Which to buy? CLK55 vs C32

[S60_alex]

Dear all,

I posted a while back re. a lovely CLK55 on at £23k, unfortunately someone got in there before me and I missed that one.

I am now considering:

03 plate CLK55, 100k miles, full history, excellent condition - £17k
52 plate C32, 70k miles, full history, excellent condition - ~14k

I'm aware that these cars are very different in some ways, and very similar in others.

I'm mechanically skilled and have access to MB parts at a discount, so outside of regular services that I would continue at a main dealer to maintain a FSH, I would be doing all the work on the car.

I'm really looking for informed opinions between the two cars and any guidance on the ownership experience..

p.s. the insurance is £2k on the CLK vs £1k on the C32 (I live in central London..)

Many thanks

Alex

 

[stats007]

I'm assuming the CLK55 is a C209?

Financially the C32 AMG has to be a better bet. Why not try one for a year - not lose much if anything and then move on to a CLK55 - or test drive a few in the process?

 

[S60_alex]

My only worry is that (when just cruising around) the C32 won't feel very different to my current Volvo S60 T5.

 

[stats007]

In what way? Luxury? Acceleration?

The S60 is FWD and suffers from turbo lag and torque steer - the C32 is RWD and has similar torque to the V8. Have you driven both cars yet?

 

[S60_alex]

I know the Volvo is well out-classed in terms of power and handling - I suppose I am thinking of the sense of occasion you feel when driving a car.

The Volvo has been great to me, but is just a comfortable, dependable and practical car. I test drove a W209 CLK55 and loved every moment - at least to me, I felt like I was driving something really special.

I've only seen normal C320's so far (which felt broadly similar to the Volvo) - I am going to see a C32 at the weekend, and am just wondering what to expect compared to the CLK.

Thanks,

Alex

 

[stats007]

The CLK is a nicer car and to be honest would be my choice if it weren't for the high mileage.

 

[PaulE230]

I much prefer the look of the C32
I would have thought that the Cl would drive more like the Volvo than the C32 due to the similar size


http://www.c32life.com/

 

[andy_cyp]

I have personally owned both t5's and the R model of the volvo and rest assured the C32 out classes in all aspects both performance and luxurys as ive also been fortunate to have owned a C32 for 2.5yrs too.

As the clk as 100k on the clock ide stay way clear of it, the 32 on the other hand let it be known is also quicker than the clk but the looks of the clk do apeal to a lot more.

If i were you ide drive both models if possible and then let your heart decide which one you like.

I spent a few pennies on my 32 inc 18" alloys had it lowered a tad added the c55 rear spoiler tinted the windows and after that it looked well better imho i also didnt like the frosted lights so upgraded all those too.

so get the cheaper 32 and spend a few bob on upgrading and you will be more than a happy bunny afterwards.

Again what ever choice you make, make sure its a clean car and with less milaege as possible as these will go against you when its time to sell either car.

HTH
Andy

 

[S60_alex]

Andy,

Thanks for that reply - very useful to hear from an ex-Volvo owner.

So far there seems to be an even spread of votes for the C vs. the CLK, so as you say I think I just need to spend a little time with both and see which my heart goes for.


I'll be sure to keep you updated.

Many thanks,

Alex

 

[glojo]

The noise of the V8 cannot be replicated and if it is the horses your after then will you be happy with the excellent C32? We only live once and I'm a critta for going with my heart. The V8 will devalue a lot more than the 32, plus that insurance! Ouch but I would still go with the AMG.

Good luck with the decision, try both and see where you land up, but as you rightly said at the outset, a full Mercedes-Benz service history is a major consideration.

Regards
John

 

[C240Sport97]

V8 AMG everytime .. but I am biased.

There is no substitute for the engine noise.

 

[Howard]

Hmmmm ...

I had a little tangle with a C32 estate while i was in the C55 estate on the A303 last year ....

Whether he was not giving it the full beans , i can't say , but it certainly wasn't faster than us

Is the CLK a heavier car ? I'm aware there's only a few horses in it , 342ish versus 365ish ..... but in the C class body the C55 was definately the faster car ....

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=30079&page=2&highlight=a303+estate

Good luck with whatever you purchase , they're both lovely cars !

H

 

[andy_cyp]

Hmmmm ...

I had a little tangle with a C32 estate while i was in the C55 estate on the A303 last year ....

Whether he was not giving it the full beans , i can't say , but it certainly wasn't faster than us

Is the CLK a heavier car ? I'm aware there's only a few horses in it , 342ish versus 365ish ..... but in the C class body the C55 was definately the faster car ....

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=30079&page=2&highlight=a303+estate

Good luck with whatever you purchase , they're both lovely cars !

H

C55 is quicker than a 32 but i was reffering to the clk, and yes the clk is quite a lot heavier than the c class.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

On our roads day to day both the C32 and CLK55 will be as quick as you are likely to need.

I think for me it would depend on my needs for the car, do I need a 4 door or is a coupe more my style? Runing cost I should imagine are similar.

Have to say if it were just the two of us agian it would be a convertible for me and there have been some lovely SLK32's on pistonheads.

However practically now and just because I prefer the estate to a saloon I would have a C32 Estate.

 

[jeremytaylor]

Of the two I would probably go for the CLK55.

Or alternatively for an even quicker car, in mid-range acceleration, according to the figures ... a C320CDI ...

 

[e55]

I would go for the V8 in the CLK............cant beat the tried and proven 5.5l AMG V8 Engine.
I would however go for a lower mileage one if possible as I think resale could be very difficult in a few years time with such a high mileage car.

Good luck

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

What a choice to hae to make, eh? I faced a similar one, and reasoned long and hard, and concluded:

Price: C32 < CLK55
Performance: C32 = CLK55
Sex appeal: C32 < CLK55
Practicality: C32 > CLK55
Modability (deep pockets): C32 < CLK55
Modability (real world): C32 > CLK55
Noise: C32 =< CLK55
Interior: C32 < CLK55

Well you can see from the pic below which I chose, and it came down to what I wanted deep down. I really - and I mean really - liked the CLK55. But I'd really - and I mean really - wanted the C32 since they were launched.

I hope this helps.