robertl

Just read an article in the Automobile magazine that compares the new G35 vs. the BMW 330 Ci. The funny thing is that CLK 320, which was another test car, was not directly mentioned.

The main reasons - price. CLK 320 - $43,000 vs. G35 - under $30,000.

Aside from the CLK 320 being a Benz, all other statistics where in favor of the new comer (i.e. engine, interior trim, wheel size, handling, speed, etc.)

What do you guy's think?

DSMIT

infiniti is a much better vehicle ,,the new g-35 is a great looking car,there is a infiniti dealer right next to ours

Mark D.

I think the bmw 330 is faster then the CLK320, too. I saw the G35 today actually. Its a really nice looking car. I like it better then the new w210 clk body style

DSMIT

do you mean the 208 or 209 clk??

vodc4

i think he meant w209 coz he has a w208..
btw i think bmw ci and clk w209 looks better than the infinitiu
inifitni only looks nice from side....front sucks

robertl

Anothere article on the autospy web site. Very entertaining.


Is the new Mercedes-Benz CLK320 worth twice as much as the new Honda Accord Coupe?

mmgrad

totally agree...

xyzpl

I actually like the front of the G35 coupe, but the back is a whole different story...

was invited to test the car at local infiniti dealer, everything looks great, but the 1st shipment commands a $5000 over MSRP....

Or I can wait till the second shipment which will come late November for a $3000 over MSRP price....

I think I will just stay with my CLK... I mean the G35 is nice, but can't imagine the resale value.....

tango

the back of the car is a horror story, and a jap car will always be a jap car.... will never match up with an euro car let alone a mercedes clk

Sleestack

Uhhh, "jap." I'm no Jap but couldn't you use a a less offensive term like "nip." I'm not a huge fan of Japanese cars either but they do make some great bang for the buck cars and the 3.2 liter engine made by Mercedes is not exactly impressive.

funky102

Though I think the G35 is a nice looking car, it would feel like a downgrade coming from a CLK. If the CLK wasn't in my price range then I would definetely be happy with the G35. I would definetly consider that car if I was in the market for the BMW 3 coupe. I agree on the resale value, it wouldn't be as good as a european car.

I liked the CLK because its of the roomiest coupe out there in terms of leg room, head room, etc. Can anyone who's been in the G35 comment on it compared to the CLK?

tango

sorry if i offended you sleeslack, i didnt mean it in a racist way, anyways, 'japanese' cars are the way to go for the best bang for the buck, thats no question. the 3.2liter engine that they have are more impressive, and i think you mean acceleration wise is because they are lighter as opposed to a clk320 which is bigger and heavier. but then again when you compare an euro car to an japanese car its like comparing apples to oranges in a way, they are in a different class/category

rod_cal

The Infinity is probably a better car ... it certainly in the right price range, but bottom line (and perhaps I'm being a snob here) it's still a "rice cooker".....i.e. Japanese car. As a friend of mine once said...people who buy Japanese cars really want a German car, but can't....it's a compromise! I know I'm gonna get a lot of negative response on this, but hey, what the hell! I'm happy in my CLK! :p

BlackC230Coupe

I hate every G35 sedan/coupe i think there both ugly and i would never consider buying one. I am not saying the performance and reliability is not good but it certinly is not bad for the money.

KevinV

I think a lot of people who are dissing japanese cars have so much brand bias in their blood for their opinions to be any useful. They think that they belong to some sort of elite group because they are driving a Mercedes and buying a japanese car would be crossing the elite line to the "other side."

mmgrad

Hmm... i think there are some nice japenese cars out there... i have an Accord coupe myself in addition to my CLK... i like both. Although, I don't think the Accord share anywhere near the capabilities of the CLK, i don't have to worry about pushing the accord too much since it didn't cost too much to buy.

NSX, 350Z, RX-7/8, Supra, SKyline, SC430.... i wouldn't hesitate investing in any of these japenese cars with the right financial backing...

Serndipity

Currently have a 2001 cab., prior was a 1994 E36 cab., prior was a 1991 G20.....and the G20 was best of breed. Was also tops from a ownship experience (service, few problems etc.).

I have yet to be contacted by MB or dealer regarding satisfaction of ownership or service experience. Infinity would not stop asking...and BMW wasn't shy either.

If infinity made a cab.....that is what I would own.

karl k

It's always the same argument:

Perceived value (CLK) vs. ACTUAL VALUE (ACCORD).

