Timster

I just picked it up today. It's a 2002 CLK 55AMG Magma Red with Charcol interior. Automatic with 6disk Cd Player and Nav system.




***Edited by Moderator in order to correct picture link.***

JFawwaz

what are you doin on this forum then? GO OUT AND DRIVE!

davidb

Congrats! That's one very nice 55! I know you will enjoy it.

I've only had mine 3 weeks and still think that it is fantastic - rare that anything ever holds my attention that long.

-David

JamE55

Congrats on your new CLK55!!

Did you buy or lease??

Thanks!

JamE55

Brian Yee

Congrats on the new toy. Now, get out there and DRIVE!! I love mine...Gonna see if I can find a place to hit Vmax on I- 5 today.

Timster

James,
Thanks for posting the pic. I don't know why mine didn't show up. May be it was to big of file?
Not sure?
Now to answer your other questions, I bought it. I traded my 2001 996TT in. The Porsche just wasn't the right car for me.
I drove the CLK 140 miles home from the dealer yesterday. Even in heavy traffic it was a pleasure.
Tim

JamE55

Welcome Timster!

Actually the file had something else on the end that's why the pic didn't show up. Anyways congrats again! Awsome ride! Do you have any plans on doing mods on it??

5439cc

Let me get this straight – you traded in a 996TT for a CLK 55 – you traded in the Best sport car ever created (under 130K) for a 55 ? What was it about the 996TT that you didn’t like? I owned various models in the Porsche family (993, 986, 986S, 996) and As much as I like my CLK 55, It can’t hold a candle to a 996TT –Maybe the seats are more comfortable than a 996 but, ride, handling, speed, all around performance is no match.
The only reasoning behind my obtaining a CLK55 is my wife has a bug in her *** about safety and the three times a year I drive my kids around town, she felt the 996 is not safe enough, so I finally gave in – I feel the CLk55 is without a doubt the best coupe on the market. I wish your trade lives up to your first impression, but I tell you from experience the 996TT is the perfect car, for an imperfect place. The //AMG is a nice car but not a great car – It is not as flat nor does it delivery enough information to you as a Porsche – Don’t get me wrong brother AMG lovers – your love for this fine automobile is understandable but shouldn’t we be straight up with ourselves. A 996TT is most likely the best all around sport car period. I Drive my CLK55 everyday like I stole it, after spending time in the same car , one realizes the shortcoming in a design, form and function, as with all cars there always is something that must be comprised. The CLK55 is a very fast, very comfortable, very willing coupe, but its shortcoming (as I see it) are as follows:
• Braking – throw is too long and the bite is too sudden
• Steering – not enough information is being transferred to the driver – very vague
• Handling – better spring should be factory installed for the dollar – cabinet feels to lose it’s composer at tight turns
• Transmission – What can I say – It’s a automatic – Should have a 6sp at less as an option, It almost turned my away from obtaining it

Trust me this is in no way to be a put down, just trying to understand your reasoning behind a change that I would not have made.

Timster

5439cc,
I'll have to agree with you on the AMG's shortcomings. But I think it’s something I can live with. I really don't think it's a fair assessment a 996TT and a CLK55AMG. The 996TT is in a deferent class all together. Like allot of car people I've done allot of racing. I’ve done Autocross, Track events, Drag strips, and Driving schools. But I prefer Open Road Racing. Running a car at top speeds for 100 miles, well there's nothing like it.
There very well might have been something wrong with my TT.
It road horribly on freeways. The car bounced at freeway speeds and even worse at 130mph. It was kind of like a car with no shocks. It did settle down at 160 mph and above. A burst of speed to 130 mph is very easy. 160 mph takes more road. That’s not something you get to do everyday.
I got stomped by a stock Z06 from 50-140 mph. Like I was standing still.
Not that stomping a Z06 was my goal. But for the money nothing should come close to the 996TT. And allot of car do come close to the TT. A stock C5 Corvette will run right with a 996TT. You couldn’t get away from it, it will be right behind you. Of coarse like any car it does depend heavily on the driver. Having owned several C5 Corvettes, I have a very thorough understand of the cars performance and engineering. There are things you can do that improve certain areas of performance. On any car, but like anything else. If you change something you lose something. I wanted a car that was complete in all aspects. For me the 996TT was not complete. The steering wheel was up to high for my comfort. The seats didn’t offer enough support.
Those that have them 996TT enjoy them. The 996TT is a much better car than it was in earlier models. With it’s all wheel-drive, which almost eliminates over steer. The cars style is unique it stands alone.
But for $100K plus car I was expecting more. The 996TT was just not the right car for me.
Tim

