A cheap W208 CLK55 AMG
Discussion
Having been made an offer I couldn’t refuse on my very charming A124 Cabriolet last month (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1742422), it seemed high time to hunt for another cheap but interesting entry from the Mercedes back catalogue.
With a wedding to plan for, I didn’t want a load of cash tied up in a hobby car that I would only use maybe every other weekend, so set a budget of £2,500.
Originally I had been searching for a W208 CLK 320 convertible with the factory AMG styling pack. These are very cheap and I figured it would fill the wafty drop top hole left by the E220, only with bit more power. I looked at a few but for whatever reason, didn’t follow through.
Then, whilst idly searching through online ads, I stumbled across what I thought was a typing error or some kind of scam. A 2000 W208 CLK55 AMG for a shade under £3,000. I called the seller who advised that it had the usual rust spots but was mechanically sound with only 94k on the clock and had Mercedes history to 83k plus a fresh MOT . There was another party interested but the first to show with funds would win so to speak. I grabbed some of the A124 proceeds and booked my 3 hour train journey from London to Shropshire.
To cut a long story short, with bit of haggling, I think I have ended up with the cheapest AMG in the country.
A few initial observations. I have never owned a V8 before, but I have had a few 300bhp+ cars in my time (Golf 7 R, E46 M3) but this feels considerably broader in its power delivery. It isn’t very sharp in terms of handling but then it isn’t what it was intended for. It’s a muscle car through and through. The noise and effortlessness gives it a character of its own.
The W208 is often derided as not being a “proper” Mercedes. Whilst there is some rust here and there to me it feels just as solid as the A124 did.
I spent the weekend giving it a good clean and once over to create a jobs list.
- Rust. The rear arches are bubbling as is the front offside. The near side wing appears to have been sprayed at some point but not to a brilliant standard. Plan is to find a good body shop in South London/Surrey and have the rot cut out properly, repainted and the underside treated. Recommendations appreciated.
- Service. Helpfully it came with and oil filter and 1 air filter (despite there being 2). Genuine Mercedes oil is very cheap on eBay so I will tackle this as a DIY next weekend. I will send it off to a specialist for a gearbox service, plugs (all 16 at £120!) and all other fluids replaced.
- Interior. Generally in excellent condition and everything works. Drivers bolster stitching is coming loose which will need repairing but the leather itself is saveable.
- Wheels need a refurb
- Headlights are a little milky
- Number plates look tired
- One of the door speaker covers is cracked. New one was ordered today from Mercedes at a very reasonable £9.
- Tyres are mismatched but look healthy. They are all decent brands (Continental, Goodyear and a Pirelli) but I want Pilot Sports all round when the wheels get refurbed.
- No obvious suspension noises but I will ask for an inspection when it goes in for it’s service.
My usual position with hobby cars is to buy, do a bit of a mini restoration, enjoy for year or so then move on to something else. I have to say though, this could be a keeper!
With a wedding to plan for, I didn’t want a load of cash tied up in a hobby car that I would only use maybe every other weekend, so set a budget of £2,500.
Originally I had been searching for a W208 CLK 320 convertible with the factory AMG styling pack. These are very cheap and I figured it would fill the wafty drop top hole left by the E220, only with bit more power. I looked at a few but for whatever reason, didn’t follow through.
Then, whilst idly searching through online ads, I stumbled across what I thought was a typing error or some kind of scam. A 2000 W208 CLK55 AMG for a shade under £3,000. I called the seller who advised that it had the usual rust spots but was mechanically sound with only 94k on the clock and had Mercedes history to 83k plus a fresh MOT . There was another party interested but the first to show with funds would win so to speak. I grabbed some of the A124 proceeds and booked my 3 hour train journey from London to Shropshire.
To cut a long story short, with bit of haggling, I think I have ended up with the cheapest AMG in the country.
A few initial observations. I have never owned a V8 before, but I have had a few 300bhp+ cars in my time (Golf 7 R, E46 M3) but this feels considerably broader in its power delivery. It isn’t very sharp in terms of handling but then it isn’t what it was intended for. It’s a muscle car through and through. The noise and effortlessness gives it a character of its own.
The W208 is often derided as not being a “proper” Mercedes. Whilst there is some rust here and there to me it feels just as solid as the A124 did.
I spent the weekend giving it a good clean and once over to create a jobs list.
- Rust. The rear arches are bubbling as is the front offside. The near side wing appears to have been sprayed at some point but not to a brilliant standard. Plan is to find a good body shop in South London/Surrey and have the rot cut out properly, repainted and the underside treated. Recommendations appreciated.
- Service. Helpfully it came with and oil filter and 1 air filter (despite there being 2). Genuine Mercedes oil is very cheap on eBay so I will tackle this as a DIY next weekend. I will send it off to a specialist for a gearbox service, plugs (all 16 at £120!) and all other fluids replaced.
