I currently own a 00 430. I was thinking about selling it, or trading it in for an 02 M3. But i hear some people on this board have seen CLK55's selling in the low $50K range?? Anyone know one in particular in the new york area.
I am also looking for an unbiased opinion. New M3 or a used CLK55? What would you guys recommend doing?

Dpends on your pocket book. CLK is considerably more.

Edmunds lists NEW - w/o Options - 2002 CLK55 AMG for TMV @ $73,525 - almost $4,000 over MSRP!!

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2002/merc...5a/prices.html

I realize that you are looking for a used CLK55. Good luck with a good price & happy hunting!

I drove a new M3 cab that arrived at my dealership in January. The next day I bought the CLK 55 cab.
I thought the MB was worth the extra money; both are fantastic rides in coupe or cabriolet form, but I encourage anyone to test drive both before buying. In particular, I preferred the CLK's exterior styling, the interior comfort, the torque of the 5.5L V-8, and the handling. I did not care for the SMG transmission, personally.
Finally, on Roadfly's bimmer board, I kept seeing a lot of major service concerns on the M3 concerning the differential. I've really been happy with the 55 since January and now have about 1,500 miles on it. Waiting for the upper midwest to thaw so I can put the top down. Just my two cents; obviously deciding between them is a nice problem to have.

Edmonds is full of crap. I saw a CLK55 coupe in the paper on Sunday for $58 or $59k... with only 4500miles on it! The guy will be lucky to get $57k.

If you want a stick get the M3, if you don't get the CLK. I think the M3 would be more fun to drive, but the quality and exclusivity is lacking in a BMW 3 series, no matter what M owners say, they all look alike to most -- and so do the CLKs, it's just that the CLKs look better to begin with.

I agree to a certain degree with hmrdwn's comments regarding CLK55 pricing. From what I can glean from prices I've seen nationwide,(autoweek, Hemmings, etc.)asking prices range from a low of $59,000 in the midwest and east coast to a high range of $64,000- $68,000 on the west coast. (especially in the S.F. bay area) These are prices for '01 cars with less than 15,000 miles and most without Command. New cars in dealer stock(production for '02 ceased in January,btw) here in my neck of the woods are still going for MSRP; not a penny less. I guess we're overly indulgent with our misguided priorities out here ....Though we're used to paying $500k+ for 1400 square foot, 70 year old "fixer" homes in questionable neighborhoods, so I presume relativity applies in this case. So, Mark...Keep your search in the "right half" of the country. No deals out my way.....

I was stunned at the deal I got on the 55 cab, but I guess they don't move many convertibles in the middle of the week in the middle of January in Sioux Falls, SD. Car stickered at $82k (no command, but CD/phone) and paid $76k. So I think the geography and the timing had an impact. But then again, who wants to live here, even if $500k buys a ten year old home with 4,500 square feet on two acres (and frozen pipes in the basement bath)? But without my job, I wouldn't be buying 55 cabs!

I picked up a used 2001 clk55 a few weeks ago. It had 7000 miles and phone option (no navigation) and clean title history for $56,000. I am in the midwest but shopped nationwide. There is no reason you can not find a clean nearly new 55 for mid $50's. I had several to choose from.

"Greeeeeen acres is the place to be; faaarrrrm livin' is the life for me! Land spreadin' out so far and wide, keep (Manhattan, SF., LA, etc...) just give the countryside!" Sorry, I just couldn't resist the temptation to trip down memory lane with Zsa Zsa and Eddie when you mentioned ACREAGE AND FOOTAGE for my $$$.....Hell, I'll take frozen pipes and shovelin' snow for my half a mil over watchin' the natives burnin' Christmas trees for entertainment in the courtyard of the housing project behind my friends $800K Victorian duplex... At least your Cab is safe and sound in your front yard! Sign me up!!

That show was actually filmed a mile and a half from my subdivision, Hooterville Estates. And I smell Arnold the Pig's distant relatives at the hog lot every afternoon on my drive home. One good reason to keep the top up. Just kidding, of course. Ah, the tradeoffs we make in life with a free will.

Hey listen...everyone should get this straight.

A BMW is a poor man's BENZ !!!!!!!

cmon you guys... there's no comparison !!!!!!!!

