If you had a choice between the 2003 CLK500 or the 2003 E500, which would you choose? I'd choose the CLK hands down, but from what I can tell, there are plenty of people who would take the E-Class over the CLK.

Your choice, and why ?

 

I would take the new E class over the CLK. There's no doubt that the W209 is a very impressive looking car, but I feel that it has a more closer resemblence to the C class. Technically, CLK should look like the E class excet it's a coupe just like how W208 is.

Maybe it's just me, but I am not going to spend 65K on an improved "c class coupe".

 

as I love CLKs but if oyu look at the facts the E class would win...from just looking at pics (possibility here that this could change when seeing cars in person) I think the E looks better especially with AMG treatment...but its the other options that make the difference...firstly you get the airmatic suspension, thats a huge plus, the new braking system, another huge plus, DVD comand as opposed to CD, the options of having a pano roof and a heated steering wheel, active and dynamic seats, an ac control for the back, remote trunk closer, climate seats well the list goes on and on...oh and dont forget about the dual tips at the back ...very nice

 

I'd take the E. The design is more up to date I think especially in the interior where it brand new. The interior of the CLK is based on the C which is less luxurious and older. I like the details better of the E and think it is a more substantial car even though I have not seen the new CLK up close but I have seen several E's. The only CLK's I have seen were still under camoflouge for testing. But the new E interior is a work of are which really sells me, and the CLK one leave just a little to be desired.

Just my opinion, and both cars are awesome, and I would take either one, but if I had the choice. E

 

Actually the chassis on the W208 is shared with the C class, not the E class. Personally, I think choosing between the E and CLK really depends on what you need. One is a family sedan and the other is a sporty coupe. If you don't really need 4 seats that often, I would opt for the coupe.

 

You guys make some interesting points. I didn't realize just how technologically loaded the E-Class is. Overall it may be the better vehicle. However, I'm 19, and I'll have the CLK500 for 3 or 4 years. I think I made the right decision, as I prefer the sportier coupe opposed to the luxury sedan.

 

If you are 19, screw the E class. Save the 4 door sedan for family life (but always keep a screamer on the side). I agree that the new E class is beautiful (which is why I ordered one for my wife), and I'm not even particularly fond of the new CLK, however, at the age of 19, go out and have some fun... drive the coupe, chicks will dig it

 

For me the choice is clear. E.

The CLK - unfortunately - becomes a MB blend. Additionally, the rear end of the new CLK has Taurus, Acura CL, Volvo, Hyundai Sonata "melodies".

There are 2 coupes on the C platform: The C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe and the CLK.

The E on the other hand maintains its individuality, incl. NO PEANUT LIGHTS!

I also like the panoramic roof option on the E, in addition to the awesome E AMG power.

Well, we'll see shortly - as early as next month - both in our showrooms...

 

W211 is also great great to me !
Better equipped, like SBC, airmatic you can't even have them options in W209. panorama ? roof is another wonderful option
make family & kids enjoy the sky in the rear seats.
Coupe is quite personal, said, 2nd or 3rd car out of your garage
Young people should love it , a little more maturity than a
C coupe.
Be 19 & own a CLK500,like many other youngmen here, you're a lucky guy !
Watch those C32AMG, guess they're interesting to have a match with you.

 

The latest issue of Mercedes STAR magazine has some photos of the new CLK that for the first time have me convinced that the car looks more like the new SL than the C class. Other online photos gave me the impression that the new CLK had the same "Mr. Peanut" headlights that the C class has but in fact they are more like the SL headlights and the overall desing looks like a "baby CL".

With that said, I think I would like the new CLK better if it had the headlights of the new E-Class but I think Mercedes opted for something different because it is coming out with an E class Coupe to compete with the BMW 6 series.

I will probably get the new E class to replace my wife's C280 but will hold off on swapping my CLK cab until I see If they release an E class coupe cab.

If I was 19 though the choice wouldn't be between the new CLK and the E class. It would be between the new CLK and the C32 AMG and unless I really wanted a CAB, why would anyone not grab the C32 ???

Unless of course you were getting a CLK 55

 

E class Coupe w/ panoramic roof = DYNAMITE!

 

E500

I do love CLK's however I am not a big fan of the new one. I think MB rushed there design for the CLK, I mean the car only debuted in 1998. Aftrer 4 years your gonna change the design

Howver the new E-Class is a beauty. No other Its in a class of its own with a great new b ody style. Plus it looks very class and luxurious. My vote would be the E500

 

ALright Liquid. Your 19 and so am I. Take this from a fellow teen. Im assuming you have friends and want to drive them around. Your coupe is gonna get jacked up while people try to squeeze in the back. They will complain of space and scuff the back of the front seats. The E class interior, go look at both cars and tell me which one looks cooler, obviously the E. The design, the E class is one hell of a nice and interesting design. Bunch of peeps saw the new e class in MIB 2 and the chicks dig it. The Clk aint sporty, trust me ive read the reviews its a luxury coupe, the e class is just as "sporty". If you really want a sports coupe get an m3 like I did. I have two cars though so I dont have to worry about the back seats and I mainly use the m3 for driving events and weekends. The E class is just a fresher more interesting car. Higher quality too. Get the E with the sports package!

 

SHAHIN -




Very well stated, E=PIMP

 

I can see that the feedback you guys are posting is almost completely in favor of the E-Class over the CLK, but I'm very happy with my decision and wouldn't change it even if I had the chance. Side by side, the E-Class may be the nicer car. But the CLK is just my personal preference, for a number of reasons.

Messing up the back because its "too tight" isn't going to be a problem. I've seen it in person, and the car easily sits 4 people.

The E-Class is a great car, but for a 19-year old, I think there's no question. The CLK is hot. That, and I think it'll attract a few more ladies than an E-Class

 

this is why you should get a clk! you don't want to be a chauffeur, do you? as long as you can get one person - um, that you like - that's good enough. if 4 people want to go somewhere, you take someone else's car.

good choice w/ the clk.

 

Definitely. After driving an SUV around for a few years, I want a car that'll fit me, a friend, and two hoes in the back - nothing more

Plus, I think a CLK is a lot more pimp for a 19 year old than an E-Class. Not that a CLK is exactly a 'teenager car', but its a lot more youthful IMO than an E-Class.

 

What the heck? Why are 19 year olds driving CLK500's and E500's in the first place? You should all be driving Kia's and VW jettas lol.

 

Heh Well, my dad is pretty successful with his work (he has an Accounting firm here in NY and does Real Estate across the country), which makes him able to buy such a lavish car for a 19-year old stud like myself.

Plus, I used to have a very profitable Internet business back in the day of the .COM boom. At one point, I was making several thousand dollars a month (and this lasted for close to a year). Since then, I've also been doing graphic and web page design. So with both of these ventures, I've made a considerable amount of money for myself by sitting in front of this computer thingy in front of me. Honestly, if I hadn't earned it myself, I wouldn't really feel comfortable with such a nice car. He's not making me pay for the car, but I think the fact that I would be able to if he made me was one of the things that lead him to get me such a nice car.

 

-All such young go-getters we have here.