Ive been contemplating this question for a good 2 years now....and I cant make up my mind. I ultimately understand that the decision is only up to me, but I need some opinions, with good reasoning.

My problem...

Im in the market for a new car

Choices E46 M3/2003 CLK 55

THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS TO GO FOR EITHER ONE.

Im a die hard Mercedes lover....but the E46 M3 is one of the only BMW worth the money IMO

Anyone with both these cars or experiences with each please leave some feedback so I can sway my decision in the right direction.

Thanks to all in advance

Just so confused.......

 

My irrelevant input:

The E92 335i.

 

What are you coming out of? A W210 E320?

 

This is easy.

Both are great cars.

If you want an automatic buy the CLK55.

If you want to row your own gears, then buy the M3.

 

I agree, get the 335i.

 

yeh, i dont want to trade it in either

and as far as transmission goes im gonna opt for an SMG M3, no stick


The E92 is just not that attractive of a car IMPO, but it sure is fast.. Id just rather own something from the powerplant of these German engineers

an M or an AMG

keep up this discussion people, I need it for my decision

 

I gave Marcellus Wallace a call . . . . .

 

I was looking at both cars before I decided on the CLK55. Main reason I went with the CLK55 over the M3 is because of the new M3 coming out soon, and then the old one will start to look outdated (altough I think it still looks great). The other reason (pretty much equal to the first one) is the power of the CLK55 AMG.

 

CLK 55 has much more power of the bat, and you can really feel the TQ. M3 takes a bit to climb through RPMs before you can start to feel the power. In the power category the CLK55 takes the cake.
As for everything else in a stock form I have to hand it of to the E46 M3. It is cheaper, it handles better, it puts the power to the pavement better, it doesn't feel as loose as the W209, and it is the best looking BMW. I even like the looks of the E46 M3 better than the CLK55. Plus you can get it in stick and the SMG is still fun to drive.
I'd go with the M3... for fun, with the CLK55 to have a more expensive car to impress people with.
Man... I sound like a total traiter now... but what can I say, I love that car.

 

Since you're not wanting a stick, get the CLK.

As Marcellas Wallace put it so nicely, I'd wait for the CLK63 Black Series

 

get the clk

m3's w/ smg arent really m3s

smg is gay

only posers buy sports cars w/o a clutch


my brother has a e46 m smg and i had a clk55 (03)

99% of the time the clk is better/more useful......... but that 1%

 

Ok, I have seen this mentioned a few times on this forum already, but what in the hell is the BLACK series?

 

Look here...

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...k+black+series

 

Ok... but the SLK55 Black is over $70K. How much do you think the CLK63 Black will be? I believe way outside the price range of the vehicles he is speaking of. It will easily be a $120K+ car. Not a in a same category of cars or price as CLK55 or E46 M3.

 

A normal SLK55 can go higher than 70k. The black series is over 120k and it isn't coming to the states.

Is the 2003 the old body style or the new? I never liked the new one ... so if its the old one ... supercharge it!

 

Absolutely true on the cost disparity. However, since he has not mentioned a budget and has been agonizing over this decision for 2 years (and probably banked some real $$)....who knows? It might not be outta reach.

I stand by my suggestion of the CLK55, over the M3 since no stick is desired.

 

+1

 

I have driven both cars, and i have driven the M3 -manual/SMG. But i have to agree with others on this forum that if u get an M3 u should get Manual, that is where all the fun is in that car.

First M3, it is an amazing car, has a lot of power, and can handle like a dream. it easy to be modified and lot more ppl have played with M3's.

CLK55, on the other hand is an amazing car too, it is more powerful then the M3 and i think it can attract more attention then the M3. + its a little more rare. in my opinion u just get more for the buck with a benz. Its just the little things that u miss when u come from a benz to a BMW.

either way u go u cant make a bad decision. if i had the choice i would go with the CLK55 just because i think its a superior car.

good luck with the hunt.

 

Hi, I am new to this forum. I have been browsing a while and I am in the market for a w209 clk55 convert. I came across a 2004 clk55 convert 60k. miles and loaded for $37,900. I ran a car fax on it and came up clean except for a minor accident which only the decklid and rear fender was replaced no big deal. Rite now the car is at memphis mercedes getting a pre-purchased inspection. I live in N.Y. and the car is in Tenesee at a pre-ownded dealership. If I was to purchase the car I would have it shipped and never see it in person therefor I am gettin the pre-purchase inspection. Am I doing the right thing. What else are things I can look for before I go ahead with the deal I do not want to get screwed as I never purchased a car via internet. Also I was getting an extended warranty via a third party company. Is that a waiste if there is a problem with the car am I going to pay a ***** load of money to fix. Also my price range is 30k-40k so I am limited for converts....

