e46 m3 or CL500 (CL55 AMG poss)
Discussion
I've had my on getting a E46 m3 for a while now, however a CL55 AMG popped for up for 6K (2001 non supercharged) when I was looking at e46 m3's.
It grabbed my eye so I looked into them a bit more (hands up didn't know much about them) it turns out there are a bit of a beast. Although the CL55 AMG seems a rare car, I'm thinking I could settle for a CL500.
So now I am in two minds on which car to go for. I seem to get this every time I look at getting a car.
What is the thought of pher's?
The car will be for weekend use only.
It grabbed my eye so I looked into them a bit more (hands up didn't know much about them) it turns out there are a bit of a beast. Although the CL55 AMG seems a rare car, I'm thinking I could settle for a CL500.
So now I am in two minds on which car to go for. I seem to get this every time I look at getting a car.
What is the thought of pher's?
The car will be for weekend use only.
Hi,
Owned both.
Regarding the W215 (CL500, CL55, Cl600 & CL65) you're more likely to receive genuine advice from people who've owned and run them if you post in the Mercedes forum, or do some proper research at places like mbclub.co.uk etc. A few of us have answered a fair number of question on the W215 if you search the right fora.
A lot of people pop up with opinions based on one flashing past them on the motorway. Nothing wrong with an opinion but not very quantitative when you're outlaying something tangible you know, like actual cash.
First things first: are you just internet-wandering around and looking at anything that looks remotely bargain-ous for a few grand? Because to my mind the E46 M3 and the W215 CL500 aren't normally comparable. One is an urgent, zesty, handler with a spin-tingling soundtrack. The other is a louche boulevardier with all the gadgets that you need, and will time-machine you from London to Zurich as if nothing has happened.
Dial up for the NA CL55, and you've got a meaty 367bhp, a cheeky rortiness to the soundtrack, and you'll still shame 95% of other cars on the road if racing from the traffic lights is your game.
As for the supercharged CL55...well it's like sitting in a Chesterfield atop a tsunami. The M113 ML55 engine gets alarmingly rapey if you aren't disciplined with your right foot.
I won't go into the E46 - there's dozens of threads all the time running about them. So read those. One thing I'll say is that there are loads out there. If you want something ratty, been thrashed, then loads of people will take your money.
But my question to you is: are you looking at the nightclub entrance fee, or have you brought along enough to buy all the girls numerous rounds at the bar as the evening prolongs?
If you're just looking at purchase cost, then do some deeper research. The M-B, especially an AMG is just magnitudes of commitment over the BMW.
Buy cheap, buy twice is probably the most apt motto here. Big boys toys: you've got to pay to play regardless if it's new, or if it's 10 years old.
Owned both.
Regarding the W215 (CL500, CL55, Cl600 & CL65) you're more likely to receive genuine advice from people who've owned and run them if you post in the Mercedes forum, or do some proper research at places like mbclub.co.uk etc. A few of us have answered a fair number of question on the W215 if you search the right fora.
A lot of people pop up with opinions based on one flashing past them on the motorway. Nothing wrong with an opinion but not very quantitative when you're outlaying something tangible you know, like actual cash.
First things first: are you just internet-wandering around and looking at anything that looks remotely bargain-ous for a few grand? Because to my mind the E46 M3 and the W215 CL500 aren't normally comparable. One is an urgent, zesty, handler with a spin-tingling soundtrack. The other is a louche boulevardier with all the gadgets that you need, and will time-machine you from London to Zurich as if nothing has happened.
Dial up for the NA CL55, and you've got a meaty 367bhp, a cheeky rortiness to the soundtrack, and you'll still shame 95% of other cars on the road if racing from the traffic lights is your game.
As for the supercharged CL55...well it's like sitting in a Chesterfield atop a tsunami. The M113 ML55 engine gets alarmingly rapey if you aren't disciplined with your right foot.
I won't go into the E46 - there's dozens of threads all the time running about them. So read those. One thing I'll say is that there are loads out there. If you want something ratty, been thrashed, then loads of people will take your money.
But my question to you is: are you looking at the nightclub entrance fee, or have you brought along enough to buy all the girls numerous rounds at the bar as the evening prolongs?
If you're just looking at purchase cost, then do some deeper research. The M-B, especially an AMG is just magnitudes of commitment over the BMW.
