Present for the wife- trigger pulled

[Raza]

while all good advice the vehicle size isnt issue for her she bought a durango when she was still single and the 6 is based in the 5 platform which we already have.  But most everyone seems to agree with you on style.  I havent ever drove a clk550 does anyone know anything about it handling and ride wise?  And does the engine live up to it's power rating the way BMW v8's do?  Didn't you used to own a benz?  Clearly the MB is the choice here but have to wonder about how it stacks up behind the wheel.   Hope the snow melts soon so i can drive one.

The CLK's got plenty of power.  The 500 ran 0-60 in 5.7 seconds (coupe, so it was lighter), the 550 packs in an extra 80 horsepower over the 500.  You won't be wanting for speed.  You figure the 550 had 382 horsepower and the old CLK55 AMG had 362 and a 0-60 of 4.5 (coupe, as tested in C&D).  So expect something around 5 seconds to 60, I'd say. 

I've never driven a CLK myself, but it's a C class under that gorgeous body, so expect competent, but not amazing handling.  With the sport pack, I'm sure it'll perform better, but don't expect it to feel like a BMW at the wheel.  My mother's CLS does feel like a BMW, but I think that's a much more recent phenomenon in MBs than the CLK.  It won't communicate as much through the steering, I'd bet, as the 6 series might (I drove a 5er of that generation just once YEARS ago, so I don't remember it for sure).  I'm just extrapolating from the C230Ks and C240s I've driven of similar age.  It should be better to drive than those by a good bit. 

Drive both to be sure.  But, I doubt the difference between the two will be enough to make up for how much better the CLK looks. 

Exterior size goes both ways; the CLK is C-class based and the 650 is 5-series based.  I doubt you'll fit anyone comfortably in the back of either, but I'd wager that the 6 has a bigger trunk and more space in the back seat, so you could put someone back there for a short trip. 

Obviously not a direct comparison, but you might be able to gain some insight based on this comparison:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2004-bmw-645ci-vs-maserati-coup-cambiocorsa-m-b-clk55-amg-comparison-tests

And a little more on the CLK cabriolet, albeit from the introduction period, when the engines were different:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2004-mercedes-benz-clk-class-cabriolet-first-drive-review

This is the CLK"500" coupe, our CLK550:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/203048/mercedesbenz_clk_500.html

[Laconian]

Also, remember the convertible top. The 6-series looks bizarre with the top up. The CLK's looks more conventional and probably has better visibility all around.

Unsolicited submission: the G37 convertible beats them all in the looks department with the top up or down IMO, but it won't have the German car panache if you think your wife is going to be a stickler for it. Hardtops are handy in winter, too.

[Raza]

Also, remember the convertible top. The 6-series looks bizarre with the top up. The CLK's looks more conventional and probably has better visibility all around.

Unsolicited submission: the G37 convertible beats them all in the looks department with the top up or down IMO, but it won't have the German car panache if you think your wife is going to be a stickler for it. Hardtops are handy in winter, too.

I know you love your car, but you seriously think it looks better than the CLK?  I mean, just in the looks department, you're out of your mind.  The second generation CLK cabriolet is one of the best looking four seat convertibles ever. 

[Laconian]

I know you love your car, but you seriously think it looks better than the CLK?  I mean, just in the looks department, you're out of your mind.  The second generation CLK cabriolet is one of the best looking four seat convertibles ever. 

Top up:





Top down:





Top-up, the G37 looks much better. Top-down, I think it holds its own.

[Laconian]

[NomisR]

None of the above.. I would prefer convertibles started out life as a convertible and not one getting scalped..

[CALL_911]

I know you love your car, but you seriously think it looks better than the CLK?  I mean, just in the looks department, you're out of your mind.  The second generation CLK cabriolet is one of the best looking four seat convertibles ever.

Hell yeah. The G37 convertible is one of the best looking 4-seat verts ever.

[Raza]

Top up:





Top down:





Top-up, the G37 looks much better. Top-down, I think it holds its own.

I disagree completely.  The G37 is bulbous with the top up or down and suffers from the unsightly breaks in the roof that all hard top convertibles do.  It doesn't even work as well as the E90/2/3 whichever the convertible is called.

I know some people find retractable hardtops to be more attractive than soft tops with the top up, but the broken up panels on a four seat hardtop is really unattractive.  A soft top is just more elegant.  Top down the G37 improves, since the awkward area over the rear wheel is less pronounced, but a four seat hardtop is at its worst with the top up, generally. 

[NomisR]

Get an Elise for the wife instead!

[MrH]

What about an E93 3 series convertible? Seems like a much better deal, not that much down on space either. Aged much better too.

[Lebowski]

What about an E93 3 series convertible? Seems like a much better deal, not that much down on space either. Aged much better too.

I like a 3-series vert much better than either of these choices.

[hotrodalex]

I like a 3-series vert much better than either of these choices.

Can't give the wife a lowly 3er when you drive a 5er!

[Raza]

What about an E93 3 series convertible? Seems like a much better deal, not that much down on space either. Aged much better too.

