Motorway Mile Muncher
Discussion
Just to update, the wife got involved so the chosen car then became the QX70 S-Design at about £16k. Went to see one, and unfortunately was very laggy, she also thought it was too big for her, so didn't want it.
Fine, I said, I still need a car, so I'm back looking. Been reading ZXR10's posts, mulled over things and came up with the idea of a 5ltr M-B. Not the most original idea I've ever had, but what's the difference between these two cars, both fairly close by
CLK500
CLK55
Also, what sort of thing, should I be looking out for? I read something about corroded bolts in the engine and avoiding any with a particular VIN number. Is there any M-B specialist who provides a service looking over a car before I hand over the readies?
Fine, I said, I still need a car, so I'm back looking. Been reading ZXR10's posts, mulled over things and came up with the idea of a 5ltr M-B. Not the most original idea I've ever had, but what's the difference between these two cars, both fairly close by
CLK500
CLK55
Also, what sort of thing, should I be looking out for? I read something about corroded bolts in the engine and avoiding any with a particular VIN number. Is there any M-B specialist who provides a service looking over a car before I hand over the readies?
Don't bother with that 500 it doesn't even have heated seats, plus being an Avantgarde it'll have a softer setup & the seats aren't as nice as the 55 plus it just doesn't go as well but it will have the seven speed box.
That 55 is the pick as a last of the line 55 it benefits from getting the same setup as the incoming CLK63, so you get the 63 exhaust (so you get a deeper note) & bigger brakes with the 6 & 4 pot calipers that one also has the better climate control.
Those aren't the original wheels but they look good & it's missing the desirable sunroof option but that wouldn't stop me buying this one.
The fact it has had the headunit changed is a big bonus as it means you'll have android auto etc.
Maintenance wise the gearbox should've had at least 2 gearbox fluid & filter changes if there's no proof of this then haggle £300 of if you can, it's also a great time to do a gearbox reset as
Also the plugs should've been changed at least once (there are 16 of them) by now this is around £200ish including the plugs.
The V8 is a peach a nice torquey unit that pulls well the gearbox isn't the fastest but the 5speed is more than good enough, on mine (I've had three) I always had them mapped K&N's not for big power gains but you get a much better throttle response.
On my last 55 I changed the rear (not an overly expensive job) diff for a Quaife diff with a longer final drive as it dropped the revs on longer runs.
I would buy another (& will do when the guy I sold mine to finally relents & lets me buy it back) without hesitation but it would have to be a last of the line model like the one you've linked to.
Also check the rear brake lines as they get covered in road grime, the front of the rear arches can rust due to all the small stones that get flicked up from the tyres a good bodyshop will sort this for around £200.
Make sure all the lumbar support units work as they're not a cheap fix, also make sure all the electric seat movements work & are smooth in their operation, I'll add none have cost me anything in terms of borkage one A/C unit but that's it.
An AA or RAC inspection will be fine as long as you instruct them to look at the brake lines arches etc.
Sorry if I've gone on but if you have any questions feel free to ask.
That 55 is the pick as a last of the line 55 it benefits from getting the same setup as the incoming CLK63, so you get the 63 exhaust (so you get a deeper note) & bigger brakes with the 6 & 4 pot calipers that one also has the better climate control.
Those aren't the original wheels but they look good & it's missing the desirable sunroof option but that wouldn't stop me buying this one.
The fact it has had the headunit changed is a big bonus as it means you'll have android auto etc.
Maintenance wise the gearbox should've had at least 2 gearbox fluid & filter changes if there's no proof of this then haggle £300 of if you can, it's also a great time to do a gearbox reset as
Also the plugs should've been changed at least once (there are 16 of them) by now this is around £200ish including the plugs.
The V8 is a peach a nice torquey unit that pulls well the gearbox isn't the fastest but the 5speed is more than good enough, on mine (I've had three) I always had them mapped K&N's not for big power gains but you get a much better throttle response.
On my last 55 I changed the rear (not an overly expensive job) diff for a Quaife diff with a longer final drive as it dropped the revs on longer runs.
I would buy another (& will do when the guy I sold mine to finally relents & lets me buy it back) without hesitation but it would have to be a last of the line model like the one you've linked to.
Also check the rear brake lines as they get covered in road grime, the front of the rear arches can rust due to all the small stones that get flicked up from the tyres a good bodyshop will sort this for around £200.
Make sure all the lumbar support units work as they're not a cheap fix, also make sure all the electric seat movements work & are smooth in their operation, I'll add none have cost me anything in terms of borkage one A/C unit but that's it.
An AA or RAC inspection will be fine as long as you instruct them to look at the brake lines arches etc.
Sorry if I've gone on but if you have any questions feel free to ask.
My 2 cents would be an e63 bmw 635d
I cant believe how well built they are compared to the 3 series of similar age and even the newer cars. The sound proofing is also very very good.
The standard equipment is lovely and if you manage to get one HUD, lane assist and full beam assist you'll really love commuting back and forth.
