.........The CLK63 so far seems to have proven its worth. My argument has always been that with the absence of a fixed roof regular CLK63, one cannot really tell how much better the BS is because the natural comparison is not there, at least in north America. Would be interested to see lap times or performance data of fixed roof CLK63's in Europe vs CLK 63 BS.

.........in any case their 12 of these BS CLK63's currently on ebay ranging from $129K to $140K. Funny how a few months ago we were arguing if a potential buyer could ever find one to buy. Well, you can. I will like to hope that this will end the debate about availability when the next lastest AMG comes out, but it won't. Poeple will continue to believe that there is always something so special about the newest and latest that AMG will refuse to sell it to anyone who has the cash to buy it. If there were truly only 350 of the CLK 63 BS imported to the US, then 12 of them are on ebay this week for MSRP or less. My point is you can get any car you want at MSRP or less regardless of the hype. Just wait a little.

Ted

 

Amen to that!

 

Ted,
With equal drivers the CLK 63 black is at least he equal to a CLK DTM on the Sachsenring and proven faster on the Nordschleife. I think that's a better comparison becasue both are intended for street and track use where the CLK 63 coupe is not. I think you could compare a porsche Carrerra to a GT3 and that's about the same difference you'd find in the CLk 63 black vs. the regular coupe. It's at least 8 seconds on a 2.5 mile road course.

Since I bought mine at msrp, with some perks, I didn't have to wait. The fact that there's only 12 on ebay in December might be a good time to buy.
Jimmy

 

Apparently not all dealers are like this. Just visited a local dealer which has 1 silver CLK 63BS with an added markup of get this....$75,000.00! Again that is just the added markup. So the car out the door was somewhere around $215k. lol Can't imagine what kind of customer who would pay for something this outrageous.

 

There is a Silver one for 168k at DTLA motors LOL..

Its a sweet ride hopefully it can be had for msrp at least on ebay

 

As Jim stated, the BS v the reg clk 63 is no comparison at all...but the fact that you bring it up to substantiate your argument clearly shows your ignorance.
There are not 350 in the US yet as the production run is ongoing. Your "point" about getting any car at MSRP doesn't really seem like your point at all; nor is it true. It seems to me more like you have a bone to pick with the Black Series and the dealers who try to get big $$$ over for them. Welcome to capitalist society. Dealers would be stupid if they didn't try to sell cars like this for over MSRP when there are plenty of guys willing to pay the premium to have the first one. Or, perhaps, your bone to pick is with those aforementioned individuals with more money than brains who support the dealers ability to charge big $$$ over. Either way, you sound like you are bent outta shape for a very silly reason(s).
I got the first one in Los Angeles, and paid sticker.

 

No matter what with time most expensive cars will cost MSRP or less if one can wait....but if the being first floats anyones boat then by all means spend more or wait it will come down in price once the dealers figure out no one wants to pay more then MSRP. What comes to mind is what are the real cost to produce this or any other car at this highend level since the dealer and factory are both making money...

Not all cars go up in value like the old vintage cars....
I by no means consider myself rich but even if I were I would need at least 2 milion in the bank to spend this type of dough on any of these or similar cars....not hating just my personal opinion.

 

lol...

If some people are that desperate to own one at that price then let them...when they see what they are selling for used in 6 months well I bet they won't spend that much again...$75k can feed alot of hungry mouths in Africa

 

............I wanted to respond to your point but I couldn't really figure your point, honestly. I woon't get frawn into the personal name calling. Beyond that, I couldn't really figue out what to respond to. You already agree that the cars can be had at MSRP.

.......As far as comparing the CLK63 BS to the a fixed roof CLK63, it would seem like a natural comparison from.Won't it be interesting to see how much better the SLK55 BS is compared to the regular SLK55? I honestly do not get your point. You seem really bent out of shape.

