Merc CLK Convertible or BMW 3 series convertible

parking_question_chap

motorguy wrote: »

The only difference between either of those and the regular 4 door saloon variant will be the hood mechanisms. Parts availability is good with loads of third party companies making consumables.

Loads of forum groups for specific issues / advice and good used part availability (ebay etc). Neither have engines or gear boxes or running gear thats specific to them so any mechanic should be able to look after it.

My comment was about the manufacturers not the type of car.

MataNui

I had a BMW hard top convertable for years. Pretty nice car. Never had a single problem with the roof mechanism. They are also very rigid cars and never noticed any of the flex you get with some of these convertables with the roof down.


Only issues i had really were that the BMW interiors are a bit agricultural in my opinion. Not particularly plush at all despite it being full leather with all the gadgets. Other thing is mine was a 320i which was a big mistake. Totally gutless and no power at all on hills. Really dents the whole feeling of driving a sporty convertable with the roof down.



Think the Merc is a soft top on that model so factor that in. Pretty sure there is a small insuarance hit on a convertable which you dont get with the hard tops. My insurance was very reasonable. Also i think the hard tops definatly have it in the looks department and the BMW 3 series hard top (particularly M-Sport trim) is a very pretty car.

mksysb

oddjobbpb wrote: »

The A5 is a good looking car but I want automatic and don't like the DSG gearbox (I think they renamed it S Tronic)

Nothing wrong with DSG gearboxes, they are very good.