Talk to me about CLK55 AMG's...

[Tuvra]

I recently suggested in a "what car thread" - a Mercedes CLK55AMG which seemed to tick all the OP's requirements, this got me thinking how much of a bargain these cars are and how good they look! The insurance is over £1k cheaper per annum than my FRS as well.

I appreciate that AMG parts will be pricey and it will probably drink a fair drop of fuel. But still at £10k they do offer amazing value for money - in what still looks a fresh car.

Can anyone answer the following:

• Realistic MPG?
• Any known issues?
• Can performance be ramped without spending mega money? Remap, straight through exhaust etc?
• How do they compare in stock form versus an E46 M3?
• Any other interesting points?

[BarnatosGhost]

Rust.

[RDRR]

W208 or W209?

[RemainAllHoof]

(Referring to the W208 CLK 55 AMG...)

• Realistic MPG?

Low 20s town driving; had 35mpg on a motorway but was driving very carefully.

• Any known issues?

See below.

• Can performance be ramped without spending mega money? Remap, straight through exhaust etc?

A DMS remap can release maybe 5%. It's an n/a car so it's tricky. Aftermarket exhaust will sound awesome but it only increases the power by 50% in a pub argument. I doubt it does anything in the real world; I never noticed any improvement.

• How do they compare in stock form versus an E46 M3?

Handling isn't as good apparently; never driven an M3 in anger, though.

• Any other interesting points?

Check everything. The component pieces in modern cars means dealership "mechanics" tend to just replace items rather than fix them. Had an autochanger problem; dealership's response was to replace the entire system for £3k.

BarnatosGhost said:

Rust.

Yep. And check every electrical item.

Edited by RemainAllHoof on Tuesday 15th February 11:45

[Tuvra]

RDRR said:

W208 or W209?

Sorry I was referring to the W209.

Anywhere in particular that they rot?

[chrisispringles]

From what I've heard the C209 shape doesn't suffer from rust as badly as other Mercs, but check anyway because they aren't entirely free of it. As said before, check that all the electrics work, because any gremlins could cost you a fortune.