AMG on a budget? CLK55?

[michael1987]

Basically, would buying a Amg on a budget for example a CLK55 be buying myself a headache?

What goes wrong with these? whats to look out for? I know buying a 10 year old car isnt going to be perfect, but I fancy some fun!!

[MikeM3Power]

Hi

I made this thread a while back so it may answer some questions you have about them.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Also it does seem some just favour the later CLK 500(388) which carries a newer 5.5 litre engine, 388 bhp not 362 like the CLK 55 AMG, more torque than the 55, has a AMG kit, 7 gears and newer.

They replaced the 55 with the 63 in CLK form around this time.

And i am sure the most common problem with the 55 is something to do with the SRS??

[Hoofy]

Had a 51 plate CLK 55AMG for 2 years.

There is what AMG owners call the AMG tax. Everything is slightly more expensive than on a standard CLK. Also, there is a lot of electronics to go wrong - COMAND and seats, for instance, which cost a fortune to fix/replace modules. My CD multichanger thing was playing up and Mercedes' solution - replace the entire system. Was quoted about £4k.

They're not that fun to drive either as they are heavy. That said, fast sweeping corners felt good to tackle.

I still enjoyed ownership, though. Dunno why. Somehow, it felt special. I also felt "encouraged" to accelerate hard which doesn't do well for fuel costs.

[mickyveloce]

buy an earlier c43 if you want the v8 AMG thing and spend the money you saved in the purchase price by running it as the makers intended .

[Aquanaut]

Would advise against buying any AMG pre 2004, due to rust issues. I had 2004 C55 which i sold last year. Great car and not to expensive to maintain. Only thing that really went wrong in my ownership (4 years) was maf and cranks sensors. My car had full service history. Just make sure its been serviced as scheduled etc. maybe an independant inspection before you buy?

[slippery]

The C55 is a good shout. Not many people even think about them and go for the default M3 option instead.

[MikeM3Power]

OP probably wants 2 door coupe (like myself).

So i would suggest CLK 500 (388).

The C55 is a lovely car though

[slippery]

Did you view the silver one that was close to where you live Mike?

[MikeM3Power]

Unfortunately not

I just didn't have the time, work is killing me at the moment .

But I will get round too it, there is also similar one but few grand more but convertible and less mileage. So will be doing my rounds soon.

Only bad thing I heard about the CLK 500 (388) is its not an AMG. But apart from that no faults, performance is great, updated COMAND, actual decent paddles and the fact the badge CLK 500 really doesn't show what actually is hiding under the engine.
All the mnakings of a sleeper

[Brian_the_Snail]

Go for the CLK500 (388) - love mine! A real wolf in sheep's clothing and fab for scaring 996's,M3's etc

B_T_S

[slippery]

Brian_the_Snail said:

Go for the CLK500 (388) - love mine! A real wolf in sheep's clothing and fab for scaring 996's,M3's etc

B_T_S

It has even more comedy value when you do it in an ML.

[MikeM3Power]

Brian can we have some pictures and a mini review?

[rlw]

I bought my CLK55 in November for £8k and immediately spent £1k sorting out brakes, oil etc. Shortly after that I spent another £500 on camshaft sensors but no problems since them but it does have a full MBSH so no surprises really. I have noticed some wheel arch rust which I will deal with very shortly and very thoroughly at whatever cost. Its a good car to drive helped by the AMG suspension which the other models don't have. I came from a GT3 which is obviously very different but the CLK is fun in its own way. PM me for more info and I'm in Bromley if you want a look and a drive. Petrol is the biggest cost though.

[Brian_the_Snail]

MikeM3Power said:

Brian can we have some pictures and a mini review?

I bought my CLK500 (388)Avantgarde in November last year. It was a December 2006 car with 38,000 miles. Cost me between £10-11k (including a 12 month AA warranty) depending on how you valued my BMW 330Ci trade-in.

Here's a few pictures:








and just to show it will do 30 MPG or more on a 100+ mile run



The only thing I have changed is I have removed the '500' badge from the boot lid. With no '500' and just a single exhaust people assume it's only a CLK200 or similar rather than a 5.5 litre V8

So far I have had very few problems. The CD disc changer was replaced by the supplying garage under warranty, the driver's electric headrest occasionally doesn't operate and the front suspension has a bush on the way out.

The big thing is fuel. On a run it will comfortably do 28-30MPG and I have averaged 32MPG over 200 miles whilst still averaging 70(ish). However, if you put your foot down it will drop to low 20's. I've never averaged less than 20 MPG though.

It is a great cruiser and ideal for commuting. I do believe that the 17 inch wheels on the Avantgarde help with the ride (and the sleeper look of the car).

It's not the greatest handling car. I also have a manual V6 Audi TT in the garage that would lose the Merc on a back road. The 7G auto box is good apart from when cold when it can occasionally shunt into 1st gear but I am told that is a general issue with the 7G box.

The two best things about the car are:
a) The noise of that V8 - worth the petrol bill alone!
b) The way it goes when you floor it. In a straight line I have yet to find a naturally aspirated Porsche 993/ 964/ 996 that can live with it - especially over 60 MPH when traction is no longer an issue with that big V8. I live at Silverstone so there are always a few interesting cars to compare with on my daily commute. There must be some concerned driver who think they have just been left for dead by a CLK200

In many ways its more of an old fashioned muscle car - looks normal, drive normal until you want the noise and speed. Conclusion - you can find a CLK500 (5.5) and don't mind the fuel bills then do it!

Any questions then just ask

B_T_S

Edited by Brian_the_Snail on Wednesday 15th May 00:17

[rlw]

I do know of a very nice CL500 if the OP is interested. Full MBSH until 2010 then looked after by one of the owners of Church Motors (recommended by MBOF)and its his car. 100K miles - £6495 - and it looks lovely.

[slippery]

rlw said:

I do know of a very nice CL500 if the OP is interested. Full MBSH until 2010 then looked after by one of the owners of Church Motors (recommended by MBOF)and its his car. 100K miles - £6495 - and it looks lovely.

Unfortunately the earlier and cheaper 5.0 500 is way off the pace compared to the 5.5.

[MikeM3Power]

Thanks Brian for the mini review, could you put another one up with all the gadgets and kit it comes with?
Keyless start, etc etc?

I actually don't mind the fuel bills . Well for myself I think I can safely veto the CLK 55 amg. Seems only thing going for itself is the fact is has AMG on the engine and on the boot.

Seems later CLK 500 (5.5) is way superior! (just impression I get).

Also the single tail pipe isn't to my taste but definitely adds to the sleeper factor lol.

[Brian_the_Snail]

The CLK500 (5.5) Avantgarde does not come with keyless go. It does have electric leather heated memory seats for both driver and passenger, Comand with Sat Nav, Bluetooth Phone and 6 disc changer. Metallic paint was standard along with parking sensors front and rear.

Mine has a sunroof and the others I have seen also have this but I don't know if that was standard or not. Any other questions regarding what's on the car then please just ask.

B_T_S

[MikeM3Power]

Hey Brian, I am sure from 07 they got rid of the Avantgarde name for the CLK 500 (5.5)

Can't be sure though.
How do you find the COMAND, bluetooth? Do you have parktronic?

I'm guessing your COMAND unit would be the newer slicker looking one, not the ones seen in the 55 from 03 - 04?

[MikeM3Power]

slippery said:

Did you view the silver one that was close to where you live Mike?

Its back on sale and reduced further too. Dropped 1k in 3 weeks.

Hmmm