Monday 19th September 2011

PH Carpool: Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG

A little something we spotted at the last Sunday Service...

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After a Maserati Gransport, a BMW M5, a Porsche Cayenne and a TVR Chimaera, PHer Paul Norris (V8PBN) compares his new CLK63 AMG to what has gone before. By the way, his first car (aged 18) was a Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1...

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Paul (on the left, we presume...)

"I've only had it a month!" Paul exclaimed at the recent Sunday Service at MB World. He first came across the CLK on a previous visit to Merc's imposing Brooklands premises and decided that such a car could be more useable than his previous Maserati Gransport.

"I bought the car from Hoffmans in Henley, who I must say were great to deal with. I was very lucky to find this particular one, as it has all of the toys I wanted except keyless-go and has only done 20,000 miles with full MB history at the same garage. Everything works beautifully except the television - I just can't get it to pick up anything! I've been in contact with the original supplying dealer (MB Guildford) and they've been great in supplying all of the previous copy invoices, the factory spec sheet, and they also confirmed that there were no outstanding recalls. Another bonus is that the next service is about 12,000 miles away."

Paul chopped in the Gransport for the fast Benz, although he admits that it took some considerable thought before doing so. But so far the new relationship seems to be going well. "The CLK is a mix of strong, subtle performance and practicality. It's a very fast car, and the power delivery is impressive, although it is a bit...sterile compared to the Gransport. So far I like it; it's subtle enough to use to go and meet my customers and is really sensational to drive."

Aside from the Maser Paul has owned a Porsche Cayenne, an M5, and a TVR Chimaera (among other machinery) although none of them get used as much as he'd like. "I work from home so my mileage is pretty low at about 5000 miles a year". I drive to the office in Reading a couple of times a week, and other than that I'm in the back of a car going to the airport.

"When I got the GS I even stopped parking it at my local railway station because I'm so fussy about maintaining ding-free bodywork. Only yesterday I left the CLK tucked up in the garage whilst I cabbed it to the railway station heading for London. Sad, I know..."

The question of 'what next?' brings an interesting answer. "Probably a classic. I do so few miles a year that something like an eighties Aston Martin V8 Oscar India might do the trick."

[///Mike]

Beautiful car and a nice write up.

Is the TV not working due to the digital switchover? I know a number of people with BMWs whose TV function has stopped working and they have bought digital TV recievers to get it working again but still report that like the old anologue unit, the reception never seems to be that good.

Best of luck with the car, I bet it sounds as good as it looks.

[adeelster]

Fantastic car. I must say it looked spotless unlike my dust laden C63 estate (which you can see next to it in the first photo!).

The CLK is a really classy design, and I don't think the new C or E class coupes look anywhere near as nice.

[thewheelman]

Personally i prefer the previous CLK model when it comes to styling, out the this generation it would have to be the estate. Must admit that used AMG CLKs make a great value buy, this one's "only" the 55 AMG, but what a bargain..... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3220195.htm

[ktm301p]

nice write-up, but why trade in the gransport for a merc?! If you were only doing a few thousend miles a year, than i would have thought the gransport would be the easy choice. It is fun to drive, and stands out from mercs and bmws.

[allgonepetetong]

ktm301p said:

nice write-up, but why trade in the gransport for a merc?! If you were only doing a few thousend miles a year, than i would have thought the gransport would be the easy choice. It is fun to drive, and stands out from mercs and bmws.

I agree. I have a '04 4200cc that I only do about 4k miles a year in. I don't think I would chop it in for a CLK.

[turboman786]

The CLK63 is undoubdetly a monster, but I cant help feeling that it just looks too soft given its monster engine....

The CLK Black edition...now we are talking (not to mention lots more £££!!)

I'd love to own an AMG, but the fueling costs just scare me.....I manage to use ludicrous amounts of diesel....

[thepony]

I was lucky enough to drive the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Coupe in 2008 at Mercedes-Benz World for approximately an hour. Even managed to drift it along the circle :-D. I LOVED it having never driven a AMG Mercedes-Benz before EVER (and possibly never a Mercedes-Benz though not too sure on that). It was great fun and i was really intrigued considering they are rare cars how it would compare to the BMW E46 M3 (Coupe/CS/CSL) roadcars which i am a VERY BIG fan of. The exhaust note was great it sounded quite meaty, big normally-aspirated engine, subtle, purposeful styling, AMG quad exhausts. The straights definetely were not long enough as i wanted to go as fast as it could go. I can see how you think it is more subtle than a Maserati.

Though i be interested to know which you thought was more fun and fastest out of the CLK AMG, Grandesport, M5?


Very nice, fast and VERY RARE car so much rarer than a BMW E46 M3 (Coupe/CS/CSL) and always nice to see on the road.

[M666 EVO]

ktm301p said:

nice write-up, but why trade in the gransport for a merc?! If you were only doing a few thousend miles a year, than i would have thought the gransport would be the easy choice. It is fun to drive, and stands out from mercs and bmws.

Make you right, CLK does nothing for me what so ever but the GS is beautiful..

But 'one mans meat' and all that!

[malbon]

You have to drive one. I've not, but driven a CLK500 which was a proper sledgehammer - a mighty engine - I had a CLK200 right up my backside at 90mph and kicked it off for what felt like just a momentary prod on the throttle only to be bouncing off the 155mph limiter. Can only imagine what a CLK63 does. A proper elegant car - a wolf in sheeps clothing able to see off pretty much 95% of the cars on the road with total ease.

[v8pbn]

Thanks for your comments and interest and particular thanks to Silversixx for featuring my new wheels. Regards Paul