Jeff E39

Right now Im in between an 04 e46 M3 Cab or an o4 Clk55 coupe. I have never onwed a Mercedes and really dont know what they are all about. I have been in the BMW scene for a while and part of me wants to stay in it. However the CLK always intriqued me and the 55 AMG is one sweet ride. What do all you 55 owners have to say?

thx

CZ55

It depends where you live, and what your other cars are. If you live in california where there are 300 sunny days a convertible is a better choice. Other than that clk55 is faster than a m3 coupe (so more faster than a m3 conv. ) on the straight line. I own a clk55 and I have driven a m3 smg. Smg shifts gears like someone is kicking the car from the back and I didn't like that. Clk is much more comfortable and easy to drive, even my mom easily drives it. also clk's engine sound is very deep and better than m3.

rsr911

M3 is a fizzy high strung sports coupe. The CLK55 is a muscle car that is a comfortable GT car that can handle and stop. Two very different cars! Both are excellent in their own right. Depends on what you want and what sings to you. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Just depends on what you prefer.

Chappy

Both are nice.....but the 55 has that sweet V8 rumble.

brabusw209amg

i chose the 55 over the m3. test drove the m3 and did not like it. wasnt quick enough for me. the clk55 wasnt that quick for me but it has the torque. i came over from a heavily modded evo so the m3 felt like a turtle. i can wait to test the new m3 though.

spr

almost bought an m3 a while back when I wanted all out performance so I'd sacrifice. I drove a 996 c2 and never thought about the m3 again. I made it a race car and after law school was tired of the sacrifice so went back to AMG, you can drive it everyday without really complaining that you don't like something (other than the climate control)

AMGOODNESS

i went through this myself about six months ago. here are the questions i asked myself:

Do I want a V-8 or straight six?
Do I want the ultimate handling car or good driving car that has kick *** performance?
How important is torque?

Both are beautiful cars. They both come in nice colors, are stylish, comfortable, and expensive to maintain. I wanted a V-8, I added some coilovers to step up the handling, and the AMG actually has a little more interior room in my opinion. I felt like the M3's engine was wound up at its limit to deliver the 300+ number. The AMG feels comfotable, redline is reasonable, and the power is there waiting on you. I get lots of looks and lots of complements. After a little exhaust work the car sounds amazing. The M3 can never deliver German V-8 rumble, unless you buy a brand new one.

blackbenzz

Depends on what you want out of the car.

LBZ55

there's nothing like this handbuilt German V8.. the torque is exhilerating the sound is intoxicating.. the suspension is taught yet forgiving.. fit and finish are superior to the BMW's (interior especially)..everyday hot rod with the CLK 55.. no doubt..

da_guitarist

just got a 55, and i'm diggin the rumble and the torque. it's a sweet ride. i like m3's but haven't driven one...

+1 for V8 rumble!

ViKTORiOUS

so you totaled the boxster eh jeff?

Hehao

ive owned both of them, i prefer

how old are you , you might consider that m3s are usually for younger people,

also I think mercedes are more prestigious, the performance is similar, the interior is nicer for clk

m3 drives more agressive

UltimateSpizort

I currently own an '04 M3 Cab and a '03 CLK55 coupe. I am selling the M3. No doubt I loved the M3 and I WILL miss the droptop, however the CLK55 is a real muscle car. Much better sound and amazing power...not ever close. And now that I am 40 (!) it fits me better...a gentleman's car that will leave a burnout half a block (see my new post!). I am putting 19in wheels on the CLK today...same size set up as the M3, so it will be interesting to see how it rides after that...it is MUCH softer now but still pretty nicely controlled.
I agree with the others, it may depend on your age, but if you want a torque monster, go with AMG!