.......We get suckered all the time by the promise of limited availability. Some car manufactureers go as far as stamping "limited" edition on their cars because they no that consumers are seduced by it. In reality, anyone that has the cash can buy any car they please. Since I own a G55, let me use that as an example, maybe you'll feel better since you are obviously too sensitive about the CLK63 BS. In 2005, MB announced that they were ending the production run og the W463. To celebrate this, they came out with a "few limited edition G500'snd G55's. They even stamped these cars with the insignia "Gand Edition." People were selling grand edition badges in the black market because they are so "rare." Well as soon as folks bought up the "limited edition G500 and G55's" Mercedes produced more......2005, 2006, 2007, 2008. There is NO limited production anything.. The "imit" in the production is only due to the manufacturer's estimate of the demand. Of course it makes sense to ship only a few CLK63 BS to the US, because buyers in that price range will have so many other choices. If the deman ramps up, then they'll make more. It is afterall a car, not the Mona Lisa. What is it about this that angers you?

......Don't worry. I am an equal opportunity reality check. I was the first on this forum to point out in 2005 that the CL65's will be selling for $100K in 2 years. Everyone said how "ignorant" that was. Could I not see that these were such limited production cars. Well I was wrong. The CL65's are selling for $60K.

.......As far as availability, not too long ago there were threads in this forum where people were wondering openly if they will ever be able to find a CLK63 BS to buy. Well you need not worry. Like everything else, they are on ebay. I even saw an Enzo on ebay a few times. What is your point?

...........from your own statement below, it appears your ego is intimately attached to your 63 BS purchase and tends to get bruised easily.

Posted by LZH 12/29/07

Quote:

Porsches are more common than SUV's, Fcars are a dime a dozen, etc...I have only seen one other Black Series...And guess what, that makes me feel good about my purchase - and so should you

.


Ted

 

I bought my car only because I wanted it, and there was nothing else I wanted more. There is no question that prices on used cars invariably drop (possible exception of a few Ferraris), and that is reasonable as the new stuff keeps getting better.
I wanted a new car, to eliminate future concerns about what was done to it (or with it) before I bought it. So, the secondary market wasn not a viable option for me. Since I hope to drive it a long time and a lot of miles, depreciation is my last concern. It will be worth very little after 10 years and 100,000 miles.
But my experience with my now-departed 1994 BMW CSI may be relevant. That car was limited production (only 100 in the US that year), and cost $104,000 in 1994 dollars (I'm guessing that would be north of $170,000 2007 dollars). I drove it 164,000 fantastic miles, adding only Dinan chips, springs and a Borla exhaust. People concerned about depreciation drove their cars little, and today try to sell them for $50,000 with little luck. I sold mine for $28,500 within 10 minutes of the Autotrader ad appearing. I got calls for a month after that.
My cost per mile was no different than a typical mid range BMW (about 50 cents per mile all in). I expect pretty much the same for my BS, with the added advantage I can drive it to the track and avoid the hassles of trailering a race car. The only thing the car doesn't have is availability of snow tires, and I'm hoping those come out soon.
My advice to anyone who wants one is to grab it now. You might save a bit by waiting, but you lost time too. From my perspective, you can make back the money, but you can't get back the time. AS

 

........Oh my god! Someone that gets it. You are a true car enthusiast. enjoy your ride. All this talk about velvet ropes and ego's. You talk about driving and enjoying your car.

..........There is always something better. Apparently, there is a TT SL63 BS coming.

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/224319-sl-black-series.html


Ted

 

I knew I had to have the BS the second I saw the pictures from the NY Auto show intro. I could have got MSRP from my usual dealer – RAB in Marin – but I procrastinated. So, I ended up paying $10k over from another dealer (they were asking $25k) – but I was one of the first, if not the first, in the Bay Area to get one. I figured I could get MSRP if I waited, but no one knew how this would play out. I didn’t want to risk it, and I wanted the car now! This was the first Black Series to the US – and there are only 350. Sure, maybe MB will make more, but I doubt it. They have created the Black Series for exclusivity – and I bet they will stick to it. It’s very likely that the CLK BS will depreciate just like other AMG’s – and I’m OK with that. But maybe not. And I agree the valet thing is not much – but I know they won’t be putting my Black downstairs at the Palms next time I roll in there.

