I am in fence of jumping in CLK again. Got an opportunity for 2005 CLK55 but there is CLK550 convertible as well.

2005 CLK55 109K miles. Fully equipped include cooler/heat seat, parking sensor, KeylessGo and 1 owner car.
2008 CLK550 120K miles. Convertible however no keylessGo, no parking sensor, no cooler seat and 3 owner car.

CLK55 is about $3500 more. Both black inside and out.
Is it worth it for extra $3500 ? I used to have a CLK55 2005 long time ago but already forgot how is it. The 550 has updated front bumper but 55AMG has quad exhaust.

thanks for any advise.

I've had a fair number of issues with my 2008 550, including a jerky transmission (might be speed sensor issue, some hydraulic issue, TCC solenoid, who knows), and various other engine and suspension component failures. I bought my car at 62K miles by the way, and I'm only at 66K something now! I'll spare you the bore of describing the engine and suspension repairs, since the components in question are probably more or less the same on the 55 and 550. Transmission issues on the 550 car aren't terribly uncommon from what I've read (722.9 transmission). If memory serves (too lazy to search), the 55 has the 722.6 transmission. Not sure if it's more reliable than the 722.9 or not, but it might be something to consider.

If I had to do it all over, I'd probably just get a newer car that would have less probability of age-related issues. The E Class coupes of 2010 and 2011 have the same N/A engine and transmission as the CLK550, but since Mercedes had a few more years to refine the engine and transmission on the E Class coupes, I'd probably buy one of those. They are so much more modern that a CLK anyway and only cost a little more.

Probably not the advice you were looking for, but I thought I'd share my experience anyway.

I think if I had the time and ability to do the repairs myself, the various repairs would be a lot more palatable. Ah well, live and learn!

In any case, best of luck on whatever you choose.

Unlike NKX1, I've had a really good experience with my 550. I purchased it new (Oct 2007) and as you can see from my signature I've done a number of mods over the years. I do most of the light maintenance myself. I will attempt most things/repairs that do not require a lot of "heavy lifting". I do all the routine stuff like oil/filter/plugs and things I can do from the top. Although I could do some of the under car stuff, I have too many years on me and too little free time to engage.

I have not had any transmission issues. I have 185K miles on the car. I use it heavily in testing an exhaust product I've been developing for a number of years, so most of the driving is at around 2000 RPM. If the liquidMoly doesn't work to reduce the oil usage, I will check the compression and it will probably need a rebuild. If a rebuild is needed, I will likely have it done even though I will probably get another car within the next 2 years. I plan to keep the clk.

When I bought the 550 there was a 55 on the showroom floor that the dealer was trying hard to sell. I'm still glad that I ordered the 550. The earlier model 550s may have some transmission issues but I think they had the issues resolved by the 2007 model year.

I probably spend 1-2K a year in repairs by an Indy. That is still less than a new one that I would like...….. Good luck and let us know what you get.

I like clk550 vs clk55 comparisons :-D
Not a while ago we'he discussed some aspects with nkx1 (you can try to find that thread).

Here is my 5 cents:
1. As far as I know clk55 with quad exhaust (if it's original quad exhaust) is a rare car it was made only for 2005 MY.
2. m113 engine is much more reliable than m273, in general, but it might not be that important for you. Interestingly the reliability issue of the m273 is not that evidently here in US, but in Russia (in any former USSR country) everyone knows that every m272/m273 engine has scored cylinder walls (probably due to terrible gas/oil quality). But no such issue with m112/m113. I'm not saying that you should make your decision based on that but it's something to think about.
3. 722.6 transmission is more reliable than 722.9, plus fixing failed conductor plate is much cheaper

You said that clk55 $3.5k more than clk550, but what about percentage difference ? For example if clk550 is 4k and clk55 is 7.5k I would definitely buy clk550, but if it's 15k vs 18.5k I'd give it a serious thought.

