Good idea or bloody stupid ? E46 Coupe vs Mercedes CLK

[UK345]

Recently ive been thinking of getting a prestige coupe. I want to spend around £2000 on the car. The two cars it is between are a (2001-2004) BMW 3 Series E46 Coupe or a (2000-2003) Mercedes CLK coupe. Anyone had any experiences with these cars and which oner would you go for ?

[Sump]

E46. Wouldn't trust a Merc of that era.

[Quhet]

E46 for me too. CLK to my eyes look quite cheap and are notorious rust buckets

[BlitzE34]

The 2002 onwards CLK is the one to get.

[ZX10R NIN]

Get the Merc as long it's an W209 model as the W208 models like to rust, the Mercedes are pretty much bullet proof, the E46 is the more sporty of the two but the CLK is the better long term bet.

Here are a few options:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Mercedes:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[Whistle]

I have had both,

The e46 cost me a fortune in repairs it was a 320 cab in imola red looked the buisines but was always breaking down.
Then I had a clk 220 cdi, didn't spend anything on it apart from servicing but it had all sorts intermittent electrical problems.

[bigkeeko]

A nice V6 Merc coupe is more bang for the buck and you can buy younger with less miles for the same money. E46s are better to drive but suffer rust on the arches. You pays your money and takes your choice.

[Devil2575]

I wouldn't buy an E46 if you only have 2k to spend unless you can live with some problems and are handy with the spanners yourself.

[crugbun]

I bought a 53 plate CLK270 with 120K and I've done 14K miles in six months and I've had no issues at all.
There's a little rust on the rear arches but otherwise a bargainous comfortable thing.
£2500 it cost me.

[bigkeeko]

A mates just bought (literally two days ago) an E46 330ci M sport. 2005 with 120k for £3500. Clean as whistle with no rust (unusual) and drives perfect. I had a drive and can say that for an old girl it goes pretty well and it handles brilliantly. Lot of car for not a lot of dosh.

[fivepointnine]

I had a W209 CLK500 for several years until I moved here to the UK. Car was one of the most reliable vehicles I ever owned. 3 years of ownership and I replaced a couple headlamp ballast's, a voltage regulator and a window switch. Car was VERY quick and extremely comfortable for rapid motorway cruising.

[Baryonyx]

They're quite different cars. The CLK looks and feels a bit more special to me, rather than just being an attractive family car. The E46 in good fettle will handle better, and the Mercedes will typically be an auto if you're looking at higher end models. Both can throw a fine bill.