Well,

You asked for unbiased opinion so here it is. I purchased a new BMW M3 and waited for 4 months no 6 no 8 all in all it came too 10 months. I drove the care for two days and the SMG wasn't a big hit with me, the interior is sparse at best felt like a high end Corvette interior. The handling was great, power was adequate but wasn't thro you back in the seat and hang on kinda torque. I paid full sticker for the car 53,400 because I ordered it. I took it back to the dealer and told them I wasn't happy with it and got my 2001 CLK55 with 17,000 miles and no nav but phone and cd changer for $52,000. I haven't looked back since and I just love the car every day I don't drive it I feel like I've missed out .

Both are good cars but I think the MB is by far the better choice especially when the used price is equal to a new one or less nowdays.

Good Luck and Happy hunting ; BTW there are 41 01 CLK55's on the dupontregistry w/s right now; some with little to almost no miles.

1. CLK55 is a new model , so everything comes with it will be more advanced than the CLK430. If you do get a used CLK55, be aware to investigate why someone wants to sell it while the CLK55 is probably only a year+ old.

2. M3 belongs to the 3 series , which is a fading out model. So don't pay for a current model 'new' M3 now, as the new generation of M3 will be a V8, and you will lose a lot for paying a new M3 now.

Just my two cents, I am sure you can sort out the personal taste and technical differences.

cnt

... and 2 1/2 years later:

2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG 2 Dr STD Coupe

Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $47,653 $50,074 $54,109
Optional Equipment $1,363 $1,439 $1,739
Navigation System $1,070 $1,129 $1,365
Compact Disc Changer $293 $310 $374
Color Adjustment Silver $168 $177 $191
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 33140 $-58 $-61 $-66
Mileage Adjustment
35,000 miles $-1,106 $-1,106 $-1,106
Condition Adj.: Outstanding $1,503 $1,499 $1,660
Total $49,523 $52,022 $56,527

Certified Used Vehicle $57,977

That's actually better than I thought!

Well - I am good till Oct. 2007 and then... the new CL?

Welcome back man...post pics ASAP

Yes.....welcome back, Karl.....been a while

"The 208 CLK55 AMG Coupe is the best car ever produced since Karl Benz
patented the world's first motorcar in 1886, registered his patent DRP
37435, which is considered as the official birth certificate of the first motor
car!"

I picked up my 01 CLK 55 coupe for $46k last year with only 12k miles. Deals are out there if you look and have patience! Traded in a 91 DINAN M5 (my first really nice car) and have sort of missed it ever since. But it wasn't near the car the CLK is!!! What a BRUTE!

Great to be back! That is a great quote Chappy and Stiggs.

Well, I got involved in digital photography and have been shooting all over S. Florida. Was asked to teach, -- and I am teaching beginners -, intermediate - and advanced photography via powerpoint modules, which I designed/developed and digital studio workflow...

At any rate Karl Benz had vision, enough for us to enjoy his seeds in automotive leadership, luxury and safety.

Hey Karl. I started a thread awhile back inquiring about your whereabouts. How's the alligator LOL. I hope we don't get hammered too hard by Francis.

Hello RJC -

With my focus shift, - no pun intended, - I have become part of the tour narrative in the Shark Valley (Northern Everglades National Park), where the tour guides talked about the photographer with his nikon and his bicyle.

The new MBWORLD format looks great. Frances is coming to close for comfort. Remember the unexpected jig that Charley made and cut Captiva Island before Sanibel in half?

Here is the 5-day NOAA track:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics...F/010253W5.gif

I've been following Frances closely as well. I suppose my scuba trip to the Keys this weekend is shot

Karl:

Thanks for the link. The Everglades tour sound's interesting. Frances looks ominous but I hope she takes a last minute turn to the north and goes out to sea. I'm in eastern Palm Beach County and they've already issued an evacuation for 300,000 of us lucky people.

Sometimes it's better to stay put. I've seen too many people runing into the wrong direction during previous hurricanes. This monster is slowing down, this gives us more time, because of weak steering currents...it might greet us on Miami Beach!?
A prayer for all in harms way.

Here is another NOAA link:
http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/DATA...-ir4-loop.html

Yah Bro All The Good Kharma For Our Hurricane Dudes And Dudettes And Their Sweet Rides

[QUOTE=karl k]A prayer for all in harms way.
QUOTE]

Yes.