Edmunds Inside Line - 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series vs. 2007 BMW M6

[Raza]

The M6 gets uglier each and every time I open this thread.? It might be the ugliest $100k+ car on the market today.

Yes, it is. 

Although, I must say, I saw a 650 the other day and in profile, it looked quite good.  Made me think about one again.  But then again, for me to ever buy one, I'd have to live in a world where the 911 doesn't exist.  And that's a world in which I couldn't live.

[MexicoCityM3]

Who cares if other people know what it is?? That's a pretty sad reason to buy a car IMO, to impress your D-bag neighbors.


I agree there are better "real" sports cars for the price (GT3).? Or less (911 Carrera S).? But the M6 isn't one of them.

GT3 > M6 > 911S

[Tave]

Perhaps slightly off topic, but why is it called a "black series" when the car is not black in color?

Doesn't make any sense, does it? Black is a color, and nothing else. Even if they called it something like "Gold Edition," then the name would at least denote a premium product, because gold is also a precious metal. Or "Diamond Edition."

[JYODER240]

Yes, it is.?

Although, I must say, I saw a 650 the other day and in profile, it looked quite good.? Made me think about one again.? But then again, for me to ever buy one, I'd have to live in a world where the 911 doesn't exist.? And that's a world in which I couldn't live.

I think that goes for all current BMW's. If you could look at their "shadows" they would look quite good. They have great porportions, they just have ackward details.

[Raza]

Why is it called Black Series if it's not black??

Why does the 328i have a 3 liter engine?

Why is it called a Reuben, if it's made of corned beef and not people named Reuben?

[TheIntrepid]

Are you guys going to do this when the Saab Black Turbo comes out and it will be offered in other colors than black?

Quite possibly.

[Tave]

Why is it called Black Series if it's not black??

Why does the 328i have a 3 liter engine?

Why is it called a Reuben, if it's made of corned beef and not people named Reuben?

Names must have some meaning, or we might as well call it the Mercedes CLK ASUFHJNBFEWJBRIWEUQ@&#!*&#$*&!$@!*&!@13412746t17658---=/';;'... Edition.

[TheIntrepid]

Names must have some meaning, or we might as well call it the Mercedes CLK ASUFHJNBFEWJBRIWEUQ@&#!*&#$*&!$@!*&!@13412746t17658---=/';;'... Edition.

Abbreviated to "Mohawk Edition"

[1 BAD 7]

Very true SJ_GTI specialy that last part

On a more serious note I will take the M6 in that deep Monaco blue color and save the extra $25K.? Everytime I see this Monaco blue M6 rolling thru my neighbour hood I envy this doctor dude that is behind the wheels boy o boy..... lucky him.

But the more I think and rationalize the more I realize that if I had $106K-125K to spend on a ride then I would just get smaller, lighter and equaly fun all new M3 for nearly $60K and call it a day.

I think the rest of that $65K could do some serious good if invested properly. .

I personally couldn't care less about the price, I just put that info to refute the idea that the CLK class was a 6-series competitor. CLK AMG's have always been compared to M3's as far as I know. In fact, the only reason I can think that they used the M6 is because it happened to be the most expensive BMW they could find.

PS. The 530i pwns the soulless M45.?

[ChrisV]

But the more I think and rationalize the more I realize that if I had $106K-125K to spend on a ride then I would just get smaller, lighter and equaly fun all new M3 for nearly $60K and call it a day.

I think the rest of that $65K could do some serious good if invested properly. .

I'd be willing to bet that most people buying in this category aren't concerned about a mere $65k for investing, or they are leasing the car and aren't actually spending that $65k difference anyhow.

[Champ]

Why does the 328i have a 3 liter engine?

What does the 'i' stand for in most of the BMW models?

I understand 3xxci is the convertable?  I can understand the 'c'.  Is the 'i' mean I-6 engine?

[1 BAD 7]

Good point chrisV

I'd be willing to bet that most people buying in this category aren't concerned about a mere $65k for investing, or they are leasing the car and aren't actually spending that $65k difference anyhow.

[SJ_GTI]

What does the 'i' stand for in most of the BMW models?

I understand 3xxci is the convertable?? I can understand the 'c'.? Is the 'i' mean I-6 engine?

I am not sure, but I think it has something to do with the fact that its a gas engine rather than diesel engine. For instance, a 3-series with a 2.0L diesel is called a 320d, the gas version is called 320i.

