CLK55 AMG, CLK63 AMG (W208, W209) 2000 - 2010 (Two Generations)

Drove W209 55

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Old Feb 2, 2003 | 12:37 PM
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Drove W209 55

Drove a new 03 55 yesterday...Engine was very strong and the speed shift tranny was a little too firm for my taste but in comfort mode it was fine. I DO NOT like the aluminum interior accents, they felt and looked like cheap plastic (sorry current 209 55er's )
The nu buck leather inserts were not as rough textured as the brouchure made them appear. There is no more leather covering on the center upper console area as in the 208s. The doors also do not close with that assuring thunk of the 208s. But the car was very nice and if it had the black or burl walnut I would have taken it as the car was available at MSRP and in my colors silver/char. Instead I bought an 03 500 to be deliverd on 2/17. The steering effort has also been lightened from the 208 on both the 55 and 500...I prefer the 208's feel but the responsiveness of the rack in pinion arrangement was better. There was also a blk/blk cl 55 kompressor on the showroom floor, now that's a car!!!!

RJC

Last edited by RJC; Feb 2, 2003 at 12:40 PM.
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Old Feb 2, 2003 | 10:19 PM
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2003 CLK55
any pics????
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Old Feb 3, 2003 | 04:49 PM
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Originally posted by Stiggs
any pics????
No pics, sorry.

RJC
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Old Feb 3, 2003 | 08:43 PM
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Just out of curiosity what was the sticker price on the car?
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Old Feb 3, 2003 | 09:16 PM
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Originally posted by JamE55
Just out of curiosity what was the sticker price on the car?
The 55 was about 72k the 500 59k.

RJC
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Old Feb 3, 2003 | 10:11 PM
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I went to the dealership to check out the only 209 CLK55 they have. I definitely agree with you that the silver trim looks and feel very plastic.

I thought only the CLK55 convertible had the leather covered front dash (for the CLK55s). My dealer had 1 SL55, 1 S55, and 1 CL55. Now, those were some cars. The other dealership I went to yesterday had one S600 and one CL600 in the showroom. Soooooo NICE.
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 02:21 AM
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frank where are the pics
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 02:26 AM
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Originally posted by tango
frank where are the pics
I didn't take my camera with me...sorry...:p

search around the CLK55 forum or CLK 208 or CLK209 forum. I think someone has posted some picture of the NEW CLK55. was it Jame55?...can't remember.

anyway, other than the cheap feeling looking silver trim, sitting in that new CLK55, made me realize how much I really don't like it's center console looking exactly like those on the C-class...

Other than those two things, the NEW CLK55 is SWEET
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 09:25 AM
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Drove W209 55

I Too Also Drove The New W209 - Both 55 And 500 - Sorry To Say But I'm Staying With My W208 - 55. The Build Quality Seems To Have Changed Along The Modified Road At MB - The W208 Has A Great Feel And Tank Like Ride, Closing The Door, The Suspension, The Brake Feel - All Surpass The New Generation. Thanks But No Thanks I Told My Dealership.
After Speaking To The Service Department, My Suspicion Was Correct. Two Mechanics Were Having A Smoke Outside, When I Approached Them - They Informed Me That The W208 Was A Better Built Car And In Their Opinion, And One Of The Most Rock Solid Car MB Has Built. Also They Felt The Engine Is Stronger And More Responsive In The W208. Ask If They Would Switch/Upgrade To The W209 "I Think It's A DOWNGRADE, From The W208" Says Mike (Senior Mechanic)
With That Said, I'm Sticking With My BEAST. Not To Mention I Think The W208 Looks More Aggressive And Bolder, Again Just My Opinion. They Are All Fine Cars, And Most Likely The Best Coupes Out There, So Enjoy...:p
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 09:39 AM
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Originally posted by FrankW
I didn't take my camera with me...sorry...:p

search around the CLK55 forum or CLK 208 or CLK209 forum. I think someone has posted some picture of the NEW CLK55. was it Jame55?...can't remember.
Yes that was me that took some pics. Do a search on this thread. I posted it here.
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 01:38 PM
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Re: Drove W209 55

