Discussion
I've had my w209 55 for 2 1/2 years now with very few issues (it's a 2003 coupe with just over 50k on the clock, bought from MB). A few minor electrical things and that's it. My previous car was an e46 m3, I think the CLK is a better road car (IMHO of course).
As mentioned the handling isn't quite as hardcore as some, so if you're looking for something to rag around it might not be for you (though there's a guy on here made a track day car out of one I think). It still handles well, and presents interesting challanges in terms of just how much power you can get away with using (it's got more than you'd think from the figures when compared to the M3). The odd bit of third gear traction control activity can raise a bit of a smile.
As you say, the noise is brilliant, I once wound all the windows down when pulling away from the M6 toll booth and gave it some effort, you could almost feel the cylinders firing. The boys in blue weren't hyper impressed though, I got followed for a while.
To my mind it's one of those rare cars you can enjoy at any speed, not just when you're pressing on, but when you do want to make progress it's properly up for it.
Hope this helps
As mentioned the handling isn't quite as hardcore as some, so if you're looking for something to rag around it might not be for you (though there's a guy on here made a track day car out of one I think). It still handles well, and presents interesting challanges in terms of just how much power you can get away with using (it's got more than you'd think from the figures when compared to the M3). The odd bit of third gear traction control activity can raise a bit of a smile.
As you say, the noise is brilliant, I once wound all the windows down when pulling away from the M6 toll booth and gave it some effort, you could almost feel the cylinders firing. The boys in blue weren't hyper impressed though, I got followed for a while.
To my mind it's one of those rare cars you can enjoy at any speed, not just when you're pressing on, but when you do want to make progress it's properly up for it.
Hope this helps
It would be a 2006 model that I would go for.
Straight line speed I am happy with - under 5 secs 0-60 makes it quicker than the e46 M3 so its a big tick there.
Handling wise I want something good but it doesnt need to be track car standard as this will only see the road. Something that means an A/B road can be enjoyed is my main requirement.
Whats the MPG like? Are services expensive?
Never had a merc before so a bit ignorant on it all
Straight line speed I am happy with - under 5 secs 0-60 makes it quicker than the e46 M3 so its a big tick there.
Handling wise I want something good but it doesnt need to be track car standard as this will only see the road. Something that means an A/B road can be enjoyed is my main requirement.
Whats the MPG like? Are services expensive?
Never had a merc before so a bit ignorant on it all
Mine does around 25 mpg on the motorway, it'll do up to 30 if you drive like a granny. Round town it's 15 - 20mpg once warmed up. I've only had one service which was done at an independant, it was an 'a' and cost £270 with nothing extra to do. It would have been less but I wanted various things checked out. I'm told MB dealers are pricey, but then my M3 was expensive to look after so I doubt it's any worse.
I use an independant because my car is at the age where I can, plus I didn't like my dealer, every time they fixed something other things seemed to go wrong, plus jobs were not finished when they should have been. I've not had any problems since taking it away from them.
It likes sweeping A roads but is a bit big and heavy for really attacking B roads, its always entertaining though. The gearbox is excellent, it notices how you're driving and does sensible things without having to use manual mode. Manual mode is ok, but doesn't auto blip on downshift (on mine, later cars it may do?) so you have to be thinking about blipping manually or be aware of potential rear wheel locking on downshifts to 2nd and 1st when pressing on. Traction control can be annoying if ragging, plus rear tyres will last about 5 minutes if you drive the ar*s off it.
I've found it quite interesting, to get the best out of it you end up driving in a similar way to how you would on a track, i.e. smoothly, feeling for the limits but not going over them.
One thing: on a 2006 wouldn't you be looking at a 63?
I use an independant because my car is at the age where I can, plus I didn't like my dealer, every time they fixed something other things seemed to go wrong, plus jobs were not finished when they should have been. I've not had any problems since taking it away from them.
It likes sweeping A roads but is a bit big and heavy for really attacking B roads, its always entertaining though. The gearbox is excellent, it notices how you're driving and does sensible things without having to use manual mode. Manual mode is ok, but doesn't auto blip on downshift (on mine, later cars it may do?) so you have to be thinking about blipping manually or be aware of potential rear wheel locking on downshifts to 2nd and 1st when pressing on. Traction control can be annoying if ragging, plus rear tyres will last about 5 minutes if you drive the ar*s off it.
I've found it quite interesting, to get the best out of it you end up driving in a similar way to how you would on a track, i.e. smoothly, feeling for the limits but not going over them.
One thing: on a 2006 wouldn't you be looking at a 63?
Munkeyfeet said:
Straight line speed I am happy with - under 5 secs 0-60 makes it quicker than the e46 M3 so its a big tick there.
Whats the MPG like? Are services expensive?
Can't comment on the handling for the W209. The W208 AMG wasn't bad... predictable and preferred sweeping corners as per above but not that great for A/B roads that required sudden changes in direction - heavy nose and wide tyres.Whats the MPG like? Are services expensive?
In the real world, straight line acceleration will feel quicker than the M3 because of the huge low end torque and in the real world we don't redline it in every gear every time...
