CL500? CLK55?

[Integroo]

I had a post before about buying an SLK55. I am now looking at CLK500s and CLK55s. The CLK500 in particular seems a ridiculous amount of car for the money.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLK55 AMG is obviously the sportier option, presumably sounds a lot better, but is twice the price to buy and presumably more expensive to run. It seems you could get a CLK55 AMG for a bit less than an SLK55 AMG.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Anything to know about these? Fairly reliable beasts? Rust? Would the CLK500 be underwhelming compared to a CLK55 or SLK55?

[ZX10R NIN]

Neither will be boring but the 500 will have a softer suspension set up & the seats are a better in the 55 AMG, if you drive them back to back you'll notice the difference, then there are the Halfway house 500's that have AMG Spec suspension set ups with the 500 engines & the 5/7 Speed boxes

7 Speed now if you want to spend 7k this is a hard one to beat this would be my pick out of the four (inc the two you listed) so far:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Mercedes-Benz-CLK-...

This 500 is in a great/rare colour (Cubanite Silver) looks like it's been owned by an enthusiast it also has big spec (keyless start rear blind etc) & apart from the wheels & the fact the Rear Spoiler needs spraying this would be the 500 I'd buy at around 4.5k:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-500-AMG-sp...

That 55 is a decent one & the changes between this and the 500 you're looking at will be significant enough to make a big difference in the way they drive.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

This one seems like a nice one but check the suspension thoroughly, with both of cars helping them breath makes a big difference air filters X Pipe & Remap (for better shift speed/throttle response) not power.

I have to say once you have a 500 Sport/55 AMG you won't go looking for an SLK55.

[Integroo]

Thanks ZX10R, I really only posted so that you would respond! It sounds like the 500 is great value, so gonna keep an eye out for one.

This one ticks a lot of boxes, can't get out to Nottingham for a while though unfortunately:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-500-AMG-sp...

[ZX10R NIN]

Integroo said:

Thanks ZX10R, I really only posted so that you would respond! It sounds like the 500 is great value, so gonna keep an eye out for one.

This one ticks a lot of boxes, can't get out to Nottingham for a while though unfortunately:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-500-AMG-sp...

As I said for me that car is worth around 4.5k as it needs a bit of work which will be covered by the price drop.

The 500 Sport is the sweet spot as I'd say £6000-6250 will land it, it'll have the facelift interior as well as the Orthopedic Seats which are a very nice place to be as well as the sweeter 7 speed box, so if you can stretch an extra 1k that would be where my money would go:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Mercedes-Benz-CLK-...

[Integroo]

ZX10R NIN said:

As I said for me that car is worth around 4.5k as it needs a bit of work which will be covered by the price drop.

The 500 Sport is the sweet spot as I'd say £6000-6250 will land it, it'll have the facelift interior as well as the Orthopedic Seats which are a very nice place to be as well as the sweeter 7 speed box, so if you can stretch an extra 1k that would be where my money would go:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Mercedes-Benz-CLK-...

Thanks, one to ponder. I can stretch to 6k easily enough.

That 500 Sport looks like it needs some remedial work too - brake pipes nothing to worry about but front brakes and suspension:

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

[ZX10R NIN]

Integroo said:

Thanks, one to ponder. I can stretch to 6k easily enough.

That 500 Sport looks like it needs some remedial work too - brake pipes nothing to worry about but front brakes and suspension:

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

The brake pipe is a normal thing with testers covering themselves but worth checking, were they noted the year before?

The coil spring isn't broken as it would be a fail (also when the time comes to change you'll be buying H&R/Eibach replacements) so again a bit of a non issue along with the discs & pads, I class this as a wear & tear issue but it's also great for you as this will help with negotiations in bringing the price down.

Discs & Pads are between £150-190 for EBC's.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 28th June 13:10

[mbwoy84]

Having owned both, I would definitely go for a CL500 over a CLK500. Epic amount of car for the money and amazing to drive.

