Given the choice of a W124 Coupe or a CLK 230, which one?

[MM85]

Title pretty much says it all.

Style wise I like both. Will choose one over the other depending on the day you ask.

What I like more about the W124 Coupe is that it is available in 6 cyl. and manual transmission. The CLK is only available with a manual in 4-cyl. Reason I'm considering the CLK 230. Would love the 320 but not with an auto transmission. It absolutely must be a manual transmission.

I'm kind of leaning towards the W124 300CE. But thought I would ask more opinions.

Thanks for the input.

 

[John Jones Jr]

My 2p's worth: Long term it would be a 300CE auto that would get my vote. The 230K is great with the manual box but the CLK is not in the same league when it comes to classiness. If you really want a manual CE I'd opt for a 300-24 instead. Bear in mind too a good CE will always be worth a few quid. Good luck with the hunt.

 

[LTD]

300-24 W124 Coupe for me too

 

[coupe addict]

124 for me any time, but the availability of manuals is quite low.
The driving experience with the 6cylinder engine is really quite wonderful.

 

[Mike Walker]

Agreed 124 for me too.

 

[MM85]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, it must be manual.

What is the main difference between the 300-24 and 300 CE? Is it just the 24 valves? I have been recommeded the 300-24 over the CE before.

 

[carat 3.6]

300CE-24 You will love it!

 

[MM85]

124 for me any time, but the availability of manuals is quite low.
The driving experience with the 6cylinder engine is really quite wonderful.

Do you mean the 6-cyl with manual transmission or 6-cyl. in general?

 

[carat 3.6]

What is the main difference between the 300-24 and 300 CE? Is it just the 24 valves? I have been recommeded the 300-24 over the CE before.

24v, higher compression ratio, rev's like a banshee.

 

[MM85]

Thanks. There is not a whole lot of info on wikipedia about the 300CE-24 in particular.

By the way, was the W124 the last manual transmission Merc coupe? It seems all the new cars are automatic.

 

[herby thr cls]

300-24 terrific engine and beautifully built, only driven an auto though and loved it

 

[carat 3.6]

No, quite a few manuals came after the w124.

 

[MM85]

Could you list them? It must be really just a few.


And current models? All auto, right?

 

[carat 3.6]

Not sure of the current line up, but at least w202, w203, w204, w210, w208, r170, w168 all had manual gearbox options.

 

[MM85]

Ok. And they were all coupes?

 

[carat 3.6]

Ok. And they were all coupes?

W208 is a coupe, R170 sort of is. C207 and W209 also came as a manual.

 

[MM85]

I see.

I have been reading a bit and it seems after 1992 all W124 were 24-valves anyway?

By the way were there ever W124 V8 coupes?

 

[carat 3.6]

I see.

I have been reading a bit and it seems after 1992 all W124 were 24-valves anyway?

By the way were there ever W124 V8 coupes?

No factory v8 coupes, and no manual v8's. All 6cyl w124's after 1992 were indeed 24 valve, but only the 300-24 is referred to as "24v". This is because it is a different engine setup to the 280 and 320.

 

[MM85]

But the 300 post 92 and 300-24 pre 92 have the same engine?

By the way, I much prefer the pre facelift W124 with the square headlights instead of the last ones with the "Monza" type of headlights. Is it a bad thing? Is there any reason to go for the later W124s?

 

[MM85]

I also read that the era of the W124 was the last era where Mercedes really built quality cars and from then on the quality just went down to the point that Mercedes could never even come to that quality today. Do you agree?