Services: you're in Ascot according to your profile, so there's an indie in the Molesey area (google, but I haven't tried them so don't know if they're any good) but the one I recommend is 1 hour down the A3: www.prestigecarservice.co.uk very, very easy to get to as it's 5 minutes drive off the A3; he's got a following in the Mercedes forums so he must be good. If you go to a dealership, they'll apply the AMG tax to anything you buy.
Edited by ShadownINja on Thursday 8th April 11:23
I am definitely in the mindset of an indy over a dealer.
Thanks for the advice - its helped a lot
what would you say is the main difference from your M3? Good and bad?
THe C63 is lovely - I pass one everyday and routinely lower my window to listen even in the rain - sad i know - but its a little too much for me.
My budget is £30max but if I dropped down to a 04/05 plate I notice they are between 18-22k which is excellent.
I just dont want to be in a position where I buy it and think - I should have spent the extra on an RS4.
If I were to spend the budget I think the RS4 would win hands down - its more a question of is it worth £10,000 more, accepting their suspension issue and will I notice the difference when all I want is a nice sounding, fast A-B car that has a classy image.
The C55 - not many around - any tips there or was that a poor model hence why I cant find any good examples in the classifieds.
Thanks for the advice - its helped a lot
what would you say is the main difference from your M3? Good and bad?
THe C63 is lovely - I pass one everyday and routinely lower my window to listen even in the rain - sad i know - but its a little too much for me.
My budget is £30max but if I dropped down to a 04/05 plate I notice they are between 18-22k which is excellent.
I just dont want to be in a position where I buy it and think - I should have spent the extra on an RS4.
If I were to spend the budget I think the RS4 would win hands down - its more a question of is it worth £10,000 more, accepting their suspension issue and will I notice the difference when all I want is a nice sounding, fast A-B car that has a classy image.
The C55 - not many around - any tips there or was that a poor model hence why I cant find any good examples in the classifieds.
Munkeyfeet said:
If I were to spend the budget I think the RS4 would win hands down - its more a question of is it worth £10,000 more, accepting their suspension issue and will I notice the difference when all I want is a nice sounding, fast A-B car that has a classy image.
The C55 - not many around - any tips there or was that a poor model hence why I cant find any good examples in the classifieds.
RS4 - the key for me is that the RS4 is 4 door and 4wd... I prefer the coupe design and RWD (you can turn off SC).The C55 - not many around - any tips there or was that a poor model hence why I cant find any good examples in the classifieds.
C55 - dunno much about it. C55 vs RS4... I guess I'd choose the C55 as it is RWD.
Here's a quick run down of how I'd compare the two (no comment on an issue means both about the same), all just my opinion
CLK 55 better than M3:
Engine. Noise, instant performance, no warm up hesitation (most e46 m3's cough and splutter when cold, which is poor when you can't declutch because you hve SMG).
Transmission. My M3 was a manual, it's not common but I had 2 syncros worn out by 50k (and I'm easy on cars). CLK auto is good, it's also (I think) essentially the same box from the supercharged cars so you'd expect it to last.
Image. I like the CLK, you get let into traffic.
Insurance. Cheaper for me.
Ride. Much better than M3, doesn't bounce on motorway, which the M3 does.
Performance, feels much quicker because of instant torque at all engine speeds. A road overtaking ability staggering.
Brakes. M3 brakes are just awful
Character. Its fun just rumbling around, you don't feel you have to rag it all the time but if you do give it the beans it's startlingly quick.
Toys. Clk has more
E46 M3 better than CLK:
Ulitmate handling, grip, feel, balance, agiity all slightly better. If you habitually hang the tail out, paint black lines of rubber etc, you'll probably be better off with the M3.
Interior quality. Better plastics, nicer seats
BMW electrics seem less glitch prone
Availability, although most will have been used rather harder than the equivalent CLK.
Traction control less intrusive and has clever limited slip diff.
Toys: M3 has less to go wrong :-)
When it comes down to it, you could hardly have two more different interpretations of the same theme, I'd suggest you try both before deciding. I don't think I'd be spending 30k, to me 20k sounds like more than enough for a good example of either.
Hope this is useful
CLK 55 better than M3:
Engine. Noise, instant performance, no warm up hesitation (most e46 m3's cough and splutter when cold, which is poor when you can't declutch because you hve SMG).
Transmission. My M3 was a manual, it's not common but I had 2 syncros worn out by 50k (and I'm easy on cars). CLK auto is good, it's also (I think) essentially the same box from the supercharged cars so you'd expect it to last.
Image. I like the CLK, you get let into traffic.
Insurance. Cheaper for me.
Ride. Much better than M3, doesn't bounce on motorway, which the M3 does.
Performance, feels much quicker because of instant torque at all engine speeds. A road overtaking ability staggering.
Brakes. M3 brakes are just awful
Character. Its fun just rumbling around, you don't feel you have to rag it all the time but if you do give it the beans it's startlingly quick.
Toys. Clk has more
E46 M3 better than CLK:
Ulitmate handling, grip, feel, balance, agiity all slightly better. If you habitually hang the tail out, paint black lines of rubber etc, you'll probably be better off with the M3.