- Interior. Generally in excellent condition and everything works. Drivers bolster stitching is coming loose which will need repairing but the leather itself is saveable.
- Wheels need a refurb
- Headlights are a little milky
- Number plates look tired
- One of the door speaker covers is cracked. New one was ordered today from Mercedes at a very reasonable £9.
- Tyres are mismatched but look healthy. They are all decent brands (Continental, Goodyear and a Pirelli) but I want Pilot Sports all round when the wheels get refurbed.
- No obvious suspension noises but I will ask for an inspection when it goes in for it’s service.
My usual position with hobby cars is to buy, do a bit of a mini restoration, enjoy for year or so then move on to something else. I have to say though, this could be a keeper!
My dad haggled down to £2000 ish on an ML55 AMG (same engine as yours i think?) but did have a few bits of rust which have now been sorted. Mechanically its been spot on for year or so he has had it and i have driven it quite enthusiastically on occasion as the noise is quite addictive! 
Thanks for the comments.
A few more jobs have been added to the list. Slight vibration between 40 and 50mph which accordinging to the internet is either wheel balance, ball joints, bearings or engine/gearbox mounts. A set of the latter are £120 on eBay for decent febi ones and the wheel bearing came up as an advisory years ago on an MOT but didn’t reappear. I will inspect further at the weekend.
The 55 era cars do seem to be cheap, with the exception of the SL which appears to be on the rise slightly. Talking of ML’s I saw an ML55 that needed de-blinging on Facebook for £2k. A huge amount of car for the cash.
A few more jobs have been added to the list. Slight vibration between 40 and 50mph which accordinging to the internet is either wheel balance, ball joints, bearings or engine/gearbox mounts. A set of the latter are £120 on eBay for decent febi ones and the wheel bearing came up as an advisory years ago on an MOT but didn’t reappear. I will inspect further at the weekend.
The 55 era cars do seem to be cheap, with the exception of the SL which appears to be on the rise slightly. Talking of ML’s I saw an ML55 that needed de-blinging on Facebook for £2k. A huge amount of car for the cash.
Rust is the big issue with these as others have said. If you are keeping for a year I would consider a basic tidy up job on the arches and no more. No reason why you couldn’t be totally up front with the future buyer.
Do get the geometry checked when you can. I think these cars had a steering box rather than a hydraulic rack so they will never feel great. Engine is a peach.
Do get the geometry checked when you can. I think these cars had a steering box rather than a hydraulic rack so they will never feel great. Engine is a peach.
Neil1b24 said:
Plan is to find a good body shop in South London/Surrey and have the rot cut out properly, repainted and the underside treated. Recommendations appreciated.
Based in KingstonSuperb quality.
https://www.countycoachworks.co.uk/
These guys have looked after my Porsche & my dads CL:
https://www.yell.com/biz/auto-image-london-ltd-dar...
Ask to speak to Sean.
https://www.yell.com/biz/auto-image-london-ltd-dar...
Ask to speak to Sean.
Thanks for the tips, I shall make some calls tomorrow. I haven’t really attempted bodywork before and whilst I wouldn’t even consider actually applying paint myself (I don’t have the patience), I do fancy having a go at basic prep. Sanding down to the metal, treating, filling and priming before carting it off to the body shop.
Given that the offside wing looks well past it, my plan is to have a practice on a 2nd hand replacement. Then judge whether I’m confident enough to go ahead with the rest.
First of all though is the service, I want to enjoy it before taking it off the road for paint over winter.
Oil arrived today from eBay costing £35 for 10L of Genuine Merc stuff. The oil filter came with car and a quick search of the part number revealed it was the correct one.
I had a bit of trouble finding suitable air filters. I’m not always confident with the ECP part recommendations so consulted this US site which gives the proper Mercedes part diagrams.
https://www.mbpartsworld.com
Found a pair on eBay from Crossland for a very reasonable £17. Mercedes wanted £56 each.
They are good for some things though, I’m picking up a new speaker grill on Saturday for £9. Ebay wanted £20.
I have also managed to get the cost of plugs down to £75.
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/16x-Bosch-Platinum-Spark-...
I may sound a bit sad but half the fun for me is shopping around for best deal on parts. Im also originally from Yorkshire so quite tight.
The rest, namely gearbox service, diff, coolant, brake fluid, engine & trans mounts I’m having done at James Leigh in Wimbledon once I have sources the parts.
Looking around the car tonight, I’m sure the parcel shelf is supposed to be black and has been bleached purple by the sun? I have a can of matt black spray paint so have a go at removing and giving it once over.
Given that the offside wing looks well past it, my plan is to have a practice on a 2nd hand replacement. Then judge whether I’m confident enough to go ahead with the rest.
First of all though is the service, I want to enjoy it before taking it off the road for paint over winter.
