CLK-Class (W209) 2003 on: CLK 270 CDI, CLK 200K, CLK 200 CGI, CLK 240, CLK 320, CLK 350, CLK 500, CLK 550 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

CLK500 vs. SC430

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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 11:43 AM
  #1  
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CLK500 vs. SC430

I have the option of buying one of these veichules. Can anyone with experience with these cars give me some additional insight?

I can afford a:
2003- 2004 CLK 500
or
2002 SC430.

Just your thoughts are needed.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 01:30 PM
  #2  
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From: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
07 clk 550 , 07 xlr
Originally Posted by quadocox
I have the option of buying one of these veichules. Can anyone with experience with these cars give me some additional insight?

I can afford a:
2003- 2004 CLK 500
or
2002 SC430.

Just your thoughts are needed.
MB faster and bigger...no room in the back seat of sc430...i just like MB and you can get a car a couple of years newer......... repairs are expensive on both.....theres 2 pennys worth.........good luck and let us know which way you go, that way we can disown you if you go the other way
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by BAYAREA
MB faster and bigger...no room in the back seat of sc430...i just like MB and you can get a car a couple of years newer......... repairs are expensive on both.....theres 2 pennys worth.........good luck and let us know which way you go, that way we can disown you if you go the other way
Well,
You can't i have a 230 "coupe"
I wanted to buy 1 about amonth ago but I decided to go with a different lender that won't let me buy from private parties or ebay : (

I'm leaning towards the SC430 only because i see few on the road and it's a hard top convertible.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 04:42 PM
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This kid who has an SC convertible was always extremely jealous of my CLK500. He got inside and was like "now this is a car." Otherwise, its personal preference.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 05:06 PM
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I can't say about the SC but I have a CLK 320 (2005) and a Lexus IS 350 (2006). The IS 350 is more hp than the SC. The IS 350 is faster than the CLK. Which do I prefer? The MB CLK.

Aloha,
Larry
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 10:10 PM
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Thanks gus still weighing my options. I'm not lookins for aazing speed. The only think I don't like about the 500 is the interior is almost the same as my 230!
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 10:36 PM
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2006 CLK350
the interior is pretty nice, if you ask me. the only thing i dont really like about the 03-04 is the radio display (if the car doesnt have navigation) you could probally get a 05+ radio unit for a good price and change it.
the sc430 is a pretty hot car and hard top convertible which is great. i have a clk coupe, but i bet it must feel pretty good crusing down the highway with the top down..........cons.....the back is VERY tight.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 10:40 PM
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From: NYC
'12 CLS 550 4matic
Originally Posted by quadocox
I have the option of buying one of these veichules. Can anyone with experience with these cars give me some additional insight?

I can afford a:
2003- 2004 CLK 500
or
2002 SC430.

Just your thoughts are needed.
Get the Benz, much more of a car!
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Old Sep 28, 2007 | 09:06 AM
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From: CT
CLK500 white 2005
lexus is more realibile and maybe there are alot less on the road but the benz has that status that says you got money lol... and its not like they are all over the road like bmws
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Old Sep 30, 2007 | 04:42 PM
  #10  
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From: New York
2005 CLK500
Originally Posted by sportf190
lexus is more realibile and maybe there are alot less on the road but the benz has that status that says you got money lol... and its not like they are all over the road like bmws
depends on where you live. In NY and Cali, MBs and BMWs are a dime a dozen. I was once at a stoplight in LI and all 5 cars around me were MBs. Felt like I was in a MB commercial.

The SC is definitely rarer...maybe it doesn't sell as well
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Old Sep 30, 2007 | 05:27 PM
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From: NYC
'12 CLS 550 4matic
Originally Posted by J.C.Holo
depends on where you live. In NY and Cali, MBs and BMWs are a dime a dozen. I was once at a stoplight in LI and all 5 cars around me were MBs. Felt like I was in a MB commercial.

