CLK 55 AMG advice
Discussion
I have been looking at BMW M3's and have come across the CLK 55 AMG. To be honest it seems to suit my requirements more than the M3. Info is a little thin on the ground, I have found plenty of reviews but not much buying advice.
I am looking at the hard top rather than the cab, does anyone know if there is a list of std equipment they came with anywhere and what their reliability & servicing costs are like? I assume its going to be similar to an M3?
There are also not too many of these cars for sale so not many to choose from, apart from AT, ebay and the piston heads ads is there anywhere else I should be looking?
I have got a healthy amount for yearly maintenance, I plan on looking for a car for around £14k and keep a 3k reserve for any unexpected bills.
Any advice would be very welcome.
Chris
I am looking at the hard top rather than the cab, does anyone know if there is a list of std equipment they came with anywhere and what their reliability & servicing costs are like? I assume its going to be similar to an M3?
There are also not too many of these cars for sale so not many to choose from, apart from AT, ebay and the piston heads ads is there anywhere else I should be looking?
I have got a healthy amount for yearly maintenance, I plan on looking for a car for around £14k and keep a 3k reserve for any unexpected bills.
Any advice would be very welcome.
Chris
The W208 or W209?
Neither are driver's cars. It's very competent at what it does and has a better suspension than the standard CLK but if you enjoy driving, get an M3.
The biggest problem with the W208 is rust, especially in the wheel arches. It's also not as reliable as we're led to believe. The COMAND satnav is very, very useful, though.
Neither are driver's cars. It's very competent at what it does and has a better suspension than the standard CLK but if you enjoy driving, get an M3.
The biggest problem with the W208 is rust, especially in the wheel arches. It's also not as reliable as we're led to believe. The COMAND satnav is very, very useful, though.
I am looking at the W209. I don't really do any track days anymore. Most of my driving is done on the motorway, I do the odd RWYB at santapod. I just don't get time to do any spirited driving anymore but want something with performance for the odd occasion I do. I would look at the other models but I know me and if I don't buy the AMG I will end up regretting it.
Chris
Chris
Pop over to the folks at http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/
They are a knowledgeable lot and friendly too - just don't expect any unbiased advice in the choice between the beemer and the merc.
I've had my CLS 55 AMG for the last 2 months and have loved every minute of it! (OK - perhaps not the time spent at the petrol pumps but I knew that when I took the plunge!)
They are a knowledgeable lot and friendly too - just don't expect any unbiased advice in the choice between the beemer and the merc.
I've had my CLS 55 AMG for the last 2 months and have loved every minute of it! (OK - perhaps not the time spent at the petrol pumps but I knew that when I took the plunge!)
I don't think you will regret getting a CLK55 AMG (209).
I bought mine new in July 2003 and every time I have looked at alternatives (Alpina B3; M3 SMG; BMW 135i) since then I have found them wanting. The 55 can also make very good track day cars (and surprise a lot of people in the process). 2skiddy on hear has done a few and stripped his out (now sold) and I have done quite a few in it (Bruntingthorpe; brands; Ring; Spa, Bedford etc). I Found Beford killed the brakes after every three laps whereas Brands, Spa and the Ring were all fine.
With regards Road driving - its just a peach.
£3K looks about right for budgeting on maintenance - I've only gone over that when two bigs things have needed replacing in the same year (eg Torque Converter and new disks and pads).
You are correct that there are not that many about and even fewer with distronic (speed sensitive cruise) but that doesn't appear to worry many people. Command is wanted by most people though.
Hope this helps.
I bought mine new in July 2003 and every time I have looked at alternatives (Alpina B3; M3 SMG; BMW 135i) since then I have found them wanting. The 55 can also make very good track day cars (and surprise a lot of people in the process). 2skiddy on hear has done a few and stripped his out (now sold) and I have done quite a few in it (Bruntingthorpe; brands; Ring; Spa, Bedford etc). I Found Beford killed the brakes after every three laps whereas Brands, Spa and the Ring were all fine.
With regards Road driving - its just a peach.
£3K looks about right for budgeting on maintenance - I've only gone over that when two bigs things have needed replacing in the same year (eg Torque Converter and new disks and pads).
You are correct that there are not that many about and even fewer with distronic (speed sensitive cruise) but that doesn't appear to worry many people. Command is wanted by most people though.
Hope this helps.
I've been pleased with mine (a 2003 coupe). Having had two previous M3's (edit: an E46 and the one before, haven't tried the v8) I'd have to say as a road car for the real world (imho of course) it's much better. Acceleration is markedly better than the M3 but handling is less precise. Ride is better, brakes have more bite. Noise is brilliant but only when you want it.
Running costs are similar to the M3. The CLK will use more petrol round town but about the same on the motorway. For me insurance was less with the CLK.
Mine has been reliable (touch wood), I've only had niggles. The main worries after normal service stuff seem to be electrical gremlins, it's got a lot of things to go wrong and when they do, it's expensive.
Stuff I'd look out for over all the normal things: Headlights not adjusting themselves, they are xenon and should go through a down and up phase on switch on. Seats not pulling back when you take the key out (function needs to be switched on on the computer but doesn't always work). Seat heaters not working. Clicking from dash on startup, means a stepper motor in the heater needs fixing, dash has to come out.
I'd think about where you're going to get it looked after. Merc dealers are expensive and get mixed reviews (I was unhappy with mine for various reasons). I use a specialist with brings down the cost a bit and gets the jobs done properly.
Overall it's the best car I've owned.
Hope this helps, as I say all my opinion only :-)
Running costs are similar to the M3. The CLK will use more petrol round town but about the same on the motorway. For me insurance was less with the CLK.
Mine has been reliable (touch wood), I've only had niggles. The main worries after normal service stuff seem to be electrical gremlins, it's got a lot of things to go wrong and when they do, it's expensive.
Stuff I'd look out for over all the normal things: Headlights not adjusting themselves, they are xenon and should go through a down and up phase on switch on. Seats not pulling back when you take the key out (function needs to be switched on on the computer but doesn't always work). Seat heaters not working. Clicking from dash on startup, means a stepper motor in the heater needs fixing, dash has to come out.
I'd think about where you're going to get it looked after. Merc dealers are expensive and get mixed reviews (I was unhappy with mine for various reasons). I use a specialist with brings down the cost a bit and gets the jobs done properly.
Overall it's the best car I've owned.
Hope this helps, as I say all my opinion only :-)
Edited by dougt on Monday 22 February 09:12
Thanks for your reply, I think I am going down the right route. I have a specialist mechanic who has been looking after my cars for years that I trust so I have that one covered.
I will check all the things you have mentioned. Its just finding a car now as they are rare but I like that.
Chris
I will check all the things you have mentioned. Its just finding a car now as they are rare but I like that.
Chris
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