excursion

Hello all,
My last Mercedes was a W209 270 CDi, a few years ago. I liked the car a lot and I'm now thinking about going back to a CLK, only this time a 55. I'd like to hear some feedback from owners of W209 55s in order to get a feel for the ownership experience.

I know the CLK package overall is very good however I have read quite a few mixed reviews of the 5.5 AMG. One the one hand I've read "the AMG is a world away from even the 500" and in others there is mention that the old 5.5 motor has an extremely linear power/torque curve that leaves you feeling wanting, in which case my main concern is whether it's actually worth going for the AMG at all, and would a later 350 or 500 with the sport package offer something similar? It may sound crazy, but my view of the CLK, even the AMG is not that of a sports car but more of a comfortable cruising car. I'm happy to be proved wrong!

I'd like to hear from owners, and what they think, and also what they are comparing the experience to (previous cars). Previous cars of interest include late M3, S3, S4 etc.

Also, I know the 55 never got fully face lifted (it seems MB only face lifted the interior on the models which still had old engines - 270CDi and AMG 55), but when it did it received the later interior and better brakes - but were there any other improvements that would make it worthwhile to spend the extra?

FYI I wrote many guides whilst I owned the last CLK, including a Facelift centre console upgrade. You can find them here: http://www.mwstewart.co.uk/cars/

Thanks,
Mark

dynomite05

Welcome to the forum. I don't own a 55, but can tell you, you wouldn't be disappointed with any AMG.


If those are indeed your write-ups, then I have to say thank you. They have helped me out a lot, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Kevwood

Personally I own a 500 with the AMG package and really enjoy the car, that being said, I was looking for/wanted a 55AMG but they are brutally hard to come by here in the UAE. No doubt that the 550 is faster, but the 55AMG is far more than just what's under the hood. I'd still snag one in a heartbeat if the right one came along.

BTW, nice little website you have going there...

MrAMG55

I've owned a C230, G35 coupe, M3, and now I have an CLK55 coupe. I've had this car for about 2 years. So far, this is definitely my favorite. Love the quad exhaust and huge brakes. The ride quality is stiff but way more comfortable than an M3 and less noisy in my opinion. This thing goes anytime, at any speed, just press the gas and you're gone. When you put it in "M" mode, its a whole different story, so much fun. As for gas, its not as bad as i thought....normal driving...i probably avg 16-18mpg in the city unless its one of those days..lol Maintenance is a killer on any AMG though...but hey...you have to pay to play hard. I'm thinkin' of upgrading to a CL55 or a SL55 in a yr or so.

dynomite05

"M" mode?

M-bENZ

he means manual/tiptronic.

Andy

MrAMG55

Yeah, The AMGs have an M mode. Supposed to be a full manual mode. In the user's guide, it says "do not drive in M mode until the transmission is fully warmed up and about 30 mins of driving" Something like that.

dynomite05

Sweet!

M-bENZ

not only the AMG have the tiptronic but most of the CLK W209 have that too.

Andy

dynomite05

It's just the first time I hear it referred to as that

M-bENZ

did you try that on your Wes ? holding your shiftknob (for like 2 or 3 seconds) to the left ...it will downshift to the lowest gear at your speed. Man i thought u knew this lolz.

dynomite05

lol, I know about tiptronic. Yes, I do use it in my car (rarely). I just never heard it called "M" mode. Maybe manual mode, but "M" mode makes me think of BMWs.

M-bENZ

ehehe yea thats what he meant.

Andy

MrAMG55

LOL, The AMGs have a C (Comfort Mode), S (Sport Tiptronic Mode) and M (Manual Mode). When you hold the shifter to the left...thats for S mode usually. I believe "M" mode is only on AMG models.

thegeneraltso

you might also want to post in the W209 amg forum on top to get more owners' opinions.

I too was thinking of getting the 55 but then found out it costs more to fix/maintain/insure. the 500 is good enough for me.

MrAMG55

Fix and Maintain....Yes.... but insurance is super cheap for some reason lol. I have a warranty until 2012 just in case lol

2MCHCAR

My understanding is "M" mode allows you to stay in gear (bounce off the rev limiter) vs. "S" mode will automatically shift to the next gear.

Kevwood

On our non-AMG CLK's we can 'manually' select gears but the car will shift into the next gear when the rev's meet redline, the AMG 'M' mode hods the gear regardless of the rev's. Really nice feature if you SOLO, Autocross or Roadrace.