320 Cab came along much later in the production of the W124 series - it ran from (anyone else help with this) 1992/3 through 1995. That model, when new in the US market ranged from $77-81K, which was quite a lot in its day.

The W124 used an inline 6 DOHC engine, the M104 if I remember correctly.

The CLK is based upon the C-class series (during the W202 run) and is less expensive than the comparable E-class (W210-211) even though the styling looks similar. The W208 CLK began worldwide production in MY1997 - this started out with the V6 M112, which was a new design.

Since MY1998 (worldwide), there's been a CLK cabrio in production, so there's a couple of factors, lower price and a much longer run of those models produced. As an example, the last year (MY2002) of W208 CLK55AMG cabrio was about $81K MSRP, so factoring in inflation, this model is much less costly compared to the mid-90's dollars for the W124 cabrio was.

From a performance perspective, I'd say the E320 W124 would likely have a softer ride and a higher curb weight, and you can only get the 3.2 I6 as an engine choice. It's styling has matured well and still looks good.

With the CLK cabrio, you have the choices of aftermarket suspensions and can pick the V8 version for more power, if that's of interest to you. It may be harder to get aftermarket hardware for the W124 series since it has been out of production for more than 10 years now.

As a side note, since the W201 (190 C-class) came out, all the subsequent new model introductions on passenger cars adopted the 5 link rear suspension design which first appeared on the 190's, which had proven to be a pretty good design.

Divingnut

I had an E320 cabrio for several years and now have a W208 CLK 320 cabrio. If you can find a nice E320 I would go for that. They were always very rare (and expensive!) here in NZ and were the last of the really respected 4 seater Mercedes cabrios. The CLK is just not in the same league. It may be faster and more modern but isn't nearly as "over"engineered as the W124s. The W208 (as with many recents Mercs) has pretty dreadful build quality and my CLK is a chorus of rattles and squeaks and thin korean plastics etc.The W124 build is the stuff topgear episodes, the CLK is the stuff of lemon law. I notice in the UK good W124 cabrio's are rising in value ahead of CLKs. Wish i had hung onto mine.

bzliteyear

divingnut - very valuable input. thank you.
i've got my eye on 3 E320 cabs that are about $20-23k USD and ranging from 50 to 70k miles on the odometer. as much as it could make a nice collector, if i'm going to be driving it daily, it just seems like there are other cars that could be equally nice substitutes. besides the CLK430 cab, i've also entertained a very clean CLK55 cab for $30k or a 97 SL500 sport for $18k or even a '99 SL500 for $21k. hmmm...life's wonderful choices.

Happy New Year everyone

grt62

Although 2002 is the last year for the 208 clk coupe, the body style of the 208 was carried over to 2003 for the cabriolet, so there are some of these around as well.

gamjccdad

I have a 1994 E320 Cabrio, and has been said on this topic there is no comparison. It is a very rare car that was sold in the US from 1993-1995, the 1993 was badged 300CE - 766 brought to US, 1994 E320 1600~ brought to US, and in 1995 ~4200 sold in the US. It was a hand assembled car that was built on the W124 chassis, which is argurably the last of the "true" pure Mercedes built sedans.

The CLK certaintly is a very nice car, I have spent a lot of time in a 2002 CLK 430, but they are very different cars. The E turns heads every time I drive it, and still carrys that certain cache of being an $80k (in 1994 dollars) car. You will not be dissapointed if you go with the E. It will certaintly change your perspective on current build qualities!

-gamjccdad
1994 E320 Cabrio Emerald Green/ Parchment
2006 R350 Pewter/Black