 

We need to drop off a flaming bag of crap at the door of the sales director of that dealership...man I hate stealerships like that! But then again...after they put it out they'll probably make the sucker who pays that much over MSRP eat it.

 

found one here for $138ish LINK

 

You seem to have found plenty to respond to....

Not bent outta shape at all, just suprised that someone with your knowledge would make the mistake of attempting such an inane comparison. They are TOTALLY different cars. I won't waste my time listing the many technical and mechanical differences between the two. Jim said it best, your comparison is like comparing a regular Porsche Carrerra to a GT3. Not sure why that's so hard for you to understand.

Again - your example above holds no water, Ted. And, I am neither angry nor bent outta shape - I just think you're really reaching to draw a conclusion that doesn't exist. The Black Series is very far from something they threw a "limited edition" badge on and jacked the MSRP. Brakes, wheels, tires, suspension, multiple upgraded and larger cooling systems for the motor, steering and rear end that is also upgraded locking dif...Factory widebody, lots of carbon fiber, factory warranty, etc...I could go on, but I won't bore the rest of the readers with what we already know and you seem to have missed. Point is, the Black Series offers something very different than any other AMG and some feel, as do I, that it represents something very special and is a tremendous bang for the buck. If MB dilutes the market with another production run remains to be seen since the first run of 500 is not complete. And, as such, your simply guessing about it's limited numbers.
Saying "There is NO limited production anything" is simply not true. How about the Enzo FXX, Maserati MC12, Zonda F, Shelby Cobra, GT350H, or a 250 GTO that is worth millions ??? Their numbers are very limited and as such, they increase in value...most of them anyway. Seems to me you are just bent outta shape you don't have anything that is truely "limited edition" and special.

Clearly you have followed some of my posts as the above is from a different thread...but you didn't go back far enough as you would have found that the first thing I did when I got my car was take it to the track. What I do find irritating though, is your lack of honesty and inability to see the Black Series for what it truely is. I purchased the Black Series, not to support my ego, but becasue I knew I was buying something special - and not special becasue it had a stupid "limited edition" badge on it as you wrongly suggest...Special becasue it actually is a very different car from anything else in the AMG lineup as every magazine has said. Special becasue of the numerous factory built performance upgrades that put it in a catagory reserved for cars that are much more expensive. And lastly, becasue they simply are not making that many.
Hopefully, now you get my point.
I've said it here multiple times, and I'll say it again...Until you actually get behind the wheel of a Black Series, and drive it HARD, you have no clue what you're talking about. No one, including me, is denying the fact that this car will depreciate in value - almost all cars do. But one never knows...That's not the reason I bought it. I didn't buy it to boost my ego either, I bought it becasue it's special and is a kick *** car that represents a tremendous value all things considered. But, I also bought it becasue I won't see another one on the road, and that makes it even more special. Padon me for wanting something distinctive and unique and I'm sorry if you still fail to see my point.
It's all good though, I'll think about you today while I'm driving my Black Series

 

......I think you have made a good point for why the CLK 63 BS is better than a CLK63 with fixed roof. Of course it should be better. You seem not to understand why someone would want to know objectively how much better the the BS is before deciding to shell out $135K. It is the same concept that Aston Martin sellers hope you adopt when you show up in their show room. Question nothing, bow to it, it is an Aston Martin....forget that the car although very beautiful is probably overpriced compared to its rivals.

Ted

 

Ted's point is well-taken, but is typical of the high-end market in general, whether it be cars, red wine, or luxury fashion. The phenomenon is that you pay a lot more for a small increment of improvement at the very top of the line. You can buy a good, drinkable red wine for $35/bottle, but a great bottle costs $300. Is it 10X better? No, it isnt. But, you can't get the SAME thing for less. Same for women's shoes. The ultra-high end shoe is ?$800 a pair. Is it 400% more beautiful than a $200 pair? No, it isn't. It certainly isn't more comfortable, and it has zero resale value. But millions of women buy them. Why? I will come back to that.