Originally posted by 5439cc
I Too Also Drove The New W209 - Both 55 And 500 - Sorry To Say But I'm Staying With My W208 - 55. The Build Quality Seems To Have Changed Along The Modified Road At MB - The W208 Has A Great Feel And Tank Like Ride, Closing The Door, The Suspension, The Brake Feel - All Surpass The New Generation. Thanks But No Thanks I Told My Dealership.
After Speaking To The Service Department, My Suspicion Was Correct. Two Mechanics Were Having A Smoke Outside, When I Approached Them - They Informed Me That The W208 Was A Better Built Car And In Their Opinion, And One Of The Most Rock Solid Car MB Has Built. Also They Felt The Engine Is Stronger And More Responsive In The W208. Ask If They Would Switch/Upgrade To The W209 "I Think It's A DOWNGRADE, From The W208" Says Mike (Senior Mechanic)
With That Said, I'm Sticking With My BEAST. Not To Mention I Think The W208 Looks More Aggressive And Bolder, Again Just My Opinion. They Are All Fine Cars, And Most Likely The Best Coupes Out There, So Enjoy...:p
the fit and finish is going downhill for every MB, that's for sure. I think that the reason the 208 has heavier doors is to make up for the less rigid body structure. 209 = mechanical/structural upgrade, buyer's emotion downgrade.
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 02:11 PM
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Originally posted by FrankW
I didn't take my camera with me...sorry...:p

search around the CLK55 forum or CLK 208 or CLK209 forum. I think someone has posted some picture of the NEW CLK55. was it Jame55?...can't remember.

anyway, other than the cheap feeling looking silver trim, sitting in that new CLK55, made me realize how much I really don't like it's center console looking exactly like those on the C-class...

Other than those two things, the NEW CLK55 is SWEET
is the 55's center console the samd as the 320s and 500s?

and also u can mod it can u?!
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 02:13 PM
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Re: Drove W209 55

Originally posted by 5439cc
I Too Also Drove The New W209 - Both 55 And 500 - Sorry To Say But I'm Staying With My W208 - 55. The Build Quality Seems To Have Changed Along The Modified Road At MB - The W208 Has A Great Feel And Tank Like Ride, Closing The Door, The Suspension, The Brake Feel - All Surpass The New Generation. Thanks But No Thanks I Told My Dealership.
After Speaking To The Service Department, My Suspicion Was Correct. Two Mechanics Were Having A Smoke Outside, When I Approached Them - They Informed Me That The W208 Was A Better Built Car And In Their Opinion, And One Of The Most Rock Solid Car MB Has Built. Also They Felt The Engine Is Stronger And More Responsive In The W208. Ask If They Would Switch/Upgrade To The W209 "I Think It's A DOWNGRADE, From The W208" Says Mike (Senior Mechanic)
With That Said, I'm Sticking With My BEAST. Not To Mention I Think The W208 Looks More Aggressive And Bolder, Again Just My Opinion. They Are All Fine Cars, And Most Likely The Best Coupes Out There, So Enjoy...:p
buddy i got a questoin,,, which is how long did ur response take u?! u got caps on every the first letter of every word... thats work hahah
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 02:58 PM
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 05:06 PM
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Originally posted by tango
is the 55's center console the samd as the 320s and 500s?

and also u can mod it can u?!
yeah, the center dashboard /console on the 55 is the same as the 320 and 500. except the trim is different. The center dash looks exactly like those in the C-class. I'm sure that if it had a interior more closely related to the E, a lot of the criticism would stop.
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 05:56 PM
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Re: Drove W209 55