Oil arrived today from eBay costing £35 for 10L of Genuine Merc stuff. The oil filter came with car and a quick search of the part number revealed it was the correct one.
I had a bit of trouble finding suitable air filters. I’m not always confident with the ECP part recommendations so consulted this US site which gives the proper Mercedes part diagrams.
https://www.mbpartsworld.com
Found a pair on eBay from Crossland for a very reasonable £17. Mercedes wanted £56 each.
They are good for some things though, I’m picking up a new speaker grill on Saturday for £9. Ebay wanted £20.
I have also managed to get the cost of plugs down to £75.
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/16x-Bosch-Platinum-Spark-...
I may sound a bit sad but half the fun for me is shopping around for best deal on parts. Im also originally from Yorkshire so quite tight.
The rest, namely gearbox service, diff, coolant, brake fluid, engine & trans mounts I’m having done at James Leigh in Wimbledon once I have sources the parts.
Looking around the car tonight, I’m sure the parcel shelf is supposed to be black and has been bleached purple by the sun? I have a can of matt black spray paint so have a go at removing and giving it once over.
Nice, a rare beast indeed. My dad had a 2000 230k avant-garde with the same amg wheels, they set it off nicely and looks great in a dark colour. His was dark blue and had the orthopaedic seats too that inflate to a snug fit, so comfortable. Looking at mot history check it's just ticked over 180k miles but rust a major issue. Enjoy the v8 rumble, what power do these put out 360?
Don't buy used wings it will be a false economy honestly also when the wings come off be prepared to do some work inside as well, here's the link to some decent wings.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
347 BHP and 376lb-ft, so not very impressive by today’s standards I guess!
Good mileage on that 320, the consensus seems to be the mechanicals are tough but I think the W208 has always stood in the shadow of its own rust. Having said that, my 2004 M3 had it arches done under warranty for the same problem.
It’s my only view but compared to some of more Mercedes more modern designs, it’s looks far more subtle and resolved. I like the traditional star on the bonnet not the big gaudy plastic grill badge. The first thing I did to my W204 was retrofit the grill and star from an elegance.
I’m 30 by the way not 80. Just old for my years!
Good mileage on that 320, the consensus seems to be the mechanicals are tough but I think the W208 has always stood in the shadow of its own rust. Having said that, my 2004 M3 had it arches done under warranty for the same problem.
It’s my only view but compared to some of more Mercedes more modern designs, it’s looks far more subtle and resolved. I like the traditional star on the bonnet not the big gaudy plastic grill badge. The first thing I did to my W204 was retrofit the grill and star from an elegance.
I’m 30 by the way not 80. Just old for my years!
ZX10R NIN said:
Don't buy used wings it will be a false economy honestly also when the wings come off be prepared to do some work inside as well, here's the link to some decent wings.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
Cheers, they look quite reasonable too. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-CLK-1997-2003-...
Does this have the same 5.4 as the e55 AMG?
I had one 10 years ago (E55) the previous owner spent a few quid modifying it to 389bhp & 429ft/lbs and sorted the suspension, big brake kit, wheels etc. I think it just had a 3” stainless system, X-Pipe & custom remap. Also had a Sprint Booster fitted but not sure if it did much.
Air filter wise I messed around with a few different brands and drop in/cone filters but the K&N drop in filters shagged the MAF and performance dropped right down. 0-60 was close to 8 secs!! Fitted a brand new genuine Bosch MAF and some MANN filters and the performance was back straight away. Went ok
There’s also a pedal reset to sharpen up the gear change on the E55 AMG and bring it back to life (I think it shares the same auto box as the XJR8) but not sure if it’s the same as yours? I found after a few weeks of long motorway journeys it got a little slower changing gear (still quick and pulled nicely but more of a relaxed change) the pedal reset sorted this out.
Rust.....definitely get it checked as above, mine was pretty bad.
I had one 10 years ago (E55) the previous owner spent a few quid modifying it to 389bhp & 429ft/lbs and sorted the suspension, big brake kit, wheels etc. I think it just had a 3” stainless system, X-Pipe & custom remap. Also had a Sprint Booster fitted but not sure if it did much.
Air filter wise I messed around with a few different brands and drop in/cone filters but the K&N drop in filters shagged the MAF and performance dropped right down. 0-60 was close to 8 secs!! Fitted a brand new genuine Bosch MAF and some MANN filters and the performance was back straight away. Went ok
There’s also a pedal reset to sharpen up the gear change on the E55 AMG and bring it back to life (I think it shares the same auto box as the XJR8) but not sure if it’s the same as yours? I found after a few weeks of long motorway journeys it got a little slower changing gear (still quick and pulled nicely but more of a relaxed change) the pedal reset sorted this out.
Rust.....definitely get it checked as above, mine was pretty bad.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff