Buttons

Thank you for taking time to read and entertain my question.

As stated The question is based on which platform should I use for a track day car. I don't anticipate modifications of the, already brilliant, engines. I'd like a nice Saturday burner/ Sunday cruiser, as I daily my W203 already. I chose these two models after driving them and now I'm hard pressed to decide which is a better fix. I intend to do some winding roads and mainly utilise them on nice days only. I enjoy both for the whp and torque but as a keeper I would love peoples opinions and the "why" behind the purpose of the thread as I well know someone's/everyone's final response is, "its ultimately your preference".

Thanks for posting responses in advance; hopefully this generates some interesting debates.

Darren_0203

Here are some reasons why I went with the clk55 amg coupe. I really do think that the sl amg's (r230's) are more sexy though.

1 A clk55 coupe will be more rigid and better handling than a convert sl, idk if they make an sl55 coupe...ive never seen one.

2 Sl55's are only two seaters I believe, no back seat sucks and a little convert two seater anything makes you look like your a desperate old man having a mid life crisis.

Buttons

lol interest points 1&2. although a two-seater sounds kinda sexy and the SL is one definition of a mercedes (as I believe the other would be the E klasse/class).

Darren_0203

Then it sounds like you should get yourself an sl55, but imo the only pro I see in the sl55 is the looks, or the option to get the sl65 amg...but you want a track car...coupes are by far better track cars than converts...just saying.

Buttons

yet I agree. I recently saw where some adjustments to the front and rear sus' can actually make the AirMatic system tuck on the wheels nicely. drew me in. I'm probably not going to be so track heavy, so much as track oriented. I digress though, I would want a nice canyon carver/ corner huger. The real question that puzzles me [coming from the modified/tuner world] is, Do I want to be the man in the expensive sports car(e.g. Ferrari) or the mental mechanic (e.g. Skyline)?
which do you gentlemen value or respect more? I put the tech above the rest personally.

Darren_0203

I came from the tunning world myself, personally I just got tired of it, I'd rather buy something that already is what I'm trying to turn whatever Japanese car into. If you got the money you can tune anything though. That's actually another reason why I went the clk55 amg. I its kind of in the middle of exotic and tuner but powerful enough on its own to hang with unmodified exotics and grounded enough to not cost a fortune in replacement/tunning parts.

AvocentAMG

^ well said. One of the reasons why I bought mine.

Buttons

Which further confirms my hypothensis that the CLK AMG class is the final choice given they share the same engine as the SL- class.

CharlyE500

They don't share the same engine. SL55 comes with Superchager and CLK55 is NA engine.

Nachtsturm

I would not call either the SL55 or W209 a dedicated canyon carver. For a weekend driver though, I think the SL55 would be the better choice. Especially CLK55 vs SL55. 493hp(SL55) vs 362hp(CLK55). Supercharged vs NA. Though the downside to the SL55 is entry price and upkeep will be more. The hardtop convertible of the SL55 is also fantastic, best of both worlds, coupe looks with droptop capability. Also if you get bored, you can add easy power from a tune and pulley on the SL55 for even more grins.

If you think you would need more than two seats, another option depending on budget would be a CLK63 Cabriolet. 475HP, the good looks of a W209, and still a convertible for weekend fun.

Darren_0203

I'm curious as to why you would think that?