Buy cheap, buy twice is probably the most apt motto here. Big boys toys: you've got to pay to play regardless if it's new, or if it's 10 years old.
Tiger, thanks for the write up. I have done some research into the MB and realise it is a 100k car therefore the running cost will be on par.
Both of these cars are good cars, I am more knowledgeable regarding the M3 just the MB looks fantastic value for ££.
Regarding ticking the boxes both tick different boxes, I'm swaying towards the M3 purely due to the youthfulness (I'm only 26). Maybe the CL will come along later on in life
Thanks for the offer vanman and good luck with your sale
Both of these cars are good cars, I am more knowledgeable regarding the M3 just the MB looks fantastic value for ££.
Regarding ticking the boxes both tick different boxes, I'm swaying towards the M3 purely due to the youthfulness (I'm only 26). Maybe the CL will come along later on in life
Thanks for the offer vanman and good luck with your sale
Hi Mr2,
No worries
If you're 26, then shoot for the M3 for sure. I'd also go cabriolet too. Ignore all the people who think they are Johnny Cecotto and 'chassis flex' will compromise their journey to that dull, grey industrial estate just outside Northampton every morning; the convertible will allow you to hear the engine zing that much more.
On high days and holidays it can loaf with the best of them too. BMW built an "all-roundedness" into the E46, and whilst you'll enjoy pinging the rev-limiter, you'll also know it can get you and some cheeky skirt down to the south of France with considerable aplomb. Hoorah!
Good luck!
Tuvra - had a 645ci too. Its a much lighter, therefore dynamic, car than many would imagine, especially with thermoplastic wings. The 4.4 is a very tractable and broad powerplant. Clarkson called it a '...nuclear bomb', as I remember. Funnily enough we ran the 645 and the M3 side by side, and even though the outputs were roughly similar (333bhp vs 343bhp), the character couldn't be more different. The M3 feels as if it's tightly coiled, rods and pistons working to the limit of physics. A super-middle with a heavyweight punch. The 645ci though is all Larry Holmes (in his prime, not the roadkill who rolled out of retirement in 1988 ). Not a KO artist, but never found wanting. I can't recall exactly, but one report highlighted that with the plateau of torque on offer, in-gear it murders some surprisingly hot metal.
Great cabin, but don't piss about with low-rent spec: Dynamic Drive, Active Steering and all the bells and whistles. Its a techno-fest. But....its a world away from a CL.
The CL still plays in the class above.
No worries
If you're 26, then shoot for the M3 for sure. I'd also go cabriolet too. Ignore all the people who think they are Johnny Cecotto and 'chassis flex' will compromise their journey to that dull, grey industrial estate just outside Northampton every morning; the convertible will allow you to hear the engine zing that much more.
On high days and holidays it can loaf with the best of them too. BMW built an "all-roundedness" into the E46, and whilst you'll enjoy pinging the rev-limiter, you'll also know it can get you and some cheeky skirt down to the south of France with considerable aplomb. Hoorah!
Good luck!
Tuvra - had a 645ci too. Its a much lighter, therefore dynamic, car than many would imagine, especially with thermoplastic wings. The 4.4 is a very tractable and broad powerplant. Clarkson called it a '...nuclear bomb', as I remember. Funnily enough we ran the 645 and the M3 side by side, and even though the outputs were roughly similar (333bhp vs 343bhp), the character couldn't be more different. The M3 feels as if it's tightly coiled, rods and pistons working to the limit of physics. A super-middle with a heavyweight punch. The 645ci though is all Larry Holmes (in his prime
, not the roadkill who rolled out of retirement in 1988 ). Not a KO artist, but never found wanting. I can't recall exactly, but one report highlighted that with the plateau of torque on offer, in-gear it murders some surprisingly hot metal. Great cabin, but don't piss about with low-rent spec: Dynamic Drive, Active Steering and all the bells and whistles. Its a techno-fest. But....its a world away from a CL.
The CL still plays in the class above.
vanman1936 said:
I have a ClK55 - great great cars....and selling mine if you are interested! Happily give you a run in if you are in North London regardless.......
Just seen the advert for your car on PH...Looks lovely..Always fancied an AMG.....Always wondered if it was worth selling my M3 for one...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff