I was thinking a 500 until I drove my '55. Once I took it for a spin I knew I had found my car.
Clk55 vs. 500
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SL500
Clk55 vs. 500
I drive a 2002 clk 320 and won't be buying a new car for a couple years so this is a premature question but I'm going to ask it anyway. What is the difference between the clk500 and clk55 AMG in terms of driving experience? Is there a huge difference? Is the cost difference worth it?
I plan on eventually buying one of these and would like to hear your comments.
I plan on eventually buying one of these and would like to hear your comments.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Buffalo NY
3 Porsche rotation
Although I don't have the W209 CLKs but I will share my experience of AMG with you. Once you drive an AMG, you wouldn't go back! The difference between my 1998 E430 Sport and 2002 E55 was dramatic and addicting. I am not a hardcore car enthusiast as some of the members are but I can really appreciate the differences. My wife is trading in her 1998 CLK320 for a 2001 CLK55( she prefers the W208) this month because I got her hook on the 5.4 V8! If budget allows buy the AMG. No aftemarket modification needed and you will get plenty of satisfactions.
John
John
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From: Charlotte, NC
No longer car shopping...
I started out
I started out to move from a BMW740iL to a little smaller car. At first I was all setup to buy a basic 01' model 320 but just to be educated, I decided to drive the 430. Having come from a "semi-performance" big car, the 430 felt "right" whereas the 320 was a good bit lacking in the git up and go department. The dealer also had a brand new CLK55 ('03 model) on the lot at the time and was only asking MSRP ($74K). While the price was out of line, I did drive it. All I can say is that after that first drive, I knew I "needed" the CLK55. I shopped around and found an '01 in my price range. However, remember that the CLK55 has a different suspension as well and therefore it rides like a performance car. It's a great performer and if all around performance is what you seek, get the 55. If you want a "softer" riding version of a similar car (with less HP), pick up the 500.
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Someone on the board tested the CLK55 and a 500CLK back-to-back and said that the difference was clear but also clearly not worth the $17,000 premium in his mind.
The five-liter engine is much closer in performance to the AMG engine than the 430 cars. So that comparison is misleading. With the CLK55 you do get a nicer grade of leather but you give up some interior color choices.
The only real answer is to test drive them both yourself and decide if the difference is worth an extra 17 grand to you.
You are asking the already converted in this forum. The responses here remind me of the USA Today's James Healey review of the Audi S6 Avant:
The best advice about S6 Avant: Don't test drive it unless you can afford it. The A6 wagon with 3-liter V-6 seems quite nice and more than powerful enough on its own. But if, on a lark, you also take the dealer's S6 for a quick spin, get ready to trigger that home-equity line of credit that's been sitting there winking at you
The five-liter engine is much closer in performance to the AMG engine than the 430 cars. So that comparison is misleading. With the CLK55 you do get a nicer grade of leather but you give up some interior color choices.
The only real answer is to test drive them both yourself and decide if the difference is worth an extra 17 grand to you.
You are asking the already converted in this forum. The responses here remind me of the USA Today's James Healey review of the Audi S6 Avant:
The best advice about S6 Avant: Don't test drive it unless you can afford it. The A6 wagon with 3-liter V-6 seems quite nice and more than powerful enough on its own. But if, on a lark, you also take the dealer's S6 for a quick spin, get ready to trigger that home-equity line of credit that's been sitting there winking at you
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SL500
Thank you all for your replys. As I said in my original post I am not ready for a new car. I went ahead and built my own 500 & 55 on mbusa and the difference is approximately $200 a month
(I lease my cars, makes more financial sense in my case). This, to me, is a resonable amount.
As for what I am looking for, I seriously considered the 330csi before purchasing my clk, also I am the one who posted "got smoked" in the kill stories section. My only dissapointment with MB is that they are a little to luxury oriented for my taste. Having said that, I absolutely love everything else about the car and since AMG has come out with some competitive pricing I'm thinking that's the ticket.
I fully understand that I must drive both to make my decision, but I also wanted input from actual owners.
(I lease my cars, makes more financial sense in my case). This, to me, is a resonable amount.
As for what I am looking for, I seriously considered the 330csi before purchasing my clk, also I am the one who posted "got smoked" in the kill stories section. My only dissapointment with MB is that they are a little to luxury oriented for my taste. Having said that, I absolutely love everything else about the car and since AMG has come out with some competitive pricing I'm thinking that's the ticket.
I fully understand that I must drive both to make my decision, but I also wanted input from actual owners.
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From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
Originally posted by MBZman
As for what I am looking for, I seriously considered the 330csi before purchasing my clk, also I am the one who posted "got smoked" in the kill stories section. My only dissapointment with MB is that they are a little to luxury oriented for my taste. Having said that, I absolutely love everything else about the car and since AMG has come out with some competitive pricing I'm thinking that's the ticket.
As for what I am looking for, I seriously considered the 330csi before purchasing my clk, also I am the one who posted "got smoked" in the kill stories section. My only dissapointment with MB is that they are a little to luxury oriented for my taste. Having said that, I absolutely love everything else about the car and since AMG has come out with some competitive pricing I'm thinking that's the ticket.
