Porsche and Mercedes enthusiast

I am wondering if any of you P-car fanatic who is also Mercedes enthusiast??

I don't know if I would call myself a p-car fanatic, but I am a mercedes enthusiast (assuming you mean pre-1992 mercedes).

Never been a MB guy myself, but was quite impressed by the steamroller torque during a recent ride in a friend's SL55. Too bad you can't get a stick in the AMG cars...

There are probably a lot more of the P-car/Bimmer combination.

For 18 grand Renntech will put a stick in there.

I've had a couple of MB's: a 2000 CLK320 and a 2003 CLK500. They are lovely cars, but not in same viceral sports car league as my Porsche. The big 5L V8 in the CLK500, has gobs of torque and a great V8 rumble. It's very fast and it pulls like a locomotive, but switching into it after driving the C4S it feels too soft, too big, too heavy. That's why I'm bidding it farewell in a couple of weeks.

What slaaw says is more frequent BMW is a sporty brand. It's cars usually to offer a sporty ride. MB are different including AMG, they are more luxury. People who like BMW M's would like Porsche...

Yes I am definitely a fan of both. No bias from me as Porsche and MB manufacture fantastic cars as I can attest. (With an SLK230 and 944S2). At the same time, the recent offerings from Mercedes are a little disappointing.

Yep, more BMW than MB fan. I've owned both, but many more BMWs than MBs. The lack of a stick in the MB kills it for me, and when they finally did offer one on the C class, it was horrible, although I've heard that they have improved.

I am

My mom has a '99 SL 500 w/only 39,000 kilometers. The thing is built like a tank.

My wife just bought an R350...not an enthusiasts car but we have the Porsche MB combo.

I like both cars for their specific roles. One is a Luxury car the other is a sports car.

I have an E55 and my 911. Funny experience driving both... The E55 (supercharged v8 w/469hp) would handly my N/A 996 without a problem in the straight line - and hold my two kids in the back seat! However, my 996 handles fantastically and doesn't feel like a boat going around a clover leaf. Personally, I can't handle the BMW aura... Not all, but too many driven by cell phone toting idiots here in the Bay Area. Rant. DRIVE NOW, TALK LATER! Rant off.

The SLK350 AMG can be ordered with a stick.

This AMG package for the SLK350 is only aero kit and some trim pieces. No engine tuning, brakes, or suspension differences than the standard SLK350. The only full AMG SLK is the SLK55 with V8/7speed Auto

I'm crazy about both of them.

The SLK55 with a 6-speed..... If Mercedes could only wake-up.

Crazy Canuck............Everytime I see your avatar.... uffffffffffffffffffffffffffff aaaaarrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhh

I do like MB, but we are a Porsche and BMW family. I have owned 318, 330, 540 and just picked up a new 4.4 X5 this past week. I just like the more sporty ride, feel of BMW. Still though after getting out of the 911 even BMW feels big, soft, and clunky.

just bought a X5 (since I am almost done modding my P) now I can start modding the X5 (needs 20' rims...sport exhaust....etc.etc Never been a MB fan (except the SL series) but I feel I need to be at least 50 to drive an MB..until them I need to have sportiers cars...BMW gives me this sportier feeling....taking that X5 thu a corner is almost as much fun as doing so with the P.....that is until I change cars and than NOTHING beats a P.

MB sedans are comfortable and great in high speed runs. However, cornering is poor with lots of body roll. I'd probly consider suspension mods if it's driven spiritly. It's too bad AMG doesn't make the suspension as tight as M series. AMG does make some wicked motors though.

very hard to be enthusiastic about most of BMW/Merc's range. alot of P-car owners own or have come from an M3 or an AMG... some of the AMG models are truely exciting, SLK55 AMG - albiet a bit small... CL55AMG that i have is a good GT car , but im replacing it with an M6 soon. I'm not passionate for any mercedes except mabye a couple of their AMG range. Love the BMW M Range.

Actually, the '350 isn't an AMG car - and the SLK55, which is, can't be ordered that way.

I loved driving my old 6.3. Tons of torque from idle.

That is how I feel. I'm not that big of a BMW fan, because if I wanted to drive a 4 door car I was doing so because I wanted to cruise along in comfort. If I needed response from a car I drive the Porsche.

That's unfortunate, since the SLK55 AMG sounds like a decent car if it were equipped with a manual.

I've got the same set up, more or less as Pongopaz has, at least until he gets rid of his MB. My daily driver is a CLK500 - great cruiser, the auto. is helpful in stop/go rush hour traffic, gobs of grunt, pretty good summer car with all 4 windows retracted (no B pillar) and the roof open. It does what it is intended to do real well. Recently had an ML430, but felt 3 SUVs in the family was a bit much so took the opportunity to move over to the CLK. No comparison to the 911 as far as a real sports car goes. Still have the Volvo XC90 (wife) and the Ford Escape (kids) for the real ugly winter stuff.

That's funny how we almost have pretty much the same cars right down to the Volvos (mechanically the same, with cosmetic differences) in the same city. The kids aren't of driving age (soon though), so no kids' car on the road yet. You're right about how the MB is a great cruiser and the pillarless feature is great on the coupe; feels like a convertible in the summer. But since the pcar arrived, I hardly drive it and my wife is so used to her Volvo, that she doesn't think of the MB either so that's why it's going soon. But the MBs are fantastic cars. Mine have been bullet-proof and so dependable day in and day out; I'll probably get another MB someday.

