art_z

My Porshce 996 lease is ending next month and I'm looking for a car to replace it with. Looking at 2001 or 2002 CLK55s and noticed the CL55 seems to go for alot more money. Other than outward cosmetic difference, what makes the CL go for so much more cash?

also, in a CLK, is there anyway to seat 3 people (kids really) across the rear seat? looks like there is only room for 2 in the pics I've seen, and thats kind of whats making me pass on keeping the Porsche 996, new baby came last year and while this is not going to be a daily driver, it would be nice to fit the whole family (2 adults, 3 kids) in the car for a ride on occassion.

thanks

Art

Porsche
99 996 cab - soon to be gone
88 928 S4 - sold

Subaru 04 WRX - daily driver.

Can Drive 55

The CL is about the same size as the S class. It is larger and the engine in 03 and newer is the supercharged 5.5L @ 493HP. The CLK has 362HP and is normally aspirated. I think you will have a problem with the back seat in the CL, too. It is my understanding that it has a console and seats for 2 people.

BiTurboBenz

01-02 CL55's have the N/A 5.5 engine which produce 362hp, 03-06 have the 5.5K engines which produce 493hp. The CL costs more because it is larger and the interior is more luxurious. The CLK is smaller, lighter and sportier-but not as luxurious...more like a Porsche while the CL is a heavy, luxury coupe that drives more like a large sedan.

Probably not comfortably which is why you should get the CL class. But please, whatever you do DO NOT get a 2001/2002 CL55!!! It is a dog (JMHO). My recommendation is to get a clean 2003 CL55. You will be able to get a smoking deal on this model this year because the new CL should be out very early 2007. Good Luck.

art_z

I think the 03 CL55 is a bit out of my price range. I'm trying to keep it under $30k, not looking to lease again either.

Thanks for the info guys!

rsr911

I have an 02 CLK55 and have been around Porsches for over 20 years. Still have my 86 Carrera. If you are ued to sport then the CLK is the only option for you.

Owen

AMG_55

get a 210 e55
its faster than a cl55(n/a) and just as fast or faster (depending on source) than a clk55, its luxurious and seats 5 comfortably, it also handles well and is in ur price range

good luck

Chappy

Art,

Neither car is designed to fit three across in the rear.

The CL-Class has always been considered the "flagship" of the Mercedes-Benz line, at least in the coupes. Not only is the CL55 more rare than the CLK55, but has loads of luxurious and technological appointments, ABC (Active Body Control, on the CL) just for starters. Then there are the Active Ventilated Front seats and even have "Dynamic multicontour front seats, with pneumatically adjustable seatbacks and active massage feature."....snipped from the description of the 2001 CL55. It seems MBUSA has taken the MSRP prices off the "Model Overview" pages, but the CL ran at least $40,000 more comparing a 2001 CLK55 (at around $67,400) to the 2001 CL55.


Here's a link to some technical stats on an '02 CL55.

http://www.mbusa.com/pre-owned/2002/...tegory=chassis

As others have mentioned the CL is not nearly as 'sporty' as the W208 (2001-2002) CLK55s and perfomance-wise is not nearly as agile.

The model changes/breakdown between the classes of CL55 and CLK55 are as follows: All of this information comes from MBUSA.com

2001-2002 CLK55 "W208 chassis". 342hp, 376 TQ: 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.
2001-2002 CL55 "W215 chassis". 355 hp, 391 TQ: 0-60 in 5.7 seconds.

(facelift for the CLK55)
2003+ CLK55 "W209 chassis". 362hp, 376 TQ: 0-60 in 5.0 seconds.

2003+ CL55 "W215 chassis". 493hp (supercharged V8), 516 TQ: 0-60 in 4.6 seconds.


If you are trying to stay around $30K, your limited pretty much to the W208 CLK55 at this time. It's a fine choice as I have an '02 and love it! Gotta say though....the CL is one bada$$ ride....it's king of the highway for sure, just not as fun as the CLK on more curvy roads.