Jeff E39

i spun out, the bodyshop on a test run after it was fixed somehow hit a tree
TRUE STORY



The two cars you have are the exact years and bodystyles im looking atlol. Well I am younger and I will agree younger people prefer the M3. IDK I kind of want something different I feel everyone has an M3 these days. Im gonna drive both again and go from there. thx for the input

sick430

bro i was in the same boat as you i love the m3 but it just gets kind off old fast. i had my friends for about two weeks while he was away. at first i loved it dont get me wrong great car i would still lick one but as a daily nothing like a 55. i am trading my 430 cab for a 55 right now as i could not find what i wanted when i bought mine originaly.

Liran

xlr8tin

I would have to agree with most. There's nothing like the AMG rumble. They are great cars. And there are plenty of good people on here to help out with anything.

Carl Lassiter

Apart from the prestigiousness comment (very similar imo), I would say this is a good answer. M3s suit 25 year olds much better than 35 year olds.

clk22

im 22 with a 03 clk55 and i love it chose it over the M3. The M3 just didnt have the torque and power of the AMG. Plus the interior is a lot nice in my opinion.

DBLNICKL

AMG all day...i'm 26 now and have had my 03' since june 05, and wouldnt think about switching up for a M3...i dont think it's an age thing really, it's more so what u want and expect from the vehicle like others have been saying...if u wanna stomp the gas and get low, go AMG, if u wanna worry about "the twisties" then get an M3...besides that, the pillarless look is just phuccin sexy! lol

150shot

good one. both nice in their own ways.

Hehao

Jeff, I prefer the clk 55,

you consider that the m3 is a manual car (unless you are getting an smg).

The clk 55 has the touch shift and also a sports mode and manual mode at a press of the button.

So are you stopping in traffic alot? manual is a nightmare.

On the road I certianly see more m3s and much less Clk 55 amgs, not sure what its like in america.

In terms of the clk, alot of the new clks made in 2006 have the amg sports bodykit on it, but no dual exahust.

m3s I guess the m3 front bumper is different from the "m-tech bumpers" .

So in terms of looks you do get those newer clks looking like an amg, but a closer look you can tell, the m3 front bumper is different os its more distuiguished.

Your looking at

m3 - agressive , young sporty ,
55 amg- comfort grand tourer, big v8 engine.

I can say I honestly feel much more comfort, if you are driving this car everyday its one of those things you have to consider.

Jons95c36amg

Nobody mentioned the 02-04 m3s weak engines.

SteveHI

I recently picked up an 04 CLK55, and drove a number of E46 M3s before finding my E39 M5 a couple of years ago. IMO, the two major differences in the character of the CLK55 and M3 are:

1. The CLK55 has a huge torque advantage (its displacement is nearly 70% larger).
2. The E46 M3 is a true drivers' car with sharper handling and better overall driving dynamics (i.e., steering and braking response/feel).

The CLK55 is a really fast GT, while the M3 has more track-ready characteristics. IMO, both are excellent choices (although personally I'm not a fan of cabs).

Good luck!

AlpineM3Vert

Hey...I have an M3 (I am sure that is obvious given my sig name) and I also have a ML 550 which I traded my x5 (v8) to get. Im younger as well, but I can say that the M3 is a acquired taste and it really depends on individual taste. I personally cannot have a sports car without 3 pedals...I picked the M3 for that reason alone. I would take an M3 over the CLK AMG Black series (which is an awesome car) because the AMG Black lacks the 3 pedals. However, if one does not mind the auto tranny (I too hate SMG and would never get one) then the CLK 55 is much more of a GT car and is much easier to drive on a daily basis. The M3 is HARD.....and LOUD. I like it...but admit that my personal max is 2 hours and then I have to get out of it or Ill go mad. This is why I like the ML550...its a easygoing car for when I am taking long trips. If you drive the M3 long distances it will wear you out and that is why many older people hate it. If you drive mostly local and are not worried about long trips then its a hoot to drive and reasonably quick. Also keep in mind that the M3 has shown itself to be reasonably reliable and it will likely age better than the CLK 55 in terms of repair costs. Enjoy whichever one you choose. FYI...Steve has it the nail on the head with his comparison of the two cars.

Chappy

Sorry bro....you lost me after making that statement.

Why not just get a Porsche if you want a sports car?