FWIW I've loved my 208 as a DD. I never intended it to be, but it has been pretty reliable throughout. I've had to replace a number of things from water pump, to front bearings, and other regular wear items. Working on it isn't always easy per se, but doable for the average car nut.

I can eke out 17 MPG around town if I want, and have run a 13.1@108 bone stock at the track. Left alone these cars are very adequate for me. On long trips the seats are a tad firm for my liking, but I'm a scrawny little ******* so nothing short of an S class will keep me comfy.

 

FYI, that is for 2002 C32's only and camshafts were updated after 2002. The issue occurs mainly in highly modified engines, but my 2002 hasn't had that issue yet. I'm at 160k miles with a pulley, intake, and headers, and my engine has been running strong. Take in mind that the m112 and m113 are basically the same engine, but the m113 has two extra cylinders. The SLR uses an m113k, which is a supercharged m113 with lower compression.

I would recommend the 03-04 C32 over the 03-04 CLK55 if you would like to modify on a budget. With a pulley, intake, and ecu tuning you could have a mid 12 second car and it would all cost you probably $1k. Add some headers and you could be even faster. Go for a 2003-2004 C32 since there will be less potential problems and you can get bixenons as well.

I do all the work on my car and the only issues that I have had that were C32 specific were the intercooler pump which is an easy DIY and cost less than $100 and replacing the supercharger pulley bearing which is about $50 easy DIY.

All the other problems I have had were common maintenance and problems that all mercedes engines have. These are the issues that I have fixed or done myself tranny pilot bushing leak, power steering leak and rebuild, oil changes, tranny fluid flush, brake change and brake fluid flush, coolant flush, differential fluid change, spark plug and wire change, front shocks and springs, serpentine belt, header install, pulley install, bixenon install, h/e install, interccooler pump install, supercharger pulley bearing install, pogo door lock fix, aftermarket stereo install, cps, and oil cooler/oil filter seal replacement,

I also own and maintain a C55 for my wife and the only issues the car has had is the CPS, but we've only owned it for a year or so and it had warranty prior to the CPS issue. I've owned the C32 for about 6 years and it has 60k miles more than the C55.

The C32 is reliable and affordable especially if you do your own work. I would call my car a money pit too if I had to have someone do the work for me. The stealership and even indys are expensive when they do the work for you. Parts are cheap if you get them online and not from the dealer. The dealer will rob you blind, they wanted to charge me $30 for a gallon of coolant when I could get it for around $10-15 else where.

 

M113 engine for sure! I had a c32, and own a w209 clk55, which made me get the c55

 

My vote goes to the C32. Nice E36 btw. C32's have been tuned for a decade now and reliability has never been a main issue of the car.

 

The daily driver needs moderate perfomance and comfort. I drove a W124 diesel wagon for 10 years. It is the ultimate driving machine. The CLK55 by comparison has a stout race suspension that yields to nothing other than comfort. The CLK55 is a street leagle racing machine which takes much attention to make daily commuting a task. I love to drive and enjoy the extra suspension and speed.
The CLK32 might not have as harsh of a ride as the CLK55 though.
You gotta justify your priorities.

 

Clk55 is not harsh in my book. Try a pp c63 for harsh!!!!

Gl w purchase.

 

In almost all scenarios I would pick the CLK in a comparison test. Just my completely unbiased opinion .
But for a daily driver, I think my vote would go for the C32 and here is why:
1. Four doors just seem to be very useful in the day to day.
2. Loading, unloading
3. Bringing people along (carpooling)
4. Doesn't look like a speedster. I feel like cops tend to grab people that look like they're going fast when they're not. And since you are going to be on the road a ton, I'd factor that in.
Depending what your business is or how many friends tag along, C32 seems to take the cake on versatility. But since you have two "toy cars" now and history of modding, be careful with the C32.
I really wouldn't look at comparing performance between the two. They're both AMGs, you're good in that department. Just don't forget you're buying a DD.