W208 CLK55

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Discussion

S3_Graham

Original Poster:

12,830 posts

198 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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My car history has been pretty varied, from an S3, to an Integra type R, 4x 3series BMW's, + many more but mainly I like barges and I like BMW's. Why the CLK? Well I had an E39 530 for a few years and then when I bought my ex out of our house I needed something cheap to run for a bit. I bought a Clio 182 (that ph'er John now has). After a while I realised finances weren't as tight as first thought so with £5000 the hunt for another barge was on. I desperately want an E39 M5 but sadly prices have gone over £10k so out of my budget, started looking at E46 M3's, again prices have gone way up for decent ones so they are out.

After spending some time in the 1-5 barge thread I figured what the hell. Autotrader search. Mercedes 5L+ under £5k.

First on my radar was a W126 500SEL, sadly sold when I called. Next there were a few E55's which I liked the look of and then I chanced upon a CLK55 pretty local. I like cars that are a bit left field, a bit under rated and uncommon. Set off for Esher with an E55 and the CLK to look at. Got to the CLK first and tbh I was a bit underwhelmed. Still not convinced on the front end looks but on the plus side the paintwork was pristine. It really did look well looked after. However I wasn't going to buy the first car I looked at (yet again....) so I walked away to look at the E55. Just as I get in the car the salesman shouted back, fancy a drive? Then started it up.

That was that. SOLD.

Been nearly 2 months now and I find myself liking it more and more. I 'get' AMG now. The interior is a touch dated and sometimes it doesn't feel 'that' quick but it's a genuinely nice place to be. The seats are ridiculously comfy. All electric with 4 way pneumatic adjustment of how hard or soft they are. It'll quite happily plod along on the motorway in near silence. 2 hours round the M25 on sat. 80mph, cruise, 30.6mpg. Thanks very much! Overall it's hitting 24.5mpg, really happy with that. In terms of sporty driving. It's quick and it handles but I don't think it's at home doing it. Lacking in feel and a touch soft.

The noise is addictive, tunnels are actively sought out. It's been for a B Service and health check which came back nearly £2000 lighter but now I know it's in good shape. Few little niggles have been that the alarm went off a few times at 3am and the air con stopped at the weekend - pretty sure it needs gas. I've also done some preventative rust treatment on anything I thought could be at risk so hopefully it'll stay looking good!

Enough waffle, here's some pics:







And the money shot.....



jaacck

188 posts

139 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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Always liked the look of these. Not a huge fan of silver but defo something I would like to try

S3_Graham

Original Poster:

12,830 posts

198 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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I wanted a black one but they seem very rare. Were only 4 for sale nationally, one of which was black and a few hours away.

griffin dai

3,194 posts

148 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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Nice

I had a silver w210 e55 AMG which I think shares the same engine? Yeah they go pretty well, take a look on http://mbworld.org for any help or mods smile

jimbop1

2,441 posts

203 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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I have developed a massive liking for old and new AMG's!

Janosh

1,735 posts

166 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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Nice - did I see this parked at Farnborough Airport earlier today?

S3_Graham

Original Poster:

12,830 posts

198 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Janosh said:
Nice - did I see this parked at Farnborough Airport earlier today?
Yep. Work there. For GAMA. You?

Janosh

1,735 posts

166 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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I'm over in the MedAire office - the Mrs and I wondered past at lunchtime and saw you working on something near the front of the car. Will come and say hello next time!

I've just bought a Monaro, but it's not my daily so you won't see it in the car park... let me know if you fancy a drive out some day?

S3_Graham

Original Poster:

12,830 posts

198 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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Ah ok, saw a group of people wander past. The headlights have gone milky, common thing, so I was giving them a polish on my lunch. Sort of worked but needs more effort!

I've been down to MedAire a few times. We have a few of the kits on the aircraft.

Small world!

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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I looked for one of these a few years back but all of them had rust issues to varying degrees which put me off. Yours looks like a very nice example however.

Robatr0n

12,362 posts

215 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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Absolutely love this. It certainly has some get up and go too.

S3_Graham

Original Poster:

12,830 posts

198 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
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New front tyres yesterday,

£115 each from Costco for Pilot sport 3's. pretty happy with that! All fitted in half an hour while I have an ice cream smile

Seems to have fixed my traction control problem!

mattman

3,174 posts

221 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
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S3_Graham said:
Ah ok, saw a group of people wander past. The headlights have gone milky, common thing, so I was giving them a polish on my lunch. Sort of worked but needs more effort!

I've been down to MedAire a few times. We have a few of the kits on the aircraft.

Small world!
I used some normal T-cut with an electric polisher - got rid of all the milkiness quite easily smile

S3_Graham

Original Poster:

12,830 posts

198 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Fixed the traction control issue, 2 pilot sport 3's! Also went round all the tiny bits of rust and treated with 'Frost' marine spec rust treatment stuff. Just got it to almost how I want it....

Although possibly now for sale pending me getting round to writing an ad...and if I can find a suitable ///M product!

Edited by S3_Graham on Monday 20th October 16:06

mug81

256 posts

143 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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I remember years ago when I'd first started work, and I found out that a (very senior) colleague had just taken delivery of one exactly the same. It blew my mind in every way! Loved them ever since, best of luck with it

boroandy87

168 posts

121 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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S3_Graham said:
Ah ok, saw a group of people wander past. The headlights have gone milky, common thing, so I was giving them a polish on my lunch. Sort of worked but needs more effort!

I've been down to MedAire a few times. We have a few of the kits on the aircraft.

Small world!
1500 & 2000 wet and dry. Rub down in order for about 10 minutes per light. Then machine polish with a bit of cutting compound to your satisfaction.

Did it with the old 172's lights. Amazing what an hour or so can do for them.

Robatr0n

12,362 posts

215 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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S3_Graham said:
Fixed the traction control issue, 2 pilot sport 3's! Also went round all the tiny bits of rust and treated with 'Frost' marine spec rust treatment stuff. Just got it to almost how I want it....

Although possibly now for sale pending me getting round to writing an ad...and if I can find a suitable ///M product!
It's a lovely example so would be a shame if you did sell but an E39 M5 is probably the only thing I'd sell it for if I were in your shoes.

mpm1987

755 posts

184 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Very nice! Always had a soft spot for them!
Still remember the days when you had the Cav!

Shadow R1

3,798 posts

175 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Great looking car.

That barge thread has alot to answer for. biggrin

S3_Graham

Original Poster:

12,830 posts

198 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Got one over on Kwikfit yesterday. Air-con now working properly.

The EC light was on permanently so I thought i'd try a re-gas. They filled it up but the light was still on so no charge. I got it home and did a google. Read the codes which related to low gas, reset. Boom. Perfectly working air-con.

1 - 0 to CLK.

Advert is also live on PH. still not sure if I actually want rid but hey ho.