(Go ahead and buy???? Still look around?????)

thanks every one




P.S. I HAD DIFFICULT TO MAKE A NEW THREAD. WOULD NOT LET ME

 

the car looks good. but i dont know much about CLK55 to tell u what else too look for, but are u able to get the warranty by mercedes or do u have to settle for a third party?

 

I had to make a similar decision...

Between the M3 and the AMG (whether it be C55 or CLK55), I felt the AMG was a better everyday car that you can easily drive without any problem, but also ready to smoke some jac@ss on the streets with relative ease. The M3 is a great car no doubt, but its advantage "in the twisties!" is really lost when you are going to be using the car more as a DD on the road.

 

I would be getting a third party warranty. thanks for the reply

 

thank you everyone for ur responses, it is aiding me in my decision...im looking forward to my purchase, now for a trip to the dealer

and as for smg....i really dont enjoy stick as a DD

i just think the M3 is the only bmw worth purchasing, maybe one day, both

 

are you stupid???????????
have you guys lost your mind???????????????????????

CLK55 ///AMG 70+ thousand dollar car brand new
M3 50+ thousand dollar car brand new

CLK is SO RARE, i see M3 everyday

CLK is more LUXURIOUS than an M3
matter fact any mercedes is more luxury than BMW

you guys are retarded, unless you want to race everyday, every minute of you in the car, get a M3 but still, CLK55 is so much better

you guys are retarded, any girl or guy would like the more expensive car better

i know M3 handles crazy, but you guys are retarded,
you compared the best 3 series with the best CLK

next time compare the best 3 with the best C
morons

a clk is an E class coupe, sure it uses the C class bottom frame, but its the E class's sister so it has more technology than C. clk costs just behind an Eclass

i'm ashamed of you MB lovers.
hahaha M3??? such a cheap car to me. matter fact i burned plenty of these
and thats bragging rights.

what a ridiculous question.

and smart girls would like the mercedes better than the bmw, b/c it costs a lot more in every single comparable category

and if you still haven't made up your dumb mind, the CLK has 4 windows!!!
not 2 like the BMW M coupe

the back windows in the CLK come down, and there is no B pillar between the front and rear, so when all the windows are down, ITS ONE BIG *** WINDOW
BAMM, CLEANNNNNN
V8 amg
or V6 M

BMW prolly has better fuel mileage, but who cares.

rappers mention mercedes a lot more than bmw
everyone who loves cars, knows mercedes costs more than bmws
S430 costs more than 750li
my clk55 didn't come with xenons???? b/c mercedes is expensive
BALLINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

 

are you stupid???????????
have you guys lost your mind???????????????????????

CLK55 ///AMG 70+ thousand dollar car brand new
M3 50+ thousand dollar car brand new

CLK is SO RARE, i see M3 everyday

CLK is more LUXURIOUS than an M3
matter fact any mercedes is more luxury than BMW

you guys are retarded, unless you want to race everyday, every minute of you in the car, get a M3 but still, CLK55 is so much better

you guys are retarded, any girl or guy would like the more expensive car better

i know M3 handles crazy, but you guys are retarded,
you compared the best 3 series with the best CLK

next time compare the best 3 with the best C
morons

a clk is an E class coupe, sure it uses the C class bottom frame, but its the E class's sister so it has more technology than C. clk costs just behind an Eclass

i'm ashamed of you MB lovers.
hahaha M3??? such a cheap car to me. matter fact i burned plenty of these
and thats bragging rights.

what a ridiculous question.

and smart girls would like the mercedes better than the bmw, b/c it costs a lot more in every single comparable category

and if you still haven't made up your dumb mind, the CLK has 4 windows!!!
not 2 like the BMW M coupe

the back windows in the CLK come down, and there is no B pillar between the front and rear, so when all the windows are down, ITS ONE BIG *** WINDOW
BAMM, CLEANNNNNN
V8 amg
or V6 M

BMW prolly has better fuel mileage, but who cares.

rappers mention mercedes a lot more than bmw
everyone who loves cars, knows mercedes costs more than bmws
S430 costs more than 750li
my clk55 didn't come with xenons???? b/c mercedes is expensive
BALLINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

oh yeah CLK has highest residual value in its class,

only thing i tell you, get a warranty, mercedes are more unreliable than bmw, and the 03 clk needs a new radiator or your tranny gets messed up like mine, so make sure you get warranty, and go thru mercedes for the warranty, believe me, outside aftermarket warranties suck!! they only pay for certain hours (suggested retail pricing) but the warranty mercedes offers is also aftermarket, but it won't be annoying as other companies.