I just wanted to see if any of my fellow members remembered the first drive home with your new ///AMG ¡V After locating my CLK55, (I wanted one fully loaded, every bell and whistle inside and out) I had to wait for two weeks for the paperwork and shipping logistics were complete, I wondered at times what the feeling would be like, the feeling of a 5.5 Hand built V8. The exhaust note, tuned by the German Craftsman of ///AMG. This will be my first V8, out of a long list of other German Sedans and Coupes, Porsche, Audi, BMW, and Triumph to name a few. It was a rainy cold day I¡¦d hope for a sunny day, so I could work the hell out of my new toy. As soon as I arrived at the import station I rest my eyes on the sight of this Silver Bullet with muscular profile and a stout stands. I quickly filled out the shipping paperwork and rush to the driver¡¦s seat. Upon entering I had forgotten how handsome the interior is, the airmatic seats and command system, the flow of black walnut and leather, as I sat down I search for the key to start up the V8 I was longing for. I lowered the windows slightly, being careful not to wet the leather, but just enough to hear the tunes of the exhaust. I turned the key and focused on the sweet sounds of a 5.5 liter Idling, with a slight trust of the accelerator and the notes got higher and higher. I placed the transmission in Drive and I slowly exited the station. I was next to a small airport where a straightaway was waiting for me, I looked around to ensure all was clear, then I slammed the accelerator down and braced myself for the punch of this marvel of an engine. ¡¨DAM ¡§I remembered thinking, this car is everything I thought it would be. As I rest at the red light I looked around the cabin, my eyes enjoyed the tasteful touches that the folks at ///AMG put into this wonderful coupe, this is the difference I thought between BMW and Porsche with regards to the ///AMG platform ¡V versus their platform, sure they may be a .10 of a sec faster, but they can not come close to the complete package of comfort, design, grace and depending on what class your comparison may be - POWER ¡V the engine within my ///AMG is truly wonderful, If I could take one piece of equipment from every car I¡¦ve owned, this engine would be the one for me, forever. As I turned on the Command system, the 4¡¨ screen lights up and display the NAV view , displaying in two modes, Daytime (Bright) and Night View (Darker background) very nice, I love gadgets. I turned on the BOSE radio and place some of my favorite Jazz tunes and enjoyed the clarity of the system with the bass reflex speakers. All in all I was and still am happy with my ///AMG. Not to mention I love the fact that the ///AMG platform are not common car on the road ¡V I have yet to see another CLK55 ///AMG coupe on the road. (Which I like).

Hope I didn¡¦t bore you guys ƒº , keep driving them hard, they can take it.

That first-drive-exhilaration has never faded.

Today, after 25k fun-filled miles and just replaced the original Michelin Sports, the exitement returns every time I enter, close the door, start the engine, fasten seatbelt and step on it.

That's why I maintain:
The 2002 CLK55 AMG Coupe is the best car ever produced, since Karl Benz
patented the world's first motorcar in 1886, registered his patent DRP
37435, which is considered as the official birth certificate of the first motor
car!


PS
I am surrounded by black birds eye maple however, not walnut as you 5439cc are appreciating.

I know whereof you speak!! Had been a Porsche person for the past 20 years but bought a CLK55AMG on e-bay. Hadn't driven one but liked the specs and wanted the throb of 8 cylinders. Flew from NH to NC to pick up the beast.. Can't describe the feelling the first time I saw it in the flesh. The thrill continued when I opened the door and sunk into the seats and was surrounded with the leather, polished wood, and logical layout of the controls. With the twist of the key the rumble of the V8 brought this old fart back to his youth. As you can imagine the long drive back to NH was one kick after another. There were some bumps, like the first stop to get gas when it took me over a half hour of reading the instruction book to figure out how to open the filler cover. Expected to have to find a lever or switch to unlatch the cover.
As you can imagine the trip back was filled with learning and pleasant surprises. That was 2 months ago and still get a kick walking into the garage and finding the Brilliant Silver beast, turning the key and hearing the V8 throb, and getting shoved back into the seat from the V8 torque.