Need An Honest And Unbiased Advice
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island, NY
CLK 430 vs M3
Hi all,
I have been a memeber of this board for the past year. Currently own a white CLK 430 2001 fully loaded. Got a call from a BMW dealer offering an M3 coup in two month time list price. I can still customize the order and get all the options plus an SMG II transmission.
Money-wise the price is the same as the CLK, about $54,000. Have a dilemma on my hands. On one hand I really love my car, look-wise and driveing is a blast. On the other hand I can get a top of the line BMW, wich is much faster then the 430 is a more exclusive on the road. Pluse the new CLK is comming out in September.
I would love to hear your opinions. What do you think about two cars image, prestige wise?
Thank you for your insight,
Robert
I have been a memeber of this board for the past year. Currently own a white CLK 430 2001 fully loaded. Got a call from a BMW dealer offering an M3 coup in two month time list price. I can still customize the order and get all the options plus an SMG II transmission.
Money-wise the price is the same as the CLK, about $54,000. Have a dilemma on my hands. On one hand I really love my car, look-wise and driveing is a blast. On the other hand I can get a top of the line BMW, wich is much faster then the 430 is a more exclusive on the road. Pluse the new CLK is comming out in September.
I would love to hear your opinions. What do you think about two cars image, prestige wise?
Thank you for your insight,
Robert
Last edited by robertl; Jan 31, 2002 at 09:50 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
CLK 430
Well I do not have a answer for you but I do have one comment. Although there are few M3s on the road, they have the same identity crisis as the 55. Only people who really know cars will notice the diference. Most people see a 320, 430 or 55 and just say they are the same car becasue the basic body lines are so similar. The same is tru with the M3. Most people are not going to notice the difference between the M3, 330, and every other 3 series BMW offers. So in my opinion you have a catch 22. Now I will tell you I had the same choice you had and I went with the CLK. Even though there have been many of them sold, there are no where hear as many CLKs on the road as there are 3 series BMW. Just my opinion, and I have ridden in a new M3, it is pure heaven.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Los Angelos
I also have a 430 and I love it, but I would get the M3 if I had a chance. The reason that I'm not getting the M3 right now is because I will loose lot of money if I try to get rid of my 2001 CLK430. If you dont have n e problems regarding the depreciation of your CLK, I would definetly say get the M3. My plan is to drive my benz for about a year, year and a half two years and get either C32 or M3.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
CLK 430
Back in June of last year I test drove the M3 & the CLK 430. Going to the dealership in a "done up" corvette, I am very much used to driving something with many many many ponys under the hood.
I sat in the M3 and expected power, lots of it, like I was told by everyone. With expectations like that, I can honestly say that the car disapointed me. When I drove the CLK, I felt more class on the road, but mind you I wasn't looking for necksnapping power out of the CLK testdrive either. So I picked the CLK. I don't think I would regret buying an M3 though. It just didn't live up to my expectations, but the mercedes did.
Look at it this way. If you are a fan of stickshifts, get the M3, if not keep the CLK. The performance differance is not as big in the two cars as you think.
I sat in the M3 and expected power, lots of it, like I was told by everyone. With expectations like that, I can honestly say that the car disapointed me. When I drove the CLK, I felt more class on the road, but mind you I wasn't looking for necksnapping power out of the CLK testdrive either. So I picked the CLK. I don't think I would regret buying an M3 though. It just didn't live up to my expectations, but the mercedes did.
Look at it this way. If you are a fan of stickshifts, get the M3, if not keep the CLK. The performance differance is not as big in the two cars as you think.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Bay area
'01 CLK 55
Yeah, yeah, yeah....According to some "overly enthusiastic" owners, "the hammer of the Autogod". No seriously, hang out at Roadfly .com and check out the plethora of problems that plague that model...Don't get me wrong, I love the M3 and almost bought one as a second/track car. After spending the better part of a year on that site, I wouldn't want to deal with the aggravation/potential aggravation. I promptly cancelled my order....Engine, tranny, differential problems, etc....pretty much covers it all. The only ***** the M3 boys have about the CLK is the auto and the fact that it doesn't "handle" as well on the track...Now be honest, how many of us really spends that much time on the track or for that matter, twisty country roads?? Hell, I spend more time stuck in traffic..... I love my CLK 55, and will add a Porsche product for weekends. The best combo, IMHO.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 628
Likes: 6
2018 E400 COUPE SOLD -> Porsche Taycan 4S
yup, id have to agree w/ brian. one of my friend's has a new M3 also. although he has not experienced problems w/ the car, i have read about the many problems w/ them too. i live in LA and traffic sucks = having a stick sucks. i love my clk also. i personally really dislike the interior's of 3 series bmws also. the red lights during the evenings are just murder on my eyes also. INMO, i would stay w/ the clk.