Best of luck in your search!

art_z

chappy, thanks for the very detailed answer!

jpog

I like this idea. Didn't think of it myself, but the 210 E55 is a very nice car. Another option is the C32. Gobs of power, easy to mod, and prices are right these days. I, too came from a coupe to a 4 door and have no regrets. I can fit the family in the baby Benz just fine and smoke just about anything on the road.

Good luck.

JPOG

art_z

E55 would be a choice, but I really am not crazy about 4 door cars, especially for a car that I look at as my "sports" car. If I had to do 4 doors, I'd probably lean toward a (don't shoot me please!) BMW M5.

Vomit

IMO, none of the mentioned cars really qualifies as a sports car. They are sporty but, if your highest priority is on having a real sports car, stick with the Porsche and let the kids suffer. A CL will not be much better. . .my 6' tall neighbor had a CL. With his driver seat in a comfortable position, the back of his seat was touching the rear seat. There is no way that anyone could ride back there. IMO, a "family coupe" is a "really bad idea."

I easily fit 3 ten-year-olds in the back of my C32, without them having to do gymnastics to get in, and without 6' me having to eat the steering wheel to accomodate their legs. The 210 E55 would be a great option for you, and you could S/C it later if you wanted more bang.

art_z

I'll admit that getting my two kids (8 and 5) in the back of my 996 is a VERY tight squeeze for all around. I'm 6'3, my wife is 5' 10" and both of my kids are at the top of the chart for their age as far as height goes. I guess its a balancing act. 90% of the time I am the only driver of the car, I guess I need to weigh that with the other 10% of the time and see what makes sense. On one hand, spending the money for a purely "fun" car you want to get something that is purely fun. But then reality starts to smack you around when you realize you've sunk all of this money into a car that you have little practical use for when its required (i.e., when the wife's truck or my DD is in the shop and I need to pick one kid up from soccer, the other from dance, etc etc).

sounds like I've talked myself into buying 2 cars .... LOL!

jpog

Tell me about it. I had a S2000 and a S500, sport and family. Melded the two into a E46 M3. Unreliable, unfortunately, and did prove to be a bit of a pain when hauling my two kids. Ended up trading the M3 for a C55. Better acceleration, great handling, sweet looks, luxurious, and 4 doors. Not too shabby.

Good luck,

JPOG

Mad TKD

Jpog where in HSV do you live. I have never seen any C55s here at all. I just recently bought a 04 E55 silver in color. Maybe I will see you around. I live in HSV also by the way, off of winchester rd past the Flint river.

D

Clk&Slk

[QUOTE=Vomit] A CL will not be much better. . .my 6' tall neighbor had a CL. With his driver seat in a comfortable position, the back of his seat was touching the rear seat. There is no way that anyone could ride back there. IMO, a "family coupe" is a "really bad idea."

I easily fit 3 ten-year-olds in the back of my C32, without them having to do gymnastics to get in, and without 6' me having to eat the steering wheel to accomodate their legs. QUOTE]


Excuse me.........don't give advice on car you don't own. You based all this on your neighbor's car. Have you actually ever driven it? Maybe he like his seat all the way back when he drive like gangster in the rap video. You sure make it sound like the CL interior is smaller then your C32. That's a joke...if you think so. I currently own a CL 55 and CLK, so I know what i'm talking about. I don't own a C-class but i do drive it many time as a loaner when my cars are in for service. The c-class is much smaller. The only thing is better is, it got two extra door in the back for easy getting in and out. But once you close the door, it feel like a tiny box !!

AMG2GO

I lot of people often criticize the CL, never having driven one for any extended length of time. They look at facts and figures but those will never explain this car. It is a killer bargain as a used car.

