Automotive Forums

Hi Guys,
Was planning on buying a G35 when I decided to check out pre-owned Mercedes.  They had a black CLK500 with only 9000 miles for the same price as the G35 (Around $38,000).  The Mercedes is really a smoking deal...almost too good to be true.

I'm concerned about the reliability of the Mercedes. Heard of electircal problems and tons of service visits.  Any ideas?

Thanx,

MickeyVee  

i would definatly go with the clk.  Hands down.  Inifiniti's are no strangers to the mechanics either.  Brakes need to be replaced on average every 15,000 miles.  Radios and window motors fail constiently, endless sqeuaks and rattles.  Fuel gauge sending units like to quit on these cars to.   I dont know much about the the little querks the clk has but I know about the infinitis. I would definatly say the clk.  

The Mercedes CLK500! It is a totally different class to the G35 and with 9000 miles it is such a good deal! It could go for $50000ish easily. Just make sure there is no bad history on that Mercedes. The G35 is going to have a redesign in about a year too. Good luck with your decision!  

go with the clk, no contest. i actually like infiniti unlike jtm, but still if ur gonna get a benz for around the same price get the clk bro  

CLK. Not only it's a higher class of vehicle (and thus a STEAL at that price) but better resale value if you decide to sell it later.

But as everyone advises, check its history. You may also want to bring it to a MB shop to make sure it has no hidden surprises anywhere. Prob with German cars is that they're costly when they break. Pay upfront to fix probs NOW will (hopefully) keep costs down later.  

Thanks Everybody!

Now I'm REALLY confused.  It's a Mercedes dealer sale..The car is Precertified and under waranty for 2 more years so it's REALLY tempting!  My concern, between the killer MPG (15/18), all the electrical problems I hear it has with the gagets, and the high cost of maintenance/repairs I'm really scared.
...And I don't have experience with German cars or Mercedes/  

Understandable. Consider asking for an extended warranty. Remember the higher resale value if you don't ultimately like it. As for the gas mileage, don't drive too fast  

Yup, the CLK is still worth it.  

As a CLK Owner ( '01 430 )  I'd say go with the CLK too,  As for repair costs absolutly get the extended warrenttee  One year will come with a "ceritfied Used" MB anyway.   But service is expensive.    Expect to pay $  500 +   for a normal service at a dealer.  ( Oil + Filters and such and inspection)  My dealer just qouted me $ 600 !! for new Plugs and Cables.  
Get service quotes from both dealers and compare  I doupt the Infinity is cheap either.
 I told him it's time to find a independant shop.  

im going to have to go against the crowd. in my experience, mercedes have nothing but problems and the maintanence cost is too
high.  the g35 is a great car.  the vq motor with a 6 speed is a great combo, it can be a great track car (with the nice brembo brakes) or daily driver.  in my opinion you cant beat a japanese manufactured car in terms of reliability.  

you obviosuly have very little experience with the g35.  so many stupid problems.  Basic maintenance for a infiniti isnt cheap either.  

relatively speaking.. when compared to a mercedes, the g35 is a gem.  mercedes are nothing but problems, much more so than g35s, the cost of maintanence is both high, but mercedes is going to be higher.  i wouldnt choose either, but between the 2... japanese wins my vote  

automotivedp:
relatively speaking.. when compared to a mercedes, the g35 is a gem.  mercedes are nothing but problems, much more so than g35s, the cost of maintanence is both high, but mercedes is going to be higher.  i wouldnt choose either, but between the 2... japanese wins my vote

smart guy. japanese rule! down with the germans and americans automakers. theyre cars SUCK  

I did some research and found a couple, although some big ones) with the Mecedes http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com/clk_class.php


I dont know how that compares to the 214 pages of complaints with the g35. YES YOU READ CORRECTLY 214 PAGES,  and that is just one site

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef0b872/0  

well there seems to be a little bit of disagreement in this thread, a lot of personal opinions. So I have put together a scientific test to determine which car you should choose. Answer the questions, add up the points, and obviously pick the car that has earned the most points:

1. Do you watch Queer Eye For The Straight Guy on a regular, if so 1 point to the g35, if you take notes thats two points to the g35.

2. If you own a pair of low rise boot cut jeans, 1 point to the g35, if they cost over one hundred dollars thats two points to the g35.

3. If you watch every hour of broadcast of the 24 of Le Mans, thats 1 point to the Mercedes, you move a TV into your bathroom before the race so you won't miss a single moment thats two points to the Mercedes.

4. If you watch and Brittney, Christina, or J-Lo video without having to put the TV on mute, thats another point for the g35.

5. If you have ever said, "I like that car because it drives like a real sports car" and you have never driven a real sports car, mark another one down for the G35. If your most memorable sports car experience is; that time when you were six and you got a ride in your uncles Fiero, thats two points to the g35.

6. If you think Juan Manuel Fangio is the guy from the coffee commercials, one point for g35.

7. If you know how to heal and toe thats two points for the Mercedes(eventhough it's an auto).

8. If you have ever waxed your eyebrows(and your a guy) that is one point for the g35, if you have waxed any other part of your anatomy and your not a competitive swimmer, thats two for the g35.

9. If you are a middle class white guy and use the word "dawg", end sentences with the word "Yo", refer to driving somplace as "Rollin" or use the word "front" as a verb, point to the g35, two points if you have used them all at the same time. for example, "Stop frontin dawg, and let's bounce, we's is rollin over to Starbucks YO"

10. If you have ever spent, or admired someone that spent 700 dollars on carbon fiber hood to save three pounds off his car, and then put 327 pounds of Imax theatre equipment in the trunk, one point to the g35.

11. If you had a ferrari for the afternoon, would you rather, spend the time in a twisty canyon with no one else around, or drive from valet to valet so people could see you getting i and out of the car. If you chose the mountain road one point to the Mercedes, if you chose the valet, one point to the g35.

Now count them up and see which car you should buy.

Or you could just get it over with and go buy a couple year old M3.