CL55K AMG Convertible
Discussion
Does anybody know if the above car was ever made - if they were, where are they ?
I currently have a TVR Griffith 500 and a growing family and less time. So to combine the family outings and the odd safe spirited drive I'm looking for a proper 4 seat convertible still capable of putting smiles on faces without having to knees around ears for those in the back. The CL convertible merc. seems to tick all the right boxes but to really hit the spot the supercharged version would be the answer. I know there are CLK55 AMG's around and I'm looking into a couple at the moment but before I commit it would be nice to know if the CL55K convertible is out there.
Better still if anybody has one and might be looking to move it on just let me know.
ATB Wryka
I currently have a TVR Griffith 500 and a growing family and less time. So to combine the family outings and the odd safe spirited drive I'm looking for a proper 4 seat convertible still capable of putting smiles on faces without having to knees around ears for those in the back. The CL convertible merc. seems to tick all the right boxes but to really hit the spot the supercharged version would be the answer. I know there are CLK55 AMG's around and I'm looking into a couple at the moment but before I commit it would be nice to know if the CL55K convertible is out there.
Better still if anybody has one and might be looking to move it on just let me know.
ATB Wryka
The search function is your friend...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3478629.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3685788.htm
There is the great na 6.3 v8, too
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3190158.htm
if money's no object...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3765769.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3478629.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3685788.htm
There is the great na 6.3 v8, too
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3190158.htm
if money's no object...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3765769.htm
Thanks for the help cramorra - but what I was asking was do they do also do a 500hp convertible as well as the 369hp version
While doing the research it seems CLK55 AMG are the 369hp cars and CL55K AMG are the 500hp cars please correct me if I've got it wrong.
I'm very new to the MB scene so just trying to get to grips with the numbers and letters.
Like I said in opening post - looking for a 500hp AMG convertible 4 seater
Wryka
While doing the research it seems CLK55 AMG are the 369hp cars and CL55K AMG are the 500hp cars please correct me if I've got it wrong.
I'm very new to the MB scene so just trying to get to grips with the numbers and letters.
Like I said in opening post - looking for a 500hp AMG convertible 4 seater
Wryka
They made 25 of those cars - they were called CLK DTM- "It has a slightly detuned McLaren SLR engine at 586bhp with 900NM of torque. 0-60 is 3.9seconds and 0-100 is something under 9 seconds2
these are the only 500 hp plus clks I am aware of - the normal CLK 55 are na and would benefit from supercharging but U doubt you will get 500 hp out of them - the 6.3 na engine has a tad over 400 hp and is easily tuneable to 500 hp plus - but if you want a factory one you have to go for the dtm edition - all cars will easily exceed the Griff in horsepower and realtime speeds - sound well but differently - i feel a 6.3 litre with the normal horsepowwer would be a seriously fun 4 seater and have Griff like bruiser qualities
.
these are the only 500 hp plus clks I am aware of - the normal CLK 55 are na and would benefit from supercharging but U doubt you will get 500 hp out of them - the 6.3 na engine has a tad over 400 hp and is easily tuneable to 500 hp plus - but if you want a factory one you have to go for the dtm edition - all cars will easily exceed the Griff in horsepower and realtime speeds - sound well but differently - i feel a 6.3 litre with the normal horsepowwer would be a seriously fun 4 seater and have Griff like bruiser qualities
.
You need the CLK63 AMG - the official bhp is 481bhp from a naturally aspirated 6.2 litre V8, although it's rumoured to be slightly higher. It revs to just over 7k rpm and has something like 464 lb/ft of torque, although that arrives slightly higher up the rev range than you might expect, at something like 3.5k rpm. From memory, this is the M156 engine, designed from the sump plug up by AMG and possibly to be used as part of the DTM (German Touring Car) series.
I bought mine six months ago and think it's an excellent car if you need 4 seats, a decent V8 and serious performance, but they only brought something like 82 CLK63 AMGs to the UK, and I'm not sure how many of those are cabrios. For reasons that even the dealer didn't understand (but suspected to be down to the positioning of the roof mechanism), the cabrio has twin exhausts and the coupe has quad exhausts - apparently without detriment to the performance or the noise (I tested both coupe and cabrio).
Just to let you know, the CL is a coupe and they did a naturally aspirated V8 with dual exhausts, with something like 370bhp, and then they added a supercharger to take it to c. 500bhp in around 2004. The latter has quad exhausts.
If you want any more details, let me know. I've just covered 1k miles in France in mine so feel like I know it quite well now.
I bought mine six months ago and think it's an excellent car if you need 4 seats, a decent V8 and serious performance, but they only brought something like 82 CLK63 AMGs to the UK, and I'm not sure how many of those are cabrios. For reasons that even the dealer didn't understand (but suspected to be down to the positioning of the roof mechanism), the cabrio has twin exhausts and the coupe has quad exhausts - apparently without detriment to the performance or the noise (I tested both coupe and cabrio).
Just to let you know, the CL is a coupe and they did a naturally aspirated V8 with dual exhausts, with something like 370bhp, and then they added a supercharger to take it to c. 500bhp in around 2004. The latter has quad exhausts.