The seats are also really comfy, there's enough power to overtake anything when you need it and it's an auto zf6 gearbox which will return mid 40s. I know you said MPG wasn't your main priority but these cars really are especially now bang for buck.
Facelift cars were around 09/59. Easiest way to tell is the IDrive controller failing that the bonnet is the next easiest way to tell if its a facelfit car as they have a speedline V in the middle.
Lastly I think for 10k you should pick up a really nice cruiser
I cant believe how well built they are compared to the 3 series of similar age and even the newer cars. The sound proofing is also very very good.
The standard equipment is lovely and if you manage to get one HUD, lane assist and full beam assist you'll really love commuting back and forth.
The seats are also really comfy, there's enough power to overtake anything when you need it and it's an auto zf6 gearbox which will return mid 40s. I know you said MPG wasn't your main priority but these cars really are especially now bang for buck.
Facelift cars were around 09/59. Easiest way to tell is the IDrive controller failing that the bonnet is the next easiest way to tell if its a facelfit car as they have a speedline V in the middle.
Lastly I think for 10k you should pick up a really nice cruiser
The 635d looks sweet, it looks perhaps the better cruising car. On the minus side is that it's diesel and not a 5 litre engine
I think I need to understand a couple of things about the CLK55 first. It's a 16 year old car, what sort of life can I expect from it before it becomes a basket-case? I can understand that that size engine will last forever however I won't be doing moon miles, I'm lucky that I'll be WFH with maybe one/two days in the office max in the future, so I estimate I'll be putting maybe 5k a year tops.
I don't have a garage, car will be kept on a driveway.
I can use the wife's car but would I have to be thinking, hmm better not use the CLK because the roads have been gritted? (Thinking about rust on the sub-frame. On bikes I'm aware that you can grease up the frame to the protect it from salt etc, is the same thing available for cars?)
I'm not a spannerist. I like to make sure that the car has all the oil changes on time and decent tyres but I won't be spending time sourcing spares from the internet (or I like to think I won't be!).
I'm not a b-road blaster, the diff might be lost on me (although I think we'd take a course like this one or similar as a gift for the wife and myself). It's just a nice feeling to have that power on tap.
Although a great exhaust note, will it be jarring on a long journey?
How long would I expect to keep the car? If I like it, I can see me keeping it for quite awhile because it is an event, whereas the BMW seems like a high quality tool I might get bored of the comfort (if that makes sense) and be tempted to change for something else.
I think I need to understand a couple of things about the CLK55 first. It's a 16 year old car, what sort of life can I expect from it before it becomes a basket-case? I can understand that that size engine will last forever however I won't be doing moon miles, I'm lucky that I'll be WFH with maybe one/two days in the office max in the future, so I estimate I'll be putting maybe 5k a year tops.
I don't have a garage, car will be kept on a driveway.
I can use the wife's car but would I have to be thinking, hmm better not use the CLK because the roads have been gritted? (Thinking about rust on the sub-frame. On bikes I'm aware that you can grease up the frame to the protect it from salt etc, is the same thing available for cars?)
I'm not a spannerist. I like to make sure that the car has all the oil changes on time and decent tyres but I won't be spending time sourcing spares from the internet (or I like to think I won't be!).
I'm not a b-road blaster, the diff might be lost on me (although I think we'd take a course like this one or similar as a gift for the wife and myself). It's just a nice feeling to have that power on tap.
Although a great exhaust note, will it be jarring on a long journey?
How long would I expect to keep the car? If I like it, I can see me keeping it for quite awhile because it is an event, whereas the BMW seems like a high quality tool I might get bored of the comfort (if that makes sense) and be tempted to change for something else.
SpanishTony said:
The 635d looks sweet, it looks perhaps the better cruising car. On the minus side is that it's diesel and not a 5 litre engine
I think I need to understand a couple of things about the CLK55 first. It's a 16 year old car, what sort of life can I expect from it before it becomes a basket-case? I can understand that that size engine will last forever however I won't be doing moon miles, I'm lucky that I'll be WFH with maybe one/two days in the office max in the future, so I estimate I'll be putting maybe 5k a year tops.
I don't have a garage, car will be kept on a driveway.
I can use the wife's car but would I have to be thinking, hmm better not use the CLK because the roads have been gritted? (Thinking about rust on the sub-frame. On bikes I'm aware that you can grease up the frame to the protect it from salt etc, is the same thing available for cars?)
I'm not a spannerist. I like to make sure that the car has all the oil changes on time and decent tyres but I won't be spending time sourcing spares from the internet (or I like to think I won't be!).
I'm not a b-road blaster, the diff might be lost on me (although I think we'd take a course like this one or similar as a gift for the wife and myself). It's just a nice feeling to have that power on tap.
Although a great exhaust note, will it be jarring on a long journey?
How long would I expect to keep the car? If I like it, I can see me keeping it for quite awhile because it is an event, whereas the BMW seems like a high quality tool I might get bored of the comfort (if that makes sense) and be tempted to change for something else.