YOU HAD A 6.3!!!! And you got rid of it???!!! If it was in good shape, care to let us know when and for how much you let it go? If it was more than 5 years ago I'm guessing you sold it for half of what it would get today.

Check out the style 177 20 inch OEM rims. I got those, and they are awesome. http://www.x5world.com/wheels/wheel/bmw_wheel_177.jpg I don't have pics if them on the car yet, but they are my favorite 20's.

Bought my wife a CLK430...love it in the summer

Pongopaz - a remarkable coincidence as you point out. When the "kids" start driving you'll see why you don't want them ripping around in your Volvo, MB or especially your Porsche. Got into MBs a while ago 'cause my father-in-law has driven a whack of different ones over the years - he currently has one of the new ML350s, a 320E wagon and a convertible CLK320. My wife loves the CLK and parks her SUV at every opportunity to drive it - fine by me as she has no desire to drive the p-car ... she's happy, I'm happy! Looks like there are a handful of drivers with the Porsche/CLK combo. Great choice.....you don't feel like you're driving a dog when you park the p-car.

I am a Porsche/BMW man, although when it comes to a family car, the choice between a Cayenne/X5 or Audi Q7 is tough, as it stands I may go with the Audi

Crazy--Is your avatar a picture of your Mom?

My wife's SL500.

any one has exp. with new style clk350/500? wife wants it. what is the "rennlist" for MB?

I went on mercedesforum.com when I was trying to get info on my wife's car.

Join the MBCA and then use the forums at www.mbca.org (you can use them without joining, but give some thought to joining the MBCA.

My wife has a Brilliant Silver '05 CLK320 Cab.

I am a true Porsche guy that owns a MB..this does not make me a MB enthusiast. But then again owning a Porsche doesnt make all people enthusiasts

pl try mbworld.org

pl try mbword.org

guys it's interesting to see all your input, I do see quite a few CLK500 and 996 combo!!!

http://www.benzworld.org/ is where I go.

i agree with the fact that there must be bigger combo on Porsche-BMW combo... but i own a 996 C2 01 S320 01 and a 171 slk 200 kompressor... as well as a honda civic type - r .... i consider myshelf a p-fanatic though...

I like porsche-lexus combo because the lexus is luxury while the porsche is sport. Who among us has a lexus or luxury car for family outings like mother's day?

benzworld.org

Man, Benzworld is a bunch of poseurs. MBCA for teh win!!!!1111 roxorz! hahaha...seriously MBCA is better.

I've owned two AMG models - CLK55 ///AMG and an 00 E55 ///AMG - both of which were fast and comfortable - the CLK55 has nothing but headaches. Other than that they were ok, the problem was they didn't offer the fun I was lead to believe. Nothing is like a Porsche 996 - nothing !

For the G, Benzworld has no challengers. MBCA was great when I had my W113.

I did this overlapping combo for about 5 years before moving from a Lexus to a MB. My 5 speed manual SC300 was a nice compliment to my 996 however, my back needed more than two doors for putting kids in the car. The SC was great. In 9 years of ownership, I had the following problems: - retractable radio antennae bent, probably from the wind at driving speeds - one liquid shock leaked, replaced under warranty That's it! I hope my E55 does as well...

Right which is why I said....bwahahahaha naw I'm just kidding, I can respect the 91 G...it's the people in the housewives in these new G500's that I don't really have much automotive respect for.

I find all three have there place. That's why I have one of each. 1999 996 C2 - 2001 Mercedes SLK320 - 2003 BMW X5 4.6is. Although the Mercedes does seem kind of slow and soft compared to the other two, but at least the top comes off.

Driveway enhancements.

Rayng- I also prefer the Lexus - P Car combo. I drive the 996 and the wife drives the SC430......

Attached is a pic of my CLK500. Went with a non-typical M.B. colour (ie. silver or black), so wouldn't look as conservative. Colour is ice blue with dark gray interior. Mercedes, normally, makes good products. I was looking for a car with some grunt when I wasn't in the p-car, was still fun to drive, could go to dinner in, etc. The CLK is great for daily commuting (stop/go traffic), running around, visiting the outlaws (oops..inlaws ), etc. You can get 4 adults in the car, golf clubs, etc. My wife loves the car. So far it's been reliable and a great to get around in. Again though, it's a cruiser, not a sports car.

Peter, it does look sharp in that colour.

Thanks. Bit of a unique colour, which makes it fun. Didn't mean to make the picture that big. Talked to one of our I.T. guys since and he showed me how to make 'em smaller....which I'll do for next time, I'm a little new at this photo sizing stuff.

I agree with Joe. I have the E55 also. Awesome power & very comfortable! I can also throw the kids in the back & go (it has a real trunk) but it isn't a Porsche. I own the two cars for different reasons & love my Porsche to death, but I don't plan on getting rid of either car for a long time! You can also mod the heck out of the newer E55's!

Used to be one, but after dealing with too many small issues I gave up on ever owning them again. Now just BMW and Porsches. I accepted the fact that I just had bad luck with MBZ. 88 260E - airbag light, power window acuator, valve stem seals 94 E320 - Head gasket 96 SL320 - Brake problem, transmission leak 92 300TE 4 MATIC - 4 MATIC warning light issues