[Champ]

I am not sure, but I think it has something to do with the fact that its a gas engine rather than diesel engine. For instance, a 3-series with a 2.0L diesel is called a 320d, the gas version is called 320i.

Well why isn't everyone bitching about 'i' not meaning anything, but are having a tissy fit about 'black'.  You guys are funny.

[SJ_GTI]

Well why isn't everyone bitching about 'i' not meaning anything, but are having a tissy fit about 'black'.? You guys are funny.

I think it does mean something, I just don't know what it is.

And I wasn't bitching about the AMG anyway. 

[Raza]

I think it does mean something, I just don't know what it is.

And I wasn't bitching about the AMG anyway.?

Legend has it, it means "fuel injected".  Don't know if that's true.

[Tave]

Raza beat me to it. The system is obsolete now that they're entire line-up is EFI, but it still serves, as SJ pointed out, to differentiate between the gasoline and diesel models.

[Champ]

Ok, so 'Black' differentiates a special AMG one from a regular AMG one.  Just like 'i' differentiates gas from 'd' diesel.

quitcherbitchin.

[Tave]

No, it's not the same thing at all.

[Raza]

I'm still waiting on my Reuben answer.

[Tave]

I order the club sandwich all the time, but I'm not even a member, man! I don't know how I get away with it.
"I like my sandwiches with three pieces of bread."
"So do I."
"Well let's form a club then."
"Okay, but we need some more stipulations."
"Yes we do. Instead of cutting the sandwich once, let's cut it again."
"Yes, four triangles. And we will position them into a circle. And in the middle we will dump chips."
"Or potato salad."
"Okay. Lemme ask you a question: how do you feel about frilly toothpicks?"
"I'm for 'em!"
"Well this club is formed. Spread the word on menus nationwide!"
RIP Mitch

[Lebowski]

...  or they are leasing the car and aren't actually spending that $65k difference anyhow.

Ah, because if you lease the car, you aren't actually spending the money.

If only that were true, I'd be driving an F430 right about now and ...

[MX793]

Doesn't make any sense, does it? Black is a color, and nothing else. Even if they called it something like "Gold Edition," then the name would at least denote a premium product, because gold is also a precious metal. Or "Diamond Edition."

I only ask because you sometimes see motorcycles offered as a "Dark" edition (in the case of Ducati), but those versions are called such because they feature some coloration that distinguishes them from the regular models.  For instance, a Dark edition Ducati Monster featured flat black paint that wasn't available on the regular model.  Or the Harley Sportster Nightster edition, which likewise features dark coloration to distinguish it from other models.

[the Teuton]

BMWology:

i = fuel injected
d = diesel
e = economical model
L (after numbers) = long wheelbase
x = AWD
c = cabrio/coupe/compact
///M = motorsports
L (before numbers) = specialty uber luxury model
T = touring/estate/wagon
Z = used to have to do with the "z" rear axle on the Z1 and Z3, but now it's just the designation for sports cars.
CSi = Coupe Sport Injected = big, poweful sports coupe when ///M just isn't appropriate

I don't think I'm missing any, but I could be wrong.

[ro51092]

BMWology:

i = fuel injected
d = diesel
e = economical model
L (after numbers) = long wheelbase
x = AWD
c = cabrio/coupe/compact
///M = motorsports
L (before numbers) = specialty uber luxury model
T = touring/estate/wagon
Z = used to have to do with the "z" rear axle on the Z1 and Z3, but now it's just the designation for sports cars.
CSi = Coupe Sport Injected = big, poweful sports coupe when ///M just isn't appropriate

I don't think I'm missing any, but I could be wrong.

-CSL
-ti

I'll let you fill in the blanks.

[the Teuton]

-CSL
-ti

I'll let you fill in the blanks.

CSL = club sport light, but that would technically be Klub Sport Leicht in German, which is KSL.  Why would they make the designation in English?

ti = turbo injected.

[ro51092]

CSL = club sport light, but that would technically be Klub Sport Leicht in German, which is KSL.  Why would they make the designation in English?

ti = turbo injected.

ti means compact, like in the E36 318ti.

[Raza]

They've done away with "c" as well.  Which just makes things fucking confusing.

[Lebowski]

They've done away with "c" as well.? Which just makes things fucking confusing.

Their current naming scheme for the 3-series is a complete clusterfuck.

[SJ_GTI]

Their current naming scheme for the 3-series is a complete clusterfuck.

They have always have some inconsistencies in their naming, but I agree their current system is pretty strange.

There is logic to it, but unfortunately the logic isn't necessarily related to engine size anymore.