If you want any more details, let me know. I've just covered 1k miles in France in mine so feel like I know it quite well now.
Cheers for that AKA8
I wasn't sure if the CL63 was just a case of winning the numbers game down the pub and no real improvement over the CLK55 cab. I have found a cab. version of the CL63 and I'm torn between the this and a CLK55, the price is nearly double for the 63 in your opinion would you say it's worth the extra. I would go for the 63 as I would probably hang on to it for a while if I liked it as there doesn't seem too much choice out there - Beemers really don't do it for me.
Quite like the look of the four port exhaust and I have seen some after market versions fitted to the cabs. which look okay as long as there is no issues with the engine by doing this alteration.
I also like the idea of the CL63 being a bit on the exclusive side if I'm honest!
Wryka
I wasn't sure if the CL63 was just a case of winning the numbers game down the pub and no real improvement over the CLK55 cab. I have found a cab. version of the CL63 and I'm torn between the this and a CLK55, the price is nearly double for the 63 in your opinion would you say it's worth the extra. I would go for the 63 as I would probably hang on to it for a while if I liked it as there doesn't seem too much choice out there - Beemers really don't do it for me.
Quite like the look of the four port exhaust and I have seen some after market versions fitted to the cabs. which look okay as long as there is no issues with the engine by doing this alteration.
I also like the idea of the CL63 being a bit on the exclusive side if I'm honest!
Wryka
Glad to be of help!
I think there may have been a facelift to the CLK when the 63 was introduced and the interior may have got an upgrade as well. If you're planning on keeping the car for a while you may want to go for the most recent car possible, the first 63s were made at the very end of 2006 and production ran until 2009/2010.
I haven't driven the 55 but I know the 63 was considered quite an upgrade. I read a number of convincing reviews by Evo, Car, Auto Express and others before buying mine. The engine is definitely the highlight but the gearbox was upgraded so that you have full override with smart wheel mounted aluminum paddles and it won't change up even if you hit the limiter.
One of my neighbours has an identical 63 to mine and another has a CLK55 AMG cabrio - somehow the CLK63 looks far more modern and I think look infinitely more special.
The difference in driving the two might not be that different in everyday conditions but when you really want to go for it I can't imagine the 55 would be in the same league, being over 120bhp down and with a slower gearbox. Just make sure you get a fuel loyalty card an a map of nearby tunnels, the noise is highly addictive.
I think there may have been a facelift to the CLK when the 63 was introduced and the interior may have got an upgrade as well. If you're planning on keeping the car for a while you may want to go for the most recent car possible, the first 63s were made at the very end of 2006 and production ran until 2009/2010.
I haven't driven the 55 but I know the 63 was considered quite an upgrade. I read a number of convincing reviews by Evo, Car, Auto Express and others before buying mine. The engine is definitely the highlight but the gearbox was upgraded so that you have full override with smart wheel mounted aluminum paddles and it won't change up even if you hit the limiter.
One of my neighbours has an identical 63 to mine and another has a CLK55 AMG cabrio - somehow the CLK63 looks far more modern and I think look infinitely more special.
The difference in driving the two might not be that different in everyday conditions but when you really want to go for it I can't imagine the 55 would be in the same league, being over 120bhp down and with a slower gearbox. Just make sure you get a fuel loyalty card an a map of nearby tunnels, the noise is highly addictive.
There's a cab. version in the classified section which does look very interesting as it's done 19k on an 08 plate. It's a bit of a trip from me to the garage so I'm getting as much comparison feedback as possible before deciding to go and have a look.There are a couple of CLK55 reasonably close to me so they may get a visit first as a tester for the main event.
I know what you mean about the tunnels my Griff has a sports exhaust with the pre-cats removed and does awesome from cold and that's before you get in a tunnel.
I don't want to loose the grin factor I get in the Griff but know some things have to give to gain in other areas soif I can get as close as possible I'll be happy.
Do you find servicing can be expensive - I guess I'll only be doing about 2k a year at most ?
Wryka
I know what you mean about the tunnels my Griff has a sports exhaust with the pre-cats removed and does awesome from cold and that's before you get in a tunnel.
I don't want to loose the grin factor I get in the Griff but know some things have to give to gain in other areas soif I can get as close as possible I'll be happy.
Do you find servicing can be expensive - I guess I'll only be doing about 2k a year at most ?
Wryka
This is quite a good read even though it refers to the coupe:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/6705...
The cab is not particularly stiff and wobbles a bit on B roads but you were probably expecting that. It's great on motorways, with a more pliant ride than most BMW M cars. The smaller wheels probably help that.
I haven't had any experience of servicing yet. From what I understand the AMG models need a lot more oil and the front brakes will cost a fortune because they're composite, not sure how much but possibly towards £2k although they should last a while. Not sure if rubystone has more info on this.
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/6705...
The cab is not particularly stiff and wobbles a bit on B roads but you were probably expecting that. It's great on motorways, with a more pliant ride than most BMW M cars. The smaller wheels probably help that.
