Hi,

Thinkin its soon to be time to let the 300CE go and started researching a replacement. Been a Mercedes fan for a long time and the CE has done me well with no complaints, 300k miles on the odometer.

Trying to compare an 2001-2002 MB CLK55/430 to a BMW M3 Coupe. I value the opinions of the people on the site and curious to get some opinions and feedback.

Was there any quality problems with the CLK that I should look for? Is it worth goin for the 55, or is the 430 easier to obtain and keep long term.

Tend to be leaning twards the CLK, but friends are tryin to get me to go BMW.

Any feed back is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

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Dean

Just sold em all !! Curently driving a, 06.5 VW GTI

90' 300CE
Euro Lights w/wipers, Clear corners, 17" Monoblocks, K&N Airfilter, Sportline Suspension, Custom SS single muffler exhaust
80' 300D
96' Harley Davidson, XLH 1200

I own both a '91 300CE and an '02 CLK55. I have a preference for Mercedes-Benz, so a Bimmer really wasn't a serious consideration when I bought the W208. I still drive the CE most days and appreciate the car, even if it's not perfect inside or out.

Right now, both the CLK430 and CLK55 can be had with low miles and at a decent purchase price.

Here's my advice for now:

1. Develop your budget and stick to it.
2. Drive all the cars in your price range. General rule is that you want the newest car in the best shape with the lowest mileage you can afford.
3. Don't "stretch" to get into a performance car. Whether you end up with a CLK or M3, tires, brakes and general maintenance will be more expensive than keeping your CE on the road. Tires on my CE cost $600/set and last 45,000 miles. Tires on the CLK cost twice as much and last 1/3 as long! Insurance will be more too.

As far as "issues" with the CLK, most have been sorted by now...misc. squeaks and rattles, the occasional electrical gremlin (like having pixels on the instrument cluster go bad, etc.) I now have 25,000 miles on mine and have been very pleased overall.

Early CLK430s (1999 through early 2001) had some transmission issues and there are umpteen computers in the car that have the possibility of going bad.

BMW is no better (reliability-wise), but is a different driving/handling car altogether than the CLK. As mentioned earlier, drive all that are in your price range.

If you have a propensity to get traffic tickets, stay away from the M3, cause it's a LE magnet, down here at least.

Best of luck in your decision!