CLK 55 Cabrio Initial Impressions

[bmw5921]

Just bought 2006 CLK 55 AMG from fellow PHer (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1166908&mid=371102&i=20&nmt=2006+CLK55+AMG+Cabriolet&mid.) Drove it up to NE-about 200 miles. Previous car comparable was a manual 540 (1996 vintage). The first impressions are similar to mw stewart-great build quality, very pleasant driving environment and relatively easy to get to grips with all the gadgets, COMAND etc. Performance seems a little down from the 540i but I think this is to do with manual vs auto boxes. It certainly flies if dropped down via paddles, and then seems more responsive than the BMW takeoff if that was in 3rd or 4th. It is my first car with Xenons and they are not the step up from a good halogen arrangement. I had been thinking to upgrade to Xenon when I had the 540i but glad I did not.
I had seen two other CLK 55 AMG at a dealers in E London. They were slightly older, did not have the SH and small details on them (broken seat heaters, rusting wheel bolts, switch covers snapped) suggested a harsher life. Will post again when put a thousand more on it.

[bmw5921]

Well, it has been some years since the first posting. Have put 27K on in just over 4 years, so is somewhere between a garage queen and a daily (I use a Golf 1.4 for that!). Took some time to engage with the car, the auto box seemed a drag after the manual of the 540i I had previously. Overall it has been reliable and is unusual-see the odd CLK up here in NE but not a 55 or even a 500. The fuel consumption is OK, 20 around town, 27 on motorway run, 23 over several thousand miles. Once saw 30 on Newcastle to Carlisle but v carefully driven to achieve that! I put premium unleaded in but not clear if it is any better than ordinary. Oil consumption is low, perhaps a litre every 5000 miles.Body is rust free and cleans up well-took it recently to Autospray in Darlington who dissuaded me from a respray and did a great job with orbital polisher+ceramic coat. Contact Adrian there who is v professional and helpful. Mechanically, I take it to Staithes who have a well deserved reputation up here and usually have interesting old Mercedes on the ramps. Other plus points are the lights as per original post, and handling. Tyres are just changed on front (27K) and were £90 a corner (P Zero-replaced Potenzas).Rears lasted about 18K. It is at its best cruising on motorway, silent smooth wafting and easily dispatching boy racers in outside lane. The downsides have been few, alternator suddenly packed up 3 months ago but Phil at Staithes sorted it quickly (£300), it has had new discs and pads (fronts £1200!) the roof needs 6 monthly Renovo treatment or grows moss/lichen, tax is high rate as it is a 2006 and there is the thought that I should have got a 63-I have looked at Kleeman supercharger but fitted probably would be equal to value of the car.I did have experience of Mercedes Newcastle-they got the air system in seats going again but are a bit more costly. Overall am still happy with car and will keep it now but still look at the SL63 ads from time to time but they remain a bit pricey for probably not a great step up from the CLK overall.

[MidlifeC2S]

May I ask how much you paid for the Polish and ceramic coating? Nice cars btw. I was tempted by one recently!

[bmw5921]

Thanks. It was £560 but it included fixing a crooked grill and included the clips/labour for that. The coating is great- it is simple to wash and make it look like it just came out from Autospray. They did the windows too and are crystal clear.

[MidlifeC2S]

Thanks, I'm up in the north east so I'll get in touch with them.

[bmw5921]

They're about a mile from railway station and will drop you there but also have a courtesy car.

[mwstewart]

Good to hear this is going well. I have the impression the engine and gearbox will last forever if serviced correctly. The sound the 55's make is glorious.

It would be good to see some photos when you get chance.

[bmw5921]

Months have passed and have been meaning to get out and take a few photos of the CLK, but the car has either been grubby, weather poor or initially had streaks of Renovo Reviver marring appearance: not easy to remove (yes I did mask but it gets everywhere!). This evening the light was good and car had been washed but nothing else-see above. Still enjoying using it-it is daily at mo-and kept in great fettle by Phil at Staithes Garage-only thing wrong in last 6 months/4K was handbrake linkage seized. Did look at low mileage '11 CLS63 locally in the summer but huge gap between its cost and offer for the CLK.

[bmw5921]

[mwstewart]

Looks great. How many miles has it done now? It sounds like it has been reliable.

[bmw5921]

78K, or about 6K per year-it was on 46 or 47K when I bought it almost exactly 5 years ago. It has been more reliable than the 540i I had previously although that was high miles, but used to eat discs and suspension components. However, that is offset by high cost of AMG discs and pads mentioned above. The only other reliability issue this year was crankcase position sensor failing-in heavy traffic on the Friday before a BH w/e in May! Fortunately started again after 15 mins so able to get home and down to Phil before it went again.