CLK55 Reliability vs CLK430

Jan 28, 2009 | 02:08 PM

spsinha

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 134

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From: Chicago, IL

1994 E320 Coupe, 1979 500SLC, 2005 E55 - Sold

CLK55 Reliability vs CLK430

Im getting ready to buy a CLK over the next month and would like some advice. I def wanna get a V8, and the 55 would be ideal. Let me know what you think.

-Thanks

Jan 28, 2009 | 02:18 PM

s4avt

Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 263

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From: Seattle, WA

'03 CLK 55

I never had CLK430, but 55 wasn't causing any issues except little things which is not drivetrain related.

Jan 28, 2009 | 03:31 PM

da_guitarist

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,833

Likes: 2

From: Atlanta

Current: AMG GT-C. Sold: 01 CLK55, 00 ML55, 01 ML55, 06 E55

Get the 55! I've had both. No drivetrain issues w/ the 55 and it's definitely more fun and worth the difference!

Jan 28, 2009 | 04:00 PM

GiZzO

Super Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 596

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From: West Los Angeles, CA

CLK55 / E350 Coupe

a hand built engine would be ideal

Jan 28, 2009 | 04:10 PM

AMS Performance

Former Vendor of MBWorld

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 1,935

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AMG

the 00-02 AMGs have always been bulletproof by reputation, They are as close to trouble free as a high performance car can get. If anything goes wrong its always something really small and insignificant.

Jan 28, 2009 | 08:09 PM

Jons95c36amg

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Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 3,443

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From: Desert

02 CLK 55 AMG,09 C63 loaded with P30

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMS Performance

Jan 28, 2009 | 09:08 PM

wmasmb430

Member

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 224

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cars

Get the 55 I have the 430 and I would enjoy it more if it was a 55. haha

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Jan 29, 2009 | 07:52 PM

Rob AMG

Newbie

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 10

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From: Houston

2002 CLK 55 ///AMG

I have had two 430's and still have my 55 which I am selling. The 55 and 430 have never given any problems, just a weak battery. Go for the 55, it is way more fun!!!

Feb 8, 2009 | 04:02 AM

#10

supertomcat

Newbie

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 1

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e320

how long have you guys hade your 55's? I two am looking to purchase a 55(w209) and i was wondering about the maintance and problems that have come up with the car.

Feb 8, 2009 | 10:07 AM

#11

Stiggs

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 7,894

Likes: 8

From: Connecticut

2003 CLK55

You can't beat the power of the 55 over the 430.

Feb 8, 2009 | 10:10 AM

#12

nick 55

Super Member

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 992

Likes: 11

From: Illinois

GL550, C55, 335i Coupe, vintage Mustang

The only drawback I can find with the 55 is that you seem to shred rear tires a lot faster. But thats a lot more fun too.

Nick

Feb 8, 2009 | 10:25 PM

#13

GiZzO

Super Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 596

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From: West Los Angeles, CA

CLK55 / E350 Coupe

also retains its value better

Feb 17, 2009 | 05:56 PM

#14

Boosted9603

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 265

Likes: 1

From: Canby, OR

CLK55 AMG

Retaining value and Mercedes shouldn't be in the same sentence! :-)
I do like my 55 a lot better than the 430 I had. It's a much more fun car!

Feb 18, 2009 | 12:13 AM

#15

MarcusF

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 3,784

Likes: 84

From: SCV SoCal

2002 CLK430

Reliabilty and resale were to high points a few short years ago:

Mar 2, 2009 | 07:46 AM

#16

Chappy

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 9,734

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From: Hotlanta

AMG

....been happy with mine....

Mar 2, 2009 | 02:27 PM

#17

j-mo

Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 286

Likes: 12

From: Chicago, IL.

2006 E55 AMG, 2019 BMW M240I xdrive coupe, 1969 Mach 1 Mustang

I bought my 2002 CLK55 this past July and love the car. I've had no problems at all. I really did my homework on these and the one I ended up buying.
One thing of note - if you research this car on Consumer Reports, they do not designate between any of the CLK's (320, 430, 555). They just list it as CLK class. I figured the 55 might be more problematic but if you do research you'll find that just isn't the case. So why not get the beastly AMG model!!!