sold my C5 now what? CLK or M3
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 566
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2012 E350 4matic
sold my C5 now what? CLK or M3
ok, i DO realize that most here are die hard CLD fans or you wouldnt spend every waking hour either in your CLK or on this site. however, i have a question and i need some honest INFORMED input. if anyone knows this CLK you guys and gals do.
sold my '99 C5 6 speed coupe for money on a new house. since then i thought i would be happy with a G35 and was not. too many reasons to mention. now im in the position to easily spend 45K on something. i have to have a back seat! the new C6 would be an option but i hate being confined to only two seats. so my wife and i drove the '03 left over CLK 500. it was nice. it was smooth and it was luxerious. wife says, "im concerned this isnt going to be sporty enough for ya." god love her. so she suggests driving a M3. we test a 2003.5 imola coupe with the SMG and 7K miles. its a CPO at a dealer in town. all i can say is WOW. she hates 6 speed cars. i prefer 6 speeds. the SMG however is super HOT. we both fell in love. if we go M the SMG is a must for us.
now my concern is, i will have to get a used vehicle either way. how are the reliability issues with the CLK. some of you may have M3, what do you think about it? i know they are two different cars, but whats best for the weekend driver who takes it out of the garage maybe once during the week?
would you buy the CLK again? if you have had an M3 would you do it again?
thanks im depending on you!
sold my '99 C5 6 speed coupe for money on a new house. since then i thought i would be happy with a G35 and was not. too many reasons to mention. now im in the position to easily spend 45K on something. i have to have a back seat! the new C6 would be an option but i hate being confined to only two seats. so my wife and i drove the '03 left over CLK 500. it was nice. it was smooth and it was luxerious. wife says, "im concerned this isnt going to be sporty enough for ya." god love her. so she suggests driving a M3. we test a 2003.5 imola coupe with the SMG and 7K miles. its a CPO at a dealer in town. all i can say is WOW. she hates 6 speed cars. i prefer 6 speeds. the SMG however is super HOT. we both fell in love. if we go M the SMG is a must for us.
now my concern is, i will have to get a used vehicle either way. how are the reliability issues with the CLK. some of you may have M3, what do you think about it? i know they are two different cars, but whats best for the weekend driver who takes it out of the garage maybe once during the week?
would you buy the CLK again? if you have had an M3 would you do it again?
thanks im depending on you!
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 245
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From: Sydney
2010 ML350 CDI AMG Sports, BMW e92 335i (sold), CLK240 Avantgarde (sold)
Originally Posted by eagle_lex
ok, i DO realize that most here are die hard CLD fans or you wouldnt spend every waking hour either in your CLK or on this site. however, i have a question and i need some honest INFORMED input. if anyone knows this CLK you guys and gals do.
sold my '99 C5 6 speed coupe for money on a new house. since then i thought i would be happy with a G35 and was not. too many reasons to mention. now im in the position to easily spend 45K on something. i have to have a back seat! the new C6 would be an option but i hate being confined to only two seats. so my wife and i drove the '03 left over CLK 500. it was nice. it was smooth and it was luxerious. wife says, "im concerned this isnt going to be sporty enough for ya." god love her. so she suggests driving a M3. we test a 2003.5 imola coupe with the SMG and 7K miles. its a CPO at a dealer in town. all i can say is WOW. she hates 6 speed cars. i prefer 6 speeds. the SMG however is super HOT. we both fell in love. if we go M the SMG is a must for us.
now my concern is, i will have to get a used vehicle either way. how are the reliability issues with the CLK. some of you may have M3, what do you think about it? i know they are two different cars, but whats best for the weekend driver who takes it out of the garage maybe once during the week?
would you buy the CLK again? if you have had an M3 would you do it again?
thanks im depending on you!
sold my '99 C5 6 speed coupe for money on a new house. since then i thought i would be happy with a G35 and was not. too many reasons to mention. now im in the position to easily spend 45K on something. i have to have a back seat! the new C6 would be an option but i hate being confined to only two seats. so my wife and i drove the '03 left over CLK 500. it was nice. it was smooth and it was luxerious. wife says, "im concerned this isnt going to be sporty enough for ya." god love her. so she suggests driving a M3. we test a 2003.5 imola coupe with the SMG and 7K miles. its a CPO at a dealer in town. all i can say is WOW. she hates 6 speed cars. i prefer 6 speeds. the SMG however is super HOT. we both fell in love. if we go M the SMG is a must for us.
now my concern is, i will have to get a used vehicle either way. how are the reliability issues with the CLK. some of you may have M3, what do you think about it? i know they are two different cars, but whats best for the weekend driver who takes it out of the garage maybe once during the week?
would you buy the CLK again? if you have had an M3 would you do it again?
thanks im depending on you!
Cheers,
Ho
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 137
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From: Ft Lauderdale, FL
I sold my M3 SMG cab and bought the CLK500. I must say I miss that damn car. The SMG was so sweet and the car performed so well. The only reason I sold it was becasue I got an offer I couldn't refuse AND the fact that they were going to do a major change in the next two years.
The M3 is a fine automobile with true racing inspiration. The CLK is a luxury, sport car with performance as a secondary requirement. Coming from a C5 (which I had before the M3), you may not be satisfied with the CLK500.
