stick///man

Hey all, this is my first thread here. I have a feeling I know where this is going to go, but hey it is good to get all opinions. Here is what is up:

I currently drive a 2003 E46 M3. I absolutely love the car, and it has driven flawless for 94K miles. However, the CLK has been growing on me quite a bit in the last few months. Growing to the point where I was thinking of selling the M and getting the CLK55.

I know the M3 inside and out, but do not know much about the CLK. Could I get some opinions from you all here, for instance why the CLK would be a good pick.

Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Here is my M3.

TheXenochrist

I cant help you with this, but damn that is a nice m3!!

ambit

When I was getting rid of my C-coupe a year ago I looked at 330Ci's and E46 M3's but found them far too common around here. I honestly see 2-4 M3's every single day. Finding an unmolested one in your body style is very difficult as well.

I think if I could have found a nice example I could have been happy with the M3 but that never happened before I found my CLK55. The big MB V8 is very different from the BMW I6 I drove.
Otherwise they're very similar cars.
I'd suggest you go drive one. Any year for the covertible, but you'll want a 2005 or newer coupe for the quad pipes and upgraded brakes

Very clean M3 btw. Do the rear windows roll down? I noticed some of the 3 series coupes do, some don't. I love the pilarless design of the CLK with the windows down.

[edit]
I would also add that the CLK is basically 'dead'. The E-class coupe replaced it and there won't be another one. Any you find are probably going to be out of warranty (there are some small 'known issues' with the 55 AMG engine, nothing serious). I see you do some serious mods and there some out there for the CLK, but nowhere near as much as the 3-series.

I plan on keeping mine for awhile unless I come across a CLK63 Black, otherwise there's nothing else that really interests me like the CLK did before I bought it.

stick///man

Thanks my friend.

stick///man

Thanks for the informative response. I did look at a couple E350's, but they do not seem to have the power I want. Unless I go to the 63, which is honestly out of the price range that I want to spend.

I do like the interior of the CLK better than the M, it seems a little more plush and refined. The M feels like a racecar. I will definitely tryto find one to drive before I buy.

I have done quite a bit of research, seems that folks who have driven both say the BMW is a better handling machine. On the other side, the MB will out motor it without a second thought. I guess what lacks on one makes up on the other.

As far as the 3 series goes, all the windows roll out unless you get a vert (I believe).

559EVO

If your willing to even look at an E350 consider a E550 WITH 382 HP, you can find them for under 25k nowadays. More of a mature but powerfull car with room for 5.

togaclk55

Gotta love the low end torque

Nachtsturm

I loved my M3. I had a 2001 Steel Gray 6-speed manual.

Great car, fast, great mileage, handled great,, visited the shop a couple times but nothing major. The M3 is still one of my favorites that I have owned.

With that said, I like the CLK55 better. My CLK55 IMO is more stunning than my M3, and is just fun as hell to drive. Being bias to the V8, the sound is fantastic, and so is the instant power. Just love this car. So much I am on my second CLK55, and bought a ML55 as a daily driver. This coming from an ex-M guy has to say something.

My M3.


My CLK55

elijah

55 hands down!!
Never been a fan of the E46 but yours is nice...

Kevwood

Day-um Nach, one killer ride to another

discoduck

Wow that's a beautiful M3... Love the CSL Trunk!!

I'm kinda biased as well... So 55

bmstyle

Yeah I say clk. I met up with discoduck yesterday and pix and sound clips don't do cars justice. His car gives you the feel of class, luxury and sounds phenomenal. I was thinking of leaving him stranded and making a quick escape with his car.

BiturboSF

Love the E46 ///M, I still may buy one, just that I'm scared of all the potential problems I might come across with.

The CLK55 will be a better DD with a little more refined interior, low end torque from the V8 vs high revving S54, automatic vs jerky (& problematic) SMG. The CLK is more of a German muscle car if you think about it when compared to a E46 M which is more race car like with the fantastic handling & high revving engine it has. You would have to sacrifice the M3's handling though. Me personally, I like to experience all the worthy cars from imports, to muscle & euro. Especially now that you can pick up a W209 CLK55 for around $15-20k, if you don't like it you can just sell it back out

Nachtsturm

Thanks, however the M3 was 11 years ago. That is a pic of my 2001 M3 in 2001. About 30 cars separate that M3 and my current CLK55.

OP, just realized your in my neck of the woods. I'll keep an eye out for your car.

stick///man

Wow, thanks for all the input guys. I also appreciate all the compliments on my M3. It has been my baby, as I have put quite a bit of time and money into it.

I also appreciate the honesty in the answers. Most BMW guys would shun the Benz, because they are die hard BMW guys. You all seem to have the respect for it, but in the same are loyal to your machines.

Well, I found an '05 and I am going to drive it tomorrow after work. We shall see how it goes. It is a silver one, and I really want black. However at least I will know what I am getting into. I also like red but only found 1, on ebay. I am not big into buying sight unseen so I believe that will be out of the question. Guess if I do go this route, I can always sell the M outright, and fly wherever to get it.

Again, thanks for all the advice and please do not hesitate to leave more.

PS, most I am finding are in the 60-80K mile range. Anything to specifically watch for with this amount of miles. Most MB guys use to say they weren't even broken in until 100K. I think it was mentioned above, most e46 M3's you find now are ragged. I do not want to sell this one I have taken care of to get a ragged out vehicle.

stick///man

Haha, I sure am. If I find one I might need to hit you up to check it out with me. This will be my first MB.

kbahl21

sick m3, i like the way you went about modding it, its a real clean look.

A CLK55 would be a great buy, especially if you can find an 05 with the quad tip exhaust or an 06 with the newer taillights. Or you can always look into an 07+ clk550

stick///man

Thanks for the compliment. I am looking at a bunch. Seems these are a little harder to find than I thought.

Nachtsturm

Yah not a problem, just shoot me a PM when you want to check it out.

BTW, the 05's are the cream of the crop when it comes to W209 CLK55's. Many upgrades. And only 247 were made.

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk55-amg...n-04-05-a.html

Follow the link in that thread, it will list all the differnces for the 05.

stick///man

One other question, Is the CLK500 in any way similar to the CLK55 AMG?

Nachtsturm

Go for the CLK55, I'm sure I will get some hate from Kev, but if my car was a CLK500, I would not have bought it.

Night and day power difference. on the plus side, up keep is not as bad.

Kevwood

No hate dude, remember, the CLK55 is not available here, only the 500's. And besides, my old, slow, underpowered, non AMG would rape yours

J/k, everyone here knows that if I ever find a '05 CLK55 white on black I will have it on a boat bound for Dubai in a heartbeat and swap everything from my 500 over to it.

Moedy

That red one from florida is nice. If I was to buy a clk sight unseen it would be that one. The leather seats look untouched and the mileage is super low. Just by seeing pics of that car online you can tell it was well kept. That car is clean clean clean. Looks as though they want to let it go for above bluebook value

stick///man

Found a white one with 67K on it!!!

kbahl21

get white!!