Still can't get "want a different car" out of my head but at least I'm 
being vaguely sensible and not buying the first thing I see :-)

I'm now looking (still) at E46 3-series coupes, and lately at Mercedes 
CLKs.

There seem to be too many CLKs out there at small dealers, not sure I'd 
trust those.  I know a main dealer isn't necessarily any guarantee of 
quality, but but looking on the MB used car search, 11k seems to be the 
bottom end for an approved used CLK, there's two listed near me 
(Birmingham) at 11k for a CLK 320 with 90k or a CLK 200 with 50k.

Usual thing really, after any thoughts/opinions on the CLK beyond what 
you find on Google and Parkers etc.. constructive would be useful rather 
than "I don't like it because it's a Merc" sort of stuff ;-)

cheers,
Paul

-- 
paul@spamcop.net

Paul Hutchings wrote:



> Usual thing really, after any thoughts/opinions on the CLK beyond what
> you find on Google and Parkers etc.. constructive would be useful
> rather than "I don't like it because it's a Merc" sort of stuff ;-)


CLK is more understated and more respectable than the yob image 3 coupe, but 
not nearly as nice to drive, nor is it as well built (not the older cheaper 
ones). Engines are OK but the 4 cyl 230 compressor is the most dull sounding 
and uninspiring motor ever, and the superchargers whine as they get old.

If you can get a V6 (was there a V8?) you'll be doing alright. Don't get a 
manual, the car's not rewarding enough to drive to justify changing gear 
yourself and all modern mercs use as much fuel real world as auto or manual.

V6 drop top auto would be the pick for me.
-- 
"it's very dangerous to fall asleep in the bath, I keep myself awake by
constantly making toast"

"Tim S Kemp"  wrote in message 
news:3oydna8kuMqD80ffRVn-qg@karoo.co.uk...

> Paul Hutchings wrote:
>
>
>> Usual thing really, after any thoughts/opinions on the CLK beyond what
>> you find on Google and Parkers etc.. constructive would be useful
>> rather than "I don't like it because it's a Merc" sort of stuff ;-)
>
> CLK is more understated and more respectable than the yob image 3 coupe, 
> but not nearly as nice to drive, nor is it as well built (not the older 
> cheaper ones). Engines are OK but the 4 cyl 230 compressor is the most 
> dull sounding and uninspiring motor ever, and the superchargers whine as 
> they get old.


The old MFM boss had a 2.3 supercharger one before his Porsche and he 
reported that it always whined...


> If you can get a V6 (was there a V8?) you'll be doing alright. Don't get a 
> manual, the car's not rewarding enough to drive to justify changing gear 
> yourself and all modern mercs use as much fuel real world as auto or 
> manual.


And for many, you'll get better (lower) consumption using the automatic, 
too.


> V6 drop top auto would be the pick for me.




-- 
The DervMan
www.dervman.com

"Paul Hutchings"  wrote in message 
news:paul-163143.14313017072005@news-forte.supernews.net...

> Still can't get "want a different car" out of my head but at least I'm
> being vaguely sensible and not buying the first thing I see :-)
>
> I'm now looking (still) at E46 3-series coupes, and lately at Mercedes
> CLKs.
>
> There seem to be too many CLKs out there at small dealers, not sure I'd
> trust those.  I know a main dealer isn't necessarily any guarantee of
> quality, but but looking on the MB used car search, 11k seems to be the
> bottom end for an approved used CLK, there's two listed near me
> (Birmingham) at 11k for a CLK 320 with 90k or a CLK 200 with 50k.
>
> Usual thing really, after any thoughts/opinions on the CLK beyond what
> you find on Google and Parkers etc.. constructive would be useful rather
> than "I don't like it because it's a Merc" sort of stuff ;-)
>

as long as they sorted the attorcious room for your feet near the pedals 
before it went facelift
i drove one around town for a bit and i couldn't see what my feet were doing 
because the lower dash swooped round so much

what i would be doing looking at my feet while i was driving is neither here 
nor there, but i would have been seriously concerned had i been in an impact 
and had my feet caught in the crumple zones



> cheers,
> Paul
>
> -- 
> paul@spamcop.net 

Tim S Kemp wrote:


>If you can get a V6 (was there a V8?)


The 430.

-- 
Ben Blaney