CLK55 AMG?

[wotnot]

It's time to move on my old C32 and upgrade to the V8 AMG I've always wanted. Unfortunately for me, funds are limited (c.£10k) and as my wife has been after a convertible for years I've decided to kill two birds with one stone and buy a CLK 55 AMG convertible.
Two questions really; firstly, is a £10k CLK55 AMG convertible a recipe for pain and grief?
Secondly, with these cars a little thin on the ground I've been looking at CLK500s as well. If I go down this route, bearing in mind I still get a 5 litre V8, is it a step down too far?
Any advice would be appreciated.

[Barry Ashcroft]

I also looked at these before buying the SLK as 4 seats would of been better. But I felt robbed that it only has twin exhausts not 4 across the rear.

[wotnot]

I've wondered about that as well. Seems strange that there are quad exhausts on the saloon but only the one pair on the coupe. Shill sounds good though!
Just as well as the need for four seats and a limited budget leave me little choice.

[mickyveloce]

Late model clk 55s had 4 pipes I think .

[58ap]

4 pipes on the surcharged models.

I am aware of a clk500 black convertible great spec that will be n the market shortly. 03 plate, one family (man and son in law). Low mileage. Pm me if interested and I will get the spec...

I reckon a bit of light exhaust work makes it sound very AMG ish.....

Ap

[rubystone]

I understand that the floorpan of the convertible doesnt allow the use of 4 pipes. My Clk63 convertible only has 2, for instance, but I can assure you it still makes a fine sound...

[MikeM3Power]

This will help buddy

I started a thread then that 5 pages or so on this subject and the comparison between CLK 500 and 55 amg

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

[MikeM3Power]

A late clk 500 also has more power than the AMG and 7 gears with 388hp over the 367hp the 55 AMG has. Oh and a 5.5 engine. I think I got that right.

I like the CLK 500s as a lot available but just as someone said earlier, i feel robbed it only has the single pipe

[wotnot]

MikeM3Power said:

This will help buddy

I started a thread then that 5 pages or so on this subject and the comparison between CLK 500 and 55 amg

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

Cheers for that mate. It answers many of the questions I had in mind. Have you taken the plunge yet?

[MikeM3Power]

Hey wotnot

Actually I haven't still deciding. I have til next month to make my choice but I better get test driving.
What decision have you made mate?

[wotnot]

MikeM3Power said:

What decision have you made mate?

Ideally I'm after a CLK55. I test drove one just before Christmas (with roof down) and the noise was amazing. Not noticeably faster than my C32 but fast enough. I would dearly love to own one.
I haven't ruled out 500s but from what I read on your thread, it looks like they're a tad too refined. Plus all the owners and ex owners of AMGs who replied to you seem to love them.
I'm off to look at another 55 on Saturday, a bit leggy but it sounds too good not to have a look and it's fairly local.

[slippery]

58ap said:

4 pipes on the surcharged models.

I take it you meant supercharged. The AMG CLKs were never supercharged. Perhaps you are getting confused with the CL, which did go from NA to supercharged from 03.

[MikeM3Power]

wotnot said:

Ideally I'm after a CLK55. I test drove one just before Christmas (with roof down) and the noise was amazing. Not noticeably faster than my C32 but fast enough. I would dearly love to own one.
I haven't ruled out 500s but from what I read on your thread, it looks like they're a tad too refined. Plus all the owners and ex owners of AMGs who replied to you seem to love them.
I'm off to look at another 55 on Saturday, a bit leggy but it sounds too good not to have a look and it's fairly local.

Yes the 500 it seems is too refined and doesn't have the AMG styling. You considered a later CLK 500 with 7sp 5.5 engine with 388hp. Its still badged 500 but is a great Q car.

It would be good if you could do a write up with pics from your test drives. Post the advert of the car you are going to view.
I have been looking for a while, so i probably have seen it too

[wotnot]

MikeM3Power said:

Post the advert of the car you are going to view.
I have been looking for a while, so i probably have seen it too

This is the advert. As I say, it's got a fair few miles on it but as it's local it's got to be worth a look.

http://www.quality-used-cars-dorset.co.uk/used/Mer...

[MikeM3Power]

wotnot said:

This is the advert. As I say, it's got a fair few miles on it but as it's local it's got to be worth a look.

http://www.quality-used-cars-dorset.co.uk/used/Mer...

Looks awesome. Maybe I am wrong but that one doesn't seem to have auto start on the gear knob? So does that mean it doesn't have keyless entry? The mileage doesn't seem so bad. On the m3 boards they always say buy on condition rather than mileage. Sure what applies to Mercs too. I really need to start test driving lol

[rubystone]

nice spec car but miles are high and I'd want to see the car at under £9k really if I were buying it. Check everything works, and I mean everything....

[wotnot]

rubystone said:

nice spec car but miles are high and I'd want to see the car at under £9k really if I were buying it. Check everything works, and I mean everything....

You're right, those are a lot of miles, but it really looks well cared for. I was hoping to go lower myself, £10k is a lot for that many miles.
I'll let you know if its as good as it looks on Saturday.

[Luke.]

Is 100k really that many? Was tempted by a 249,000 Cayenne Turbo the other day. Lovely looking thing.

[Barry Ashcroft]

100k miles on a modern car is nothing were all too hocked up on 100k miles of old we need to move with the times

[wotnot]

Don't get me wrong. I haven't got a problem with the mileage per se (my C32 has 133,000 and is still going strong), only in relation to the price being asked when compared to others out there. It certainly won't put me off buying it if it as good as it looks.