Hey guys, I own 01 GS430 with 100k miles and thinking of selling it and getting 2003 C32, CLK55 or E500. I know BMW and MB have more problems then Lexus is what I hear from friends. But I love the style of the new E-class and always loved the quality of materials they use inside. My family owned 96 S500, damn I loved that car, it was built and felt like a tank, new S class is amazing and the previous model is great, but not like the 96 model, they got more buttons but not as solid as the older S class. Anyway, getting off topic here, nothing beats the sound of german car doors like MB or BMW espacially, make when they close!! I owned 3 Acuras, 2 Maximas, BMW 323i was my car before my GS. And nothing drove and felt better then german car and the way it was made. I got the Lexus for the reliability factor, but I have little ennoying problems with it, that seems not go away, thats another story. The GS is fast, but feels like a boat on the road. The way its made is ok, but not like MB or BMW quality of materials used, I am not that impressed tell you the truth. I am getting Tein CS coilovers and replacing bushings now with Daizen to stiffen up the suspension. If this will not satisfy me, I will sell all the parts and the car.

I was thinking of getting Silver 2003 C32, CLK55 or E500 with 35k miles (BMW M3 or 745i are a bit more, but I never own the MB cars, so I want give them a try). I think E-class looks better then CLK, but CLK is still very beautiful but does not look as aggressive as the older model. How is that year for these cars.? That was the first year for the E-class. What problems I should be expecting? I need some feedback from current owners of these cars. How reliable are they?

 

I think you should go with the E500, I would also say the '03 CLK55 but, im not so sure of that year, it was pretty much the w209's comming in that year...

 

It really depends on what you need in a car. If you need a roomier vehicle, then the E500. The C32 would be the easiest of the three to modify, if that is what you plan, and can seat 5 as well. As for the CLK, they are nice looking cars and the 55 is no slouch. You really can't go wrong with any of them, but be sure to thoroughly test each one out.

 

what about reliability for all 3 cars? How about suspension mods, what do they need to handle like M3, CLK55 and C32 I mean? I think clk55 would be the hardest to find to..

 

The 500 series motor is very solid, so are the handbuilt AMG motors. You can tune them to easily outrun an M3, but handling wise will be tough - you should consider Porsche if you want to outhandle M3's.

 

how about everything else besides the motor, tranny, electrical problems, etc.. No, I am not trying to outhandle M3, just want to getr close to handle like it.. Is there any mods fro suspension outhere to do so?

 

you stated that your G430 felt like a tank........the CLK55 is a heavy car....so are the E series.

the most nimble car out of the 3 you mentioned would be the C32, however, it is also the least roomiest of the 3.

Either way, hopefully you end up with any of the 3 cars you mentioned!

GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

lexus did heir suspension geared towards soft floaty disconnected from the road luxury ride.. BMW and MB are more sportier and stiffer stock and geared sport/luxury where is Lexus is also in same category but is more luxury and fast off the line but not handling and road feel, that was always their flaud. that is why there is so many aftermarket mods for the GS outhere.. there are people on clublexus forum which I belong too, that have moded their cars to outhandle M5's and faster then M5's with turbo upgrades for $9k.. The GS has a lot of of thing you can upgrade, but I just don't have time or money to throw away on these suspension mods.. Soif I get AMG benz I would just get wheels and lower it, because even CLK55 or E55 are high of the ground stock..

 

Unfortunately your answers don't really lie here.....they lie in the test drive. Only then will you truly know which car is for you. But just in case, I say go for the AMG. They rock!

 

c32 - good perfomer but it'll feel smaller to you since you have a gs

clk55 - coupe

e500 - i think would be a good choice for you

but damn you got a ****load of miles on an 01

 

E500 feel like a ship
C32's are just a fun little AMG
CLK55s are big and strong


go for the 32

 

I love the clk55. E is definetly is a very classy car, but way too heavy and there is almost no steering response. I probably would love to have a e500 or 55 for my daily drive but I would rather have clk to go out at night in town even though it has much less hp it feels sportier.

Then again it is my $0.02 . I go and test drive cars just for the sake of it, you shoudl do it.

 

Why Mercedes? Why not Audi or BMW? Just curious.

Because if you're looking for more sport than luxury, Mercedes is closer to the Lexus (luxury) end of the spectrum.

If you're like me, you are drawn to Merc because of the seductive styling...for that I can't blame you.

Get a CLS and call it a day...

 

I would get CLS, but its too expensive, I want to stay $30k-35k range. I drove 03 E500 sport w/ 12k miles. It was ok, steering feld diconnected from the road, it was not as smooth tranny wise shifting gears and not as fast as my GS. The fit and finish materials in it are supurb and a lot nicer then GS (06 GS is close to MB though, just test drove that too, it was very simular to my GS feel though), but e500 feld richer while driving, it feld heavy in a good way but suspension wise feld like my GS after I upgraded bushings on my GS and coilover Tein CS suspension. After all I did to my Lexus, still feels heavy and there is body lean. I just realized that nothing would feel like a BMW on the road, just nothing. E500 shifted through gears alot rougher then my GS also.. S, CL, and Sl classes is what makes the benz in my opinion. Yesterday I found 03 CLK55 AMG with 26k miles, Silver/black w/ NAV.. It was sitting on the lot of this used car dealer right next to 01 M3 slver/black w/NAV and it manual. And there was 05 C230 Sport in white next to them also. CLK is the most expensive fastest car out of 3 and looked least sportier and agressive!! This CLK just doesn't do it for me. M3 looks so agressive and looks like its got *****, as I stated before previous CLK looked beafier and more agressive then this new body style. So, I went for test drive on the CLK55. Steering felt very light even compared to my GS. Take off was fast!! It is a very fast car, but it was so loud, so unMercedes like, I guess thats the only way to achieve this HP. On the road it feld more composed then my GS but very simular to E500, they both felt like they handle the same and same as my modified GS. The inside was nice, but not as nice as E500, it is like C-class what it is based on. So, for speed, it is a fast car. But C32 looks more aggressive then CLK, but very simular look to c230 sport on the road, it does not stand out like M3 does, lets say.. If I had the money I would get CLS500 or 55, or E55. If I had more money the new S550 with AMG package in silver looks insane in and out, or SL550 or 55. But I don't know about the 3 I started this thread for. My friend in NJ bought 2002 C32, had it few month and wants to sell it already. Said, yes it is a fast car and he bean M3's on the road a few times, but it just does not handle or feel as good on the road as his previous 330ci. I will look towards 2002-2003 M3 I think with 30-40k miles. This are my impressions guys.. Sorry for long one.. lol

 

If you want a quiet, gutsy Benz, I think it'd have to be a CL600 with the Twin Turbo V12, Airmatic suspension etc. That's fast and quiet - but probably still above $50k for a decent one.

I never drove a W209 CLK55, but my W208 55's steering is fairly heavy for a new-ish Benz. Kind of funny because I've never driven anything else of the same size that's got a tighter turning radius than this car. Handy for making U-turns for parking spots in Boston

Looks like the Benz isn't to your liking? Check out the new BMW 335i. I saw one over the weekend and I think I want one next year... it looks super sweeet! Can't wait to see what the next M3's gonna look like. a V-8 powered M3 Nice...

 

Go with the AMG (C32 or CLK55)