BMW630i vs Merc CLK350 - soft tops

[TiminYorkshire]

So I'm finally starting to get fed up of driving my VW T4 van with its associated rattles, booming etc. Given previous threads I thought I had narrowed down the 4 seater soft top replacement as a CLK350 (in sport trim), although I have also started to look at the 630i sport, which seems very slightly more expensive but not excessively so.

So how to choose between them?

Performance/fuel economy look to be similar, with perhaps the 630 a tad better on fuel (especially post LCI).
The CLK has probably more room in the back seats, although both should be fine for the dog.
Looks wise it's probably a personal thing.
Reliability/running costs is there a clear winner? (Merc engine has to be post sometime in 07, no big issues that I'm aware of with the BMW).
Has anyone owned/driven both long term?

I probably need to get the van up for sale/sold and then try some that are up for sale and go on condition/colour preference rather deciding in advance.

Thoughts on a postcard or even better post below.

[ZX10R NIN]

CLK350's are similar money to CLK500's which is the one I'd go for as the fuel difference is small we're talking between 2-4mpg.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[TiminYorkshire]

Looking at the figures the CLK500 would be £2-300 more a year on fuel vs the 350, which is probably already £200/year more on fuel than where I am currently, so worth considering.

My one worry is that I'm not sure if the pre facelift CLKs were galvanized as I've seen conflicting reports, living by the sea this is something of a necessity I feel.

[ZX10R NIN]

All W209's were galvanised, the only issue they (this is all W209's) suffered with is stones flicked up from the rear tyre hitting the front of the rear arch & causing the paintwork to bubble if the car you buy starts to do this it's costs between £200-300 to get both sides treated & you'll have no issue with it for a long time.

[nunpuncher]

What's the bork factor on the 500 engine?

I was looking at the 6 series a while ago as 645CI's seemed good value but after a bit of reading I got put off. I know the 630i is solid but there's just not as much attraction in a 6 cylinder version. I've not looked at the Mercedes options, is that V8 less borky?

[ZX10R NIN]

There's no actual bork issues with the 500 the only painful job is the Spark Plug change as there are 16 of them, make sure the gearbox fluid & filter has been changed every 40k if it's due factor in £200-300 to get this done.

On the pre facelift cars if you hear a clicking on start up then it's the motors that direct the air around the car, the part is cheap but it does mean taking the dash apart so it's a bit of a labour intensive job.

That is pretty much it they're pretty much bulletproof drivetrain wise.