Mercedes CLK or Alfa Brera?

[Spares1]

I'm going to be doing 30,000 miles per year and would like a nice comfy coupe.

I've boiled it down to the following, I have 7k to spend.

Alfa Brera 2.4 JTDM

Mercedes CLK 220, 270 or 320 CDI

Which would you have and why? Any owner reviews?

I've been looking at an E92 320i which seems to do 40mpg and give ok performance too. Not looking at 320d as had a disaster one on my hands.

Thanks

[schmalex]

I used to have a CLK500 on an 04 plate. Absolutely nothing went wrong with it during my ownership. I bought it at 3 years old and 30k miles and ran it up to 95k miles over the following 2 years with only standard servicing. It was absolutely bulletproof and went like a rocket. I appreciate that older Mercs have a (deserved) reputation for rusting, but mine was absolutely fine.

The only downside was that the seats were slightly flat and, consequently, not quite as supportive as one would wish.

[Spares1]

Thanks. I would be getting one of the later face lifted versions with the updated dash, grille and wheels etc.

I realise the two I've said are different, one fwd and manual and the other RWD and auto...

A bit dubious of the alfa being able to cope for 30k miles per year any Brera owners like to comment please

[devnull]

My thread has arrived. I do 30k a year in my CLK 320cdi. It's a comfortable fast and capable wafter, and the 320 has the extra oomph to see off the 320d MSports.

Points of note:

• Roughly 43mpg real world - I always brim the tank, and get over 500miles from it with about 2-4 litres left (according to the fuel pump).
• Boot space is surprisingly large, cabin also has ISOFIX if you have kids in seats.
• Seats 4 adults comfortably. Rear seats are better for smaller people, but I guess can be fatiguing for people after about 200 miles (from experience).
• In the 40k (50-90k) I've had mine, I've done the following:

- O2 Sensor died. (120)
- 6x Glowplugs (over cautious for the winter)
- Glowplug relay replaced with 'revision 2' model, as the original is prone to dying randomly - 150 (Again, over cautious)
- 2x Balljoints worn out - 160 (I fitted them myself, no labour)
- Disks, Pads, Sensors all round - 315 (Again, my own labour)
- Turbo Seal (30, 5 mins to fit)
- High pressure pipe from diesel filter to pump - 15 (Started to leak).
- 4x Oil Changes (Once every 10k, 8.5l of Mobil1 229.5)
- Filters are about 60 from the dealers.

500+Nm of torque also means that i'm going through rears quite a lot, <20k.

Lovely car, something that people think is more expensive than it actually is.

[TheFinners]

Not direct but the old man has owned both a E92 320i and a CLK320 CDI.

BMW - He found it great fun to drive, although you needed to rev the engine to get the best out of it. Real world fuel economy is 34/35mpg, maybe a bit more for mostly motorway driving. It also went back to the garage 4 times in the 2 years he owned it for various problems with power steering and injectors, which was very poor for a brand new car. Had a nice interior and the sports seats are very comfortable, although the ride is quite hard on the M Sport models.

Mercedes - Handled well but felt heavier than the BMW (not surprising with a big V6 diesel and autobox). Engine had loads of torque, would pull you along at a decent pace without ever exceeding 2000rpm! It was also sounded quite nice for a diesel and the 7G tronic autobox generally kept the engine in the right gear at the right time. The 'Sport' model he had rode very well, although the seats with various inflatable lumber bits (not sure if they were standard) were not quite as comfy as those in the BMW. However the Merc was a little quieter on the motorway and the pillar less windows are fantastic, brightening the cabin and making it feel more spacious. Fuel economy was also far better than the BMW 37/38mpg overall and it will easily do 40mpg+ on the motorway.

Of the cars you've suggested I'd say a CLK320 CDI fits the criteria best!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[Prawnboy]

just got myself a CLK as my Alfa ompletley died. it seems to be a great car so far, and i'm not sure i would trust the Alfa to do those miles.

[scherzkeks]

I'm a big Merc fan, but would have to go for the Alfa. The drive will probably be a bit better in the CLK, but the Brera is beautiful and does everything well enough.

[Spares1]

Well thank you all for responding. I had an early E90 saloon 320d and various problems made we wary of that engine, such as timing chains and turbos faults.

I like the CLK As it should , generally, be reliable, but I'm tempted to go for the Brera and see if I get a good one!

Good to see some positive reviews on the 320 CDI version I might go and try some.

Thanks again for all comments.

[Hackney]

If you plan on using the back seats don't get a Brera. If want an Alfa then go for a GT
There was some overlap with the Brera, IIRC.