Road Test: BMW M3 Convertible vs. Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG Cabriolet
Each has large and able brakes, the CLK55 sporting 13.2-in. front and 11.8-in. rear rotors, while the M3 has 12.8-in. fronts and 12.9-in. rears. Both produced near record-stopping distances from 60 mph, with the Mercedes coming to a halt in 116 ft and the BMW stopping 2.0 ft shorter at 114. Fade was almost undetectable over miles of spirited mountain driving.
M3 and standard 3 Series E-46 convertibles share no body panels, thus providing visual distinction between models. The CLK55 cabriolet doesn't have this advantage. Whereas the M3's unique bodywork provides instant panache, the CLK55s (both convertible and coupe) use the same body pieces as the CLK430 save for slightly different front and rear lower fascias and side skirts. This lack of differentiation certainly hurts the CLK55's appeal. That said, the CLK is still an attractive car with flowing, graceful curves that look better than the 3 Series. Dimensionally, the M3 rides on a 107.5-in. wheelbase compared to 105.9 for the CLK55. Each weighs over 350 lb more than its coupe equivalent and is slower because of it. The M3 can also be ordered with an optional ($2995) hardtop, though that seems pointless.
On the inside, both machines feature performance-flavored touches including special trim, distinctive instrument clusters, and M and AMG logos prominently, yet tastefully placed. The sport seats provide any amount of cradling desired. However, it's in these seats where you experience each car's main negative attribute-large blind spots created by the top when it's up. It's almost impossible to see over your shoulder when changing lanes. Most convertibles have this problem, yet it seems especially troubling in this pair.
If your idea of utility and function is a powerful engine, an able chassis, and a view of the sky, these are two of the best options the motoring world has to offer. Buying these cars rather than their rigid-top counterparts forces you to sacrifice some straightline performance, handling prowess, outward visibility, and a few suitcases' worth of luggage room, especially when top down.
While the spec and testing sheets show a virtual tossup, it's the window stickers that helped us pick a winner. The M3 convertible in our test carried a pricetag of $57,220. Not bargain-basement by any stretch, but, based on the performance and exclusivity (BMW will sell some 2100 this year), we think it's a fair price for a worthy player.
The CLK55 cabriolet is another story: We tend to like it better than the M3, but caught a bad case of sticker shock when exposed to the as-tested price of $82,725. Even though Mercedes-Benz will only ship about 800 of them to the U.S. in '02, and rarity has its value, this price seems way too high. It's over $20,000 more than a nearly loaded CLK430 cabrio and over $25,000 more than the M3 convertible in our test. Given the similarities in terms of package and performance, our wallet became the tiebreaker, giving the nod among this pairing to the BMW M3 convertible.