Okay, here is the deal. My father is getting ready to sell his 99 CLK 430 and is looking for some replacements. We test drove a 645Ci coupe (6spd manual) the other day, and he also expressed interest in a 645 convertable. As he was walking out the door, I also had him sit in an M3 competition, which he also likes very much. Also, today, I was pondering the idea of a Z4 3.0i SMG as well. As for Porsche, anything goes, however my father gets pretty scetchy about things over 100K however he is considering leasing.

Im turn all up however Im leaning toward the M3. He wants a car that is functional, reliable, and is fun to drive both to work, and very hard. What he like about the M3 was that you fold the rear seats down and mount a roof rack, which you couldnt in a 645 cabrio. The 6 is a nice car, but its more of a cruiser in my opinion, which is what he is used too. Im trying to get him to taste all they flavors, try something new...what do you think? I think M3, its sporty, not too flamboyant, has class and it functionable.

(remember, all cars are welcome, Im still trying to get him to think about the 911 GT3)

 

How about an MCSC Works! My second choice would be the 645 Cabrio. When is the M5 coming - now that is a beast.

So many choices . . .

Mike

 

Thats an excellent choice. He has considered a full blown MCS loaded with works, and I think this will remain an alternative. The 645 cab in my opinion is an awsome cruiser-4 people, plenty of space, and power. Drop the top and go for a drive. Its also the most luxurious. However, when you face a road that you would normally "motor" on, Im afraid i would realize how big and heavy it is. Its also not slow, but not a stop light king. An excellent cruiser though

 

Very elegant car. Pretty understated. It still had dealer labels on it, so I don't know if it had just been bought, was out for a test drive, or one of the employees was out for a cruise. Whatever, Held the turns very nicely.

Matt

 

Man, after the CLK, that's a hard act to follow, especially if he loves the CLK...

I think the M3/3 series has problems, mainly they're a ***** to get in and out of. The CLK is easy in/out, the BMW 3 sucks. The BMW will also feel like thin sheet metal after the MB. The Z4 is junk, and the SMG box shifts like it's designed for a woman to drive. Wait, it probably was!

Hard choice, man How about a late model SL, a nice low mileage lease return?

 

i will have to totaly disagree with you on the in and out thing... i mean it depends on how big are you... im 160 and 5'7 and i fit perfect.
i drove a 1994 325 before my mini and i had no problems in the 8 years i had it for...
i have also test driven the new M3 competition, my freind has it. and let me tell you a CLK will not come close in the fun factor... now confort is a different deal... if you want confort dont get and M3.
when you are going at 140mph and reving at almost 8000 rpm and still pulling like krzy..... can you say heaven!
of course it all about taste and M3 is a sports car the CLK is a lexury sports car there is a difference!

if it was me and i can spend all that money... it will be a 911 turbo... AWD and with the rear drive mod you can lunch hard... then switch to rear and pull up top just as hard!

 

I would rule out the Z4 SMG. It's a horrible setup. Much different than the one in the M.
How about an E55, Caddy CTS-v. The CTS-v is amazing... don't knock one until you try it. Truly awesome handling car...
I would go for a 06 Z06... or at least test drive one...

 

I'm 6'3, 200lbs. But that's not what bothers me, because the Mini is not a problem for me. The problem is the sitting surface of the front seats is too low, too close to the floor. And since it's a coupe, the door is long and heavy. Lastly, because it is a coupe, the seat belt is a ***** to grab. These are small things and may not bother all drivers.

The CLK and the M3 are two entirely different machines. The M5 would be a closer fit. But again, that depends on what he's looking for.

I, too, would be inclined to a 911 or even the new Z06 if a real sports car was important.

 

The '06 C6 Vette...might be the way to go. They finished 1/2 at Le Mans.

