uh...reality check. When it comes to buying a car, nobody will consider performance before price. You won't see anyone that's gonna get the CLK500 compare it to the G35, but you will see a lot of people comparing the CLK320 to the G35.

btw, I drove my friend's 99 Maxima. That thing is just a plain family car and slow compare to my sis's 208 CLK320.

 

See. Even the dude I was yellin' at doesn't give a *****.....

Hi-Tech-Product:
I thought this topic was over, now you're bringing it back from the dead? Besides this post, I could care less what you think. By the way, I have test drove a G35 and thought it was a sweet ride, for sure. But, I like MB, and that's me.

You're my HERO Hi-Tech-Product!!

 

SJT03CLK v. rogers

i think the CLK320 (and CLK350) both would be directly comparable to the BMY 325iC, but not the BMW 330iC.

the better comparison would be the CLK500 and the BMW 330iC, don't you think?

 

lol.....NO!

CLK500 is much more expensive than the 330Ci. Just as CLK320 is more expensive than the 325Ci.

CLK320 is a great competitor for the 330Ci. It just need a sport pkg to match up with the 330Ci's sport pkg.

 

When I calculated how much I can spend on a car 3 months ago, I realized 330ci and CLK320 are within my range and see both as comparable in terms of price points. Of course, they are similar in some sense (luxury cars with long brand history) but one is a convertible while the other is a coupe. Also, 330ci is a pure sport car while CLK320 is more like a 'styling' ride.

Ultimately, I chose the CLK320 because it is in the first model year while the 330ci is about to undergo a major change in 2 years time. Of course, my significant other twisted my arm a little She has a problem with wind blowing her hair all over the place

Basically, they are both great cars and I would've been happy with both. Both has pros and cons, nicer interior for CLK while better handling for the Bimmer, among other things.

 

MB CLK320 v BMW 325iC
MB CLK500 v BMW 330iC
MB CLK55 v BMW M3

please explain how MB (aka D-C) and BMW targeted their respective products in any other way...

really, i'm listening...

 

CLK240 v 325Ci
CLK320 v 330Ci
CLK500 v M3
CLK55 v 6-series in the same price range.

We are talking in reality here, which mean, people compare cars in the same price range.

Unfortunally MBNA didn't import the CLK240 other wise that would be the competitor for the 325Ci. The upcoming 6-series will be partial competitor to the CLK55 and as well as compete with the CL-class with it's higher end model like the 660i or perhaps the M6.

Like I said, since there's no CLK240 in the states the C320 sports coupe is often used for people to compare with the 325Ci since they are in the same price range.

btw, it's "Ci" not iC..... As once a 00 328Ci guy, hearing "iC" just makes me wanna

 

i neither wanted nor expected anyone to place fighter-cons over an innocent nomenclature error.

i've been out of BMWs since giving up my 320iC, so i'm way out of date on the model designations.

as for the comparisons, i too haven't ever seen a CLK powered by anything less than a 320 in the USA. so i really thought my comparisons were valid, especially given what i recall to be the performance match-ups.

as for the C-coupe, i sincerely thought it was an attempt to fill the slot abandoned when the BMW 3-hatchback -- i'll leave the model to you -- was dropped, and was meant to pull in newbies who'd have purchased another brand.

when there's time, i'll get in touch with my dealer friends to find out how they look at the MB-BMW comparisons. if i'm wrong, then you can bet i'll write it here.

[emoticons omitted. i save my aggression for the mats.]

 

This argument is pointless. The CLK is unique it does not compare to anything else on the market.

The 330Ci/G35 Coupe while they might initially appear to be the same category they are not. Its like trying to compare a C class sedan to an S class they just do not compare. Sure they have doors and similar engines but you wont see ANYONE comparing the two.

The reason for the 6 series is to compete against the CLK. MB has no *real* competitor for the Coupe 3 series line. The C class line is no way near as popular as the 3 series line so its not worth for them to throw money at a solution just yet.

 

The CLK is in the market place to replace the original E-class coupe (CE) of the late 80's and early 90's. It is a level higher than what the 3-series coupe is targeted at their buyer. The only thing they have in common is that they both are coupes.

The CLK and the E is similar priced with the CLK only being slightly cheaper. If you say that the CLK320 is the competitor for the 325Ci, it's like pointing at the E320 and say that's a competitor for the 325i.

We all know that there's no true C-class coupe, so there's no real competitor for the 3-series coupe. Just like there's no BMW coupe that's based on the 5-series (design wise) to compete with the CLK (which designed based on the E-class style).

btw, = joke...sorry for the confusion...

 

the new 6 series is launch with the CLK and CL in mind. Probably aimed more at the CLK500 and up (55s and CLs) since it should be priced slightly higher than the 500.

In my earlier comment, I was comparing 330ciC against the CLK320, not the Bimmer coupe. The price difference between the 3 series coupe and CLK320 is too wide and I really don't see them in the same range.

The article I read also mentioned that right now, the CLKs are in a class of their own because BMW has no comparable product to compete with MB in that class.

Can't remember the source of the article though...sorry.

 

See how ppl(agent) in Asia rate CLK (All in US$)

CLK500 $115900
E500 $106380
CLK320 $93900
E320 $86700
CLK240 $84900
E240 $76230
CLK200K $73000
E200K $60870
---------------It's in very high category over the W211/new E

BMW330CI $65800
G35 $53900

 

guess i won't be moving to asia any time soon.

...unless insurance isn't mandatory and lawsuits could be avoided.

i wish!

 

It's beautiful -- looks like a Bentley Continental GT.