LAMAY123

Surprisingly, the car I ordered has arrived in just 2 months. 03 CLK55AMG, Black opal w/ charcoal leather, fully loaded. Very pretty, the exhaust sounded really nice. Played with the keyless go function, pretty cool A beautiful car overall!!!

Took it out for a spin. However, I was somewhat disappointed and I was expecting a better performance out of this 5.5 liter AMG. Don't get me wrong, it is fast, but with a 80k price tag, it should at least outrun the C32. First, the CLK55 is not as responsive as the C32. Second, it felt not much different than my CLK430, i am sure it is faster than the regular V8, but my CLK430 is only 60k not 80k. Maybe it's because I am so use to the C32 engine and my CLK430, the car felt not fast enough. No wonder why there are at least 5 brand new CLK55s in the dealer's lot. With that said, my dealer will now have 6 brand new CLK55

Get the CLK55 if you have no budget. But I think CLK500 is awesome already, and you'll go home happy with extra 20k left in your wallet

Just my 0.02

RJC

Remeber you c32 is beyond break in and the 55 was not, performance does suffer when a car is brand new with less than say 1500 miles. Also the clk makes the rate of acceleration seem less than a c class sedan due to a smoother ride etc. Did you ever drive a brand new w208 55?

LAMAY123

Oh yeah, the ride is smooth and the seats are very comfortable w/ those multi-contour functions. I understand it's a new car with less than 10 miles on it, but the test drive doesn't impress me at all. I like it, but not to a point where I HAVE to get it or I'll scream. Plus, 80k..... and no supercharger V8....Why??? Like I said, it is beautiful, runs smooth and pretty fast, but at this point, I think I am leaning toward the new E55 more now even though it's at least a year wait.

THere must be a pretty good reason why there are so many "unclaimed" CLK55s vs. a very long waiting list for E55 in which they have became the most wanted item in MB dealers nowadays

500AMG

This is the issue...politics. I ~75k AMG can't be faster than the ~130k AMGs...if they supercharged the CLK it would beat them all. This is the same reason they detuned the E55 to 469 horses. Why buy the CLK55 when you can put down 5-7k more and get the E55...that's why I'm sure most ppl aren't buying them.

Shine

That recalls me Day one feel when I drove a CLK500 after familiar w/the C32AMG......
Anyway, CLK500 is equipped better & V8 embeded.

Noah Miller

I too just drove the 55 amg. I will say that the steering was excellent, and the button shifting was great too. But thats about it. The looks are alright, but the wheels are too small, i'm not a big fan of huge wheels, but i like it if they look big enough in the wheel wells of the car, these did not. The acceleration was fairly immpresive, but i too have a 2002 clk 430, and i really did not find that much of a difference. My sister has a 2003 E500, and her handling felt better, and the acceleration feels a fraction slower. All in all i would say it is not worth it at all, and if the clk that i drove , which was fully loaded with navigation parktronic keyless go etc., was ten thousand dollars less than a strip model e55, i would definatly get the e55 w/out hesitation. By the way as you know an e55 is approx. 75000, the clk i drove with about every option except distronic was over 80000.

500club

Then, I'm glad I got the 500 and saved $20K. I feel the CLK500 has plenty of power.

lucycat

"Then, I'm glad I got the 500 and saved $20K"

I've been wavering between the 500 and the 55, but there seems to be a consensus here that the 500 is pretty much the equal to the 55, or at least, the 55 isn't $15-20K better.
Is there anything you regret about the CLK500 or wish were different?
Did you ever try the "Speedshift" in a CLK55? and if so, didn't you think that was worth a few thousand ?

500club

I originally ordered a 320 and moved up to the 500 because I heard the 6 was a little underpowered. Hadn't really considered the 55. But to answer your question, the speed shift is a nice touch; however, it's nothing like BMW's SMG.

lucycat

"the speed shift is a nice touch; however, it's nothing like BMW's SMG"
Interesting comment.
I have a 2002 M3, and having driven the SpeedShift (in the CLK55AMG), and I like the SpeedShift better overall.
In "automatic" mode, the SMG is very jerky, almost unusable, and doesn't compare with any standard automatic on cars nowadays, so with the SS, if you ever want to go fully automatic, it is quite nice, just like any MBZ.
As for "manual" mode, SMG probably may be quicker, but the SS is very smooth and responsive and quick enough for me.

