CLK 430 Cabriolet

[pmac]

I fancy buying a CLK 430 cabriolet - anyone out there have any thoughts / experience on it? Is it worth the extra over the 320?

Previous cars include a s1 Elise and a 993 Targa - I'm now looking for a bit of comfort but retain a reasonable turn of speed.

Other suggestions welcome!

Thanks in advance.

[jumjum]

Lovely car

These cars are very heavy, great for stiffnes and ride but this poor 230k with 193bhp (not far of the 320's 218bhp) is not that quick, the 430 has 272bhp.

Test in ams 17/1998
Mercedes CLK 230 Kompressor Cabrio - 1998 (Serie)
Motorart R 4
Hubraum 2295 ccm
Aufladung Kompressor
PS - UMin 193 PS - 5300/Min
Nm - UMin 280 Nm - 2500/Min
Motorlage/Antrieb Frontmotor/Heck
Gänge/Schaltung 5/manuell
Test in ams 17/1998
Gewicht 1655 kg
0 - 80 km/h 6,4 s
0 - 100 km/h 9,6 s
1 km, stehender Start 30,4 s

Looked at one when bought a bmw 330 cab, the 230k cost the same when specced as the 330 and the 330 manual was 6.9 secs 0-62 mph quite a bit quicker than the 320 8.1 secs 0-62 mph and I think the 430 was about the same 6.9 secs.

I've had an ML430 and an S430, with the same V8, great engine creamy smooth, very quiet until roused, instant response with linear power the 5 speed auto is also great and matches the engine superbly.

Used to get 24.5 mpg in the s430 at 85 mph and 21 mpg in the huge heavy ML430 at the same speed, it's surprsingly economical for such a large engine.

I'd get the 430, economy and running costs won't be that much more than 320 and you'll get effortless performance that'll suit the character of the car

I think the 430's also had better spec

[pmac]

Thanks jumjum

I think I'm sold on one!