CLK55 AMGs

[anonymous-user]

I'm talking about the early shape w208 of about 2000 vintage.

Looked at a couple as I fancy a silly quick V8 (don't drive to work) but is it a car that is impossible to sell or something? All the examples about good or bad have been up for sale for ages. I know petrol prices are high but are the cars really that undesirable? (hasn't put me off)

[Matt UK]

If they have been around for ages, it just means they are at the wrong price.

Any car will sell at the right price.

Therefore, bid 'em in the balls for it.

[lordlee]

Bit of an electrical nightmare. Chocolate autoboxes, rust and expensive servicing have put many people off. If you dont mind higher than average running costs and you find a well sorted one then I dont see why not but go in with your eyes open.

[anonymous-user]

lordlee said:

Bit of an electrical nightmare. Chocolate autoboxes, rust and expensive servicing have put many people off. If you dont mind higher than average running costs and you find a well sorted one then I dont see why not but go in with your eyes open.

I thought the box in the clk55 was strong? I've read about the c43 failures.

[sjj84]

That vintage of Mercedes has a quite severe problem with rust, coupled with the fact that the youngest is in the region of 10 years old along with the massive engine, there isn't really going to be much of a market for them. Perfect for the petrol head bargain then, but just be wary that it won't be easy to sell on except at a low price. Saying that, with the price of them these days you could buy one, have some V8 fun and just run it into the ground. Hmmmmm, that's not a bad idea actually, must check the classifieds!

[buccal]

lordlee said:

Bit of an electrical nightmare. Chocolate autoboxes, rust and expensive servicing have put many people off. If you dont mind higher than average running costs and you find a well sorted one then I dont see why not but go in with your eyes open.

Electrical nightmare?

No problems here in 7 years of W208's, up until this post i had never heard them being anything other than highly regarded in this respect.

Chocolate gearbox?

Nope that's the 43.

Rust: thats a definite, wheelarches and bootlid, but there are plenty or rust free-cars. My 230k sat outside for 4 years and was immaculate.

Expensive to service?

A service £200, B service £350 at an indy (why send it to MB?). Plugs is the killer but its a 5.5l V8!

Fuel averages 15 around central london and 28 on a run (230k was 18 and 32 respectively) so i think its pretty decent in context.

Performance? Noise? Kit? Value?

Fabulous

As with any 10 year old high performance car buy carefully and be prepared to look at a lot of crap.

It took me 2 years to buy mine and i probably viewed about 15 CLK's and about 20 E55's

The very good cars (especially if you fussy re spec and colour) go quickly, often within forums etc before they are even advertised.

Happy to help if i can