B
B
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Buy, or hold on to, what smiles at you & protects you.
For me the choice is/was clear. The CLK is the best automobile since Karl Benz patented the world's first motor carriage in 1986!
SORRY, correction:
That historic moment was January of 1886. It was a very good month/year.
For me the choice is/was clear. The CLK is the best automobile since Karl Benz patented the world's first motor carriage in 1986!
SORRY, correction:
That historic moment was January of 1886. It was a very good month/year.
Last edited by karl k; Jan 31, 2002 at 11:27 PM.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Los Angelos
Lets not confuse the CLK55 with 430. I noticed that couple of you said that CLK 55 is a better choice than the Bimmer when the original post was about choosing between M3 and CLK 430, NOT CLK 55.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
'02 CLK 55 cabrio (sold), '03 C32 (sold), '04 R32 (sold), '04 911/X-51 (keeper)
M3 vs CLK
I test drove a '02 white SMG M3 cab on January 9th at my local MB-BMW dealer. Wife next to me, kids in the back seat. Car was available at MSRP, about $62k as I recall. I then drove an '02 silver CLK 55 cab the next day at the same dealership.
I bought the 55 cab the following week. The MSRP was $82k, but I bought it for $77k. All four of us just liked the MB significantly more, and felt it was worth the $15k premium. It's probably not as fast around a track, but as has been said, we spend more time in traffic than on a track. The SMG would take a lot of getting used to. And the bimmer boards have been buzzing with tales of differential failures.
This car will be a weekend car; my commuter is an '01 Audi allroad, very appropriate for a midwest winter. The CLK 55 cab replaces a 2000 C4 coupe, which was a neat car, but simply could no longer hold the entire family for our weekend trips.
The fact that a new CLK is being introduced soon was not a concern for us since it will be quite some time before an AMG cabrio version of the car will be released, possibly two years or more. And from the pictures I've seen, I like the current bodystyle.
Both are great cars; obviously, get what you like.
These are nice problems to have, eh?
I bought the 55 cab the following week. The MSRP was $82k, but I bought it for $77k. All four of us just liked the MB significantly more, and felt it was worth the $15k premium. It's probably not as fast around a track, but as has been said, we spend more time in traffic than on a track. The SMG would take a lot of getting used to. And the bimmer boards have been buzzing with tales of differential failures.
This car will be a weekend car; my commuter is an '01 Audi allroad, very appropriate for a midwest winter. The CLK 55 cab replaces a 2000 C4 coupe, which was a neat car, but simply could no longer hold the entire family for our weekend trips.
The fact that a new CLK is being introduced soon was not a concern for us since it will be quite some time before an AMG cabrio version of the car will be released, possibly two years or more. And from the pictures I've seen, I like the current bodystyle.
Both are great cars; obviously, get what you like.
These are nice problems to have, eh?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
Well think of it like this... about one month ago a CLK 55 and a M3 were street racing in Miami, they both got in an accident and were both contacted at the exact same angles with the exact same forces... the driver of the M3 died and the driver of the CLK 55 walked away without a scratch.
BMW's are the worst, most dispicable, disgusting "cars". I would take a CLK 320 over a M3 anyday... thats right, I said 320!
BMW's are the worst, most dispicable, disgusting "cars". I would take a CLK 320 over a M3 anyday... thats right, I said 320!
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
CLK 230K Cabriolet 2000
This will be my last post here as I sold my highly unreliable CLK yesterday - I just could stand returning it to the dealer for further repairs yet again. As of yesterday there were 4 defects to rectify, the most troublesome being that the soft top continues to get stuck in the ahlf down position. Fortunately, it didn't do this when I showed it to the buyer.
19 trips back to the dealer in 16 months just isn't good enough and that does not mean 19 defects, after the first 2 times I only returned it when 2 or more defects appeared. More recently, it has been 3 or 4 at a time.
I don't know about the M3, but my previous 325i gave me no problems in over 100,000 miles and it had much better handling than the CLK. I also prefer stick shift to auto, here in Hong Kong the CLK does not come with stick shift as an option.
I live outside the city and there are many widing country roads, so I enjoy the handling aspect, I rarely go into central HK, avoiding the daily jams. The best thing about the CLK was the admiring looks it got while stuck in one of those jams.
