AMG_BENZ

I wonder if anyone here has driven or owned CLK500 and CLK55. I want to know the difference in the experience and feeling between these cars. What do you realize that CLK500 is missing from CLK55? Do you notice any different when you have the 2005 CLK500?

It can be either W208 or W209 CLK55.

Kevwood

I test drove 2 '03 55's before buying my 500, I was shocked at how well the 500 stood next to (well, slightly behind) its big brother. Exterior appearance wise they are identical (if you pose out and slap an AMG badge on it), interior, the AMG had white gauges (mine came with black but I have since changed them out - and yes, they are non-AMG gauges...) badges on the seats and... That's really all I remember.

Performance wise the 500 drove the same as the 55, I'm not sure if they came with the same suspension, if they didn' I sure couldn't tell. Hell, even the exhaust note sounded the same. As for the power, this was the real shocker, the 500 felt like it didn't have anything less than the 55 out of the hole whatsoever and up to around 4K'ish rpm - but then it all changed. The 55 pulled harder in the upper mid and top range where the 500 seemed to tire out.

I can't imagine that 1320 times would be too far out between the two cars, half a second maybe?

I ended up getting my 500 for two reasons, it was the color I wanted and the interiors of the 55's were rough. A bonus was the 7 speed trans in the 500 - I love it, very smooth and the car is surprisingly good on gas, even with my supercharger. That being said, if you put a pristine 500 and a pristine 55 both white on black side by side, I'd take the 55.

That's my $0.02

Kevwood

I test drove 2 '03 55's before buying my 500, I was shocked at how well the 500 stood next to (well, slightly behind) its big brother. Exterior appearance wise they are identical (if you pose out and slap an AMG badge on it), interior, the AMG had white gauges (mine came with black but I have since changed them out - and yes, they are non-AMG gauges...) badges on the seats and... That's really all I remember.

Performance wise the 500 drove the same as the 55, I'm not sure if they came with the same suspension, if they didn' I sure couldn't tell. Hell, even the exhaust note sounded the same. As for the power, this was the real shocker, the 500 felt like it didn't have anything less than the 55 out of the hole whatsoever and up to around 4K'ish rpm - but then it all changed. The 55 pulled harder in the upper mid and top range where the 500 seemed to tire out.

I can't imagine that 1320 times would be too far out between the two cars, half a second maybe?

I ended up getting my 500 for two reasons, it was the color I wanted and the interiors of the 55's were rough. A bonus was the 7 speed trans in the 500 - I love it, very smooth and the car is surprisingly good on gas, even with my supercharger. That being said, if you put a pristine 500 and a pristine 55 both white on black side by side, I'd take the 55.

That's my $0.02

LOVEMYBS

I've driven/owned all the CLK's. The CLK500 with 302 hp was nice in it's day. The CLK55 with 368 hp and AMG suspension handles a lot better. The best of both worlds is a CLK550 with 382 hp. Fully loaded CLK550's are now reasonably priced. That's my recommendation.

betrezra

One bonus for the clk55 is the interior al trim and black interior.... alot of the clk500's and clk550's have the wood grain interior which is not my favorite for a performance car.... more luxury than sport (IMHO).

I would look for a lightly used clk63 (non bs).... 12's bone stock...... and big big potential with headers, air intake mods and tune without the hassle of blowers, cams, etc.....

GL, they are all good choices, and the starting point is not so important when you start modifying them like kev-wood's. ride......... so nice.

elijah

Kev don't lie!!

wasted

I own a 2005 CLK55 AMG and If your thinking of buying one I definitely recommend the 55 AMG. It sounds amazing! Full throaty roar when you put the pedal down. Quick gear changes. Went Street racing with my buddy. he drives a modified STI and I was keeping up with him on the backroads of hollywood. This car handles very well since it has the amg suspension. Getting an average of 17MPG driving city and highway.

Also the 55 AMG is a hand built engine. so expect a more reliability.

AMG_BENZ

Yup, the 7 speed transmission is why I have the second thought of the CLK500. The engine for CLK500 is .5 bigger than its bigger brother. However, the drawback is I am not a big fan of the wooden interior. I wonder how much if I opt to replace all for the OEM aluminum interior. I don't know if that would be so complication to do that. MAYBE I will grow to like the wooden interior. By the way, what is "1320 time" ? Do you mean a quarter mile time?

NardoNZ

or have it carbon fibre'd!! not vynil, but the real stuff... im swapping out my alu trim for it...

F1Bobby

I just bought a 2008 CLK550 and it's pretty impressive for what it is. The price was right and the mileage was low. I have not driven and CLK55 but I own a 2005 C55 that I really love... The CLK550 had a lot of low end grunt (it feels more stout than my C55 at the low end). Find a nice CLK550 and drive it. I'm sure the CLK55 would get away from me in the Malibu Hills (all things being equal) but the CLK550 would surely not be embarrassed!

Nachtsturm

Bad thing about the CLK63...no coupe version in the US except the BS.

To the OP. Go AMG. You will not be disappointed. I have driven both, and bought the AMG. They are so close in price its a no brainer.

fredbaum

I have just traded my 2004 CLK 55 AMG for a 2006 CLS 55 AMG (yay me, I finally get a supercharger) ! Next time I have to give up my CLK55, it would have been easier to just saw my arm off, or sell an organ.... I got that attached to it. I just posted my parting thoughts on my CLK55 on another thread (reflections or goodbye will find it in search).