It won't become a true basket case unless you let it, I have a 2009 CLK63 (I drove into central london with it on Thurs) although it it's in a garage I use it at least weekly, if you decide to keep it you can get it re under sealed should it need it further down the line.I think I need to understand a couple of things about the CLK55 first. It's a 16 year old car, what sort of life can I expect from it before it becomes a basket-case? I can understand that that size engine will last forever however I won't be doing moon miles, I'm lucky that I'll be WFH with maybe one/two days in the office max in the future, so I estimate I'll be putting maybe 5k a year tops.
I don't have a garage, car will be kept on a driveway.
I can use the wife's car but would I have to be thinking, hmm better not use the CLK because the roads have been gritted? (Thinking about rust on the sub-frame. On bikes I'm aware that you can grease up the frame to the protect it from salt etc, is the same thing available for cars?)
I'm not a spannerist. I like to make sure that the car has all the oil changes on time and decent tyres but I won't be spending time sourcing spares from the internet (or I like to think I won't be!).
I'm not a b-road blaster, the diff might be lost on me (although I think we'd take a course like this one or similar as a gift for the wife and myself). It's just a nice feeling to have that power on tap.
Although a great exhaust note, will it be jarring on a long journey?
How long would I expect to keep the car? If I like it, I can see me keeping it for quite awhile because it is an event, whereas the BMW seems like a high quality tool I might get bored of the comfort (if that makes sense) and be tempted to change for something else.
Put a ceramic coating (if the front of the rear arches are bubbling then get this done first) on the bodywork & just use the 55 as much as possible as this will actually help the car last longer & just try to wash it weekly.
The exhaust is still quiet if you've ever heard a 55 in stock form you'll know what I mean.
Parts are easy to source so you won't have to trawl through the internet to find unobtainium parts.
It'll last as long as you want it to, as I said I'd buy back my 55 (it'll have to sit outside) in a heartbeat & expect it to last 20+ years but would expect Suspension refreshes/Bodywork refresh & other age related issues but none have to be monumental cost wise.
People go on about subframes but mine were fine & my 63 has no issues in this area either, just get it & enjoy it you really won't regret it
ZX10R NIN said:
It won't become a true basket case unless you let it, I have a 2009 CLK63 (I drove into central london with it on Thurs) although it it's in a garage I use it at least weekly, if you decide to keep it you can get it re under sealed should it need it further down the line.
Put a ceramic coating (if the front of the rear arches are bubbling then get this done first) on the bodywork & just use the 55 as much as possible as this will actually help the car last longer & just try to wash it weekly.
The exhaust is still quiet if you've ever heard a 55 in stock form you'll know what I mean.
Parts are easy to source so you won't have to trawl through the internet to find unobtainium parts.
It'll last as long as you want it to, as I said I'd buy back my 55 (it'll have to sit outside) in a heartbeat & expect it to last 20+ years but would expect Suspension refreshes/Bodywork refresh & other age related issues but none have to be monumental cost wise.
People go on about subframes but mine were fine & my 63 has no issues in this area either, just get it & enjoy it you really won't regret it
Getting excited!Put a ceramic coating (if the front of the rear arches are bubbling then get this done first) on the bodywork & just use the 55 as much as possible as this will actually help the car last longer & just try to wash it weekly.
The exhaust is still quiet if you've ever heard a 55 in stock form you'll know what I mean.
Parts are easy to source so you won't have to trawl through the internet to find unobtainium parts.
It'll last as long as you want it to, as I said I'd buy back my 55 (it'll have to sit outside) in a heartbeat & expect it to last 20+ years but would expect Suspension refreshes/Bodywork refresh & other age related issues but none have to be monumental cost wise.
People go on about subframes but mine were fine & my 63 has no issues in this area either, just get it & enjoy it you really won't regret it
Ah shame the QX70 didn't suit. I've got one and it's the absolute epitome of motorway mile-munching. Best car I've ever had for relaxed long-distance loping.
I do sympathise on the size of it though. Technically it's not much bigger than a BMW X3 but it always feels extremely wide. City centre parking spaces can be a challenge!
Good luck with your search.
I do sympathise on the size of it though. Technically it's not much bigger than a BMW X3 but it always feels extremely wide. City centre parking spaces can be a challenge!
Good luck with your search.
I liked QX70, it seemed very comfortable but it does feel wide, also with the shape of the bonnet, you're not sure where the car ends from the driver seat.
re the CLK - I've got click mechanic booked in tomorrow for a pre-purchase (the seller is a back street trader) if it checks out I'll be down Wednesday to buy it!
re the CLK - I've got click mechanic booked in tomorrow for a pre-purchase (the seller is a back street trader) if it checks out I'll be down Wednesday to buy it!
The inspection went OK, some surface rust on the struts. Some stone chip damage and corrosion. Mechanic said it was well presented for its age. Log book said that it had an oil change and transmission fluid change at 96k in October (it's on 103k), just waiting for the personal loan to come through so I can go and collect it. Thanks ZXR10, really appreciated the advice, looking forward to have a V8 in my life! I'll start a RC thread hopefully in the next few days.
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