CL v CLK

[booma]

Hi there,just joined.Live in Australia and am looking at buying a merc.Currently have a Prelude and am looking for a 4 seater,2 door vehicle of same performance.
I have been looking at either a C230 manual or a CLK,cab.Is either of them particualy better than the other?I am also concerned about the lack of a manual option on the CLK's ?.I haven't ever had an auto and enjoy the manual driving.What are they like ?


>>> Edited by booma on Friday 2nd April 03:51

>>> Edited by booma on Friday 2nd April 03:52

[booma]

Thanks guys that has been a great help.

[craigw]

I guess nobody has one booma, people here usually very helpful.



personally, if you can afford it, I'd go for the cl, much more road presence & more room inside. The clk55 is a bit of a beast though. Go and drive a few and see what you think would be my advice. Good luck whatever you decide.


mach
vmax15000bhp

[booma]

Thanks mate,
I am renting one in a few weeks CLK 320 to see what they are like,but may end up with a low milage/late build CLK 430 as they are about the same $$ as a new 320.
I think that the CL will be a bit gutless for towing a dog trailer ,the Honda has 147Kw and that is about as low as you can go to cruise on a decent speed on the freeway.

[dazren]

Hang on a minute. I don't think Mercedes build a CL230! (the "CL" series is effectively the S-class coupe)

DAZ

>> Edited by dazren on Wednesday 31st March 10:04

[booma]

maybe it is a C230, the little 2 door with the 6 speed manual and the all glass looking roof??????????

[craigw]

dazren said:

Hang on a minute. I don't think Mercedes build a CL230! (the "CL" series is effectively the S-class coupe) DAZ >> Edited by dazren on Wednesday 31st March 10:04

I was wondering about that, maybe they do one in Oz ?

[GregE240]

A CL230 would drive like a slug. Its a lot of metal for a small engine to drag around.

For the post 98 CL, 500 was your minimum engine, then 600 then 55AMG. 65 now available.

You're not thinking SLK230 possibly?

[dazren]

I have driven the three door C180 coupe and didin't like it. A 320 or 430 CLK 2 door coupe or convertible will be in another league, a proper mercedes if you like.

Best advice I can give is to drive both and make your decision. To me although they have the same badge they are different cars. Mercedes are not known for their manual boxes, someone summed it up last week when they said they are designed to be autos, that's why they have a foot parking brake.

DAZ

[craigw]

on a slightly different note I've had a bmw 525d As a courtesy car for a week and its.....amazing! Unbelievably rapid for a 2.5 diesel carrying that much bulk around, quite chuckable too. The 3.0 diesel must be nuts!

[nickwilcock]

I finally sold my beloved 1995 Prelude V-TEC earlier this year after 8 happy years. I replaced it with a SLK 320 - which is great. V6 plus excellent 5-speed auto transmission is a worthy successor to the V-TEC/5-speed manual in the Prelude.

Space is a bit on the tight side if there's more than 1 of you; I'd suggest a C 320 if you need the extra space. But if you must have a rag-top,then go for the CLK 320.

I was a devout manual transmission person until I'd tried M-B's 5-speeder allied to the creamy V6!

[booma]

The SLK fails in the 4 seater dept,thus the push to a C230 or a CLK.
I have heard that the MB autos are very good and so I am slowly coming to the conclusion that it wont be a big deal,there is a CLK 430 about to be traded (owner stepping up to a 500)and with 26k on the clock is like new.It is the later model of the old style so is quite nice.
I suspected that the 230 would be a bit underdone with a dog trailer on the back as the Prelude just copes and I certainly don't want to step back in time,so to speak