Mercedes clk 270 or BMW 330d?
Discussion
Evening all,
I'm considering getting rid of the mx5 for a little more fuel economy and a bit more refinement. So I've currently (openfrosty to suggestions) narrowed it down to the clk 270 diesel and BMW 330d both have similar spec and similar 0-60 and mpg. So which is best?
I'm looking for some comfort, rwd with some go and still a little fun as when I last got rid of an mx5 I brought a Volvo C70 T5 which was quick and comfortable but horrible to hustle about in as it was pretty much the only fwd car ive driven.
All opinions apreciated
Matt
I'm considering getting rid of the mx5 for a little more fuel economy and a bit more refinement. So I've currently (openfrosty to suggestions) narrowed it down to the clk 270 diesel and BMW 330d both have similar spec and similar 0-60 and mpg. So which is best?
I'm looking for some comfort, rwd with some go and still a little fun as when I last got rid of an mx5 I brought a Volvo C70 T5 which was quick and comfortable but horrible to hustle about in as it was pretty much the only fwd car ive driven.
All opinions apreciated
Matt
Had a Merc once, it was dreadful, arse happy not in a good way, feeling of cheapness about it very clunky and everything seemed "stupid", and if it is the same diesel engined one I drove, it sounded like a wheezy tractor and fairly gutless, nothingpowernothingchangegearrepeat, put 50 miles on it and drove it no further. I do not know why people bang on about Mercs and how great they are, quite frankly the worst car I have ever had the displeasure of driving, I only liked one thing about the Merc, the seats were aesthetically pleasing to the eye, nothing else.
The 6 cylinder diesel lump from BMW though, sounds and drives like a petrol, and is an all around nice place to be and they just feel better, and not made "stupidly" like the iDrive, really easy to work out and use, within 5 minutes ( I am the kind of person who shouts at technology) the Merc I never fathomed out, everything was all over the place and just stupid, a button to turn on flappy paddles.....why would you want to turn them on? Just have them so you touch them and it changes gear, like every other flappy paddle box out there, no instead you have to try and find a button whilst driving, located somewhere on the dash between a myriad of stupid buttons doing useless things.
BMW all day for me is the TL;DR
The 6 cylinder diesel lump from BMW though, sounds and drives like a petrol, and is an all around nice place to be and they just feel better, and not made "stupidly" like the iDrive, really easy to work out and use, within 5 minutes ( I am the kind of person who shouts at technology) the Merc I never fathomed out, everything was all over the place and just stupid, a button to turn on flappy paddles.....why would you want to turn them on? Just have them so you touch them and it changes gear, like every other flappy paddle box out there, no instead you have to try and find a button whilst driving, located somewhere on the dash between a myriad of stupid buttons doing useless things.
BMW all day for me is the TL;DR
Goes without saying that the 330d is a great engine. However, you must try the 270cdi, especially in CLK guise. I had this engine in my C Class, with bags of torque (more so than pre 2003 330d models, if I'm not mistaken), it performed effortlessly and very strongly indeed. I thought it was a superb engine by all accounts. A little noisy at idle and a tiny bits less refined than the BMW engine perhaps, although there's a nice 'thrum' from the 5 pot motor once you get going. I'm running a 530d at the moment, and as much as I love the E39, I'd take the 270cdi engine given the choice. Avoid the 220 cdi engine, I believe it's notably better on fuel but it's rough and generally unpleasant.
The CLK rides beautifully in a waft-about sort of way, likewise with the steering. I'd remove the 270 CDI badge though, doesn't really suit the nature of the car, does it?
The CLK rides beautifully in a waft-about sort of way, likewise with the steering. I'd remove the 270 CDI badge though, doesn't really suit the nature of the car, does it?
I've owned two BMW's and three Mercedes.
The old 190e was horrific. The ML500 was brilliant.
The 318ti sport was excellent and the 735i was wafting perfection.
Presently we have a C209 CLK 320 petrol, a friend has a similar aged 320ci, the Mercedes is miles ahead of the BMW in comfort and ride. I also think it looks better, the e46 imo looks a bit chav.
As far as performance goes the CLK is brilliant on the road, mine is run on Conti's and holds the road impeccably, it has the upgrade 17" alloys so a little harsh over pot holes etc. The rear individual seats and pillarless doors make sitting in the back a very nice place to be. The front is even better. It's very luxurious.
The BMW is a much sportier place, the seats will hug you more, the traction control won't be as restrictive and its a definate more driver orientated place to sit.
I wanted a wafter, with lots of toys, we've had two issues with the Merc in two years, the power steering is a little heavy and noisy (needs a new pump haven't bothered to fix). The car sometimes needs to be locked then unlocked as the immobiliser stops the car starting. Other than that, it's only needed brake pads. I can hoon the Merc through the back roads, it is incredibly safe and almost impossible to get it wrong, the traction control does kick in a bit too soon though.
With the BMW's I had problems with suspension bushes and heat sheilds, nothing really.
They both make decent well-built cars. I like both cars for different reasons. My colour taste is a bit grandad but gives you an idea how nice they are
The old 190e was horrific. The ML500 was brilliant.
The 318ti sport was excellent and the 735i was wafting perfection.
Presently we have a C209 CLK 320 petrol, a friend has a similar aged 320ci, the Mercedes is miles ahead of the BMW in comfort and ride. I also think it looks better, the e46 imo looks a bit chav.
As far as performance goes the CLK is brilliant on the road, mine is run on Conti's and holds the road impeccably, it has the upgrade 17" alloys so a little harsh over pot holes etc. The rear individual seats and pillarless doors make sitting in the back a very nice place to be. The front is even better. It's very luxurious.
The BMW is a much sportier place, the seats will hug you more, the traction control won't be as restrictive and its a definate more driver orientated place to sit.
I wanted a wafter, with lots of toys, we've had two issues with the Merc in two years, the power steering is a little heavy and noisy (needs a new pump haven't bothered to fix). The car sometimes needs to be locked then unlocked as the immobiliser stops the car starting. Other than that, it's only needed brake pads. I can hoon the Merc through the back roads, it is incredibly safe and almost impossible to get it wrong, the traction control does kick in a bit too soon though.
With the BMW's I had problems with suspension bushes and heat sheilds, nothing really.
They both make decent well-built cars. I like both cars for different reasons. My colour taste is a bit grandad but gives you an idea how nice they are
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