Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG
Discussion
My OH and I have really taken to our CLK350, so much that my OH refers to it as a 'she' due to its classic lines and refinement. I've owned and enjoyed two prior to the current one: a CLK270 CDi Coupe, and a CLK55 AMG Cabriolet, incidentally both of which ended up with other PHers. We've had the 350 a year now and covered 10k of enjoyable miles, and the car has been as good as gold, but those who've read the CLK350 thread know that as much as I like it, I've been hankering after a V8...
In truth one of the later 5.5 500's (388bhp) with the AMG pack (different exhaust and suspension) would have been perfectly fine, but they are very rare and the low mileage ones that have appeared made me think I may as well go a bit higher and get the CLK63 AMG - in black.
An C63 or C63 Coupe are at the same price point, but it had to be the CLK. A "'63" appeared for sale last week and it was the lowest mileage coupe I've seen at 37,000 miles; there weren't any photos but a call to the dealer revealed a bit of spec and a promise of excellent condition. Given the rarity of these things i.e. not many around, at that point the mileage, colour, and described condition led me to wonder that it may well be another PHers ex car - one in fact that was covered in a PH Carpool article back in 2011. It turned out to be just that car and the condition really can only be described as incredible; a credit to its three owners. There is plastic over the original mats, and pads on the seat belts to prevent hem becoming grubby - I thought I was fastidious!
The interior colour ('Sand') is pretty unique on the '63. I haven't seen another with it - it's great against the black paintwork. The car has full MBSH and a big history file. Options-wise, it has:
Anyway, this one is a keeper - we would have kept the current car if it had a V8.
In truth one of the later 5.5 500's (388bhp) with the AMG pack (different exhaust and suspension) would have been perfectly fine, but they are very rare and the low mileage ones that have appeared made me think I may as well go a bit higher and get the CLK63 AMG - in black.
An C63 or C63 Coupe are at the same price point, but it had to be the CLK. A "'63" appeared for sale last week and it was the lowest mileage coupe I've seen at 37,000 miles; there weren't any photos but a call to the dealer revealed a bit of spec and a promise of excellent condition. Given the rarity of these things i.e. not many around, at that point the mileage, colour, and described condition led me to wonder that it may well be another PHers ex car - one in fact that was covered in a PH Carpool article back in 2011. It turned out to be just that car and the condition really can only be described as incredible; a credit to its three owners. There is plastic over the original mats, and pads on the seat belts to prevent hem becoming grubby - I thought I was fastidious!
The interior colour ('Sand') is pretty unique on the '63. I haven't seen another with it - it's great against the black paintwork. The car has full MBSH and a big history file. Options-wise, it has:
- Bluetooth;
- COMAND / CD changer / aux in;
- Harmon/Kardon Logic7 sound system;
- Heated seats;
- Parktronic;
- Rear blind;
- Ski-bag;
- Sunroof;
- TV;
- Ventilated seats;
- Xenons with corner-lighting.
Anyway, this one is a keeper - we would have kept the current car if it had a V8.
Edited by mwstewart on Wednesday 13th February 15:47
Lovely example!
My best mate has the CLK55 in black with factory fitted 63 quad pipes, its had the cats removed with x pipe and it sounds like thunder when pressing on but also so smooth and civilised when cruising.
Its also been remapped and had the speed limiter removed - We managed to hit 174mph on the way to the ring last summer and it was still pulling like a train, if it hadn't been for traffic I reckon it would have nudged 185/190mph.
Enjoy... no doubt you'll make this even better Mr Stewart, keep the updates coming... Wouldn't mind an update on the Fiesta too
My best mate has the CLK55 in black with factory fitted 63 quad pipes, its had the cats removed with x pipe and it sounds like thunder when pressing on but also so smooth and civilised when cruising.
Its also been remapped and had the speed limiter removed - We managed to hit 174mph on the way to the ring last summer and it was still pulling like a train, if it hadn't been for traffic I reckon it would have nudged 185/190mph.
Enjoy... no doubt you'll make this even better Mr Stewart, keep the updates coming... Wouldn't mind an update on the Fiesta too
Well, that’s just stunning both in looks and condition!
