after I came back from vegas...the 2 cars I was looking to get are available....these are my choices but my CL-S is still the problem.

This reputable used car dealer has a 2001 Black/black M3 with 21K miles for around $40K...while the 2001 CLK 430 coupe with 17K miles is selling for $42K at a MB dealer. Both cars are in pristine condition without a single curb rash on a wheel nor a ding or dent. I must say Im partial to the CLk 430 even tho I drove the M3 for about 20 min. the fawking clutch is just do damn stiff for city driving. The cl-s has such a nice and comfortable clutch compared to the M3 but speedwise the M would kill the CL-S off the line and from the roll

what would you do if you're me...plus the're only offering $22K-$23K without my mods they want it back to stock. It would hurt me as hell if after all the sweat and tears of putting my car together only to tear her down.

I want to get the clk 430 and just put some chrome 19" and pimp the shit outta of it. Im willing to make a deal on my CL-S 6 speed with 10K miles if anybody is interested.

 

keep your shit man.....the CLS is fine and you'll be paying out the ass for a USED CAR!! Moreoever, you'll be getting the old m3 cause the v8s will be out soon. I say hold on to your cash. Ride it out for year and then get a newer m3.

 

Lou: It's a shame to see you get rid of the CL after you put so much work into it. It really is once of the nicest CL's on this board.

With the M3 vs. CLK430 - Both are great cars IMO. You can't go wrong with either. 40k is still a lot of $$ for a used almost 3 year old car IMO though.

Go with the M3 if you favor performance over flash. If you want the pimp factor higher, go with the CLK430. I think you'll be happier with a hooked up CLK430 IMO

 

If you going to do it get the M3, I think that is one of the sweetest cars out there.

 

fuckin a!!! they are offering 23k on trade in for a stock 03 cl-s??!! JUMP ON THAT OFFER!!!! dump the CL-S before that depreciating bomb goes off even more than it already has....not to mention...virtually ALL of your mods you can sell and make most of your money back, additionally, you have a KILLER sound system that you can put into the CLK-430, and its already paid for.

dude, do this, get the CLK....you wont be sorry you did!!!! and seeing as how its still sitting there on the lot, that means they are probably getting anxious to sell it. make an appointment ASAP to have your CL DEMODDED and get out from under it. that CLK will be HOT!!!!!!!!

 

i agree with jim, for 23k, SELL THE THING QUICK!

grab the 'm'truce

 

thats exactly how Im thinking the CLK 430 in mint condition with chrome dubs and my navigation and sound system


do you guys really think thats a good deal $23 at the M3 dealer and Mb dealer is only offering me $22K and he said because he likes me

guys Ill try to take some pics to see what Im talking about

 

I think $23k is a good deal for your car from a dealer. I had to beg to get $19,500 for my CL

 

yea but my car is a 03' 6 speed with 10K miles on it

 

my dealer wouldnt give me 20k CANADIAN!!!!

dude, for 23k u.s. SELL NOW
take your wife/gf out for dinner and that night make BABIES!

 

 

Two thoughts:

Personally, I would be looking for a mint 540 if I was buying a car in that price range.

It still is a used car, the sad part is that they just gave someone 30k for each of those cars. Too bad we can not always be so lucky to find the guy who is so blind buying a new car, he gets raped on his trade in.

This brings up a good point. Pay the car washer, groundskeeper a commission ($100-$500) for leads on people trading in cars. He just needs to keep an eye out for people not going to service with thier cars,-----a potential new car buyer------.
HE simply says, call me if you need to trade in your car, I know someone who will pay you a few more dollars in cash. Most people would rather sell it outright for more money

 

Whats the warranty situation on the M3? I would be leary of the M3, especially since it's an '01 with all the reputed engine issues.

 

Get the CLK430, I personally think that it is a beautiful car, and it definitely has pimp factor. I agree that if you want performance, then get the M3, but you got to remember that the CLK isn't that shabby either with a 285hp V8.

I'd go with the CLK, definitely....

oh, and with chrome rims and a system that thing would be sick!

 

Has the CLK been discontinued?

 

damn thats alot to lose on an '03 6-speed with only 10k miles.

I say keep your CLS man, theres nothing wrong with it.
Of course you would have more fun in the m3

 

no, they just dont make the clk430 anymore... its the CLK 500 now with a new body style.

 

lou u r crazy, u have a brand new car, why get a used one, your gonna go from a 03 to an outdated old body 01, the interior of the clk looks like shit

u put so much work into ur car it aint worth the hassle but if u do trade go for the bimmer

 

thanks guys for the great advice!!! the dealer of the M3 really wants to sell it to me cause they just called and told me that there has been people calling from outta state for it. I will say the M3 is in perfect condition but the CLK is immaculate in every sense of the word.


I hate these decisions cause I love my CL-S its just not as pimp as the cars that Im looking at.

