BMW coupe or CLK coupe

CluelessGirl

Thinking of buying a BMW 3 series coupe 2000 - 2003 max engine size 1.8 to 2 litre.


or

Merc CLK coupe 2000 - 2003 max engine size 1.8 to 2.0.

Which would you go for and why?

I have never driven either so I am just wondering which would be best before I organise a test drive.

Budget 2K - 4k max!

Thanks

Anan1

They're different, rather than one being better. Drive both, find out which is better for you.

ShadowHearth

I had clk200 fully loaded. Brilliant car, but I was too young and stupid for it. It even saved my misses life. If she would be in anther car, she would be dead now. More airbags then I got now from 3 cars all put together...

First of all you got to realise it's not a sports car, it's stylish comfy coupe. Lovely to drive, comfortable. Lots and lots of space.

Now I would love one again... When I was 22... I was bored with it.

Funny enough I was between e46 coupe 318 and clk200. I chose merc and newer referred it. Mist of the times clk will be more loaded then BMW. 318 1.9 engine is horrible too. Don't bother with it.

If you will be looking for clk, then make sure suspension is in good state. Make sure exhaust is sorted too. 1.2k eu for cat alone. Dealer only...

colm_mcm

I'd go with the Mercedes. Far less common than the 3. Not as good to drive from a handling pov but a comfy cruiser.
Autobox, plenty toys, nice colour.

gyppo

How about a volvo C70? Not too many, and a sweet looker imo.
No idea what they are like to drive though.

colm_mcm

Suppose a saab convertible would be worth considering if you can get past the vandalism aspect of a ragtop. That said the original choices are the top choices and anything else is left of field.

4k isn't a huge amount and condition is so important. Any maintainance that's overdue could be a fair chunk of the budget. Buy on condition rather than year and don't assume a premium brands don't go wrong.

Sheeps

Just saw a 10 year old AMG version of the CLK on carzone for just shy of 6k and all I can say is that I want it.

bazz26

I add an Audi TT to that list. If this is genuine then it is alot of car for the money:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2022319

ShadowHearth

Just looked in to few adds of clks just now... Damn I am missing my one!

Such a beautiful car... There are few nice ones in your price range. 2.0 kompressor one would be ideal.

I still can't believe there are so many Irish spec mercs out there... Clk with cloth interior and barely any extras should be sentesed by death.

Fishtits

If you're a driver buy the BMW

If you're a tip about user buy the Merc.

Nothing wrong with either car. Make your choice and enjoy it, both are excellent machines.

L-M

Don't buy the old Model Clk anyway, they're very mundane inside and tbh most of them aren't much to look at. The new post (02 on) is a much nicer shape and a some what better interior.

It'd be a tough one though, drive both and see what you prefer.

coolbeans

(Puts patronising car guy hat on) OK going by your username, your car list and your budget I feel it's only prudent to press home the following points before you continue.
While both cars are decent enough and stand up on their own respective merits you need to be aware that these are premium cars from premium marques and that means premium bills when bits need to be replaced, fixed etc. If you're budget is E4k you also need to ensure that you can afford to replace parts as they fall due, and bits will need replacing on these cars, otherwise you run the risk of buying a car that may cost more than you thought. Too often at the budget end of the market I have seen people buy a German car with silly expectations re reliability only to find that what should be considered routine maintenance is neglected due to the buyer not realising the need for this in the first place.
Personally, if I had that amount to spend I'd widen the net a bit and see if I could find a Honda Prelude or the like as they are that bit tougher when they get old.

CluelessGirl

Hey!

Many thanks for the great posts.

Anyone have any ides what the Volvo C70 is like?

I think I may broaden my net and have a look at what else is out there!

vectra

Reading this with interest..

Might see a CLK outside my door next year.
They look seriously good value... Would miss the vRS though

ottostreet

I found my mothers 00 CLK230 to be like a boat around corners, wallowy and not very precise. I've owned two E36 coupes and one E46 and much much much preferred them. Nicer interiors, sharper to drive, easy to get parts for, and have decent mpg...30mpg from a 3 litre? Couldn't exceed 25 in the CLK!

ShadowHearth

vectra wrote: »

Reading this with interest..

Might see a CLK outside my door next year.
They look seriously good value... Would miss the vRS though

its a great car, i would love one now again. i would really really get one now!

how can someone look at this and say its worse then low spec 318...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CLK-Class/200-komp/201103200970831/advert?channel=CARS


Clk is floaty, big, fat. It was suppost to be like that! Atleast its not trying to be a sport car.... *cough*318*cought*

i like high power bmw, but between those two i would take clk any day.

p.s. c70 is a great suggestion too. everytime i am buying a new car, i allways drop my eye on those babies. i dont know a thing about reliability and drive quality, but i presume c70 t5 would be extremly fun!

vectra

ShadowHearth wrote: »

its a great car, i would love one now again. i would really really get one now!

how can someone look at this and say its worse then low spec 318...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CLK-Class/200-komp/201103200970831/advert?channel=CARS


Clk is floaty, big, fat. It was suppost to be like that! Atleast its not trying to be a sport car.... *cough*318*cought*

Are they as thirsty as suggested above? ( 25mpg max ) ?

