Decision due to funds - AMG coupe, or year older non-AMG Cabrio
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From: Buffalo, NY
2006 CLK 500 Cabrio
Decision due to funds - AMG coupe, or year older non-AMG Cabrio
My funds are limited and at the price I'm looking it's basically going to be a 2007 CLK550 Cabrio or a 2006 CLK55 AMG Coupe. I really love the open air, but I just cannot afford both AMG AND Cabrio, still in warranty.
I will trek out to some dealers soon once the snow clears so I can actually test drive it a little, but I'm looking for an enthusiasts viewpoint as well.
So I'm wondering -- in the real, regular world (ie. not on a racetrack), how much different is it to own an AMG 55 over a 550? What are the advantages and feel and stuff that are obviously noticable? In fact - are the differences blatantly obvious or only very subtle, and does it come down to prestige being a big part of it?
I drove a 2003 AMG CLK55 a couple years ago and I gotta say I wasn't exactly blown out of my pants like I thought I would have been. It had a nice growl to it, but the acceleration was almost a bit too smooth, reminded me more of a late 80s Jaguar XJS V12 kind of feeling rather than big-block V8 *****.
I will trek out to some dealers soon once the snow clears so I can actually test drive it a little, but I'm looking for an enthusiasts viewpoint as well.
So I'm wondering -- in the real, regular world (ie. not on a racetrack), how much different is it to own an AMG 55 over a 550? What are the advantages and feel and stuff that are obviously noticable? In fact - are the differences blatantly obvious or only very subtle, and does it come down to prestige being a big part of it?
I drove a 2003 AMG CLK55 a couple years ago and I gotta say I wasn't exactly blown out of my pants like I thought I would have been. It had a nice growl to it, but the acceleration was almost a bit too smooth, reminded me more of a late 80s Jaguar XJS V12 kind of feeling rather than big-block V8 *****.
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From: MA
E90 M3
id personally get the 2006 clk55 coupe. probably because im not a fan of the ragtop on the w209, and because the 06 clk55 would have the rare quad exhaust...which makes the car look amazing
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From: SOMD
2001 CLK55 AMG
Both cars are going to be wonderful to own. There is no replacement for the feeling of a drop top. I would look less at the spec sheets for this decision, and more at what you want out of your next car. Both cars will have similar characteristics. With a performance edge to the AMG coupe. But if what you want is a nice convertible don't let the absence of 3 letters hold you back.
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
So it's basically coupe or cab, which would make it more of a personal preference, no? Me personally, I don't care for the soft top cab - and I live in So Cal, which is soft top central. However, you may love the fabric top.
Personally, I'd look for a CLK550 coupe that just came in off a 27 month MB lease. It should be in perfect condition, they'll waranty it to 100K and it should cost about 60% of it's new retail price (50% if any negotiation takes place - either way, less than a 2007 cab).
Staying within the choices you laid out, I'd take the 55 coupe. The 55 acceleration is smooth, but I think you'll find that it is surprisingly fast. 60 MPH will arrive in about 5 to 5.5 seconds. An XJS is at least a second behind, maybe more.
Personally, I'd look for a CLK550 coupe that just came in off a 27 month MB lease. It should be in perfect condition, they'll waranty it to 100K and it should cost about 60% of it's new retail price (50% if any negotiation takes place - either way, less than a 2007 cab).
Staying within the choices you laid out, I'd take the 55 coupe. The 55 acceleration is smooth, but I think you'll find that it is surprisingly fast. 60 MPH will arrive in about 5 to 5.5 seconds. An XJS is at least a second behind, maybe more.
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98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the last year of the CLK55 coupe was 2005. 2006 CLK55's and all CLK63's (non-BS) in the United States are convertibles. That may impact your decision.
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02 996 Turbo, 05 CLK55 AMG
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Buffalo, NY
2006 CLK 500 Cabrio
Doh, I was following the Yahoo vehicle choices and it seems like they gave me a choice for the 2006 AMG 55. That is good to know and I think that does make a big difference if I'm looking for "in warranty" in my price range. I don't think I can afford the AMG Cabrio 06 or 07.
One thing I noticed is that the stock HP of the CLK550 cabrio is about 380 (about the same as the 2003 AMG CLK55 that I drove). So it seems like the 550 will be plenty fast and being a sporty Benz I'm sure the handling is more than adequate for most situations.
So yeah probly the non-AMG CLK 550 Cabrio then (which are oddly about the same price as 320's). Thanks for the info and thoughts.
One thing I noticed is that the stock HP of the CLK550 cabrio is about 380 (about the same as the 2003 AMG CLK55 that I drove). So it seems like the 550 will be plenty fast and being a sporty Benz I'm sure the handling is more than adequate for most situations.
So yeah probly the non-AMG CLK 550 Cabrio then (which are oddly about the same price as 320's). Thanks for the info and thoughts.
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From: New York
Mercedes S55 AMG
One thing to note about the 550 engine vs the one in the AMG 55, is that I thought anyway the 550 engine was a bit "slushier" in feel. Sure, it has more power than the AMG...but for some reason I did not find it as lively.
So take some test drives and see for yourself - the 550 engine is by no means a slouch, but I think it may be geared more towards comfort and smoothness vs the 55 engine. Actually, not necessarily the engines are geared in that sense - but more the construction of the car overall, suspension, etc.
So take some test drives and see for yourself - the 550 engine is by no means a slouch, but I think it may be geared more towards comfort and smoothness vs the 55 engine. Actually, not necessarily the engines are geared in that sense - but more the construction of the car overall, suspension, etc.
Last edited by rondocap; Feb 13, 2010 at 09:38 PM. Reason: a
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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From: Buffalo, NY
2006 CLK 500 Cabrio
Finally got a 2006 CLK500 Cabrio and I LOVE IT!
Picked it up a couple days ago. A Florida car with 36k miles. It is a dream, and in immaculate condition. I am so ecstatic!! I feel like the coolest person driving this thing. It's like an amusement park ride all the time. It's really quite fast too, being a 500 - the tires squeal by accident all the time and it handles great - any more and I'd probably be getting tickets like crazy. But...I'm sure AMG is still more fun, so maybe the next one can be AMG. I'll be saving.