Personally I dont like the CLk 500 so that is the only reason I would even consider the CLK 430 and the M3 looks exactly like the new one. as far as the M3 being V8 the car is sick as is why in the world would bmw put in a v8

 

I dunno. It all comes down 2 u and what u want. I really like your cl. It is one of the nicest on here, but an m3 or clk430 would be nice. Personally, i like stick and would want a manual even in traffic, but thats me. You said you had 9000 miles right. 22 for it is bs. You should try to sell your car with the mods yourself. Im sure someone is interested. Your car is nice as hell. Otherwise part it out to people here and then sell it or trade it. It seems like you want the mb so get that if it is what you want. Good luck.

 

Oh btw i dunno bout the engine in the clk430, but the engine in my dads e430 is having a lot of problems. They even had to extend the warranty because of it. It is the same engine, but from a year earlier so not sure if it will have the same problem. And btw after having the 6 speed and driving my dads benz, the benz is slow and boring compared to the cl in my opinion. I am talking bout driving excitement. It seems as if the mercedes engine hessitates slightly on takeoff. It definately feels slow compared to my 6 speed. And you feel numbed out from the road. But maybe you like that.

 

Yea i saw that car in black not to long ago and it is so fuckin hot. trying to get my dad to get that over the new e500.

 

thanks for the input...there is no question my cl-s 6 speed will kill the cLk 430 and the MB does have its share of problems....buts I think its time for me to rep out bigger with the big players just kidding but you know what Im saying...there is no question I would have one of the sickest CLK 430 around NYC....and thats what Im looking for more than actually racing or speeding....just sit back listen to my music and FLOSS....but I do love my CL-S and between me and you the car felt better than the M3 not as fast nor razor sharp turining but for cruising my cl-s feels better. the salesman looked at me like I was crazy when I told him that.

 

personally I think it looks too close to a Civic

 

Lou... Just be careful with the CLK430. They have some quality/reliability issues which I PM'ed you about a while back. Are you getting it from a certified MB dealer? If not, please make sure it comes with a good warranty

 

Canadian dealers suck...to the point that I don't want to buy another new car from them...

They offered 15k for my 2000 Jetta which I bought for 29.xk. 50% depreciation in 3 years and 8 months!!

 

Get the M3.

 

Lou: Its like deciding between bangin' Brittney Spears or Ashanti...they both look and perform good....but they both cost a lot of money. I've been thinking along the same lines. My girlfriends brother works at a Jag dealer and he has a 2002 black CLK 430 with 15K miles......MINT that he could get me for $38K. I could bet like $18-$20K for my car and I owe $6K...so I could put like at around $13-$15K to put down.....I'm can't see spending over $500 per month for a car. I'm gonna wait a year and see....in a year...my warranty will almost be up, so I will either keep it and get the extended warranty...or dump it. DECISIONS!!!

 

CLK 430 BABY...

NO DOUBT! GO FOR IT LOU, we only get one life to live.

 

I like the CLK430, but not sure why you would want to trade your car in for something slower. The CLK430 does 0-60 in 6.4sec, isn't a 6spd CL-S faster than that?

The CLK430 is nice, but its not that much fun to drive.

 

Dump your CLS right now!!!!! $23k on trade in is hella good deal. You can't go wrong w/either CLK430 or M3. Just don't get any FWD Honda/Acura cars.

 

is that you... topGAYtrader? wow... looks like you really couldnt stay away long enough

still, you need to get a life.

 

23k for an 03 6spd,nav, with 9,000mi would be very tempting
might have to put the 01 on the market - cl55 then clk430 is my
choice

 

This person obviously hasn't grown up.

This is a no brainer, stick with the benz. It will satisfy your ego more.

A better suugestion would be to talk to a psych about the insecurity issues. It will be cheaper than the trade with a better effect

 

Lou, you’re crazy for wanting to trade your car so soon.
Loosing all that money on the CL in such a short time is ridicules.
Not to mention all the time and money you put into MODS.

Both the M3 and CLK are fine automobiles, but it seems like either would be a stretch for you to get right now.
And like Beltfed said, the 430 would actually be SLOWER then your CL-S.

Shawn S

 

why are you considering such a car for living in NYC? so you can go 60 for 1 sec down Broadway before hitting a light?

 

i think he is after the PIMP factor.

 

Holy crap... How did I miss this thread???!!!

After all the work you've put into your CL Lou, it'd be a shame to see it go. If you were driving an automatic CL, I'd say go for it. But the 6spd is pretty freakin' sweet.

While we're all going to give you opinions, it comes down to what YOU want.

Just remember the issues the '01 e46 M3s have with their motors. And the CLKs aren't the most reliable either.

 

whats so insecure about being able to afford a more expensive car....it that wasnt the case I would be driving a Civic or Rsx??

MB is more of a pimp car that really doesnt need that much work except some nice 2 piece 18" chrome wheels and a system.

so far I drove the M3 again and it is just too much for the city driving....even my cl-s 6 speed is too much.

I have to evaluate on what I want to do right now....but in no way am I saying the cl-s is a piece of shit I love my car cant you see by the way I keep her

 

If it was a choice between the CLK and M3 i'd go with the M. However i couldn't see getting rid of your car this soon too.

Why aren't you leaning towards a G35c at all?