clk cabriolet

[mr red]

am looking to purchase a clk cabriolet probably 2000/2001 model, have spent a long time looking for the bigger engined ones 4.3 and above but they seem to be pretty rare. is the 320 a decent drive or should i keep looking. also the `amg` optioned ones are they purely cosmetic or are their mechanical differences

cheers

[humpy]

I have had a CLK 320 Cabriolet for 4 years. I wanted a comfortable 4 seater grand tourer that could eat the miles and also drop the roof for a drive on a summer's evening. I drove the 430 before I made the decision to buy the 320.

Key Differences:
i). 430 sounds better [obviously being a V8] although the 320 V6 does spin up nicely and sounds quite nice too.
ii). 430 is 1 second faster 0-60, but it's not 'obviously' much faster. Top end's not very different.
iii). 320 has much better fuel economy - I average 26mpg.
iv). Insurance was cheaper on the 430 - oddly enough.
v). 320 residuals are better.

I am not an AMG expert [far from it] but I believe the AMG bits are mainly cosmetic as far as I know, wheels, steering wheel, skirts, spoilers etc. There are lowering / suspension kits and other mods but these are rare.

The main difference between the Avante Guard and the Elegance is the suspension. The Avante Guard has a firmer 'sports' suspension. Mine is the Elegance model and it goes round corners well enough, plus it is very comfortable.

Reliability has been very good. Only one failure and that was a sensor, fixed at the roadside by Mercedes.

For me, at the time, the 320 was the better proposition. It cost less, was cheaper to run [fuel] and had a better residual when I came to sell.

Funnily enough! Mine's for sale [I want a Lotus next - from the sublime to the rediculous eh?]. It's 2001 on an 'X' in Tansanite Blue with light grey leather, 320 Elegance Cabriolet, 84,000 miles fully maintained by Merc under contract. It needs the wheels tidying and a few stone chips touched in but I do believe she's a bit of a bargain at £13,500 ono. Just thought I'd mention it

Whatever you decide - good luck. They are both excellent cars and you won't be disappointed with either.

H

Edited by humpy on Thursday 6th July 00:31

[aeroresh]

There's also the proper AMG CLK55 to look for although these are even rarer.

I think the resiuals of the bigger engined cars will bottom out and actually improve compared to the more common smaller engined cars as the years go on.