Aged better than the CLK?  Surely you jest.

Though it does seem like a good option.  It probably drives better than the CLK, but I'd think it loses out on practicality and it definitely loses out on looks. 

[Lebowski]

Aged better than the CLK?  Surely you jest.

Though it does seem like a good option.  It probably drives better than the CLK, but I'd think it loses out on practicality and it definitely loses out on looks. 

Aged much better than either of these cars, particularly that six, and just a better proportioned car to begin with, again particularly compared to that six. And he could get a newer one for same $$$.

If someone gave me that six as a birthday present I'd be livid.

[CALL_911]

If someone gave me that six as a birthday present I'd be livid.

[cawimmer430]

How long before Wimmer suggests buying the wife a '74 Dodge Monaco?   

He said "a car for his wife". So....






If he asked for a new squad car, then I would have recommended a '74 Dodge Monaco. 

[cawimmer430]

I've driven that generation CLK with various motors during my time at a Benz dealership including the CLK500 (but with the "old" 306-hp V8). It's a competent handler and very comfortable and the power was very good even with the smaller engines (like the CLK200 Kompressor for example). The CLK550 should be a very quick and very refined ride.

I never much liked that old 6er. The new one is sexy and stunning.

[Cookie Monster]

Aged better than the CLK?  Surely you jest.

Though it does seem like a good option.  It probably drives better than the CLK, but I'd think it loses out on practicality and it definitely loses out on looks. 

I haven't looked at the numbers but I don't think the 3 is any less practical than the CLK, and it looks far better as well. I'm not a fan of the hardtop but at least top up or down the 3 vert looks right.

[Raza]

I haven't looked at the numbers but I don't think the 3 is any less practical than the CLK, and it looks far better as well. I'm not a fan of the hardtop but at least top up or down the 3 vert looks right.

I posit this: No hardtop convertible is as practical as a soft top convertible of similar size. 
Justification: No [EDIT: four seat] hardtop convertible has a useful trunk with the top down. 
Conclusion: There is at least one aspect in which a hardtop convertible is less practical than a soft top.
Therefore, as the 3er and CLK are of similar size and the 3er is a hardtop and the CLK is a soft top, there is at least one aspect in which the CLK is more practical.

Irrefutable, son.




That means, for a top down weekend getaway, the CLK is the far superior choice. 

[SVT666]

Hardtop convertibles suck.

[CALL_911]

Fuck 4-seat verts. However, I'd kill for a roadster.

[MrH]

I posit this: No hardtop convertible is as practical as a soft top convertible of similar size. 
Justification: No hardtop convertible has a useful trunk with the top down. 
Conclusion: There is at least one aspect in which a hardtop convertible is less practical than a soft top.
Therefore, as the 3er and CLK are of similar size and the 3er is a hardtop and the CLK is a soft top, there is at least one aspect in which the CLK is more practical.

Irrefutable, son.




That means, for a top down weekend getaway, the CLK is the far superior choice. 

Miata PRHT vs Miata Softtop.  Same luggage room.  Silence child, check your internetery.

[Lebowski]

I posit this: No hardtop convertible is as practical as a soft top convertible of similar size. 
Justification: No hardtop convertible has a useful trunk with the top down. 
Conclusion: There is at least one aspect in which a hardtop convertible is less practical than a soft top.
Therefore, as the 3er and CLK are of similar size and the 3er is a hardtop and the CLK is a soft top, there is at least one aspect in which the CLK is more practical.

Irrefutable, son.




That means, for a top down weekend getaway, the CLK is the far superior choice. 

Yeah, I prefer soft tops too and this is one reason why. 3er still the better choice IMO despite the hardtop.

Weekend trips, leave the kids at home and pack soft weekender bags and place in the back seat.

[Cookie Monster]

Miata PRHT vs Miata Softtop.  Same luggage room.  Silence child, check your internetery.

Goddammit I was going to say this.

[Raza]

Miata PRHT vs Miata Softtop.  Same luggage room.  Silence child, check your internetery.

I'll add the qualifier of four seat.

EDIT:  Also, any time anyone uses the word "internetry" (or variations) they sound like a faggot.  Just saying.   

[Raza]

Yeah, I prefer soft tops too and this is one reason why. 3er still the better choice IMO despite the hardtop.

Weekend trips, leave the kids at home and pack soft weekender bags and place in the back seat.

And the second you stop somewhere and don't spend the 2 hours it takes to put the top back up, all your shit gets stolen. 

[Lebowski]

And the second you stop somewhere and don't spend the 2 hours it takes to put the top back up, all your shit gets stolen.

Put the top up kid.

[Raza]

Put the top up kid.

Or just get a convertible with a trunk and keep your stuff in there. 

[Onslaught]

Miata PRHT vs Miata Softtop.  Same luggage room.  Silence child, check your internetery.

Not true. It has MORE room then the soft top somehow.

[Cookie Monster]

Not true. It has MORE room then the soft top somehow.

I think they extended the ass of the PRHT model. I know the trunk for the soft top vs PRHT is different.