Just had a look on autotrader and these seem to be about the same price as an early c63... i prefer the looks of the clk tbh but the prices do seem pretty bloody strong!
How is it to drive then? Pure gt cruiser or good for a B road blast?
Just had a look on autotrader and these seem to be about the same price as an early c63... i prefer the looks of the clk tbh but the prices do seem pretty bloody strong!
How is it to drive then? Pure gt cruiser or good for a B road blast?
so rare, too. Thanks everyone.
As nice as the BS is I love the under-the-radar element of this one. I may consider fitting BS ARBs but that's it.
A CLK will probably frustrate if you want something to hoon in - it's the last classic(ish) AMG before Mercedes started to target a different market with more aggressive styling, contemporary interior trim, harder suspension etc. If you want something more akin to the M3 - which I class as a sports GT - then undoubtedly the C63's are in a different league dynamically.
mattman said:
absolutely stunning - bet it has an awesome soundtrack as well - so much so you surely don't need a radio?
It does sound good - effortless torque as well - but to provide a comparison its no where near as loud as C63. It's a much more discrete affair which is my personal preference for the role it has.DonaldTrump said:
A keeper in it's standard form or can we expect some of your subtle magical touches??
One or two, but very subtle things such as the US Spec leather trimmed centre console with cupholder:toby-w8jtf said:
Lovely example!
My best mate has the CLK55 in black with factory fitted 63 quad pipes, its had the cats removed with x pipe and it sounds like thunder when pressing on but also so smooth and civilised when cruising.
Its also been remapped and had the speed limiter removed - We managed to hit 174mph on the way to the ring last summer and it was still pulling like a train, if it hadn't been for traffic I reckon it would have nudged 185/190mph.
Enjoy... no doubt you'll make this even better Mr Stewart, keep the updates coming... Wouldn't mind an update on the Fiesta too
The 55 is a very nice car - especially the full facelift type that your friend had. I owned a cabriolet variant but they don't have quad pipes due to limited space underneath.My best mate has the CLK55 in black with factory fitted 63 quad pipes, its had the cats removed with x pipe and it sounds like thunder when pressing on but also so smooth and civilised when cruising.
Its also been remapped and had the speed limiter removed - We managed to hit 174mph on the way to the ring last summer and it was still pulling like a train, if it hadn't been for traffic I reckon it would have nudged 185/190mph.
Enjoy... no doubt you'll make this even better Mr Stewart, keep the updates coming... Wouldn't mind an update on the Fiesta too
Croutons said:
There is one button on that bank of 8 with nothing on. That would do my head in....
Ha. That's as full as it gets - the space is for rear wash/wipe on the estate. MrBarry123 said:
That is a lovely thing.
Any plans and/or temptations to make it more Black Series-like?
None whatsoever Any plans and/or temptations to make it more Black Series-like?
As nice as the BS is I love the under-the-radar element of this one. I may consider fitting BS ARBs but that's it.lewisf182 said:
Well, that’s just stunning both in looks and condition!
Just had a look on autotrader and these seem to be about the same price as an early c63... i prefer the looks of the clk tbh but the prices do seem pretty bloody strong!
How is it to drive then? Pure gt cruiser or good for a B road blast?
It's more of a wafter than a sports car. Firmly a GT but just about small enough and responsive enough to hustle along when desired. The driving enjoyment is in a complete different form to that experienced in something like an M3, which has more body control and handling where the CLK has more serenity and subtlety. Just had a look on autotrader and these seem to be about the same price as an early c63... i prefer the looks of the clk tbh but the prices do seem pretty bloody strong!
How is it to drive then? Pure gt cruiser or good for a B road blast?
A CLK will probably frustrate if you want something to hoon in - it's the last classic(ish) AMG before Mercedes started to target a different market with more aggressive styling, contemporary interior trim, harder suspension etc. If you want something more akin to the M3 - which I class as a sports GT - then undoubtedly the C63's are in a different league dynamically.
Edited by mwstewart on Wednesday 13th February 15:51
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