Hard choice. The CLK55 I love! I have had no issues with mine. But the 08 CLK550 is known for the balance shaft issue. Living in socal do you want a Cabriolet? For daily use I would much rather have a coupe.

The 550 doesn't have a balance shaft to my knowledge. The issue is with a worn idler gear for the timing chain (even though many people refer to the issue as a balance shaft issue). Also, I believe most 2008 models were unaffected (only the very early ones were).

In any event, it's definitely something worth verifying if you're considering a 2008!

Thank you for all your replies. The 55 is $11K and 550 is $7500
I realize the 55 is more reliable generally in engine, tranny and Coupe vs convertible. I think for $3500 more should be OK.
Performance 550 is bit faster which not my main concern. I kinda like older Mercedes compare to the newer. The new C300/43 looks very nice but just not the same feel.

Unless you just want a convertible (and if it were me, I would), then go with the CLK55.

From what I gather the CLK550 and CLK55 AMG perform nearly the same. I only got my AMG because it was available. The 0-60 times and top speed are nearly the same. I test drove both and could not feel one as being faster. Both are N/A engines so mods are not available outside the basics of ECU and Exhaust. Don't feel like you have to buy one over the other to get performance.

Previously, I was always surprised that the 55 isn't way slower than the 550. The 55 has 10.04 pounds per hp with a 5 speed transmission, and the 550 has only 9.74 pounds per hp with a 7 speed transmission. The transmission alone would seem sufficient to make the 550 quicker.

I later learned that the 55 has a 3.06 differential ratio, while the 550 has a 2.65. I believe this to be the only reason why the 550 isn't quicker than the 55. From some quick research, it doesn't seem like a differential swap is an easy or cheap thing to do.

I have read that the 55 has way better brakes than the 550, and the dual exhaust on the 2005 55 is pretty cool. So if the cars are more or less the same regarding acceleration, maybe the 55 wouldn't be a bad option.

The cost of the AMG brakes alone made me reconsider any CLK55's I saw in my pursuit of one of these cars.

I picked up a 2005 CLK500 2 years ago, and regret nothing.

I am due for brakes in the Spring for it. WAY less than the CLK55 brakes would have cost me.

And yes my 500 is slower than the 55 or the 550 - but it makes me happy every time I twist the key.

Buy the one your heart likes better!

Just to make it clear, only 2005-2006 clk55 have 6 piston front 4 piston rear calipers! which by the way are awesome

There is a 2009 CLK550 Coupe 90K miles that I am considering too..... for $1K less than CLK55 but 4 years newer with lower mileage as well.
From what I read, the CLK550 is a bit faster but I am not really looking at performance at this point. My E55 is the one for speed.

Also being a last year model that is a good thing. Even if you wanted more power out of the 550 a tune would wake that up nicely

If the coupe fits your desire (I might pine for the cabriolet now that I own one...) I'd be picking up the 09 550.

Especially since you already own the E55 for the "need for speed" moments.

Definitely go with the MY2009 CLK550. It's beyond most of the engine/transmission issues.

Thanks for all advises. Once pick up will post pix.

The 05 CLK55 coupe is very nice with the factory quad exhaust (and also that was the only coupe 55 with the bigger AMG brakes and facelifted interior since after 05 no coupe 55 in USA). Performance wise, 55 coupe vs 550 cab is the same I'd say (550 coupe is faster imo). My gut would say go with the 09 550 coupe you mentioned (less miles, lower price than the 55) but what options does the 09 550 have though (the 55 is loaded so that's a big plus for me personally)? One thing though I see you have an E55 and CLS55 so for uniformity purposes I would get the CLK55 most likely also the one owner thing can be important for some people. After owning my CLK550, I would not buy a black car again so not sure what color all 3 of these are.

Coupe vs. Cab aside, I would consider what kind of driving you do. There is a marked difference in the way the SOHC AMG and the DOHC 550 perform, just look at the torque curves. I can personally testify that the coupes far and away out handle the droptops...