andyncLI

I got my CLK550 coupe 2 months ago and extremely happy & satisfied with the car. But I can't help myself to think of this question - what would be the next step-up car after CLK550. It seems that US only got the CLK63 coupe in Black Series version which is still ridiculously pricey ($70k+), the next CLK AMG is the CLK63 cabriolet up to MY2008 (haven't seen MY2009 CLK63 AMG cab in US). How much performance difference when comparing a 2008 CLK63 cab to a CLK550? Last week I stopped at my local MB dealer and saw a just-traded-in 1-owner 09 C63 AMG (4-door) listed for $35k, with additional $2k for 1-yr CPO. I had the C63 turned on and was surprised to hear its pretty loud rumble sound from the its exhaust (which could wake up the neighborhood at night). Maybe that owner did some mod to the exhaust since I didn't remember a 2007 E63 AMG sounded that loud when I tested before.

rediesel

You should have taken that C63 for a spin to see what kind of performance it has. 2012+ have updated interior and transmission. A C63 coupe would be a definite step-up performance wise (and my pick). Or you could get an E550 coupe the 2012+ have 4.7 twin-turbo V8.

andyncLI

I was about to, but the sales guy said its right-side front tire has a bulge which is dangerous for driving so no test-drive. Anyway I didn't like its color-combo (black-black). I did take the 2007 E63 AMG for a spin, feel huge (size) and no leaning in hard-cornering like CLK550, but I didn't like the interior of E63 or 4-door. I sit in a new C-coupe but really don't like its B-bar design. Maybe I'll try sit in new E-coupe to compare its seat (which CNET.com guy said very tight & uncomfortable on youtube video) to CLK seat. I love the CLK shape and its roof line flow (view from quarter back) which the new E-couple is lacking.

kb24forlife24

C63 by far.

gaazmon

+1 out of those 3 the C63 would be the winner, but I would prefer the 12+ coupe version as I don't like the 4 door. The clk63 vert must do about 4.2 0-60 or even less, the 550 coupe does about 4.7 from what I've seen. It is quite a shame we never got a clk63 non-bs coupe, but at that point the sales numbers were probably so low that even in 06 they stopped selling the 55 coupe, it's surprising they even brought a clk63 (there's never been a e63 coupe in the US).

kb24forlife24

I just test drove a C63 AMG yesterday. The car felt so tight compared to my CLK and the interior (2012+) was miles better than the CLK. Not to mention the insane acceleration that the C63 has.

DanielFD

I can tell you I once took a ride in a highly tuned widebody e55 amg. I still feel that push in the back of my neck.. crazy crazy crazy..

Rudeney

Just remember that there are some costly maintenance parts on those AMG cars - a single brake rotor can cost $1,000.

andyncLI

Interesting point on costly AMG parts. Is the AMG engine and tranny more prone to problems than the mass-produced 5.5 V8 & tranny? I'd think people tend to drive the AMG much harder than the non-AMG?

I stopped again at my local MB dealer (just casually check out for fun, no intent/budget to buy...) and test-drove a 2014 C63 (4 door, used). I think 2014 is the last model year of naturally aspired V8 before MB turned to bi-turbo. The ramble from its exhaust is unbelievable (in a good way) particular when accelerating. Seat is very tightly wrap around my body (like a race car) which I'm not sure if I like it as a daily commute car. Acceleration from 6.3 V8 (is it 6.3 or 6.2?) is way too scary for my heart to handle. The salesman kept telling me to floor it on S+ mode but I was too scared to do it on public road with other cars around us. The original owner only ran 4K miles in 2014, with a $20K+ depreciation from $70K+ down to $50K+.

kb24forlife24

If you buy a 2012+ C63 AMG, the engine is pretty much bulletproof. The 2008- early 2011 have the head bolt problem which can cause the engine to blow. Weistec has a fix for it ($1000) which makes the engine bulletproof.

I drove one last week and it had the AMG Development Package (+30 HP). The acceleration was insane and made me depressed going back into my CLK500 haha. Some 328i coupe tried racing me at a stoplight; it just shows how much extra attention you get in that car, some good, some bad Compared to my straight pipe exhaust, the cabin was really quiet, too quiet. All in all, it's a great car and that will be my next car.

BTW it's a 6.2L V8, but it says 6.3 as heritage to the first V8 Mercedes which was 6.3L (codename M100).

Rudeney

Brakes and some suspension parts will be the biggest cost. As for driving it hard, MBZ's were designed for this. I really doubt anyone drives their cars harder than me.

Fatz

Wanna bet?

Rudeney

Yeah, I'll take that bet! And before you put your money down, remember that I have coded my ECU for VMAX - 155mph.

Fatz

I have no electronic limit on mine....... just the air and the fear of going airborne restricts.. Maybe the next time I'm headed to Tennessee I'll invite you to lunch..

AMG_Adon

if u always want more power get a e55... but in regards to the options c63 coupe all day that 2012 e550 is def step up with the biturbo i think there are making a chip to for it not sure

Rudeney

Did you get an ECU tune? Factory limit is 135mph, but with SDS Developer mode you can push that to 155mph. I am sure that custom ECU tunes could go higher. I've had mine to about 145 (top down! ).

Fatz

Yeah. It was done with the headers. I did verify (a couple times) that it did not limit at 130. Things come up pretty quick at that speed so I don't know how far over 130 I got it.

re the OP; It would take the new C63, SL63, or GT S to get me out of my 550. I'm determined to "step up" one day though. Just have to skip a lot of lunches to get there.

Rudeney

My next car will be an R230. Certainly no more engine performance than my CLK550, probably about the same, but I have no need for a back seat, and I prefer the hard top for the rare day when I can lower it. Of course an SL63 would be great, but I don't need the extra maintenance costs nor the insurance premiums.

gaazmon

the 09+ sl550's are great cars imo with the updated electronics and features (and the air scarf is awesome with the top down). One of my favorites. Not a fan of the pre-09 ones, especially the 03-06.

Rudeney

Hmm, i just noted a typo in my post that you quoted...I should have written, "I prefer the hard top for the rare day when I can't lower it." Around here, It's rarely more than two weeks in the winter when I don't lower the top. As long as the sun is out and above 50F, the top is down.

tw2

Amazing car but the abc scares me assuming they still have it. The biturbos are definitely big step up in performance but cost also if you can go for a slightly newer one.

Rudeney

Yeah, I have heard the horror stories about ABC, but it seems that one of the major problems in early models was a bad part, and a TSB with after-warranty coverage was instituted. Now, as long as regular fluid changes are performed, it seems to be fairly reliable.