lucycat

That is pretty much my dilemma. I have ordered my first MB, a CLK55 AMG Cab. I test drove it. Great little car, and I like it better than the CLK500, but now that the new MSRP (80,000+) has been announced, I have to wonder if the AMG is really $20,000 better than the CLK500. There is the 60 hp, the Speedshift, a better suspension, heated seats, a couple of badges -- that's about it. Does it add up to $20,000?
Any opinions, whether objective or subjective, would be appreciated (I know you are all biased).

Timster

YES!
You get allot more than Horse Power.
MB builds the car as a CLK500, then sends it to AMG the disassemble the car and rebuild it. Exterior body kit, Interior carpet, Seats, Gauge cluster. Suspension, Shocks, Springs and Brakes. Exhausts is removed and an AMG exhaust is installed. They remove the engine and rebuild it by hand, they retune the ECU for optimum performance.
Over all they are two very different cars. They start out the same but AMG makes allot of changes. There are also a few other little things they do to make the car unque. You have to drive one for awhile to feel the difference.

Tim

Brian_I.

Wow, they sure do a lot for $20k. They should bump the difference to about $30k. I would look at like you're getting a good deal.

mswoo

YES! YES! YES! definitely worth it! i test drove the clk500 before deciding to buy the clk55. although the clk500 is a very powerful car for everyday driving, i must say driving a clk55 is a night and day difference. i am sure not many cars out there will have the torque like the clk55 to pass any car on the highway with an ease. i was told the amg engine alone costs $20k+, not to mention all the other special touch like the amg seats, suspension, wheels, etc etc.

what are you driving now? are you doing a trade in?

if you have the budget, GO FOR IT!

karl k

With an AMG you have a car that is special and rare.

Only a few hundred will be imported.

Timster

I thought a little more about your question and wondered what it would cost to have all the work that AMG does on the car done aftermarket.
It would be allot more than $20K and it wouldn't come with a 4 year 50K mile warranty.
It's a good deal!
Tim

tango

AMG is unique, but if you really awnt the performance. with 20k... u can get a kleemann SC and also a decent set of wheels or something

nabzy

not trying to be negative, but having owned 5 clks, this is my opinion.....

with the 208, I definately have to say the 20k was worth it...why....because you were getting all the suspension, shocks, interior refinements PLUS and this is the biggie, you were moving from a 4.3 V8 to a 5.5 V8 quite a sizeable difference.....

however with the 209s your starting out with a pretty impressive 5.0 V8 in the 500, also you are lucky enough that in the US the AMG body comes standard with the 500 as well as the same size rims/tires.....also in the past AMGs came pretty much fully loaded, while the lesser variants had a number of options to tack on, thats not the case these days, so again, the 20k starts to look even more of a steep step when comparing the 5.0 to the 5.5....so is it worth the extra 20k I dont think so......

HOWEVER......

I will agree with everyone on this point...the AMGs are very unique and such a joy to drive, you will not be dissapointed and will feel like your in a special class of benz.....the question is are you ready to fork out the 20k for it.....

so i guess to conclude, in my opinion dollar for dollar is 20k to much to pay for upgrading purely on mechanical/feature terms from the 5.0 to the 5.5....yes.....

but you have to ask the question, is being in that unique club with a car that no doubt will perform somewhat better than the 5.0 worth the extra 20k......thats for you to decide....

personally for me, it is, but for others it may very well vary....

karl k

CLK GOD -

Excellent analysis. The 20k difference is a lot considering that the new CLK 500 has the AMG appearance package and provides a considerable power boost from the 208's 430 engine.

Now, if you could get a cab w/metal roof and AMG mods for 20k additional, then that would be something to consider as really special and unique!!

E55AMG99

The price difference wasn't so bad on the 208- if I recall is was just over $10,000. I can't blame MB for jacking the price on the 209.

Is it worth it? I say "Absolutely!" but my wife thinks I'm crazy. So, for her, I stayed with the 430. I drove a new CLK500 and it was impressive but still lacking power, handling and braking for my tastes. That's why I ordered the CLK55 with badge delete. Just don't let my wife know what it really is!

nabzy

for the 208s the 430 cab was mid-high 50's starting and the 55 cab was high 70's .....

the 430 coupe was early 50's, the 55 was 70k or so....

so still an 18-22k difference for the 208s depending if you are looking at the coupe vs cab....

but as stated before the jump from 430 to 55 made the money equivalent worth it in my opinion...now with the comparison of the 500 vs 55 i'm not so sure.....especially when you can get a supercharged E55 for LESS than a CLK 55 cab...speaking of which I find this interesting that in the other euro and middle eastern markets the E55 is more expensive than the CLK 55 cab...yet in the US the reverse is the case.....

personally I think looking at mercedes pricing structure in the US, dollar for dollar the E55 is the best car they offer, especially given the cost of it in other markets, while those who want the 55 cab in the US are taken slightly advantage of....I mean they can find about a 7k difference from a 320/500 coupe to cab, yet 10k for the 55...hmmmmmmmmmm

karl k

"...and it's high octane, or the TECHRON, that makes the differece, honey!"

lucycat

Thank you Timster, mswoo, karl k, tango, nabzy, E55AMG99, Samoan_Ridah for your great opinions and advice. I especially like the above quote. Yes, if my wife had the slightest clue what I am paying for a car, she would have me committed ("Whats wrong with a Honda?").
Anyway, everyone was really helpful. I guess I got in that mode of thinking, wow, with $20,000 -- I could get a 17" Apple Powerbook, a Canon Pro SLR digital camera, etc., and still have a pretty neat car with the 500.
BUT once the AMG bug (or should I say Beast) has bitten you, thats how you gotta go. In practical/logical terms, it is not worth the $$$, but it is such a great ride that practicality, logic and the 500 seem to get left behind.
Thanks everyone ("just don't tell my wife").
Richard

NewBlack55

It was closer to 18K between the 208 CLK430 and the 208 CLK55.

Worth the money without doubt!

If you enjoy the performance aspects of cars and want the luxury side of MB then AMG is they way to go. It is a total package, Engine, Trans, Brakes, Suspension, styling.............. PERFORMANCE

BTW, AMG Cars are made along side the other MB's on the line. The 2001 CLK's were the last to be shipped to AMG I believe. All are now integrated in normal lines.

E55AMG99

I wonder if this means those of us Stateside can pick up our AMG cars at the factory? Last time I checked in March, the C32 was the only AMG on the list. Has anyone else pursued this?

tango

talkin about pure performance, with 20k and a kleemann SC we are talkin 500hp.... kill a 55 any day of the weak... its not amg but its kleemann whichi smore unique.. u tell me

E55AMG99

Does the $20,000 include better brakes and suspension? Just curious...

JohnAMG

Don't forget the warranty. I wouldn't want to pay a blown Mercedes engine or transmission at my own expense

John

Shine

I'm running it. a freak even scares W211/E55
$17k is about the cost here to project W209/5.0 V8 -> 5.5 V8, including necessary parts & labor .......mechanically

$20k with AMG badge, warranty,everything sounds reasonable
IMO