BMW 650i Convertible vs MB SLK350 Convertible

How does she like the seating at the MB service center?

Go for the BMW...

And may want to "!" a mod to correct the title of the thread...

 

^^^? Mercedes are just as reliable as BMW, and IMO if not better. I have owned multiple Mercedes and BMWs in my lifetime and have always preferred Mercedes in terms of reliability, quality, comfort and looks.

Now the 650 and the SLK are pretty different cars, the SLK doesn't even have a back ledge it is so small and is more to comparable to the BMW Z4.

It would make more sense if you were talking about the CLK which is a 4 seat convertible much like the 650.

In terms of looks, (as an avid, but not biased Merc fan) I would go for the BMW, but in terms of reliability, service and quality I would go for the CLK. If it is the CLK, I would wait because Merc is coming out with a new style which will replace the CLK and just be referred to as the E convertible.

I would understand if the previous poster had one particular serious problem with a Merc and that is why he is kind of biased toward Merc, but Merc is just as good, if not better.

Mercedes also has a greater history then BMW considering they invented the automobile themselves.


EDIT: I would also suggest the Mercedes SL500 which started in 03, you could get an 03-08 (before facelift) for well under 60K. This car is legendary, extremely good looking and extremely reliable. It does not have backseats, but it does have two fairly large ledges with compartments and I would assume that your girlfriend does not want back seats so she can seat people in them, but just to put things on so these ledges would be a good substitute.

Please post any questions as I am very educated in the whole BMW and Merc area.

All set and done though I would suggest the SL500,

here is a newer lower mileage one for 59k:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-MERCEDES-SL500-WHITE-30K-IMMACULATE-MUST-SEE-IT_W0QQitemZ120430623561QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item1c0a397b49&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A-2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ht_500wt_1216

And here is a cheaper one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-SL500-Hard-Top-Convertible-Nav-45K-1-Owner-CLEAN_W0QQitemZ220423531584QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item3352442c40&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A-2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ht_8348wt_1221

Considering these car have a 100k+ retail they are certainly a good deal.

The great thing about them is that they are as comfortable as the big S-Class sedan (seat massagers, nav, etc) but sporty and they have a folding hardtop top so they can be a coupe, would strongly recommend this.

-Ray

 

I think there is an error in your title, in that you are deciding between the CLK and BMW, as per the content of your post, not the SLK350 as in the title. If back seats are a must, you would do well to consider some other options (the back seats in the CLK are barely usable anyway). I have a CLK, and it's very "meh." The styling isn't that great IMO, but aesthetics are very subjective. You could also check out a Porsche 997, which have dropped under $60k I believe. The styling is far superior to the CLK, but, again, that's very subjective.

If the back seats are somewhat negotiable, I would also concur that the pre-facelift SL-class is a great value, and you can even get an SL55 in that price range. Again, no backseats, but a 2006 Aston Martin Vantage can be had for mid-60's. I don't know about the roadster, though, but if aesthetics are paramount, then you would be hard-pressed to find a more attractive car than the Aston.

 

Not really in the same league as all the previous cars discussed, but lots of girls seem to like Mini Cooper cabrios, and they're pretty cheap too. I'd go with the SL like others have suggested, I use one as a daily driver back home and it's fantastic. Lots of storage space, comfortable, looks nice and I can easily squeeze one extra person in the back if I wanted to.

 

I do service work on both cars and hands down the Bimmer will be more reliable. You will have to get the software updated from time to time but far fewer "no fly" items while you wait for an appointment at the Benz service dept.

 

I actually had the opposite experience. My dad's 7 series and my neighbour's 3 serieses have been plagued by a slew of mechanical/software issues that took many months in the workshop to fix. On the other hand, the SL has never failed me even after lots of daily mileage and track usage.

 

Is the choice only between these two mingers? If so, reluctantly the BMW, just because the CLK is even more boring. Unless you could find a CLK63, but I doubt those are in that price range yet.

If not, the new style (07-09) Jaguar XKR is dropping rapidly into her price range. With the new 510hp version coming out no doubt guys will be getting rid of their old ones with only 400 hp. The XK8 is well under $50k on the used market. Back seats for emergency use.

 

i would recommend she get a SLK55 instead of the 350

 

Haven't drove the CLK before but I own the bmw 6 coupe for dd. So far no issues with maintenance. There is the ocasional slow down of the idrive system but that can be fixed with firmware upgrades. So far no major mechanical problems to be found and I'm little over 40k. In terms of fun to drive, I would assume the bmw would be more fun to drive. Even though the car is big, it feels quite nimble for the size. The power of the v8 isn't so bad either. Let me know if you need any more details.

 

i had an m6 and loved it,but the back seats are marginal[same as 650]..
better a new or mint m3

 

I agree with goalsir. I just bought a my05 CPO SL500 last month after looking at 650 & 645 BMWs. I have made a couple of long trips and the car is really nice. I have owned other MBs and this is by far the best and if you look around there are deals everywhere.