The price differential on the BS however is not purely based in profit margin (where it is in other luxury brands). It is based on the fact that a huge R and D cost must be recaptured in a relatively small production run. If the sunk cost of the project is $35,000,000 for all of the design, build, testing, approvals, spares, storage, training, and PR , then if 350 cars are sold, then each car must have a $100,000 surcharge. (exaggeration of BS) If 3,500 are sold, then each car has only a $10,000 surcharge (CL63 example). So the "limited" production carries some cachet, but a big price tag.

With luxury clothing, the retail mark-up is in the range of 300% over wholesale cost, so the seller makes a huge margin on each unit. With the high end car, profits are only somewhat higher at the dealer level, probably not much more at the manufacturer level, but are gobbled up in development costs. That is more acceptable to me. However, luxury clothes, watches, wine, and cars have one similarity.
In the end, it is only "worth it" if it is "worth it" to you. So why do women buy $800 shoes. probably the "Cinderella" factor, about how it makes them feel. Why did I buy as BS? Probably the "F1" factor- it makes me feel like I am driving a race-bred, raceable machine. Is that real? I have 4 street-licensed race cars ( and previously had a street-licensed and driven Lola Can Am car). The BS is the closest you can come to a daily-drivable race car. At least in my 40 years of experience. To me, it's worth it. For anyone else? Who cares? AS

 

Maybe a bit off topic but I'll get to the issue. I hadn't driven the porsche for a few weeks. It's an Andial 3.8 twin turbo with a lota development, aluminum doors, hood suspension brakes, I could go on an on. Well I wanted to assure myself that the CLK 63 BS was not just the new toy and I was defending my purchase by not driving the porsche.

Anyway, I take the 3.8 out and its like meeting an old friend you knew in school you remember the good times but times change. The 3.8 has brutal acceleration that will leave just about anything, cornering is a little white knuckle when pushed, and great braking. After an hour, I bring it home.

I take the CLk 63 BS out for the same drive. Humm not quite as fast, but more refined better sound. The cornering is more composed, no white knuckle, and the braking is better. I have a test corner that is pretty safe.
Top speed in porsche is 85. Clk 63bs,92! CLK just does it easier.

Can't drive the porsche everyday nor will I drive the CLK everyday but I could I'f I wanted.

Porsche goes up for sale tomorrow.

Jimmy

 

WOW.
Sending u a PM.

 

I love the Black Series that Mercedes has created. If they had made the SLK55 BS for the US ... I guarantee I would of purchased one.

For me its pretty simple. I like modifying my car to be as fast as it can as well as be unique. I would much prefer to mod on a platform that has already been strengthened by the manufacturer. For me to duplicate all the BS stuff for my car would be insanely expensive.

Regarding the CLKBS the only reason why it isn't on my shopping list is because it is my firm belief that the 6.3 motor is going to be tweeked by mercedes significantly. We already see that the SL63BS is going to have a twin turbo version ...

I bet that CLKBS would be almost impossible to pick up if the rumors of the 6.3TT engine weren't out. Of course there will always be one or two available on Ebay but I'd bet my left arm they would be at a premium.
And before anyone starts saying how these cars depreciate ... I'm referring to this specific timeframe.

I also bet that a good percentage of CLKBS owners are going to be taking a serious look at the SL63 BS. My guess with a CF fixed roof and weight savings the SL63 BS will finally address the SL's largest negative. WEIGHT.

 

Wow Ted, you're still at hating the CLK63 Black Series. Still saying there won't be a SL63 AMG?

M

 

If the 'ring time for the SL63BS is to be believed (see the other active thread) I agree it's gotta to be a combo of big power boost (TT) AND lower weight. Maybe AMG is going down the road of the 55 SLK BS - turn the car into a fixed coupe. That would be the best way to say good bye to a lot of mass that doesn't get the car from A to B.

I love the fact that the 55 SLK BS actually gets better fuel economy than the regular 55 SLK. Bet the SL63 BS will too!