Cabrio 320Ci Vs CLK200 cabrio... Any advise?

S

SMYUEN

Well-Known Member
Legendary 10 Years
Hi,

Dont know if I am qualified to make any comment but I think the main difference is:

1. BMW - sports comfort with performance
2. Merc - luxurious comfort with less emphasis on performance/handling

In my personal opinion:
BMW cabrio
1. Looks better
2. Rear is not so bulky
3. More proportional lines
4. Nice in-line 6
5. Cheaper
6. Sportier ride, better handling
7. Nicer hood shape
8. Ageing model

Merc CLK200
1. 3-pointed star luxury
2. Nice front
3. Awful rear - especially with hood down it looks like its got a "Big fat bum"
4. Kompressor engine more torquey at low end. Somehow the 6 cylinder 2.2 litre lacks poke
5. Wonderful interior with good space
6. Plush ride
7. New model!


Tough choice if it were me. But I would still chose the BMW cos I am biased! Merc are way too detached and soft for my liking.

Cheers!
:wavey:
 
HI SMYuen...thanks for those pointers ...somehow I agree with you ... but i tot the 6cylinder merc is 2.4l?

Recently I test drive the CLK240 surprisingly responsiveness is not that impressive tho...problem with 320CIA is tt it is no longer importing due to the new 3 series coming.. only 325CIA is available from PML... CLK240 is about $35K more expensive than 320CIA..

Anyway thanks...

Oh btw do you know of any owner selling 318 or 320CIA?? If possible not more than 2 yrs old.. only if u know of anyone...cheers. :)
 
Hi Tanzy

Yes...tested but response was not very good despite V6 2400cc. magazine rated the handling is not as good as 320Cia... :)

HI Snail_Mobile

Yes I know CLK200 is 1.8L but I was referring to CLK240. ;)
 
Jeffers De Jay,

It's tough choice, both hv pros n cons as listed above..
Gd luck n hv fun surfing.
 
Jeffers De Jay said:
HI SMYuen...thanks for those pointers ...somehow I agree with you ... but i tot the 6cylinder merc is 2.4l?

Recently I test drive the CLK240 surprisingly responsiveness is not that impressive tho...problem with 320CIA is tt it is no longer importing due to the new 3 series coming.. only 325CIA is available from PML... CLK240 is about $35K more expensive than 320CIA..

Anyway thanks...

Oh btw do you know of any owner selling 318 or 320CIA?? If possible not more than 2 yrs old.. only if u know of anyone...cheers. :)
Click to expand...

Hi,

oh.. i meant the 6 cylinder 2.2 in BMWs.. heehee.
In your opinion, how does 2.4 merc compare to the 2.2 BMW? does the 200cc make any difference? I tried the 2.4 on the C-class - didnt like it.
 
SMYUEN said:
Jeffers De Jay said:
HI SMYuen...thanks for those pointers ...somehow I agree with you ... but i tot the 6cylinder merc is 2.4l?

Recently I test drive the CLK240 surprisingly responsiveness is not that impressive tho...problem with 320CIA is tt it is no longer importing due to the new 3 series coming.. only 325CIA is available from PML... CLK240 is about $35K more expensive than 320CIA..

Anyway thanks...

Oh btw do you know of any owner selling 318 or 320CIA?? If possible not more than 2 yrs old.. only if u know of anyone...cheers. :)
Click to expand...

Hi,

oh.. i meant the 6 cylinder 2.2 in BMWs.. heehee.
In your opinion, how does 2.4 merc compare to the 2.2 BMW? does the 200cc make any difference? I tried the 2.4 on the C-class - didnt like it.
Click to expand...
Correct me if I am wrong but I thought the 240 is actually 2.6 litres. Misleading badging and therefore unfair to compare with 320 (misleading badging) of 2.2 litres

Cheers
 
If that is the case, then CLK240 should be up against the 325Ci.
 
Tanzy said:
If that is the case, then CLK240 should be up against the 325Ci.
Click to expand...

Vroom vroom.. I am waiting... "Gentlemen start your engines....."

:twisted:
 
Yeah guys... I think it is misleading ...Snail_Mobile is right..it is 2.6L. Thanks!!

I am still looking for a cabrio 318/320CIA...any owner wants to sell? preferrably not more than 2 yrs old.
 
If u look at the specs, even though CLK240 should be compared with the 325ci, in terms of engine capacity, the 0-100km/h stats states that the CLK320 is closer to the 325ci instead. Meaning that due to the bulkiness of the CLKs, they lose out to the Bimmers in terms of driveability and handling BUT win in terms of comfort and "luxurious-ness!"

Cheers! :thinking:
 
Azrielsc said:
If u look at the specs, even though CLK240 should be compared with the 325ci, in terms of engine capacity, the 0-100km/h stats states that the CLK320 is closer to the 325ci instead. Meaning that due to the bulkiness of the CLKs, they lose out to the Bimmers in terms of driveability and handling BUT win in terms of comfort and "luxurious-ness!"

Cheers! :thinking:
Click to expand...
Ya! but jus look at the price tag, faint sia :verysad:
 
Hi Azrielsc & Snail_Mobile

You are absolutely RIGHT ... paying for luxury! :shock:

FYI, CLK200 currently listed $246K...probably CLK240 will cost around $25k more.

Do you know the price-tag of 325CIA? I am comparing cabrio here.:thinking:

Only way to get some money worth.... I think going for re-sale... 1 yr old perhaps... infact yesterday I met a private owner of 1 yr old CLK200 cabrio... still in nego... wat do u think the depreciation in 1 yr starting from $246K ???
 
Jeffers De Jay said:
Hi Azrielsc & Snail_Mobile

You are absolutely RIGHT ... paying for luxury! :shock:

FYI, CLK200 currently listed $246K...probably CLK240 will cost around $25k more.

Do you know the price-tag of 325CIA? I am comparing cabrio here.:thinking:

Only way to get some money worth.... I think going for re-sale... 1 yr old perhaps... infact yesterday I met a private owner of 1 yr old CLK200 cabrio... still in nego... wat do u think the depreciation in 1 yr starting from $246K ???
Click to expand...

Well JDJ,

i pondered over the same question earlier this year, and bought the 320ci cab. There were quite a few comparos for CLK, 3 series, Audi and Saab cabrios in Autocar, Top Gear, CAR etc etc. Most of them rated the BMW as winner for its performance and fluid handling. CLK usually got the wooden spoon - pricey and un-involved handling. The Audi was great, but just not outstanding in any particular area. The Saab was well rated too for innovative features, but over here, you better have a huge depreciation fund if you buy a new Saab (sorry, Saab owners).

In my view, the CLK genre is over-rated. The current CLK front looks rather bland (am I the only one who thought so?). If you look at the CLK coupe carefully, it is the flowing bodyline that attracts you. But with the cabrio, this body-line is gone. The CLK interior still suffers from the cost-cutting years of Mercedes - it just doesn't felt like a car costing more than $200k.

Depreciation would be another factor - here we have to make some guesses. The CLK may be newer but the life cycle is shorter. The previous generation came out in '98, the current one in 03' (already FL/upgraded). On the older hand, the BMW cycle is 7-8 years. Look at the previous generation CLK - would you buy it? I doubt so. Would the current CLK suffered the same fate when it is phased out? On the otherhand, the 3 series cabrios traditionally have strong resale value - simply bec this is what many yuppies would aspire to own (before they could afford new ones).

Another aspect is potential for mods :) What can you do to a Mercs??? Need i say more?

Above are IMHO :) BTW, don't start depreciating the CLK from 246K. The 220K was going for around 235K mid-year, and could have gone further down with softening COEs.
 
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