 

It seems hes looking for everything, but then again, nothing. I myself threw in the Z4 SMG to him. He wants something thats fun to drive, pratical, reliable, and sporty. He tends to infer with this that he wants 4 seats to take the kids around in, however we have the E320CDI mom mobile to do that. Thats why he likes the M3 competition, because he could fold the seats down or put a roof rack on top. He tends to condradict himself a lot, Im trying to get him to look at everything.
I was trying to introdue him the other night to a 911 GT3, but he didnt like the fact that you couldnt delete the spoiler (!?) so he like the 997 Carrera S instead. Help.
I'll get him to respond as soo as I can.

 

Unless he's bored with Mercedes stuff, how 'bout the new SLK? It's reasonably practical, sporty and comfortable. Considering the stuff he's looking at, it's pretty inexpensive also...

 

I disagree... BMW feeling like thin sheet metal after a CLK. Have you actually ever owned those cars???

Back on topic... have him try an M5!

 

okay, here it is: M3 Competition vs 911 Carrera S

 

Considering the fact that the new M3 will have a V8, I would not be a player for an M3, keep in mind it is already old bodystyle.

My uncle has a Cayenne Turbo, boy it handles like a regular 911 turbo, awesome power delivery. But it is an SUV, however nothing similar to others.

I love Porsches, and BMWs, not big on Mercs. Even a new 540i 6 speed is fast, get it with sport suspension, you won't need the M5, it is too much US highways, waste of power and money... A 4 door sedan with performance.

If he wants a sports car GT3 would be first, than the 540i 6 speed for 4 door sedan, and if he wants to go really crazy, look at the new Ferrari 612(at least look at it, it is beautiful).

Good Luck

 

I've driven a 645i, fast, but felt "heavy" on spirited drives... lots of interior space with the alternatives you're looking at. I personally like the car, but wouldn't buy it... one reason b/c of iDrive (I guess I'm not use to it, it takes too long to do something simple otherwise).

E46 M3 6sp vs SMG, driven both... SMG is fun for a short time, but I miss shifting; ended up using the SMG stick to shift. 6spd needs a shortshifter or I'd pass.

Z4 (non SMG), personally, this car was fun... I'd get it if I was in the market for another car.

E36 M3, still have it, still enjoy it.

MCS, daily driver, fun all around.

... given the opportunity to drive/own a 911C4S, I'd take this

 

Although I love the M3 as the ultimate 4 place coupe and bemoan the loss of the 911's air-cooled flat 6 I would choose the 911 Carrera S. Anyone in a position to have a new Carrera (I'm not) should get one. What color?

 

after 3 months no progress. all is open. I even told him to get a G55.

 

isn't there an M6 out now? same as the M5 just the coupe?? i would probably go for a Porsche if i had the money, but even over a Porsche i would go for the lotus elise for fun! or get a ultima kit car!!! they are sweet! here is the ultima web site. fastest car you can get 0-60 in 2.8 sec!!

 

M6 is coming soon.........

That is one bad GT car, probably as good as the 612 Ferrari for much less moolah

 

Has he tried the SLK? They sounds great, have nice options (air scarf and seat cooling options in a 'vert sounds good ) have a 6 speed manual or AMG options, and have the super nice hard-top cabrio. Reviews have been very good for the car, supposed to be fun to drive and I think it looks great. Falls under the 100k mark - I'd consider it

Then there is the Cayman, that should be very fun :smile:

 

Its a nice car for speed, but its not practical enough. As for the zero to 60, that car would be in the catagory of "non-production", however I think the fastest 0-60 time i have ever seen was a lingenfelter vette, with 0-60 of 1.9 I believe. Insane.


I think my father will purchase a car within the next six months. He is very unpredicable. Sometime he talks getting used, then purchasing, then leasing, (which he has never done before, and if he did it would be wild.) He came close to test driving a carrera S but then somebody bought his car. I tried the GT3, but he doesnt like the idea of no traction controll and i think it is to hardcore for him. Probably a carrera s, sl500 or sl600, but Im always yanking his chain for the bigger ones....SL65?



An SL 65 with the "X50" option: teenager ......

 

Z8



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