LAMAY123

I was so excited when I see the car and totally forgot about the "speed shift", so I didn't try it. The seatbelt feeder is a neat function and it's standard (thank god it's free, i thought they charge everything). "Keyless Go" is really a toy that I could live without, just something new to show friends/relatives. One last thing I noticed, unlike W208, the seats won't automatically roll forward, I had to push the seats up manually in order to climb to the back.

The biggest drawback besides performance is the interior. It is almost identical to the C-class. I would be happier if it has the new E's interior since I already have a C32 in the garage. The interior trim and center is made out of silver alumium and looked very plastic. Feels platic too.

Get the 55 AMG if 25k makes no difference to you, why not....it's rare! It's a beautiful car, and definitely a headturner. How can you complain when you drive a CLK55...but again, I wouldn't complain if I get the CLK500 too.

LAMAY123

hahha...hi Richard, I saw your screen name and thought we had a new female member name Lucy on board until I saw your previous post!

So, you test drove the 55? How you like it? Did you also drive the 500 just to compare?

JamE55

Hey Eileen!

Saw you pulling up at the wheelpower fest. Think you should just get a kleemann kit for your 430. It'll be faster than the new 55 without spending $80k! Just my 0.02

LAMAY123

Yeah, I was wondering why you leaving when I just got there! But there's always next time.....Have to meet our famous JamE55 and of course his car!

And you are right....Kleemann Supercharged Kit is NICE! That'll be my "secret project" now!

JamE55

Haha! lol! Sorry but me and jimmydagreek have been there for at least a couple of hours when you arrived. We were getting bored (at least i was) from seeing the same cars a few times. It's too bad the show this year wasn't as big as last year.

Guess it's not so secret anymore since you posted your "secret project" . LOL!

lucycat

Yeah, name is pretty dumb. I have a cat, "Lucy", so I tend to use the name on different things, because it is easy to remember. Doesn't really fit on a "macho" hot-rod forum, I guess.

I know people have said there is not much difference between the 55 and the 500, but I felt the 55 was noticeably quicker and more responsive. Maybe it was just in my head because of the AMG badge, but I liked it better -- although as you have asked -- "$20K better?", and I am still puzzling that one.

LAMAY123

How funny, I have a dog named "LaMay"....hahhaa

Good that you have a test drive and feel both cars yourself. You still have couple months to decide before cabirolets come out! Tough choices and it's your call!!!

lucycat

You said that you were disappointed in the 55AMG and wound up rejecting it.
But, what have you decided to do instead.
You spoke well of the CLK500, but I haven't seen any posts by you as to your next move.
(Regards to Lemay from Lucy)

JamE55

I think she's keeping it a "secret project"?!

lucycat

I am interested in the AMG, but in the CLK, so I have this question for you about your AMG.
Does it stiffen the ride much or make it more responsive to the road surface to the extent that you "bounce" around even more than with the non-AMG ? (serious question)

JamE55

Hey Richard

As far as my AMG I didn't quite like the oem suspension because it was a bit soft for my taste. That being said i upgraded my suspension to a full kleeman setup and is now much better. Corners pretty good at high speed too if i might add.

Frisco

I know it's probablynot a very fair comparison, but I drove my buddy's 2k E55 the day I test drove the CLK500 and wasn't feeling horribly inspired or impressed. CL65 maybe?

lvit

Frisco,
Could you please post some pictures of your CLK with the Monoblocks VI on it.

I waiting for obsidian black CLK500 and planning to get Monoblocks VI, not sure about the size - 18" or 19".

Thanks.

lucycat

LAMAY -- a while back I asked you what you were going to do with your unspent CLK55 money, and JamE55 posted the above quote on your behalf, about it being a "secret project".
But you never responded -- Can you reveal anything about your secret yet ?
For me, it definitely going to be a Cab, either the 55 or the 500. I don't think the 55 is worth that much more than the 500, but I will probably go 55 anyway.
R

JamE55

I'm pretty sure LAMAY will tell us when shes ready?