I drove both, I have a lot of love and respect for the 500 (especially the 7G tronic). But the handling is better on the 55. When I looked at 500/55 I was sold on the following:
Interior - AMG interior with aircushioned seats etc was superior
Exerior - the full side skirts, front and rear bumper, as well as rear spoiler and AMG wheels look very nice ! The twin exhaust tips - (four on coupes post 2004) look even nicer.
Speedshift 5 speed. Does change gears VERY VERY quick, especially in M mode. With an engine with that torque, you dont really need 7 gears from an acceleration perspective. I also believe the buttons on the AMG arent necessarily standard or available on the 500 (I didnt have them on my buddies car)
Handling - my 55 can (and did) go sideways in a nice controlled way - AMG suspension, though not BMW M - or Lotus Elise/Exige quality is very very good. the stock 500 was also nice, but wasnt up to scratch, but was far more forgiving.
Engine - roughly 60 Hp, and some torque extra on the AMG.

If you will buy as a mod platform, and plan to rip and replace lots of stuff, then maybe there isnt as much difference. But if you plan to keep it mostly stock, I would strongly urge for the AMG given that their values have already plummeted to probably not far off the standard 500's . That said, I still love a good 500 cabrio ! You wont go wrong with either choice.

fredbaum

Kevwood- I love your car. Its an awesome example of what a smart man making smart tuning decisions, coupled with a tax sheltered existence can accomplish. It looks amazing !

betrezra

WERD - FRED! Kev has more style than p-diddy.

Stiggs

Yeah sure, but in the end, wouldn't you rather own an AMG than a base model?

BRIZZOK84

I just got a 2003 CLK55 amg not that long ago. My car is not the best example because my car has a Bilstenn coil over kit on it along with 19inch BBS wheels. The handling of my car is very impressive. The clk handles better then my 99 corvette that was lowered. The power of the 55 motor is good but I wish that car had a 6 speed manual in it. My reason for this is that the motor would feel stronger I think if it had a 6 speed behind it not a auto/paddle shift transmission. The one part of the car that I just have not seemed to enjoy is the transmission. It's just not great at slow speed and i wish it was more of a SMG style.

With that one part of my clk I just do not love a 100% is the transmission but the rest of the car is amazing.

Good luck on choosing a car. Let us know what you choose!!!

03renntechamg

I love my AMG!!!!

NardoNZ

AMG FTW!!! you just can't ignore the magic three letters.....

tallison24

Wouldn't the 5 speed tranny in the 55 be a safer choice when buying used than the 7 speed of the 500 given the seemingly large number of 7 speeds failing(valve body/control unit)?

GermanMemberAMG

Hello I am from Germany,

right now I have a CLK500 (5gears) and I will place an like new 55AMG ngine into it with CLK55 DTM Headers and Brabus katalytics ans 55kompressor cam shafts and a ECU upgrade to have all parts work with optimal levels so some 440hp maybe little more

for the gears
the clk500 gears are almost the same like the 55 clk gears

my engine tuner, told me not to change the 5gear block because it was overhoaled a yera ago...so I might only find a badly used AMG 55 gear
what would be a bad trade, because the 500 gear is like the same, and the gear has its own ECU unit so this clk500 stoc´k gear ECU unit just need to be upgrated to with the 55AMG gaer programm and some minor mods to have the newer 440hp work better

I only like to the this because gears can be changed few times in a car life time...
but searching for a 550 7G (7speed gears system) will cost alooooooot more
then a standart 5g 6speed M113 engine type gears...
so I rather invest the balance in getting my CLK sharp at the street

there are tons other mods to this stock clk500 outside

I have it this summer ready for completation and I just need some collor ideas because I still did not decided how to let it paint
black..silver..AMG grey.....designo grey....red...

Any ideas?

Feel free and let me know for more informations
I have a good buddy straight inside AMG HQ sitting
and another buddy at BRABUS HQ
good for parts sources I can share

see my building steps



open below:

https://mbworld.org/forums/members/germanmemberamg-albums-how-do-insall-clk63-bs-exaust-clk500.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/members/germanmemberamg-albums-how-do-clk63-bs-body-kit-parts.html


https://mbworld.org/forums/members/germanmemberamg-albums-how-do-inner-carbon-door-pannels-european-version.html

Regards George


.

Shirley203

I've driven/owned all the CLK's. The CLK500 with 302 hp was nice in it's day. The CLK55 with 368 hp and AMG suspension handles a lot better. The best of both worlds is a CLK550 with 382 hp. Fully loaded CLK550's are now reasonably priced. That's my recommendation.

KimM

Another difference between the CLK55 and CLK500/550s (at least in the 2005 year; not sure about others) is that the leather on the AMG is entirely different than the standard leather. It is MUCH more comfortable and luxurious-feeling They call it "nubuck" which technically a type of suede, i.e., the surface is not coated, although it certainly doesn't look like suede, but it does have a much softer "hand" than the standard MB leather.

Also, it's a dark bluish-grey--much more distinctive than the standard black/ask/stone colors.

betrezra

Kim lets see some pics of that 05 clk55. Great year with upgrades in the evolution!

benzmodz

The NA 55 engine is rather boring. The 500 has the impression of being quieter. What I noticed was that the 55 Kompressor engine was a step up to a different level.

Stiggs

Yeah, but if the OP wants a CLK then he is out of luck for a Kompressor. The NA 5.4L is his best bet.