eddieo45

My 2002 C230 Coupe is totaled....just as I was resigning myself to keeping it forever! Oh well!

I've always bought my cars 3 years old with some warranty remaining, just in case. I started looking at 2005 CLK320's, with the thought that I already have that engine in my other C-Class and it's been a gem, but I'm starting to realize that no 2005's out there will have any warranty remaining, irrespective of miles. There are a few 2006 CLK350's out there, but now I'd be looking at a 7 speed automatic, no? It is quite amazing that the prices I'm looking at for a 2006 CLK350 are about what I was looking at in 2006 when I was shopping for the 2003 C320. In fact, it seems that right now, the premium to select a 2006 CLK vs. a 2006 C is only about $2-3K!

Anyway, enough about the C-Class; I don't want to drive a sedan. But I've been so blessed with relative reliability with both my C's that I though I should ask if I'm likely to enjoy the same with a CLK. Thanks for any input.

astropat

Get a newer model 3-series coupe!

Just bought my 320 about 6 months ago... it's been fun. If I were to do it over, I'd probably spend the little extra money to get a 500 or AMG model... if mpg's aren't really an issue.

M-bENZ

same here bro. lol im even think to get the W211 E55 too

Andy

Bad_debt

As suggested...get the 500. IMO it's better looking and the power and acceleration is night and day. Maybe an 04 or 05 w/ a good aftermarket warranty.

BennyzGirl

Thats what I got. 04 500 with MB CPO. Only had 35K miles. I wish I had the 55AMG but the 500 is really nice and has good power.

eddieo45

you guys are all younger than me I'd bet....I loved the power once too. now I prefer MPG to MPH in my MB!

Bad_debt

What is really going to cost an extra couple hundred dollars a year?

eddieo45

Hey, a 2006 CLK350, 43,000 miles, Blk/Blk: $23K? It's got a little rash on the edge of the drivers door, which they'll touch up, but otherwise very clean...

DesertBenz

Not a bad deal; it's always worth talking them down a little. I love my 2007 CLK 350. Surprisingly fast for a stock V6, and still gets over 32mpg on the freeway. Plus the Black on Black is nice.

BennyzGirl

Check the what did you pay for your car thread to see what others have paid and for which type of vehicle.

icecream

if you prefer mpg take the 350 rather than 320... its much more efficient, my 320 only manage 25-27mpg in the highway

eddieo45

that's good to know! the 350 (w/ 7 spd tranny) puts me into 2006, which gives me some warranty.
I checked but the purchases are all too long ago, IMO.

astropat

I bought my CPO about six months ago... 2005 with 35K for $19.8K before tax.

Another thing with getting the 350, headlights are better and a lot of people prefer the tail lights too. I kinda like the old tail lights, personally.

Bad_debt

Me too, I wouldn't switch to the newer tail lights if I got them for free. I like the two white strips.

What is better about the headlights? Could you get xenons in a stock 320? I love the xenons in the 500

dynomite05

If I would of known how much I would be spending I would of bought the 500!

astropat

+1.

I would have probably just went with the AMG model. Imagine how much you'd spend on a body kit, brakes, wheels and suspension. I had an opportunity to spend $7K more to get an AMG. I kinda regret it looking back. Especially cause that's $7K I could have financed instead of opting to drain my checking acct. AMG body kit and brakes would probably cost $7K alone for the parts and labor.

dynomite05

I get headaches just thinking about it

AMGOODNESS

what kind of mpg do you guys think a 55 amg gets? in mixed driving, mostly city, i get 20mpg. with a car that has 360+ hp that is more than respectable. on the highway i get 28-30.

eddieo45

Nevada mixed driving is a lot different than Boston and its surroundings! When I've done "mixed" driving here, I couldn't get 20mpg in my C230 Kompressor! And 28mpg highway is the most I ever got, on a long, slow highway trip to Cape Cod and back (a weekday; on a weekend, that long highway drive is stop and go for most of the 75 miles or so). We live about 8 miles from my wife's Boston office, and she gets 16-18mpg in the C320 V-6; the trip takes about 30 minutes.

archony

On my CLK 350 I get 21 mpg on Los Angeles 'mixed city driving'. I have not seen better than 24 mpg on the highway in the last 50,000 miles: maybe I need to slow down!
I probably would get a lot poorer gas mileage if I were driving a 500, but a 55 sure would be nice and damn the mileage...

icecream

^ hahahah.... teenager?

lychyrychy

Anything V6 or above will get you nothing but around 20MPG if you drive in LA. Mercs are all V6 or higher, you will never get Honda Civic's MPG. Plus, is it that much of a difference between 20MPG and 25MPG (difference is 5MPG)? CLK's tank is 16 gallons. 16X5 = 90 miles = 10 bucks in gas per tank. This saves you about 40 bucks a month or 500 per year. I think the choice is easy here. get the 55AMG

slicksterps1

The first of this year 2009. I sold my 2005 c230 because it was too small and slow for me. I started looking at clk 320, 350 and ended up with the clk500 I am so glad I did. I bought my clk500 for 20,600 + tax with 32K miles black on black w/nav xenon ect...still had 6 months left on factory warrenty, so I was sold, you cant beat the 500 for solid sound, power and comfort. I am 47 years old and I dont race around in my clk500 but the car feels so solid. as far as dependable I got all the minor repairs done covered with the warrenty, but the car runs great and I am getting 17-20 city and 24-27 highway depending on my spirited driving.

When It's all said and done, and your alone in your garage at night cleaning it and stairing at it(like I do) I think yell wish you got the clk500
Good luck!
Paul

Bad_debt

+1 Well said slick.

2MCHCAR

At minimum, you should get the CLK500; but if you can afford it, get the CLK55. Buying a CLK55 means you bought a rare, complete serial numbered race car (suspension, brakes, engine) which is warranty backed. I got my CLK500 knowing I would mod it and make it perform better than a CLK55 (H&R suspension,Brembo brakes, Kleeman supercharger).

Good Luck and tell us what you ended up deciding on!