In my book, Accord wins!

My favorite quote:

"Why don’t you guys ever come out and TELL THE TRUTH!
Anyone who has driven these two cars (and we have) will
tell you that although the CLK320 is a fine automobile, it
is underpowered for it’s size (that’s why you’ll see a
CLK350 soon) and the quality of materials in the new car
certainly don’t rival the quality of the early 90’s
generation MB’s. If it was finished inside at those quality
levels, we wouldn’t be debating this question. Finally, go
drive the new Honda, it’s a damn fine car for the money
and eerily similar in look to the new CLK, especially in
the back.

So the answer is: No way, the CLK320 is not worth
twice the price of the new Honda." unquote

BANSASN

Its funny how the U.S. consumers think Japanese car designs are not as great even though it look similar to German designs. I, worked in this field as an automoitive designer for 4 years I know why Japanese car look so similar to German cars. I can tell everyone this, a lot of Geman designers are Asians. I don't know if they are all Japanese, Korean, etc.. I can't distinguised. So before anybody start to have bad blood on Japanes design, think about who is German designers. It might be a German car, but who really came up with the design. For example, the person who redesign the new Viper is Japanese.

-Bansasn

karl k

Well put.

That relates directly to globalization: Not only to sourcing PARTS, but also automotive DESIGN.

Not too long ago, the design group ITALDESIGN from Milano, Italy dominated production car designs from VWs to Toyotas. Their design influence was seen globally, - because they did contract work for many car mfrs. around the world, including Detroit.

Ted Baldwin

............In an Mb forum such as this, one would not expect favorable opinions regarding other car makers. That is not a suprise. But I am totally wowed by how we on this forum refuse to see anything good about other cars even when presented with evidence to the contrary. I love Mb's, but MB's are incredibly expensive. I have a 1992 300CE with 124,000 miles that still drives better than brand new cars of other luxury car makers. However, this car cost $80,000 brand new. That is an incredible ammount of money for a two door coupe. Mb realized this and began to produce the less expensive CLK line. And as far as resale value is concerned, the CLK holds is value very well, but go on ebay you will see 200 and 2001 S500's for $45,000. These are cars purchased for over $75,000 just two years ago. What is going on is that because of all the high mentenance electronics in these cars, their values drop drastically one they are out of warranty. So the days of a MB holding it value forever may have come and gone, and resale value may no longer be a good enough reason to plucjk out that kind of cash. My opinion is that is that MB's are superior to most of the car makes on the road, but dollar for dollar, you will have to be blind not to see that an infinity G35 compare quite favorably to a CLK 320. Amnd if you buy the G35, you will have an extra $10,00 in your pocket. You may not get the better valet spot but for $10,000 you can bribe the valet.

Ted

apacket

Is the 320 THAT slow? Not that I have driven many sports cars, but my 320 seems pretty quick. Yes, it doesn't have 400HP, but it definitely feels faster than my friends '01 Accord V6 coupe. The only main flaw I see in the 320 (as the 430) is suspension. If it had a tight suspension like the accord's, it would feel a lot sportier.

I'm kinda getting tired of everyone dissing the 320's performance. Maybe I need to test drive a 430 to see this night/day difference everyone keeps talking about. I totally agree that dollar for dollar the 320 isn't worth $45k, but if performance and reliability are our only concerns, I think the 430 definitely isn't worth $55k. We are paying the extra money for something else... prestige. You can't compare a Mercedes to a Honda.

thuged_out

you have a c230 hatchback and think g35 coupe is ugly? LOL i'll take the g35 coupe over your c230 "coupe" any day buddy

BlackC230Coupe

i am not usre if u saw but i do have a CLK430 also. And yes to me the G35 is Very Very Ugly i would take my C230 coupe over it in a heatbeat, Btw buddy, soon it will be just as fast or faster than a G35 coupe anyway

Ted Baldwin

...............further perspective regarding CLK 320 vs Infinity G35. The G35 has a 6 cylinder engine, weighs less than the CLK, has 280HP and does 0-60 in 6.1 secs. This is same time as a CLK 430. The CLK 320 has 215HP, weighs more than the G35 and has a 0-60 time of 7.4 secs for the W209 and 6.9 secs for the W208. This means that the CLK 320 is slower than the G35 from 0-60 by 1.3 secs. This type of performance difference places the G35 and the CLK320 intotally different categories. It should be the G35 owner that should feel insulted by the comparison.


Ted