CLK 320 or E320

[vegnomeat]

Hi all, never owned a MB before, but this is about to change.

Currently own a Jaguar XK8 that just has to go, just paid for a new engine at 6800 pounds after only 62,000 miles, the car is generally reasonable but I have no trust left in it at all.

So ...... I am down to two choices, the CLK or E with the 320 engine.

Although the XK8 is a coupe, this isn't part of the decision process.

In order I want :

Reliability
Excellent handling
Good or great performance
Reasonable MPG (around town the XK8 does 13)
A good trade in value after 3 years (don't we all)
and lots of toys etc

My budget is 35 k max

Thanks in anticipation

Wayne

 

[kikkthecat]

You're going to get a lot of different opinions from the members on here, and I cant call mine particularly valid as £35000 is way above my budget.

But should the day ever come when it's within reach I would be looking at the new E320 CDi. And before you dismiss it as a diesel, it has at least the performance of the petrol equivalant i.e.150MPH and under 8 seconds 0-60, and the added attraction of 40+ MPG. They seem to have better resale value too.

And if the performance isn't enough for you If you read some of the threads on here you'll also find they seem to be easier to tune.

 

[sasha]

In my opinion the new CLK (W209) does not have the presence of the old CLK (W208), mainly because it comes across as smaller, however the W209 IS a better car.

The new E-Class is an extremely capable car, however over supply may soon make it less desirable overall (executive saloons by definition are not niche).

In terms of bang for your buck, it has to be the CL, it is a millionaire's car.

If the whole image thing is not what you're after, then sadly it shouldn't be a Merc, there are simply better driver's cars out there...

 

[Aswall]

It's interesting you should say that, I much preferred the W209 because I felt it had more presence on the road and seemed much bigger than a W208. Funny how perceptions can differ

Cheers
Andy

 

[esox]

I`m with Sasha on the C208/9 thang.The old one has the "hunched-up-rear more purposeful look" with the classic 4 headlight set-up but the 209 has the " slopes down towards the back/melted look".(Ego boosted today by foxy lady at petrol station saying -- no purring,"Thats a Nice Merc"......)

 

[Aswall]

There again, Jeremy Clarkson said " the old CLK was fine for the Cheshire ladies that lunch but the new one has looks that even their husbands wouldn't be ashamed to be seen in". And he's gotta be right 'cos he's a Doncaster lad ha ha

Cheers
andy

 

[esox]

Nope, the old ones a mans car the new ones a Doncaster ladies car

 

[fuzzer]

Forget the Petrol powered cars Get a CDI .

An E320 CDI will see you in good stead


Que brian the official E320 CDI praise supplier

 

[sasha]

Re. diesel, I do understand how (and have driven) the new generation of diesel engines perform.

However for me, that rattle on the first cold turnover of the engine just sets a subtle perception in my mind for the entire journey.

And the 40mpg thing is great for real world driver's like most here on the forum, but we are in denial!

Why buy a Merc if we can't afford to run it!!! I bet no-one complains of lack of torque in XXX 55 AMG.

So to me it seems inconsistent that we drive down the road smug in the knowledge the world sees us in a premier brand, yet we have one eye on the girls at the bus stop and the other on the fuel gauge!

Back to the W208/9, I stand firm on what I said re. presence with respect to the coupe, but I never said anything about the cabriolet! The W208 cab is, well, ahem, err, yawn...

 

[fuzzer]

Originally posted by sasha

And the 40mpg thing is great for real world driver's like most here on the forum, but we are in denial!

It wasnt just the MPG . Its more like the E320 CDI is faster than the petrol E320 and that the residual value after 36 months is better on the diesel

 

[sasha]

fair point but i wasn't responding to your point directly!

I was suggesting 5 litres plus and the "I'm loaded" image is what we aspire to, but compromising at 320 (Diesel or otherwise) is where we end up...

One day, SL55 AMG, one day...

 

[sasha]

Urrr, on reflection, maybe I've been a bit forward in some of my posts for example "we are in denial", not sure I need to aplogise as such, but will defintely consider the wording of my posts a little more in the future!!!

Thx

Sashaaaa


p.s. no-one has PM'd me about this by the way!!!

 

[vegnomeat]

Thanks for the replies,

I have had image cars in the past when I was younger (I'm now 44) I was attracted to MB by build quality and a perceived image of reliability.

Also I wanted new, to take advantage of the best warranty available. Having been bitten by Jaguar I don't want to be in the same position in 2 years time.

Am leaning towards the CLK 320, (am I right, the CLK doesn't have the 320 diesel option ?) and will be taking a test drive later today, despite and not because of the attitude of the salesman at Worcester Mercedes.

Wayne

 

[Big Ed]

Wayne,

not trying to state the obvious, but would not either a CLK320 or E320 feel a bit of a let down in terms of performance and handling after driving a 4 litre V8 XK8?

Diesel might well be a decent option as the torque obviously makes it feel far more powerful than the equivalent petrol engine - the CLK diesel is a 270 rather than a 320.

If you want particularly good residuals, then as I'm sure you know buying new isn't always the answer - in which case, you can sometimes pick up ~1 year old CLK500's for about £35k. I've driven a couple of these and they are VERY nice motors - great sound, great power, nice and refined (although I guess the MPG might not quite match a E320CDi!)

Good luck

 

[vegnomeat]

Ed,

The performance will be a bit down on the XK8, about a second to 60 and I would imagine handling also.

Previously owned, UR Quattro, 928, 911 Turbo and 944 Turbo (all in younger days) as my age increases my desire to be the hottest thing on two wheels does too. Previously never owned an automatic up until the XK8 either, but now wouldn't go back to a manual.

Glad I posted on here though, as my mind is swinging to a nearly new CLK500, hmmm

Thanks

Wayne