Hi MBW,

I just joined the forum yesterday. I used to drive a 2006 CLK350, and really loved it. Seeing as how the roads in my country suck, and we're stuck in bumper to bumper traffic 90% of the time, luxury and comfort are regarded as the best qualities in a car. Anyways, my car was totaled inside an underground parking garage when the roof of the garage collapsed (freak story).

I had to shop around for a new car, and got into an Audi B8 A4 quattro dynamic, and soon got a stage 1 tune. However, I'm really starting to not like the car, due to the jerky shifts (seems like a widespread issue), oil consumption, and the general lacklustre design. I loved the design at first, but for some reason I keep reminiscing back to the CLK days.

I'm thinking of selling the A4 and getting into a CLK again, but the younger singling (E350 coupe) caught my eye. What do you recommend I get, a low mileage (25k miles) CLK, or (50k miles) E350 coupe?

If anyone has been in both, please let me know what your initial thoughts were. I'm also interested in the ride comfort aspect, although I suspect they'd both be quite similar

Thank you MBW, help me make a choice I won't regret!

Holy crap! A parking deck collapse? What a freak thing!

I have driven an A207 E550. Honestly, I like my W209 CLK550 better. I like the style, and I like the more traditional interior. I do have to qualify that, because I also like the W208 interior better than the W209. See, I still believe that window switched and door lock control belong in the center console.

I've driven my friends e350 coupe for a few days and have also driven an e550 sedan. The upgraded interior is a lot nicer (over my 05) but I didn't like the feel of the coupe at all. Lack of power and wasn't very comfortable. The sedan was far better as far as comfort and performance ( could have been the 550 vs350). Overall I love the w209 body style over both over almost any Mercedes

Thanks for the replies, and I agree on the styling, I prefer the W209 over C207 also, but it would be nice to have the bells and whistles on the newer version like cooled seats and integrated nav

The 0-60 times seem about the same, maybe C207 is a tad bit faster even with the added weight? I am leaning towards CLK right now since the one I saw was in pristine condition inside and out. It is also an unmolested, 1 owner (doctor) car with all records.

Well I guess I will be posting pics of my CLk next time around, thanks again for the input, and anyone else with different opinion please feel free to chime in

I'm not a fan of the 10-13 E coupes, especially the 10-11, exterior styling. If I was to move up, I would wait for the 14+ to come down in price. Even then there is something about the center console of the interior I don't like. I had looked at e350 coupes before buying my car and just couldn't picture it as being the one for me. I do wish for more bells and whistles (iPod, bluetooth, ventilated seats, updated HDD based nav), but I love the styling of the w209 inside and out which count more for me.

I too prefer the CLK than the E Coupe. Somehow the CLK looks visually smaller which I like.

My 2004 CLK320 is getting old and I will need a replacement soon. There will be a new E Coupe in 2017 and it is supposed to be even bigger than the current model. So, I am waiting to see if the 2016 C Coupe is any good.

Agree ^^ only the 2014+ E class coupe/sedan look good., especially over the CLK

Interestingly I feel as though the E coupe back seat is much smaller than the CLK. I know for sure the CLK has more legroom and headroom in the back than our CL, but the CL wins on shoulder room. People are always so surprised how big the back is. It's great that it's so useable. Same with the trunk.

So....... I've been looking at the local version of Autotrader, and I've now expanded my list

2006 Mercedes CLK350
2006 BMW 645ci
2009 Jaguar XF 3.0D

I would have thought my choice of a CLK was certain but alas.... the styling and power of the 645ci, and the bells and whistles are very tempting

Jag XF series have always had a special place in my heart due to the styling, however lacks power compared to a CLK or 645Ci

This is going to be a very long homework for me, I'm thinking of taking around 2-3 months just doing some research, taking the cars out for a test drive etc... before I bite the bullet.

FYI all the cars mentioned above are in the price range of 20-30K USD, except for the CLK which is at 18K (with only 33k miles on the clock) I'm so right now

What is your location? 2006 6 series in US is 650 (4.8, not older 4.4 engine). I as well was on the fence for an 08 650 or 09 CLS550 before I bought the CLK550. The 6 series exterior seemed boring to me to be honest and way too long of a hood. The bells and whistles were nice though compared to most Benzes around that time. I liked the CLS but the exterior just didn't do it for me (love the new CLS though but they are $$$ still). Why not look into an 06 CLK500? It has a solid engine (with good amount of more power compared to the 350), AMG body kit with AMG dual tip exhaust versus an 06 CLK350 will most likely have balance shaft issues (even most 07 350s and 550s).

I currently live in Seoul, South Korea, we get both 645 and 650 versions here, but tax and car insurance rates are based on the displacement of the engine (pretty silly imo), hence I'm cautious about the 6 series. The design seems to get mixed reviews, however I find myself liking it. In the end, the bells are whistles are, well, just that, bells and whistles, so ultimately I need to find a "comfortable" ride, and I don't think any other car is quite refined as the CLK. I took the Jag out for a drive today and I didn't like the seats, I'll be taking the CLK350 out for a drive tomorrow. And although I'd really love the AMG version, the only 2 available in this country are in the high 100k mileage range, and I'd rather avoid those

im in Osan AB right next to you! I wanted a 645/650 back in the day and decided on a cls500 instead. too many issues with the 6 series particularly with leaks everywhere and electronics for the 04-06 years?

dont know much about the jaguar but as far as looks id take the 6 over a 350, but again make sure you look for a nice clean one

Oh wow I pass Osan all the time when I visit my parents lol

I couldn't find any non-riced 6 series in my price range, and there was a pristine CLK that was pampered by a doctor, so I purchased it yesterday.

Pics:



















Next up:
- SLK 55 AMG Rims
- Android all-in-one navigation system
- 2channel blackbox

Can't wait for the new rims, I might have to go with stock CLS rims, which are quite easy to get for a cheap price

That is pretty silly considering some of the cars with high displacement and low power out there vs cars with low displacement and high power.

Ah congrats. She's a beauty, very clean

Thanks for the kind words, yeah, they have 2600cc old school R33 GTR's with 800awhp running around with insurance costing $3-400 dollars a year, while for my 278BHP CLK I have to pay over $1.8k USD

Just a quick question, I noticed in your sig you have "keyless go" and automatic trunk closer on your CLK? How is that possible, was that a factory option or aftermarket add-on?

Great choice, you would have regretted the jaguar bigtime, lots of problems with the first few years in all their models. the 645i, nice car i was looking for one myself, but you should note with the 645/650i:

you get the 5series interior/options and chassis for the price of a 7series coupe.
Not to say the 5series isn't amazing, because really it is. but not too much value compared to the price of the car. for example a CL your getting the price of a S-class coupe with the chassis of an S-class and the interior/options of an S-class. MUCH more value.

I'd say you made the right choice with the CLK, conrats :Y

had to make the same choice not long ago, but i was ripped between a CLK and 2007 530i
then just decided to get the cheaper alternative, but now that i own the CLK i'd say i made the right choice not just because it was cheaper.

Ya it's a horrible standard lol. The old mustang v6s were 4.0L with 220hp and the new C63 is 4.0L twin turbo v8 with 469hp.

Yes they came from factory. I bought it 2nd hand from a local MB dealer out here. I was shocked to find one with so many options. It's only missing pretty much ventilated seats, multi-contour driver seat, iPod, and bluetooth.