I haven't had any experience of servicing yet. From what I understand the AMG models need a lot more oil and the front brakes will cost a fortune because they're composite, not sure how much but possibly towards £2k although they should last a while. Not sure if rubystone has more info on this.
AKA8 said:
This is quite a good read even though it refers to the coupe:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/6705...
The cab is not particularly stiff and wobbles a bit on B roads but you were probably expecting that. It's great on motorways, with a more pliant ride than most BMW M cars. The smaller wheels probably help that.
I haven't had any experience of servicing yet. From what I understand the AMG models need a lot more oil and the front brakes will cost a fortune because they're composite, not sure how much but possibly towards £2k although they should last a while. Not sure if rubystone has more info on this.
AMG engines don't need much more oil than standard Merc V8s, about 8 liters.http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/6705...
The cab is not particularly stiff and wobbles a bit on B roads but you were probably expecting that. It's great on motorways, with a more pliant ride than most BMW M cars. The smaller wheels probably help that.
I haven't had any experience of servicing yet. From what I understand the AMG models need a lot more oil and the front brakes will cost a fortune because they're composite, not sure how much but possibly towards £2k although they should last a while. Not sure if rubystone has more info on this.
My CLS55's (also applies to E55Ks and SL55s) front brake discs are a mere £130 per set. Brake pads are £340 per set. Not too bad!
I'm pretty sure they are as the MB dealer I bought mine from made a few comments about it and it's mentioned in the evo review I posted the link to. The performance pack cars seem to have them and I read that the cost of discs on an SL55 with the F1 pack was around £2k. That car was on 19" wheels rather than 18" allegedly because the discs are larger than normal. Hopefully that implies a reduced replacement cost for front discs on the CLK63.
I would agree wholeheartedly theat the CLK 63 is a lot better than a 55 - we have been in the market for a CLK cabrilote eralier this year and as the budget did not stretch to a 63 we went for a AMG SPEC 350 in the end as the difference between that and the 55 is not so big - but it would be to the 63 - and there is always the very rare CLK 500 (with 388 HP after 2006 if you get one)
Generally there were four major changes/ facelifts/mopf as Benz calls it
One from A208 to A209 (2003 not relevant for you_
A MOPF in 2004 - mainly interior- nicer middle console, better spec leather, 2nd gen command
A minor one in 2005 (mailnly rear lights and some outside stuff, different telephone prewiring)
A last one in 2008 Command hardrive unit (which allows your ipod and iphone in), mirrors
These also had some spec changes which are not so relevant on the amgs as they all have command, xenons and big brakes nice wheels and supsnesion as well as leather which are the main "musts"as well as the fully electronic air con remote hood opening. All have tractiuon/stability control but LSD is an option (only on the 63 me thinks)- the 55 has a niver more besoke instrument cluster
Be aware that heated seats and ventilated seats are a cost option as well as the memory option for seats and mirrors and the cd changer and keyless and wind deflectorgo not mass important but wdepends what you want
Most of them are silver
the V8 engines are bulletproof and normally not a lot more expensve to service than the equivalent non amg V8s (the 500 and 55 engine have dual ignition so you need morer plugs which can add up if you want them silver) but again not amg specific. i am not sure if some of the earlier 55s have the expensive six pod brakes like in the slk and sl - they are impressive but hugely expensive- the 63 had a cermic options so the (standard steel ones were downspecced)
All CLK are well made and designed cars and even the 350 with the sports zorst has a grin factor
they feel more special than a beemer and a very fast point to point - around corners a m3 convertible/boxter or so will be a better proposal
have fun choosing - the 63 from my earlier contribution seems well specced and looks good
Generally there were four major changes/ facelifts/mopf as Benz calls it
One from A208 to A209 (2003 not relevant for you_
A MOPF in 2004 - mainly interior- nicer middle console, better spec leather, 2nd gen command
A minor one in 2005 (mailnly rear lights and some outside stuff, different telephone prewiring)
A last one in 2008 Command hardrive unit (which allows your ipod and iphone in), mirrors
These also had some spec changes which are not so relevant on the amgs as they all have command, xenons and big brakes nice wheels and supsnesion as well as leather which are the main "musts"as well as the fully electronic air con remote hood opening. All have tractiuon/stability control but LSD is an option (only on the 63 me thinks)- the 55 has a niver more besoke instrument cluster
Be aware that heated seats and ventilated seats are a cost option as well as the memory option for seats and mirrors and the cd changer and keyless and wind deflectorgo not mass important but wdepends what you want
Most of them are silver
the V8 engines are bulletproof and normally not a lot more expensve to service than the equivalent non amg V8s (the 500 and 55 engine have dual ignition so you need morer plugs which can add up if you want them silver) but again not amg specific. i am not sure if some of the earlier 55s have the expensive six pod brakes like in the slk and sl - they are impressive but hugely expensive- the 63 had a cermic options so the (standard steel ones were downspecced)
All CLK are well made and designed cars and even the 350 with the sports zorst has a grin factor
they feel more special than a beemer and a very fast point to point - around corners a m3 convertible/boxter or so will be a better proposal
have fun choosing - the 63 from my earlier contribution seems well specced and looks good
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