Monkichi

Can anyone tell me what exterior difference do clk 500 and 320 have ? except for the engine.

JAY500

Different front bumper and wheels. The CLK500 has AMG bumpers and usually AMG wheels.

BrabusClK04

Engine Size, HP, amg kit, thats all i can think of.

Harris

Hey, you guys forget the biggest difference: the CLK500 has "CLK 500" trunk emblem and the CLK320 has "CLK 320" trunk emblem!!!!

The CLK500 has bigger front brakes and calipers.

onkelmarknr1

The excaust pipe of the 500 is a little bigger then the 320.

calboy

the 500 has black grill and blue tinted windows

Monkichi

What do you mean black grill ? Is it the front hood grill ? Is the side door panel chrome or is it black ? I cannot see the diff if you compare it in the mb website.

theitalianjob

Chrome

calboy

the 500 has black front hood grill with chrome slats, the 320 has grey grill with chrome slats ( this applies to US only)

x-tian-230k

The AMG kit and engine alone should sway u to buy a CLK500. It looks sooo much nicer.

theitalianjob

werd

akbro93704

the CLK500 has the new design digital climate controls, 320 has the rotary knobs...also, 500 has a 7-speed auto, 320 has a 5-speed auto

Monkichi

hmmmm, clk 500 ?? Is it a difference of 10g for 320 and 500 ?

paulmj

The principal difference between the CLK320 and the CLK500 is $8000 difference in cost. The cosmetic differences aside, the question is whether after spending close to 60 grand for a CLK320 Cab, you are motivated enough to spend that much more for a 2 second advantage to 60 mph at a stoplight.

I suppose if you think it is, then spending $19,000 more for the CLK55 may be a worthwhile consideration, because you gain still another second in acceleration and of course, a less supple ride to go with the package.

It seems to me that these performance differences read well in car magazines and in forum discussions, but unless you've got a lot more money to burn than you're already willing to spend, it isn't worth it.

This must be why Mercedes model allotment for the 320/500/55 is 50/40/10 percent. It also explains that they undershot somewhat on the 320 Cabs because they are almost impossible to find available, whereas you can always find a CLK500.

Monkichi

WAit wait wait here paul. NOw you are really making me confused. I am cofused enough in selling my old clk 320 for the new one. Because I just modified it like 3 months ago. Now I am cofused in buying the 500 or 320.

What do you mean by not worth it ??? You rather buy the 320 than the 500 ? Unless you have money to burn then you will buy the 500 ? Am I right ???

Guys I need some opinion here, if you just fully modified your car only for 3 months that is with exhaust, body kits and new wheels. Would you sell it for the new model ? Please don't say yes because you guys are driving the new clk. LOL

Thanks in hand

smandkjc

We took a demo in a CLK320 Cab and thought it sounded a bit laboured.
It only took about 100 meters driving the CLK500 Cab for us to decide that the V8 was worth the extra NZ$20,000.
I also did not like the idea that the 320 engine will be replaced with the 350 in the near future.
If the 350 was available now the decision may have been harder to make.
We were however coming out of a 2000 XK8 convertible so are biased to the sound of a V8 even if we never use its potential.

paulmj

Monkichi, I didn't say the CLK500 is not worth the $8000 extra. Eight Grand is what it is, and if you feel the extra acceleration is worth that kind of money to you, it's not for me to judge.

On the other hand, you say you have an older CLK320 and you're considering upgrading to a new CLK500. Apparently if you modified it only 3 months ago, you were happy with it then, otherwise why would you have sunk more money into it?

So, if you want to get rid of it to get a new car, if you're willing to take a beating on the depreciation, if you're willing to drop another $8K into the deal to get the V8, then live and be well and I wouldn't say anything to discourage that decision. It's yours to make.

No one can tell you how to spend your money. It's your money, do what you want with it.

paulmj

Smandkjc, I have a '04 CLK320 Cab and I find the acceleration, both from a full stop and while passing, etc. to be more than adequate in normal day-to-day driving.

I wouldn't assume that MB will be bringing out a CLK350 anytime soon because they would cannibalize their CLK500 business. Ditto for the E Class.

Note that there is no SLK500, only the SLK350 and the SLK55.

The reason they brought out the ML350 to replace the ML320 is that the Lexus RX330 and the Acura MDX were eating their lunch. They had to do it, and had no real worry about eating into their ML500 business because not that many ML500s are sold anyway.

I own an '02 ML320 and recently drove a loaner ML350. The difference in acceleration (I tried) was negligable, in my opinion.

I've never driven the CLK500. However, I had a recent experience test driving back-to-back a new E320 and a new E500. The E320 is a pretty impressive car in its power performance. After driving it and then getting into the E500, there is no question that if you floor the accelerator at a stoplight, the 500 had impressively more power. So what? In 90% of the kind of driving any prudent person will do, that power would never be apparent. So, in my opinion, the 500 is gilding the lily, with a very expensive $8000 adder.

I had no problem spending $7000 more for a CLK320 Cab than for a coupe. They are entirely different cars, and I feel the Cab is a marvel of design, engineering, and uncommon good looks. To me, that is worthwhile expenditure, not for a few extra HP under the hood that really means nothing beyond conversation.

calboy

People have been saying the 350 is coming out for almost two years now. Don't believe everything you hear. Correction, over two years,
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...&highlight=350

mis3

In my opinion, it all depends on what you're used to.

My previous car was a Honda Prelude, I had the horsepower but not much torque. The power of my CLK320 is more than adequate for me. My friend used to drive a Jetta diesel, he recently bought a new BMW-320i. With 168 HP, he's very happy.

A CLK500 owner will find the CLK320 underpowered. In the same token, a CLK55 owner will find a CLK500 underpowered as well.

In North American and Canada, how often do you get to try out the extra power? I commute between Toronto and Montreal (500 KM one way) very often and after a few speeding tickets, I now set the speed to about 125KM and let it cruise. With the CLK, I feel comfortable and luxurious while cruising and this is important.

Nebraska99

Chicks dig the extra power and prestige. I'm an ugly bahstad and need all the help I can get. Viva La 500.

I hope that wasn't too technical for you Canadians.

paulmj

If chicks are gonna get turned on by a V8 vs. a V6, they probably will be turned on by simply seeing a 'CLK500' vs. a 'CLK320' on the deck lid. That's all you need. Pick one up at your local dealer, get going with some dental floss, and make the swap. Think about all the money you've saved!

kaiju

The front brakes are different as well... correct me if I'm wrong... but I know it is with CLK200 & CLK240 for sure.

Cheers,
Ho

Guest0001

Is the suspension on both the CLK320 and 500 the same as well?

kaiju

should be the same, only the CLK55 will be different and obviously the brakes are different again (Brembos )

Cheers,
Ho