Decisions, decisions.....02 CLK 55 AMG CAB v. 05 CLK 500 CAB
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 445
Likes: 11
From: Washington, DC Metro Area
Currently: 2019 E450 AWD, Previous: 2002 CLK55 Cab
Decisions, decisions.....02 CLK 55 AMG CAB v. 05 CLK 500 CAB
Guys, I am once again seeking your expert advice. Today I was close to pulling the trigger on an 04 CLK 500 with 89k on the clock but with a ton of gratitude I did not based on the timely suggestion by you guys to get a pre purchase inspection done by an MBZ dealership. I did and the result was the cost of repairs and catch up on neglected maintenance was more than the asking price for the car!
So I am back on the hunt and after much work I have found and will test drive tomorrow two vehicles which I will now describe-
2002 CLK 55 AMG CAB
58K miles
VIN WDBLK74G52T111022
5 spd Auto
2005 CLK 500 CAB
90K miles
VIN WDBT75J15F145956
7 Spd Auto
From the research that I have done both are in the W209 CLK class but with two different engines, the CLK 55 AMG having a M113, 5.4L , 24v V8 and the CLK 500 having a 5.0L, 24v, V8. What are the other differences between these two vehicles? I had heard that there was a bad run of the 7 spd transmissions. Is the MY 2005 affected? Based on the VINs are there any other problems that I should be on the lookout for? There isn't a thousand dollars price difference between them which I find odd given the differences in age and mileage between them. Thanks in advance for any information help that you guys can provide.
So I am back on the hunt and after much work I have found and will test drive tomorrow two vehicles which I will now describe-
2002 CLK 55 AMG CAB
58K miles
VIN WDBLK74G52T111022
5 spd Auto
2005 CLK 500 CAB
90K miles
VIN WDBT75J15F145956
7 Spd Auto
From the research that I have done both are in the W209 CLK class but with two different engines, the CLK 55 AMG having a M113, 5.4L , 24v V8 and the CLK 500 having a 5.0L, 24v, V8. What are the other differences between these two vehicles? I had heard that there was a bad run of the 7 spd transmissions. Is the MY 2005 affected? Based on the VINs are there any other problems that I should be on the lookout for? There isn't a thousand dollars price difference between them which I find odd given the differences in age and mileage between them. Thanks in advance for any information help that you guys can provide.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
CLK55 AMG
I am pretty sure the 209 cab only came in 2004? I might be wrong but check on the model year. If its both 209 go for the AMG... ANY DAY... if its a 208 vs a 209 go for the 209... just my $0,02
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Yep, the MY2002 would be a W208, but even though this is the W209 forum, which is going to be biased, I have to say the W208 is still a solid car, especially the CLK55 variant. Honestly, there some things about the W208 that I like - windows switches in the center console, a more solid feeling ride, firmer seats, and more traditional styling. But, there is one thing about the W208 cabriolet that is a no-go for me - the front windshield manual latch for the soft top. The W209 is a fully-automatic system, and the addition of the aftermarket "SmartTop" module allows for one-touch and remote open/close.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 112
2008 CLK550 Cab
Yeah, those are totally different cars. It will give you a good opportunity to compare the two. The 208 has a more classic design. I like it except the center stack for some reason. Something about the individual blocky buttons has always looked homemade to me - like a kit car. If something like NAV is important to you, keep in mind that although even the 2009 W209s are considered to be antiquated, the W208 is worse - it uses the multiple Cds that I don't think you can get updates for anymore. If you settle on a W209, make sure you understand all the differences between the pre and post-facelift versions. Some are cosmetic, some not.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 445
Likes: 11
From: Washington, DC Metro Area
Currently: 2019 E450 AWD, Previous: 2002 CLK55 Cab
Thanks for the input, please keep it coming, especially on any differences in reliability between the engines, the transmissions, any common problems or known issues with either one. I am scheduled to test drive the CLK 500 this evening and the CLK55 Saturday morning. If I like the CLK500 I will try to get it over to the MBZ dealership for a prepurchase inspection on Friday, if the CLK55 my test drive will be to the MBZ dealership for an inspection on Saturday. Anyway that's the plan. I may have other questions after these test drives. Thanks for helping out the new guy.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 445
Likes: 11
From: Washington, DC Metro Area
Currently: 2019 E450 AWD, Previous: 2002 CLK55 Cab
I pulled the triggger on the low mileage 02 CLK55 AMG. It came back with the cleanest pre purchase inspection and I decided that if this was going to be my first MBZ I should go for it and go for the AMG. It might be hype but I just had to see if there any "there" behind the "one man, one engine" handmade craftmanship thing. Two road trips thus far under my belt and it is a solid vehicle.
Last edited by City Rat; Feb 13, 2013 at 06:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 445
Likes: 11
From: Washington, DC Metro Area
Currently: 2019 E450 AWD, Previous: 2002 CLK55 Cab
Thanks guys. I think so. My application for this vehicle is DD. I do a lot of highway driving, weekends mostly so my plan is to just enjoy the car and make a very few light mods to it, e.g. upgrade the audio system, maybe upgrade the vehicle alarm and possibly a remote start option would be nice and lastly SS brake lines, slotted , and possibly drilled, rotors with matching performance pads and clean up and paint or powder coat the calipers. I have no plans to fiddle with the engine, screw around with the suspension or raise or lower the car. I am good with all of the above just the way they are. I have already started with my annoying newbie questions in other threads trying to research all of the above. Thanks in advance for all of the help.
