insame1

DISCLAIMER : don't do this it will make you sad

I figured I would keep a running total of the work and cost of parts to maintain this car i just got. Hope it helps someone in the future. A little background. I had a c55 and sold it for a ATS 3.6 (I know, I know) as it turns out I am not a fan. IMHO it is a great looking car and the tech is leaps and bounds better than what I am used to but, the car does not live up to the hype. I found someone to take it off of me with no money out of pocket so I sold the car and started looking for a DD. I found a 2005 clk55 about an hour outside of town listed on CL for $4800. On a whim I shot the PO an email and offered $3500. To my surprise he took it. I met up with him and test drove the car. It was, as expected, rough. It did make the trip home on the toll road at 80+ mph with no real issues. When I got the car back home I started diging into it and making a parts list. so far this is where I am at. I had some part on hand and changed them out that weekend so I dont have a cost for those.

TX registration and tax: $350

Parts on hand:

Air filters
Trans mount
Various bulbs
Brake fluid
Brake grease

Parts purchased so far:

Rear Disc - MB OE - $90.49 x2
Front pads - Pagid - $99.09
Oil cap - Rein - $2.99
Motor mounts - MB OE - $65.09 x2
Rear control arm kit - Lemforder - $241.99
Valve cover kit (includes hoses and sealant) - Rein - $56.99
Tie rod kit (L/R I/O) - Lemforder - $106.99
Idler pulley - ? - $4.59
Lower control arm L - Rein - $58.99
Lower control arm R - rein - $68.79
Upper control arm L - Lemforder - $99.19
Upper control arm R - Lemforder - $99.19
Front rotors L/R - Brembo - $332.86 x2
Bolt kit - MB OE - $14.03 x4
Vacuum hose - ? - $1.80 x 3
Hard Vacuum line - ? - $1.75 x2
Var vacuum connectors - ? - $15.00
Rear brake pads - Pagid - $47.03
Tires Conti sure contact - $700 est*
Fuel sending unit - MB - $348.00
Front tierod links- Lemforder - $71.00
Conductor plate - MB - 140.00
Transmission solenoids -MB referb - $61.00
Transmission Fluid - Valvoline - $50
Tensioner pulley - Gates - $115.00
Purge canister shut off valve - MB - $98
Wheels (OE wheels cracked) - Mandrus - $1250
Stud conversion - Motorsports hardware - $85
Power steering pump - $60
Passenger rear window repair - $25
Ceika Coilovers - $1100
Fuel tank filler pipe - $550 installed.

* Bold entries were added after the initial post

This is the list so far. I have most of this installed sans the rear-end stuff but that will be happening soon. I also fear the the conductor plate and solenoids will need changed soon. The only other thing I have planed is a full fluid swap hopefully this weekend.

You know what they say there is nothing quite as expensive as a cheep Mercedes Benz.

TOTALED. only got 7k ins.

KJI3jflarryfe93

this car was it thrashed and neglected by P/O?

how many p/o did it have in total?

car will probably be a money pit?

good luck with it

insame1

the car had a few owners and it was sold at auction at least twice. The motor is still strong. Money pit is relative. Most cars this age really need all of the part listed replaced unless it had already been done. I find a lot of these in my area for 8-12k and most need this work. I like the fact that I dont have a car payment too. I am guessing I will be into this car about 7-7500 all done. I think that's a fair price for a great working clk55.

KJI3jflarryfe93

let's hope everything turns out well for ya

MACEDON

Such is life with an AMG, it's good that you're giving it a second life. Enjoy it!

CharlyE500

How many miles on the car ? interesting project ! hope you solve everything and keep this part in good health !

insame1

The car has almost 118k miles but it its my dd at this point so climbing rapidly. I just got kicked down a sdconnect, 2 c4 units, all the cables and a laptop. Hopefully I can get it working so I can fix the transmission and esp problem.

GatorMB

I am going through some the same scenario you are experiencing. I towed home a 2001/2 W208 CLK 55 hardtop for wife.
I have it running strong again, Finishing new front bumper cover install, Tires paint and registration.
Will have around 3k total invested.
Boyz will be boyz haha.

Cheers

PKSlice

HI Gator, well I must be out of my mind. I have the 2002 CLK55 AMG cab and now just bought a matching coupe (no wife). Both need front rotors but the cost is very high. Have you done any research for a decent aftermarket price on rotors? I am looking but being in Canada I have to add 25% on top of the USA prices.

Thanks

Slice.

insame1

First off, way to thread jack, but have you tried FCPeuro. they deliver internationally and have a lifetime guarantee on all of their parts.

PKSlice

Thanks.

ps: I did not think I was off-topic on the thread. I did not see any request from your post, just a running tally of the costs, which is what my query was about.

Slice

GatorMB

Yes the rotors are high.
i put stock Zimmerman. I believe retrofits have been done cheaper but never researched them.
Let us know if you locate better and cheaper brakes for the w208..
Best

KJI3jflarryfe93

cheapskates go for w203 AMG rotor/caliper swap to save monie.
w202/w208/w210 AMG cars had great but very expensive rotors, most people upgraded or maybe downgraded their brakes using w203 AMG components

PKSlice

Zimmermans are $300 each (front) $89 each (rear) up here in Canada. With exchange rate/duty/shipping from USA the $225 USD price works out the same amount so I might as well buy up here. We get so jealous of USD prices! argh!

MACEDON

My $14.5k 2005 E55 AMG after a year of ownership has cost me a grand total (with purchase) of $21k

PKSlice

Humm, that's quite a bit of money. What is the mileage and what did you spend the money on?

insame1

Progress pic.

tlambert

Love the stance.
Ceika coilovers correct?

Did you check into any other options? Shorter springs?

PJmak

Progress pic after two years?

insame1

They are Ceika. I looked at the koni set but it was out of my price range. I also tried to get the pss9 kit for 4 months before i gave up.

insame1

yep still driving it and still fixing it. I have been focusing most of my time on my 190e sportline rebuild though.

quik55

Damn, $3500 and ur 209'n it. I got out of jail needed a car and ended up with my 208 for $3500 on the dot. Dropped over $10k first year. We don't keep track anymore as to how embarrassing it is 😂