The M3 is a fine automobile with true racing inspiration. The CLK is a luxury, sport car with performance as a secondary requirement. Coming from a C5 (which I had before the M3), you may not be satisfied with the CLK500.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 566
Likes: 5
2012 E350 4matic
hey thanks guys! let me ask you this. i know they are changing the M3 in like 2 years. im sure it will resemble the new 5 series somewhat, and im not a fan.
is it really that bad to have an "old body style?" i thought MB changed often, im sure the 05 CLK will look considerably different than the 07. or am i wrong?
keep the opinions coming!
is it really that bad to have an "old body style?" i thought MB changed often, im sure the 05 CLK will look considerably different than the 07. or am i wrong?
keep the opinions coming!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 442
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ARRR
coming from a C5 you probably wouldn't be satisfied with the CLK500. I'd probably say M3 SMG. both are nice... If I had to pick, personally I'd get CLK500 just because performance is not a big deal at all for me. I care about luxury more. The quietness and smoothness of the ride.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 245
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From: Sydney
2010 ML350 CDI AMG Sports, BMW e92 335i (sold), CLK240 Avantgarde (sold)
Originally Posted by eagle_lex
hey thanks guys! let me ask you this. i know they are changing the M3 in like 2 years. im sure it will resemble the new 5 series somewhat, and im not a fan.
is it really that bad to have an "old body style?" i thought MB changed often, im sure the 05 CLK will look considerably different than the 07. or am i wrong?
keep the opinions coming!
is it really that bad to have an "old body style?" i thought MB changed often, im sure the 05 CLK will look considerably different than the 07. or am i wrong?
keep the opinions coming!
New 3 series is just around the corner, saw a leaked PDF from europe the other week and can confirm that it looks like a smaller version of the new 5 series... the lights are very similar, so therefore the 2 door coupe will follow suite soon after.
And you're right, CLK came out around early 2002 so therefore a new car will be out around 2007 or later depending on what MB's plans are.
Cheers,
Ho
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Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 86
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CLK320
Around here, the M3 has a markup, while the CLK500 can be negotiated. Additionally, I am 99% certain that the resale value of the M3 easily beats that of the CLK500. The M3 is a true enthusiast's performance vehicle, and is unbelievably fun to drive (as you well know). However, the CLK500 is much more roomy, luxurious, prestigous, and comfortable for rush-hour traffic and those long drives.
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 3
From: Houston, TX
2018 E63S,
Dont get either. The resale is soft on the CLK and to be honest im completely bored of mine.The M3 is due for a body style change so I wouldnt get that either...would be like picking up a C5 now with the new C6 due to come out. Get yourself an E-class if youre going to go benz. Jaguar XJ's are leasing out at $699 a month right now and would look NIIIIICE with some 20" wheels.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 226
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From: Marlboro, New Jersey
05 C55, BMWX 3.0, Subaru Forester (Shaggin Wagon)
Do you want a stick or an automatic? It's all a matter of driving preference. Do you like a smoother refined ride (CLK500) or do you like a more active road feel (M3). do you prefer a refined interior (CLK500) or one that is racier and a bit more stark (M3)? Do you prefer a very quick steering response (M3) or one that feels lighter to the touch (CLK500)?
One thing I can tell you about M3's and M5's for that matter. You'll need to check the oil dipsick constantly. They burn through a quart of oil every 600-800 miles. It's just the way BMW's M division sets the tolerances.
I like both cars. I see so many young ones driving M3's where they get the 50-large from is always intriguing to me....Thank god for leasing I guess......
anyway that's my thoughts.
One thing I can tell you about M3's and M5's for that matter. You'll need to check the oil dipsick constantly. They burn through a quart of oil every 600-800 miles. It's just the way BMW's M division sets the tolerances.
I like both cars. I see so many young ones driving M3's where they get the 50-large from is always intriguing to me....Thank god for leasing I guess......
anyway that's my thoughts.
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 132
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m3 clk
the clk 55 or even the 500 is much more $$ than the m3. the m3 is a race car...the benz is more refined and not as common, a big plus...depends what you're looking for.
the m style is getting a little tired, but the M is a beast.
I got rid of my 5 and went w/ the CLK...due to the new 5 look...goofy.
one thing is for sure, you wont have a rattle box like your c5...happy shopping. both cars are very tight.
the m style is getting a little tired, but the M is a beast.
I got rid of my 5 and went w/ the CLK...due to the new 5 look...goofy.
one thing is for sure, you wont have a rattle box like your c5...happy shopping. both cars are very tight.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Hell
EFF YOU JACKIE
Originally Posted by AznxKCBoy
too many people have M3s, go with the CLK!
Actually more CLK's are sold than M3's. CLK55's are more rare than a regular CLK, however, you can't touch a new one for 45k. The M3 on the other hand, you can.
Check the AIDA website or : http://myfilelocker.comcast.net/fdme...edes_Sales.pdf for sales figures.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: San Mateo, CA
2004 Mercedes Benz CLK 500
hehe well im referring to the teens to middle 20s age with the M3s. Everywhere I go I see them all with M3s. I cant see anyone except for myself and a few around that age with CLKs.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Hell
EFF YOU JACKIE
Originally Posted by Yang1815
CLK's definitely more rare than M3... It depends on what your lifestyle is... speed and performance, then M3... Luxury and class, CLK.
You have to pic the best vehicle for you. Price wise, comfort, style, and function. My wife is similar to you, she knows how easily bored of cars I become. The CLK has been sitting outiside for the last 3 months since I picked up my S4. The wife drives the CLK more than I do. Then again, she has a Jeep as her daily.
The M3 is nice, fast, and the handling is phenom. But if you want that type of performance from a MB, you aren't going to get it for 50k or less, and you probably won't get that type of performance at all. :-( The 55 is a great car, great engine, FANTASTIC seats, but not for less than 50k and certainly not the same perfomance as the M.
It is nice to have the extra room though. JMHO