Interior quality. Better plastics, nicer seats
BMW electrics seem less glitch prone
Availability, although most will have been used rather harder than the equivalent CLK.
Traction control less intrusive and has clever limited slip diff.
Toys: M3 has less to go wrong :-)
When it comes down to it, you could hardly have two more different interpretations of the same theme, I'd suggest you try both before deciding. I don't think I'd be spending 30k, to me 20k sounds like more than enough for a good example of either.
Hope this is useful
Thats a brilliant over view - I am 31 - about to start a family and want something that has the power but at the same time isnt too hardcore. My wife has a diesel and thats the sensible family car.
If all goes to plan I will add an elise to the stable for those nice weekends
Noise is a massive factor - the grumble of a V8 is for me like nothing else.
OK i have been sold and for £20k that is much better financially.
what should I look out for when buying? I dont want to buy from a main dealer and most advertised are at niche/small/independant dealers or private. Any tricks or warning signs I should try to invoke on a test drive?
Would you recommend a warranty?
If all goes to plan I will add an elise to the stable for those nice weekends
Noise is a massive factor - the grumble of a V8 is for me like nothing else.
OK i have been sold and for £20k that is much better financially.
what should I look out for when buying? I dont want to buy from a main dealer and most advertised are at niche/small/independant dealers or private. Any tricks or warning signs I should try to invoke on a test drive?
Would you recommend a warranty?
I'd look for the usual stuff really, the only specifics I'd mention are:
Driving wise, the gearbox will feel smooth on the way up, downshifts will have a slight jerk. Don't try a kickdown test on a corner :-)
Check the steering wheel gear buttons work (put transmission in 'm' mode), they didn't when I test drove mine at the dealer. Mine has a noticable whine on cold startup from the gearbox / converter which I'm told is normal (I've heard this on other clk's), sounds almost like a supercharger.
The dash will tell you when the next service is due, check against history. Talking of which, service history is a must, although the variable service thing makes this a little harder than it needs to be. As long as it's not gone much over 15k / 2 years between services, and whoever has been looking after it is either a dealer or a specialist it should be ok.
Tyre wear should be even with the outer edges of the fronts going first. Rears are driver dependant, but will last 10k with moderate care.
Electrics have been the only bug bear on mine. My headlight auto adjuster packed up, you can tell if this is working by switching on the headlights, they should go through an up / down cycle. If they stay low, it'll need fixing for the mot (£350 for me from dealer).
After that just try out as many of the toys as you can, if anything is not working and you're not too bothered guess it'll cost £500 to fix and haggle :-)
Incidentally, command is a help for resale and was an option, a non command car is worth less.
Driving wise, the gearbox will feel smooth on the way up, downshifts will have a slight jerk. Don't try a kickdown test on a corner :-)
Check the steering wheel gear buttons work (put transmission in 'm' mode), they didn't when I test drove mine at the dealer. Mine has a noticable whine on cold startup from the gearbox / converter which I'm told is normal (I've heard this on other clk's), sounds almost like a supercharger.
The dash will tell you when the next service is due, check against history. Talking of which, service history is a must, although the variable service thing makes this a little harder than it needs to be. As long as it's not gone much over 15k / 2 years between services, and whoever has been looking after it is either a dealer or a specialist it should be ok.
Tyre wear should be even with the outer edges of the fronts going first. Rears are driver dependant, but will last 10k with moderate care.
Electrics have been the only bug bear on mine. My headlight auto adjuster packed up, you can tell if this is working by switching on the headlights, they should go through an up / down cycle. If they stay low, it'll need fixing for the mot (£350 for me from dealer).
After that just try out as many of the toys as you can, if anything is not working and you're not too bothered guess it'll cost £500 to fix and haggle :-)
Incidentally, command is a help for resale and was an option, a non command car is worth less.
That's possibly the biggest difficulty. Because they were so expensive when new compared to the M3 there aren't many around. I notice MB Exeter have a nice one but it looks expensive at £18k for a 2003.
The classifieds here are possibly as good a place as any, but they don't appear often. Maybe try a wanted ad here as well?
Good luck, hope you find a decent one.
The classifieds here are possibly as good a place as any, but they don't appear often. Maybe try a wanted ad here as well?
Good luck, hope you find a decent one.
Yup and the MB website is winding me up lol
I go to MB exeter and they have a CLK55 - I go to MB UK and do a national search and nada!!
Also a C55 seems to not exist in their search options unless in estate form!!
AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
edited for being a retard
I go to MB exeter and they have a CLK55 - I go to MB UK and do a national search and nada!!
Also a C55 seems to not exist in their search options unless in estate form!!
AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
edited for being a retard
Edited by Munkeyfeet on Thursday 8th April 17:21
Edited by Munkeyfeet on Thursday 8th April 17:24
OK we may have a winner
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1418128.htm
anyone know anything about the garage? good bad or ugly? PM me if its downright nasty
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1418128.htm
anyone know anything about the garage? good bad or ugly? PM me if its downright nasty
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