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I finally got rid of all my cars (I still hoard motorcycles), and set my mind - and heart - on a W209 CLK55 AMG. I have found several prospects, most of them '03s and '04s, with the '05s being few and far between. The CLK will be my weekend driver, and though I am a mechanic, I want to spend my weekends enjoying the car rather than working on it.
For those who are familiar with both models, are '05s really that much better? From what I read the '05s had bigger brakes, stiffer suspension, quad exhaust, and were also better finished, but I haven't had a chance to see one in person yet. I do not need the stiff suspension (hence why I sold my M3), but I wonder if the brakes and interior are worth the wait. As of the exhaust, I could get that done.
As of the '03s and '04s I believe there were no major differences, right?
I have narrowed down to:
An '03 ex-lease vehicle with 86K, four owners and dealer maintenance;
An '04 with 120K, three owners, owned by a mechanic, just serviced;
An '05, 110K, three owners, well maintained (but black in color - I'm after a silver one)
The '03 and '05 are about the same price, with the '04 being about $1K cheaper.
If the items you mentioned are a necessity to you (6-POT calipers, quad exhaust, etc.), then you'll probably be content with the '03.
Interior-wise, the radio / center console may be different. Dated radio vs. navigation.
Lower mileage with dealer maintenance is always a good thing too.
Random, but... My brother has the '05. He has pictures posted here somewhere (FadedBlackSocks) and I absolutely love his car. I wish it was my daily rather than me W211.
At 110K I hope the front brakes have been done, or your looking at ~$600/side for OEM parts
The exhaust is a single pipe back to the rear diff so there isn't much difference from the 03/04
I think that rear diff cooler fin is unique to the 05?
My 05 also has the air bladder seat thing (meh), 'cooled' front seats (useless unless you swap out the fans) and keyless go (neato!).
Not sure if the 03/04 had that.
If the items you mentioned are a necessity to you (6-POT calipers, quad exhaust, etc.), then you'll probably be content with the '03.
Interior-wise, the radio / center console may be different. Dated radio vs. navigation.
Lower mileage with dealer maintenance is always a good thing too.
Random, but... My brother has the '05. He has pictures posted here somewhere (FadedBlackSocks) and I absolutely love his car. I wish it was my daily rather than me W211.
Not a necessity, specially since I won't be taking it to the track. I do intend to upgrade the head unit, so not an issue either. And yes, I too am leaning towards the lower mileage one.
At 110K I hope the front brakes have been done, or your looking at ~$600/side for OEM parts
The exhaust is a single pipe back to the rear diff so there isn't much difference from the 03/04
I think that rear diff cooler fin is unique to the 05?
My 05 also has the air bladder seat thing (meh), 'cooled' front seats (useless unless you swap out the fans) and keyless go (neato!).
Not sure if the 03/04 had that.
I suppose I can do without most these niceties. I will be pricing parts at work tomorrow to see how significant the difference is.
As of the keyless go, are you referring to the shifter button? And you still need to turn the key?
As of the keyless go, are you referring to the shifter button? And you still need to turn the key?
Correct. Start/stop button on the shifter and keyless lock/unlock on the door handles outside.
Only downside is the constant "DON'T FORGET YOUR KEY" binging every time you turn the car off.
Since you can turn wrench, I suggest to buy one that have most options. These 10+ years old Mercedes has the best value, and they still look like a new car.
I had 04 silver and 05 black. Before I sold one of them, I raced with the buyer and they are exactly the same in performance. Most of people try to sell 05 for $3K to $4K more but I don't think it's worth it. IMO, stay away from 03 since the radiator issue will affect the transmission. The 04 was overall as good as 05.
I had 04 silver and 05 black. Before I sold one of them, I raced with the buyer and they are exactly the same in performance. Most of people try to sell 05 for $3K to $4K more but I don't think it's worth it. IMO, stay away from 03 since the radiator issue will affect the transmission. The 04 was overall as good as 05.
Thanks for the tip about the radiator, I was not aware of it.
Don't forget the key someone mentioned the chime goes?
I keep my key in my pocket and enter the car. Press the Start/Stop engine twice then the brake pedal in and push button again and it fires up. When you park the car, engage hand brake and Park and just press the button again and exit. My door handle isn't working so I press the button on the boot lid that locks the car for me.
Alternatively one can just get in, push the brake and the start button and fire up but I like the sound of everything coming alive before the engine fires up.
I almost bought a C32, thank the Lord I was saved but have bought a slightly higher mileage 04' model 55 however mine was ordered with the 05' package as the vin decoder shows thanks to a member on the forum here who assisted me.
