Jettaflavor

Hey peeps! I'm thinking about purchasing a CLK, but I'm also looking at a BMW 3-series. Both are used. In regards to the CLK,
what is:

1. The maintenance like after 40,000 miles
2. The "mod-ability" of the car - add ons etc
3. Do they make power chips for the car?
4. What is a Power Pulley?
5. Should I buy the high model, or the lower model, and mod it?

Anythoughts, on the CLK, or BMW, are GREATLY appreciated. Also, are there more lively forums out there for mercedes vehicles?

awe_seattle

CLK RULESSSSSSSSSS

too many BMW's out there :P

just a thought

mmgrad

agreed, there are too many 3-series around. but then again, in so cal, there are CLKs all over the place too, but still less than 3series.

MBs are quite reliable, so I wouldn't worry too much about it, but buy an extended warranty if its possible.

CLKs mods are expensive, but then again so is the car.

Lots will say, get a 55, cause that rules. i would go for a 430 and mod it with a s/c later. spread out the expenses if possible. Chipping won't do a whole lot

and, i'm sure some members here will be kind of upset that you even compare the CLK to the 3-series... 2 very different cars.

thats my opinion.

funky102

As those annual reports that tally the best cars in each category, states, the 3 series is "near luxury" and the CLK is "luxury."

theine

Maintenance after 40K: No sweat.
Mod-ability: Just browse this forum.
Power chips: Don't work on benzo's.
Power pulleys: Lighter pulleys for your alternator, power steering and water pump. Gives you an extra 13 HP.
High or low model: Show me the money.

karl k

Buy the "high" model - AMG did the mods for you!

jimdy

The CLK will be in the shop less then the 3-series. Seems like my friends with 3-series are always bringing their cars into the shop for little stuff. But that is just what I noticed.

Adonis

The CLK will be worth more than the same retail priced bmw3 in terms trade & sale value

LowRydeR

If you're not satisfied with the look of a CLK, you can always mod it out, there are many aftermakret tuners for Mercedes.

-Bruce

braincuttermd

I had a 3 (among other BMWs) before buying my CLK 430. The build quality difference between the BMW (which I like very much) and the Mercedes is large. The BMWs are nice, but the MBs are just way out of their league. With the AMG options, the MBs are nearly as sporting as the BMWs, but the MBs are just much better made and much more solid.

I can't comment on the 320 because I never drove one, but the 430 is a fun car and gobs of power with the V8.

I never drove the CLK 55, but if you can spare the extra cash, go for that. Otherwise, get a 430, like the previous poster said, AMG did most of the mods for you.

Of course, many of the guys on the board will disagree with that statement and continue to mod out the CLK even more. As you can see from many of the pics on this board, the CLK accepts mods very well and looks very racy with the aftermarket stuff.

FrankW

I had a 2000 328Ci, but for a used car I would go with the MB. Unless the used BMW you are looking at is really new and in really good condition. Most of these 3-series are driven hard and the % of them being in an accident before is greater than MB.

Try not to go for the used AMG because IMO they probably holds the same reason for not getting the used Bimmer (driven hard, might had accidents, etc)

braincuttermd

I'd have to agree with Frank W. I beat the crap out of my BMWs. I don't exactly baby my MB, but it has only seen redline a few times while the BMW was pushed to redline almost every other time I drove it (I was much younger back in the days!).

karl k

BMWs are meant to be driving like the ULTIMATE machine...and AMGs are NOT for sunday drivers.

They are designed to be driven!