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MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
what JohnAMG said...Once you go AMG, you won't go back.
btw, keep in mind that the difference in base price of the 500 and the 55 is $17k. If money isn't a issue, I'd pick every AMG models they have over the regular MB models. That said, if I buy a CLK, I would get a CLK500 if i want a new car, and CLK55 if i want a used car.
btw, keep in mind that the difference in base price of the 500 and the 55 is $17k. If money isn't a issue, I'd pick every AMG models they have over the regular MB models. That said, if I buy a CLK, I would get a CLK500 if i want a new car, and CLK55 if i want a used car.
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From: Buffalo NY
3 Porsche rotation
FrankW,
I totally agree with you about buying preowned CLK55. Low milage CLK55 can be a steal. But if you want to have the newest toy on your block, then preowned car is not for you.
John
I totally agree with you about buying preowned CLK55. Low milage CLK55 can be a steal. But if you want to have the newest toy on your block, then preowned car is not for you.
John
MBworld Guru
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by JohnAMG
FrankW,
I totally agree with you about buying preowned CLK55. Low milage CLK55 can be a steal. But if you want to have the newest toy on your block, then preowned car is not for you.
John
FrankW,
I totally agree with you about buying preowned CLK55. Low milage CLK55 can be a steal. But if you want to have the newest toy on your block, then preowned car is not for you.
John
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 782
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From: Buffalo NY
3 Porsche rotation
Hey FrankW,
Diamond Bar CA, reminding me of good old college time. I attended Cal. Poly Pomona in the mid 80's and Diamond Bar was a up and coming neighborhood with beautiful homes. Lucky you. You get to drive your AMG all year round and I get to garage mine 5 months a year.
John
Diamond Bar CA, reminding me of good old college time. I attended Cal. Poly Pomona in the mid 80's and Diamond Bar was a up and coming neighborhood with beautiful homes. Lucky you. You get to drive your AMG all year round and I get to garage mine 5 months a year.
John
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by JohnAMG
Hey FrankW,
Diamond Bar CA, reminding me of good old college time. I attended Cal. Poly Pomona in the mid 80's and Diamond Bar was a up and coming neighborhood with beautiful homes. Lucky you. You get to drive your AMG all year round and I get to garage mine 5 months a year.
John
Hey FrankW,
Diamond Bar CA, reminding me of good old college time. I attended Cal. Poly Pomona in the mid 80's and Diamond Bar was a up and coming neighborhood with beautiful homes. Lucky you. You get to drive your AMG all year round and I get to garage mine 5 months a year.
John
14k miles in 9 months
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From: Charlotte, NC
No longer car shopping...
drove both
Tango - I drove both as part of my evaluation. The touch shifting on the newer model was far LESS responsive than on the '01 I currently own. Also, the '03 seemed more "sluggish to me at the time. The straightline speed is pretty much the same since they've also increased the HP's proportionaly but the curve weight IS noticeable when you throw it into a hard corner (Should have seen the look on the sales-womens face when I did that but she TOLD me to drive it hard). It wasn't really too bad as we were in a mall parking lot only going about 45. Only ONE cup holder on the newer model and it's WAY over on the riders side so it's not too practical for the driver. Interior door handle seemed flimsy (Not the arm support, but the actual lever itself). I did like the newer gauges better though. Also liked the additional 2" of space the backseat riders get in the newer version. I like the front of the new models but could leave the tail. In all, I found a better value in the used '01 (Much lower price for same performance), only 17K miles and a LOT of warranty left on this one. These are just some things to look for...Enjoy the hunt!
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Re: drove both
Originally posted by ndabunka
Tango - I drove both as part of my evaluation. The touch shifting on the newer model was far LESS responsive than on the '01 I currently own. Also, the '03 seemed more "sluggish to me at the time. The straightline speed is pretty much the same since they've also increased the HP's proportionaly but the curve weight IS noticeable when you throw it into a hard corner (Should have seen the look on the sales-womens face when I did that but she TOLD me to drive it hard). It wasn't really too bad as we were in a mall parking lot only going about 45. Only ONE cup holder on the newer model and it's WAY over on the riders side so it's not too practical for the driver. Interior door handle seemed flimsy (Not the arm support, but the actual lever itself). I did like the newer gauges better though. Also liked the additional 2" of space the backseat riders get in the newer version. I like the front of the new models but could leave the tail. In all, I found a better value in the used '01 (Much lower price for same performance), only 17K miles and a LOT of warranty left on this one. These are just some things to look for...Enjoy the hunt!
Tango - I drove both as part of my evaluation. The touch shifting on the newer model was far LESS responsive than on the '01 I currently own. Also, the '03 seemed more "sluggish to me at the time. The straightline speed is pretty much the same since they've also increased the HP's proportionaly but the curve weight IS noticeable when you throw it into a hard corner (Should have seen the look on the sales-womens face when I did that but she TOLD me to drive it hard). It wasn't really too bad as we were in a mall parking lot only going about 45. Only ONE cup holder on the newer model and it's WAY over on the riders side so it's not too practical for the driver. Interior door handle seemed flimsy (Not the arm support, but the actual lever itself). I did like the newer gauges better though. Also liked the additional 2" of space the backseat riders get in the newer version. I like the front of the new models but could leave the tail. In all, I found a better value in the used '01 (Much lower price for same performance), only 17K miles and a LOT of warranty left on this one. These are just some things to look for...Enjoy the hunt!
I drove the new 55 as well and found the shifting very fast and firm although I was in sport mode, there are three selections of shift patterns in the new 55, manual,sport and comfort.