The SC is definitely rarer...maybe it doesn't sell as well
lol, I am an ardent nyorker. Have a home is Westchester and an apt in the West Village. I would say the Beemers dominate the road between the 2. A Lexus to me is a nice car, but doesn't demand my respect as a beemer or a especially Benz would!
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Old Sep 30, 2007 | 09:47 PM
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2006 CLK350
i agree with fegelein. i think lexus' are great cars, but they dont get as much attention as a benz would. honestly if there was an M6, which is much better than my car, on the road next to my CLK350, ppl would notice my car more. Everyone knows its a benz cause it has a huge star on the front. It annoys me sometimes, so if you're looking for a nice car and lots of attention. get a CLK500. If you're looking for a nice car and maybe less attention (with the top UP of course lol) go for the sc430.
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Old Sep 30, 2007 | 10:53 PM
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Originally Posted by FEGELEIN
lol, I am an ardent nyorker. Have a home is Westchester and an apt in the West Village. I would say the Beemers dominate the road between the 2. A Lexus to me is a nice car, but doesn't demand my respect as a beemer or a especially Benz would!
Nice, where in Westchester? You can PM if you don't want it public lol. I'm in Scarsdale/Ardsley.
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 12:12 AM
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BENZ
l0l bobby always tryin to find a race X_X
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 01:19 AM
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Other things to think about

Well, in my opinion consider the use of the car and what that means to you. Mercedes is mercedes, Lexus is Toyota. You will not find the refinements and quality that you find in Mercedes in Lexus. Althought Lexus wants to be Mercedes, they are close but now quite there.
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by juhasev
Well, in my opinion consider the use of the car and what that means to you. Mercedes is mercedes, Lexus is Toyota. You will not find the refinements and quality that you find in Mercedes in Lexus. Althought Lexus wants to be Mercedes, they are close but now quite there.
Well...in that case, you could say Mercedes is a Chrysler...
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 09:31 AM
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From: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
07 clk 550 , 07 xlr
Originally Posted by ItalianStallion
Well...in that case, you could say Mercedes is a Chrysler...
NOT ANYMORE
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by BAYAREA
NOT ANYMORE
Tou che...

Well, at least the earlier w209's were
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 10:24 AM
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07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
the lexus is nice w/ the hardtop and it's probably very reliable, but ever since i saw a picture of demi moore driving it, i've noticed that it's pretty much being female driven in CA. also, i personally have never liked the shape much, esp since i used to own the SC400 and that was beautiful. lastly, i think lexus should have made the back just storage like the SL's. i think they could have made it more practical as the backseats are a joke - even smaller than 911s, i think.
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by juhasev
Lexus is Toyota. You will not find the refinements and quality that you find in Mercedes in Lexus. Althought Lexus wants to be Mercedes, they are close but now quite there.
I'd differ ... Lexus is a really high quality built machine. I was split between SC and CLK myself, choose CLK but here is my take:

- if you must'v hardtop, buy SC
- if you need for 4 seater and more room, get CLK
- CLK from outside, looks much more elegant (compared to a too much sporty toad-like exterior of SC)
- drive: SC runs very smooth 'n quiet. CLK you feel road bumps a lot (though its still smoother to BMW)
- SC has Mark Levinson audio, which beats the crap out of CLK's Bose/Harmon
- Brand: Mercedez has a opulence of its own (BMW as for fun-ride), Lexus crowd is kinda less-pretentious eco-centric new-age wall-street hipsters

Last edited by alexmn; Oct 1, 2007 at 08:33 PM.
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 07:06 PM
  #21  
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From: Fremont, CA/ University of California San Diego
W209 CLK500, W221 S550
Originally Posted by quadocox
Thanks gus still weighing my options. I'm not lookins for aazing speed. The only think I don't like about the 500 is the interior is almost the same as my 230!

ah i was in a very similar situation a few months ago, i totaled my bmw e46 325ci and had to choose between a e46 m3 or a clk500, i didn't want the same boring interior since the e46 m3 interior and my e46 325ci are almost exactly the same 99% i would say is the same .. so i went with the clk500, i can't say i regret the decision but... the m3 would have been more fun to drive, i guess what i'm trying to say is test both cars and DRIVE them both before you decide, looks aren't everything good luck man
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Old Oct 1, 2007 | 07:47 PM
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2012 E350 4Matic Wagon
I personally don't like the look of the SC430... and over time I'm sure I'd hate it more and more if I had one! The back seat is rediculous! I saw 4 people in one and the kids in the back were squashed.
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 09:07 AM
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From: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
07 clk 550 , 07 xlr
looks like somebody stepped on the sc
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 08:33 PM
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11 E550 Cabriolet
Go for the Benz. If you can afford I'd say stretch yourself and get an 05 CLK. It has better radio, 7 speed trans and a couple of other nice things that aren't on the 03 and 04.
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 11:20 PM
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From: CT
CLK500 white 2005
i would agree much nicer interior in my opinion in the 05
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