I have spent a lot of time on both CLK's and CL's, and although I really like the CLK, there really is not much comparison between the two cars. There is a reason why one car costs SO MUCH more money. Until you drive one for an extended period of time, you will not understand. The CL's level of refinement is gobs beyond a CLK's. Its not just electronic features. Its the smoothness and utter silence, the double paned glass, the total lack of vibration and harshness. In a CL you can hardly hear another car pass next to you.

A CL is also a true head turner. It is a rare car, and many people I run into, even in the affluent parts of Boston, have never even seen one! There is definitely more "cache" in a CL.

So if you are debating, I urge you to go and spend some time in a CL, and you will get a better idea.

The problem is the 30K budget, I don't know how you will get into a CL500 for that kind of money, nevermind a CL55. You can get an 00 CL500 in good condition in the 40's now, possibly an 01 as well, but it will be a stretch to get into a CL55.

If you drive a CL your budget may change. I went into a dealer to buy an M5... and drove a used CL500 on the lot. I liked it so much, that I eventually wound up with a CL600 and spent way more than I wanted to, but I am extremely happy. It was worth every penny to me. Unless you go canyon carving, I can guarantee you that you drive one and you will love it.

I remember a while ago I had to make a really fast run some place and I was flying at 2:00 a.m. through turns and off ramps. I was MOVING. The exhaust was roaring (Eisenmann), the V12 was whooshing, the tires were squealing, and inside... you would have thought I was sitting in a library... and if I wanted to hear all the action, all I had to do was roll down a window.

As for rear room, its definitely better than a CLK.. depending on how tall you are... if you don't put the seats all the way back, rear seats are fairly comfortable. The best I have seen in any sports coupe (and I have owned many). Its also luxurious back there. If you have been doing with a 996, the back of a CL will seem like a limo.

If your budget is 100% fixed at 30K then go into a clean CLK. Don't even drive a CL... because if you do, you may start thinking bad thoughts. But take it from a very happy owner... a CL is one kick *** car.

aintME

As I'm sure you know, practical is not and never will be one of the 911's selling points. I don't know how you can squeeze four into your 996 cab; that back seat is a joke. If you are looking for a fun, practical car in the 30-40k range, that seats 5, I vote for the 210 E55, 203 C32, or even the E39 M5 that you mentioned. You might even want to look into an E46 M3

Vomit

Wow, you managed to fit an amazing amount of hypocrisy into one paragraph.

art_z

M3s are everywhere and I'd like as much exclusivity as my $30 or so k allows. I miss the rumble of a nice V8 (had one in my 88 928) so the C32 is probably not on my list. But the E55 is getting tempting the more I think about it

aintME

Hmmm. How about a 202 C43? V8, exclusivity, seats 5, and very reasonably priced. There are less C43s around than there are E55s. If you are so inclined, you could even source a used NA 55 motor and drop it into the C43. Check the C36/C43 forum as there are a couple of members who have done such a swap.

AMG2GO

M3 is also TINY in the back. Art have you driven a CL yet?

jpog

I live in Hampton Cove and have a tech company in Research Park, so I can be found anywhere in between. PM me if you want to get together and talk AMG.

JPOG

AMG_55

e55 is way more car for the $.
plus its faster, roomier, more luxurious and isn't a c class

art_z

I haven't driven any of these yet. I lusted after the CLK when I decided to get the 996 (no regrets there) but I always loved the W208 body style. I'm in no rush to get a car, so I'll take my time, kick some tires, drive as many as I can and see where I end up.

jpog

This continues to perplex me about this MB forum. I came from a S500 to the C55, with a E46 M3 in between. I made a conscious decision to go smaller and sportier from what I had in the S-class. After toying with the BMW, I realized I needed to come back home to MB.

Impressions though, are that MB owners look down their noses at the C-class much more than BMW owners do about the 3-series. On those forums, and in the local BMWCCA, there was much respect for the M3.

On the other hand, I see comments regularly around here implying that the C-class is junk. Typically it's from people who decided to buy something larger for one reason or another. AMG 55, not trying to pick on your quote necessarily, as I've seen so many others.

So what gives?

JPOG