I think it would be better in many ways than the 03 and 04.
The rotors, you could get away with the fronts like I did. They still holding well and work great as before only the steering is now heavier due to the C55 disc being single piece. I am sure there are many options for the pads. Besides, you wont be changing these every 15thousand. Maybe the pads every 2nd service or 3rd if you driving like a gentleman.
Don't forget the key someone mentioned the chime goes?
I keep my key in my pocket and enter the car. Press the Start/Stop engine twice then the brake pedal in and push button again and it fires up. When you park the car, engage hand brake and Park and just press the button again and exit. My door handle isn't working so I press the button on the boot lid that locks the car for me.
Alternatively one can just get in, push the brake and the start button and fire up but I like the sound of everything coming alive before the engine fires up.
I almost bought a C32, thank the Lord I was saved but have bought a slightly higher mileage 04' model 55 however mine was ordered with the 05' package as the vin decoder shows thanks to a member on the forum here who assisted me.
I think it would be better in many ways than the 03 and 04.
The rotors, you could get away with the fronts like I did. They still holding well and work great as before only the steering is now heavier due to the C55 disc being single piece. I am sure there are many options for the pads. Besides, you wont be changing these every 15thousand. Maybe the pads every 2nd service or 3rd if you driving like a gentleman.
I suppose the keyless feature would be nice to have, and I have never warped the brakes on my car. But at this point in time, I am willing to sacrifice some of this niceties for a lower mileage, well kept CLK. I should be making a decision by next week or so...
But if its your weekend car, the brake cost shouldnt be an issue.
The BBKS are so worth it + the quad exhaust + the updated interior center consul. 04 interior is dated. Look up the difference and youll see for yourself.
But if its your weekend car, the brake cost shouldnt be an issue.
The BBKS are so worth it + the quad exhaust + the updated interior center consul. 04 interior is dated. Look up the difference and youll see for yourself.
I have a black one near by, and though it's always been my color, I hate how bad the paint looks once it starts aging. I intend to keep this car for quite a while, and silver seems to conceal scratches so much better. Unless, of course, this happens to be some "miracle" scratch-proof paint??
On that note, I found an '05, silver, 122K miles... but 2,000 miles away.
That's true. Silver does conceal scratches. Lovely colour that as well. Black is more the mafia style or thief look I reckon. Besides nobody will see the car easily at night as it is some people have difficulty seeing another cars oncoming lights
I have a couple ten thousands away from 200k miles and I don't have any issues. But I suppose its best to get one with as low as possible so that you can avoid much maintenance issues it would have otherwise experienced with higher mileage.
I wouldn't be put off a 03 for the radiator issue. If you live in the USA a brand new behr unit is so cheap and since you will likely have maintenance due- transmission fluid and coolant anyway (most previous owners neglect these things or just condition/history unknown) it shouldn't be a big deal.
I haven't replaced mine, I figured it would have leaked by now and the cost for the radiator is so much higher here.
05 CLK55 AMG (1 of 247) Cubanitsilber designo series
Any CLK55 is a great CLK55. The 05 is special to some, like me, because so few were built and it's the last year of the coupe. They are all wonderful cars and come with varying accessories based on the original order. I wouldn't buy one based on the accessories, but on the history of the car and its past care. Take your time and find a good one. Good luck!
This had always confused me because I've seen other posts using 03 for a w209. But I'm pretty sure there is no 03 w209. The official first year is 04. 03 is a w208. I bought my 2004 w209 in the fall of 2003 and it was the first year. I could be wrong though.
In any case I love the big brakes and remember that you can do the quad exhaust but you'll have to modify your bumper or buy an 05 bumper. Not a big deal but its easy to tell when a bumpers been cut for tips - up close. Also doesn't the 05 interior have a better or extra cup holder location in the center console area? I never liked the 04 cup holder that pops out from the dash close to the passenger side.
05 CLK55 AMG (1 of 247) Cubanitsilber designo series
2003 was the first model year of the W209. You can't go by the year of manufacture, but go by the model year. My 05 was build in 04. The 05 received an interior facelift that's nice, but all of the W209 CLK55's are lovely cars, fast, precise, accurate with that perfect Mercedes feel. The duel exhaust is bling, the big brakes are amazing but on the street make no difference compared to an 04 or an 03 brakes. The cars just work.
Yep 03 is probably the most common clk55 model year from what I have seen. I can't see much use for the 05/06 brakes compared to the 03/04 unless you track. They are all huge.
07-13-2016, 08:53 PM