I've long fancied an M3 and will look at this as a replacement, although I am concerned about the problems referred to. Maybe I'll look at a Porsche.
Graham Hicks
19 trips back to the dealer in 16 months just isn't good enough and that does not mean 19 defects, after the first 2 times I only returned it when 2 or more defects appeared. More recently, it has been 3 or 4 at a time.
I don't know about the M3, but my previous 325i gave me no problems in over 100,000 miles and it had much better handling than the CLK. I also prefer stick shift to auto, here in Hong Kong the CLK does not come with stick shift as an option.
I live outside the city and there are many widing country roads, so I enjoy the handling aspect, I rarely go into central HK, avoiding the daily jams. The best thing about the CLK was the admiring looks it got while stuck in one of those jams.
I've long fancied an M3 and will look at this as a replacement, although I am concerned about the problems referred to. Maybe I'll look at a Porsche.
Graham Hicks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Accord wrote:
BMW "crumble zones" crumbled too much.
thuged_out: You have your choice.
Keep your CLK 430 - any MB over BMW 3 series! The CLK "passenger cage" is simply awesome.
Well think of it like this... about one month ago a CLK 55 and a M3 were street racing in Miami, they both got in an accident and were both contacted at the exact same angles with the exact same forces... the driver of the M3 died and the driver of the CLK 55 walked away without a scratch.
BMW's are the worst, most dispicable, disgusting "cars". I would take a CLK 320 over a M3 anyday... thats right, I said 320!
BMW's are the worst, most dispicable, disgusting "cars". I would take a CLK 320 over a M3 anyday... thats right, I said 320!
thuged_out: You have your choice.
Keep your CLK 430 - any MB over BMW 3 series! The CLK "passenger cage" is simply awesome.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
i'm 23 and i've been on the bmw sites for about a year now i.e. bimmer.org, etc... its true that the e46 m3 has had it's "problems" but i hardly call them serious. i seem to recall this board expressing similar concerns in quality issues early on. every car has them...i see it as part of owning a performance car. It is louder, has more clunk and thuds, but sitting behind the wheel of one is totally different than any 55 iv'e driven. it's pretty much the only out of the box race car for that kind of money...and with SMGII? no question about it.
i'm at a point where i can decide to get a clk55, m3, used m5, or c32. i'm leaning towards the m3. i do dislike how bmw nit-picks for even the smallest options.
i've been tremendously happy with my clk but i think i'm to young and have got too much track blood to do what i need to do to my car to make it anywhere near as track worthy as a e46 m3. (OT..anyone built a datsun510?) obviously, these cars are hard to compare. they've got pros and cons for each but coming from me i fit a m3 a lil' better. my sister will love my clk tho.
my $0.02
i'm at a point where i can decide to get a clk55, m3, used m5, or c32. i'm leaning towards the m3. i do dislike how bmw nit-picks for even the smallest options.
i've been tremendously happy with my clk but i think i'm to young and have got too much track blood to do what i need to do to my car to make it anywhere near as track worthy as a e46 m3. (OT..anyone built a datsun510?) obviously, these cars are hard to compare. they've got pros and cons for each but coming from me i fit a m3 a lil' better. my sister will love my clk tho.
my $0.02
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Gray wrote:
Sorry to see you leave.
Would appreciate to know if all your problems were related to the softtop, audio quality upgrade and lack of support from dealership re these 2 problems.
If there were any additional MB defects, we would like to know. How many miles did you drive the CLK cab?
Many tnx and good luck!
Karl
19 trips back to the dealer in 16 months just isn't good enough and that does not mean 19 defects, after the first 2 times I only returned it when 2 or more defects appeared. More recently, it has been 3 or 4 at a time.
Would appreciate to know if all your problems were related to the softtop, audio quality upgrade and lack of support from dealership re these 2 problems.
If there were any additional MB defects, we would like to know. How many miles did you drive the CLK cab?
Many tnx and good luck!
Karl
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Originally posted by accord
Well think of it like this... about one month ago a CLK 55 and a M3 were street racing in Miami, they both got in an accident and were both contacted at the exact same angles with the exact same forces... the driver of the M3 died and the driver of the CLK 55 walked away without a scratch.
Well think of it like this... about one month ago a CLK 55 and a M3 were street racing in Miami, they both got in an accident and were both contacted at the exact same angles with the exact same forces... the driver of the M3 died and the driver of the CLK 55 walked away without a scratch.