Big Nasty

Another vote for the 3er from me!

Get yourself a nice M-Tech spec and you wont be disappoint.

ShadowHearth

vectra wrote: »

Are they as thirsty as suggested above? ( 25mpg max ) ?

damn i would not know that, when i owned i did not cared about petrol. i was on good money and newer looked in to mpg... i know that ti was still better then skyline... :rolleyes:

i was driving it like a twat, so that did not helped too...

Big Nasty

ShadowHearth wrote: »

i was driving it like a twat, so that did not helped too...

I gather there's a bad story behind this?

vectra

ShadowHearth wrote: »

damn i would not know that,
i was driving it like a twat, so that did not helped too...

LOL
I know what that's all about :P

ShadowHearth

MCMLXXV wrote: »

I gather there's a bad story behind this?

nah, its just when i got it i was way to young for it. Drove it fast, not enjoying it. Nothing extreme, but it was a waste in my hands... i newer crashed it or something, my misses took care of that...

Idbatterim

hey op, id take the bmw, try and get atleast an 02 one, from 02 they had more powerfull, more fuel efficient 2l engine. M sports are better looking, see below although mileage and price are bit on high side for you possibly. Also prior to 02, the 318's drive alot heavier, which for a guy is ok, but for women it might be too heavy, im referring to the accelerator mainly...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-CI../201117202212785/advert?channel=CARS

unkel

Limerick man wrote: »

Don't buy the old Model Clk anyway, they're very mundane inside and tbh most of them aren't much to look at. The new post (02 on) is a much nicer shape

I much prefer the looks of the older model. The new model is the first ever Mercedes coupe that doesn't do anything for me. The old model is pure class, but I would encourage you to buy the "elegance" trim. Stylish!!!

L-M

unkel wrote: »

I much prefer the looks of the older model. The new model is the first ever Mercedes coupe that doesn't do anything for me. The old model is pure class, but I would encourage you to buy the "elegance" trim. Stylish!!!

I don't like them at all, and IMO they sound horrible. Just a big fat lazy car (what they're supposed to be I suppose!)

unkel

Limerick man wrote: »

I don't like them at all, and IMO they sound horrible.

I guess you were listening to a 4 pot petrol or worse, a diesel

Ever heard the sound of a V8, in particular the one in the CLK 55 AMG?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_a0QvbWDEs

And that's him taking it up to only about 3k rpm - I'm guessing.

L-M

unkel wrote: »

I guess you were listening to a 4 pot petrol or worse, a diesel

Ever heard the sound of a V8, in particular the one in the CLK 55 AMG?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_a0QvbWDEs

And that's him taking it up to only about 3k rpm - I'm guessing.

Drove a Cl500, but who in their right mind in this country is going to buy one of them or even a Clk320? You by the SL350 if you go that far!

unkel

Limerick man wrote: »

who in their right mind in this country is going to buy one of them or even a Clk320?

That's so negative! Second hand and a good few years old, high-end cars are cheaper here than in most other countries in the world. Yes, the motor tax is high and yes, petrol is twice as much as it was 10 years ago. But owning and driving a car like that makes you feel pretty good

Very few people know it, but owning an older high end car typically costs less than buying and owning a new sh1tbox from the far east.

Victor_M

unkel wrote: »

That's so negative! Second hand and a good few years old, high-end cars are cheaper here than in most other countries in the world. Yes, the motor tax is high and yes, petrol is twice as much as it was 10 years ago. But owning and driving a car like that makes you feel pretty good

Very few people know it, but owning an older high end car typically costs less than buying and owning a new sh1tbox from the far east.

Shhhh, don't tell everyone!

My high spec, low mileage 3L straight 6 petrol cost 7K less than a lower spec'd high mileage 2L diesel of the same year. That's a hell of a lot of very enjoyable driving, tax and petrol before I hit the outlay that would have been required for the for the diesel in the first place.

Big Nasty

unkel wrote: »

That's so negative! Second hand and a good few years old, high-end cars are cheaper here than in most other countries in the world. Yes, the motor tax is high and yes, petrol is twice as much as it was 10 years ago. But owning and driving a car like that makes you feel pretty good

Very few people know it, but owning an older high end car typically costs less than buying and owning a new sh1tbox from the far east.

+1

I was called a feckin' eejit here a while back for paying €1566 road tax a year on a luxobarge that depreciates by max €500 a year rather than paying €156 tax a year on a plastic box that depreciates by €4k a year!

Do the math!

L-M

unkel wrote: »

Very few people know it, but owning an older high end car typically costs less than buying and owning a new sh1tbox from the far east.

I know that! I've posted about that many time and told many people, but there's no point buying a Clk320 over a Clk200 or 220. Especially in this country.

unkel

Limerick man wrote: »

there's no point buying a Clk320 over a Clk200 or 220. Especially in this country.

The 320 wouldn't be top of my wishlist either. For the same tax money you could get a V8

That would cost you only slightly more in overall cost of ownership...