BMW M Coupe/Mercedes CLK

[whiteyford]

I'm thinking of selling my Benz and getting into an M Coupe. I've been doing some research and I think I would want to go with a 2001 or newer. The engine difference is from 240 hp, 2000 and older and 315 hp 2001 and newer. But when I checked the performance specs it appears that the 0-60 times and 1/4 mile times are similar. That doesn't make a lot of sense. Any help would be appreciated.

Which car would you recommend? There seems to be a fairly large difference in price also.

[hdtboy]

Get the newer ones, the engine in the older ones is an E36 M3 engine (S52) while the newer ones have an E46 M3 engine (S54) and is a much better engine.

[swbender]

The reasons most of the performance numbers are so close between the two engines are:
- the torque curves are almost the same
- both cars run out of gearing before horsepower

Almost all the additional horsepower comes at high revs, so the only time I've really been able to see the difference is on the track. Even then both cars are scary-fast.

That being said, the S54 is a cool engine. Beware though; the first year of S54's had all kinds of problems (BMW had to extend the powertrain warranties on all M3's, not sure about the Coupes). Ask the buyer and/or nearby dealer about this if you buy a 2001