5439cc

Timster, I Understand Your Points, I Hope You Truly Understand My Comments Were Not meant to be disparaging in any way, just to understand your reasoning. I’m just troubled with one thing, your comment regarding “I got stomped by a stock Z06 from 50-140 mph. Like I was standing still” I owned a 996 / 00 with only one modification (powertech powerflow air filter) Daily I would dance around my brother C5 – we went to various tracks and don’t get me wrong the vette is nice but it is truly outmatched in various categories against the 996. I couldn’t agree more with your comments “the driver matters” my brother and I attend various driving schools (skip Barbra and Porsche racing school in Atlanta, so I know he my victories were a lack of my brother driving, Between us AMG guys I think he’s a better driver then I. Once my lease is over with my current CLK 55 I will begin my hunt for a 996TT – perhaps something was truly wrong with your vehicle perhaps not.

Timster

5439cc,
Your comments were taken as a question, nothing more.
Having participated in on-line Forums for several years now. I’ve learned not to take things personally.
My 996TT was TIP, and that truly does require allot of HP.
The next Gen TT looks cool from the spy photo's, I've seen.
I didn't own my 996TT long enough to get it on the track. Frankly, from my experience with it. I didn't want to risk a track incident.
The good part is I got to own one of my dream cars a Twin Turbo. Now that I have I am satisfied.
The CLK55 AMG fits my needs right now. I usually keep cars 18-24 months. My next car? It's too early to tell. But I am very happy with this one.
Tim

karl k

Last year I owned many cars - confused, I searched for the "perfect" automobile.

It started with a new 2001 C5 w/6 speed tranny. Speed and handling ok, but engine temp @ 230 F as normal was not comfortable for me as a bottom feeder in S. Florida.

Checked out into C2 P car. Loved handling...but too many serious catastrophic failures. (see rennlist forum)

Traded C5 for new 2001 SL500. Many defects; car was more in the shop for repairs than I care to reflect upon, from aircompressor replacement to oilsensor, fuel level sending unit relacement and more. The seats never felt comfortable for my 6'2" frame in the SL.

Then came the best car I've owned: 2002 CLK55 AMG!
It just turned 15,000 miles - what a pleasure to drive. A truly balanced car. It's always exhilarating to be behind the AMG wheel.

The 55 AMG is faster than the C5! Perhaps, what I like best about it:

The car does NOT look like a "rocket", as does a Vette and a P car. As such, a CLK 55 is not an automatic target to be selected for speed ticketing!

This gives a CLK55 driver a peace of mind, which a Vette or a Porsche driver does not have.

So Timster, welcome to a more serene driving experience and to this board. Hook up your V1 and enjoy!!

Here in Florida, the radar band most commonly used by local cops and the FHP is the KA band; my Escort 8500 provided the perfect innoculation against this KA band - as the doctor ordered - so far!

Timster

Karl,
I only have about 500 miles on the car but I just love to drive this thing.
I too have owned allot of vehicles this year. I just sold my 1997 C5 which was highly modified. Also my 2002 Elctron Blue C5. And now my 2001 996 TT. All didn't measure up. My new CLK55 AMG, fits my needs. What a blast to drive. Thanks for your input.
Tim

RJC

I've owned turbo Porsche's (aircooled) awesome cars and built like a bank vault. Owned the new 996 series and built like a cash box not a bank vault plus they sound like an old 8mm projector my father used to use in the 60's. Granted handling, gear shifting is improved but I miss the extra cost Porsche used to put into the production of the aircooled cars. I currently drive an 01 clk and although the performance is no where near the Porsche it's just a more pleasing every day car to drive especially in rush hour stop and go traffic etc. It's also nice to close the door and hear a nice solid thunk that's almost as good as the aircooled Porsche's and nothing like the crappy sound of the 996 based cars...it's all part of the cost cutting. I also enjoy not shifting gears anymore and although the Twin Turbo and the 02+ Carrerra's have the turbo tip unit (much improved over the non turbo version) I like the low end torgue and the auto with a beefy V8. I'm looking forward to the new 6 series BMW with their V8 and especially the M version as handling stopping etc should be much improved over the CLK.
We'll see...

RJC