Originally posted by 5439cc
I Too Also Drove The New W209 - Both 55 And 500 - Sorry To Say But I'm Staying With My W208 - 55. The Build Quality Seems To Have Changed Along The Modified Road At MB - The W208 Has A Great Feel And Tank Like Ride, Closing The Door, The Suspension, The Brake Feel - All Surpass The New Generation. Thanks But No Thanks I Told My Dealership.
After Speaking To The Service Department, My Suspicion Was Correct. Two Mechanics Were Having A Smoke Outside, When I Approached Them - They Informed Me That The W208 Was A Better Built Car And In Their Opinion, And One Of The Most Rock Solid Car MB Has Built. Also They Felt The Engine Is Stronger And More Responsive In The W208. Ask If They Would Switch/Upgrade To The W209 "I Think It's A DOWNGRADE, From The W208" Says Mike (Senior Mechanic)
With That Said, I'm Sticking With My BEAST. Not To Mention I Think The W208 Looks More Aggressive And Bolder, Again Just My Opinion. They Are All Fine Cars, And Most Likely The Best Coupes Out There, So Enjoy...:p
Completely agree with you and your mechanics. Going to skip the 209 generation.
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 08:06 PM
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Originally posted by FrankW
yeah, the center dashboard /console on the 55 is the same as the 320 and 500. except the trim is different. The center dash looks exactly like those in the C-class. I'm sure that if it had a interior more closely related to the E, a lot of the criticism would stop.
if it had a e-class looking interior, itd look too much like a SL.
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 08:56 PM
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Originally posted by AMG4life
if it had a e-class looking interior, itd look too much like a SL.
that's true...either way people will complaint...lol
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 10:29 PM
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Originally posted by FrankW
that's true...either way people will complaint...lol
The 208ers have many valid and some very bias opinions...the beat goes on

RJC
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Old Feb 4, 2003 | 10:48 PM
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Does the W209 55 have a s/c????
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Old Feb 5, 2003 | 03:26 AM
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Originally posted by FrankW
yeah, the center dashboard /console on the 55 is the same as the 320 and 500. except the trim is different. The center dash looks exactly like those in the C-class. I'm sure that if it had a interior more closely related to the E, a lot of the criticism would stop.
i understand and i too thought the interior of the clk is not as pleasant, but get this, the 208 interior was never better or even close to the 210's interior so i now think its not even an argument anymore

yo frank is ur interior the same as all C class or with some minor difference?
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Old Feb 5, 2003 | 03:27 AM
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Re: Re: Drove W209 55

Originally posted by karl k
Completely agree with you and your mechanics. Going to skip the 209 generation.
no one wants a sour grape's opinion, very unjustified and ridiculous
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Old Feb 5, 2003 | 03:28 AM
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Originally posted by pocholin
Does the W209 55 have a s/c????
doesnt look like it.....
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Old Feb 5, 2003 | 03:33 AM
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i think some particular ppl here have a very think skull, i mean look at the reality, if the 209 really had an E class interior and really had an SC who in this world will really go for a SL?! Im positive that ppl will say this and that again even if the 209 had nice interior with SC cuz like frank said, u can't please everybody so cry me a river.

and why does E have a better interior?! becuz its supposed to be a nice sedan and also it supposely is the best selling mb model(210)
amd why does the SL have a better interior?! cuz its costing you a fortune.
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Old Feb 5, 2003 | 03:59 AM
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Originally posted by tango
i understand and i too thought the interior of the clk is not as pleasant, but get this, the 208 interior was never better or even close to the 210's interior so i now think its not even an argument anymore

yo frank is ur interior the same as all C class or with some minor difference?
well, the 208 and 210 did use those same climate control head unit and same Command system. oh well...it's not like my sister will get the new CLK anytime soon.

yeah, it's not just minor, it's actually tiny bit difference...lol...seats, silver speedo surround, steering wheel, and C32 on the gear lever.

hehe...actually I also checked out the E-class while I was at the dealership last time. The new climate control's two turn **** on each side feels quite cheap, but it's really easy to use. I love that pop up storage bin behind the wood trim. Very Cool...!!

Last edited by FrankW; Feb 5, 2003 at 04:02 AM.
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