CLK550 vs CLK63 AMG or C63 AMG
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2018 GLA45 AMG, 2010 S63 AMG
CLK550 vs CLK63 AMG or C63 AMG
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.
Last edited by andyncLI; Jul 16, 2015 at 03:08 PM.
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2006 E320 CDI 2014 C63 507 Coupe 2012 E550 4M 2016 E63s Wagon
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.
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2018 GLA45 AMG, 2010 S63 AMG
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.
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2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
+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).
Last edited by gaazmon; Jul 17, 2015 at 02:29 PM.
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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.
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2018 GLA45 AMG, 2010 S63 AMG
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+.
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+.
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None for now
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).
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).
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2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
Yeah, I'll take that bet! And before you put your money down, remember that I have coded my ECU for VMAX - 155mph. 
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2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
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..
Maybe the next time I'm headed to Tennessee I'll invite you to lunch..
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05 E55
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
Last edited by AMG_Adon; Jul 24, 2015 at 04:57 PM.
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).
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2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
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.
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.
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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.
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2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
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.
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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.
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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.