[Integroo]

mbwoy84 said:

Having owned both, I would definitely go for a CL500 over a CLK500. Epic amount of car for the money and amazing to drive.

Also hugely more expensive and risky to run ... ?

[ZX10R NIN]

At your price point very much so I wouldn't recommend the first gen CL, especially considering you won't be doing big miles & CL/SL's don't like being sat.

[ZX10R NIN]

Which CLK500 are you planning on looking at.

[Integroo]

ZX10R NIN said:

Which CLK500 are you planning on looking at.

I was going to look at this one:

https://www.autoonecarsalesltd.co.uk/used-cars/mer...

However now I am thinking about going to look at this GTV instead ... :

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[ZX10R NIN]

Head says CLK it'll be the better steer BUT it's a GTV, there are two good specialists, one in Catford & the other is at Brands Hatch.

[mbwoy84]

Integroo said:

Also hugely more expensive and risky to run ... ?

Potentially, but if you buy wisely then there shouldn’t be much in it. Look for a CL that has had the ABC overhaul as that is the only part that is particularly expensive over the CLK. That aside, there shouldn’t be much in the running costs. A well-maintained engine should last forever in both. A good one is in a different league and is an unbelievable machine for the money they command.

[Integroo]

ZX10R NIN said:

Head says CLK it'll be the better steer BUT it's a GTV, there are two good specialists, one in Catford & the other is at Brands Hatch.

This is the thread that makes the GTV appeal

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Short mot is putting me off though

[mbwoy84]

That GTV looks nice, but a V6 GTV was the only car I’ve ever owned (and I’ve owned a LOT) that genuinely spent more time being fixed than on the road. And it was a good example with a stack of history. That Busso V6 is glorious when it’s on song though.

I was genuinely worried that the guy who bought it would not make it back home to London, but he messaged me to say he did and how much he loved the car. That was back in 2012, then I saw the car last year driving through my tiny home town in Shropshire, 100-off miles away from the guy I sold it to, but being driven by someone else now. I looked up the MOT history and it just passed another one and is still going strong now. Must have been the many hours of repairs I put into it!

[ZX10R NIN]

It's a very nice car with good history & it will have more character than the 500 but that's not to say the 500 doesn't have character the GTV will have more, but with that extra character will come some frustration & bills but you can't take it with you, I'd probably still buy the 500 but wouldn't blame you if you fell for the charms of the Alfa.

[Integroo]

mbwoy84 said:

That GTV looks nice, but a V6 GTV was the only car I’ve ever owned (and I’ve owned a LOT) that genuinely spent more time being fixed than on the road. And it was a good example with a stack of history. That Busso V6 is glorious when it’s on song though.

I was genuinely worried that the guy who bought it would not make it back home to London, but he messaged me to say he did and how much he loved the car. That was back in 2012, then I saw the car last year driving through my tiny home town in Shropshire, 100-off miles away from the guy I sold it to, but being driven by someone else now. I looked up the MOT history and it just passed another one and is still going strong now. Must have been the many hours of repairs I put into it!

This is what is putting me off, especially with a short mot! Id have to drive it home from north of nottingham to london too
...

[mbwoy84]

Integroo said:

This is what is putting me off, especially with a short mot! Id have to drive it home from north of nottingham to london too
...

I think I put the kiss off death on it, as since I last checked my old GTV has been without MOT since last July now.....

Yes, the GTV has character in abundance and the noise is glorious. I loved the car, but never really travelled far in it as I never trusted it enough!

[Integroo]

mbwoy84 said:

I think I put the kiss off death on it, as since I last checked my old GTV has been without MOT since last July now.....

Yes, the GTV has character in abundance and the noise is glorious. I loved the car, but never really travelled far in it as I never trusted it enough!

The owner has told me he will put a fresh MOT on it next week and fix anything that is needed to be fixed. I think I will go take a look at it, but can't go until the 27th.

20 year old Alfa, what can possibly go wrong!