huge disappointment CLK BS
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 687
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From: SoCal
2014 E63s
huge disappointment CLK BS
I went to look and test drive an 08 BS a couple days ago and WOW was I disappointed. I will be looking for another one to test drive as I really believe there was something wrong with the one i drove. First thing i noticed is the ticking lifter noise when i first started it. I am coming from an 07 E63 and my car would accessional do the same so I didn't pay too much attention to that. So i get in and take it easy for the first couple of minutes, once it warmed up I started getting on it a bit more. I instantly noticed the power was nothing like my E(my E is EC tuned) the BS felt very sluggish. At the next red light i got on it pretty good from a dead stop and thats when i noticed something i've never noticed before, the rear end felt as if it were going in a different direction. It wasn't fishtailing or burning rubber. It felt like the frame was twisting or something like that. The car had obviously been wrecked at some point as i noticed the fender lines uneven and a few body panels had unmatched paint. The car had about 50k miles but looked like a 150k mile car. So i'm gonna look for another in my area to test drive which i'm sure will be a whole different experience than the first. What could possibly have been wrong with this car?
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,311
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From: Manchester, CT
I went to look and test drive an 08 BS a couple days ago and WOW was I disappointed. I will be looking for another one to test drive as I really believe there was something wrong with the one i drove. First thing i noticed is the ticking lifter noise when i first started it. I am coming from an 07 E63 and my car would accessional do the same so I didn't pay too much attention to that. So i get in and take it easy for the first couple of minutes, once it warmed up I started getting on it a bit more. I instantly noticed the power was nothing like my E(my E is EC tuned) the BS felt very sluggish. At the next red light i got on it pretty good from a dead stop and thats when i noticed something i've never noticed before, the rear end felt as if it were going in a different direction. It wasn't fishtailing or burning rubber. It felt like the frame was twisting or something like that. The car had obviously been wrecked at some point as i noticed the fender lines uneven and a few body panels had unmatched paint. The car had about 50k miles but looked like a 150k mile car. So i'm gonna look for another in my area to test drive which i'm sure will be a whole different experience than the first. What could possibly have been wrong with this car?
This is too bad to hear ! Every CLK BS I've driven (4) has only left me impressed.
Can you post the VIN of it?...we can pull a carfax to see what is truly up with it, and perhaps help out the next person with more info.
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 149
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From: Springfield, VA
2008 CLK63 Black Series; 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser; 2015 BMW R1200GSA; 2003 Porsche 996 Turbo (gone)
As a current BS owner, I think you drove someone's "beater." While I haven't driven the e63, I came from a tuned 996 turbo and after driving the BS, I put the Porsche on the market the next day. From your description of the car's appearance, not sure I would have even wasted the my time test driving it.
When you find one, remember the torque curve really doesn't start to kick in till @ 2K RPM and ensure your in "sport mode."
Good luck with the hunt!
When you find one, remember the torque curve really doesn't start to kick in till @ 2K RPM and ensure your in "sport mode."
Good luck with the hunt!
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
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CLK 63 BS
Clearly, the car is never sluggish. Right now, I ina ddition to my BS, I have a 2002 996tt X50 (with tune, turbo upgrade, Europipe, PSS10's), a Cadillac CTS V Coupe, and a McLaren 12C.
The BS is by far the most exciting to drive on the street.
The rear yaw is actually normal on my car (present since new, never damaged). it is the rear dif actually locking, which causes a bit of side-to-side hunting on lower speed acceleration on uneven surfaces. Remember, this car has a true "locker", so there is no "differential"correction when the two rear tires are on different surfaces, causing slightly different wheel speeds, but both tires must turn at exactly the same rate.
Try another car, select "S" for the trans setting, and find a parking lot where you can slide the car. Then decide. AS
The BS is by far the most exciting to drive on the street.
The rear yaw is actually normal on my car (present since new, never damaged). it is the rear dif actually locking, which causes a bit of side-to-side hunting on lower speed acceleration on uneven surfaces. Remember, this car has a true "locker", so there is no "differential"correction when the two rear tires are on different surfaces, causing slightly different wheel speeds, but both tires must turn at exactly the same rate.
Try another car, select "S" for the trans setting, and find a parking lot where you can slide the car. Then decide. AS
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 11
C63BS
I went to look and test drive an 08 BS a couple days ago and WOW was I disappointed. I will be looking for another one to test drive as I really believe there was something wrong with the one i drove. First thing i noticed is the ticking lifter noise when i first started it. I am coming from an 07 E63 and my car would accessional do the same so I didn't pay too much attention to that. So i get in and take it easy for the first couple of minutes, once it warmed up I started getting on it a bit more. I instantly noticed the power was nothing like my E(my E is EC tuned) the BS felt very sluggish. At the next red light i got on it pretty good from a dead stop and thats when i noticed something i've never noticed before, the rear end felt as if it were going in a different direction. It wasn't fishtailing or burning rubber. It felt like the frame was twisting or something like that. The car had obviously been wrecked at some point as i noticed the fender lines uneven and a few body panels had unmatched paint. The car had about 50k miles but looked like a 150k mile car. So i'm gonna look for another in my area to test drive which i'm sure will be a whole different experience than the first. What could possibly have been wrong with this car?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 478
Likes: 6
CLK63 AMG Black Series
Had a similar experience when I first got my BS. It was in C trans mode and uneven street, two groves from heavy truck traffic. I put it in S mode and flat surface and felt as expected with solid launch and pull. There is a lot of torque being put to the ground. I do think the rear suspension or diff bushing could use some tightening up and some rear camber adjustment.
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Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 149
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From: Springfield, VA
2008 CLK63 Black Series; 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser; 2015 BMW R1200GSA; 2003 Porsche 996 Turbo (gone)
1AS,
Should the opportunity arise, remind me to never let you test drive one of my cars ("...find a parking lot where you can slide the car...")
Should the opportunity arise, remind me to never let you test drive one of my cars ("...find a parking lot where you can slide the car...")
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
CLK 63 BS
While it's easy to turn this car 180 degrees in its own length, I always wish I was a better drift driver. Going for a few hot laps with a pro is a real eye opener. Of course, then you really learn the meaning of "turn in oversteer". My car Has about 52,000 miles now, and has had no reliability issues. Enjoy. AS
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, VA
2008 CLK63 Black Series; 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser; 2015 BMW R1200GSA; 2003 Porsche 996 Turbo (gone)
I don't know if you are serious (I do see the smile), but if you are, why would using the car for what it does best be a problem? If there are any owners who haven't driven their car to experience what it is designed to do, I feel a bit sad for them. Trundling around town isn't what these cars do well.
While it's easy to turn this car 180 degrees in its own length, I always wish I was a better drift driver. Going for a few hot laps with a pro is a real eye opener. Of course, then you really learn the meaning of "turn in oversteer". My car Has about 52,000 miles now, and has had no reliability issues. Enjoy. AS
While it's easy to turn this car 180 degrees in its own length, I always wish I was a better drift driver. Going for a few hot laps with a pro is a real eye opener. Of course, then you really learn the meaning of "turn in oversteer". My car Has about 52,000 miles now, and has had no reliability issues. Enjoy. AS
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
CLK 63 BS
On the other hand, the experience when I went with a friend to test a Mclaren 12C was a bit of a heart stopper. After we swapped seats (dealer "trusted" us with a car, unescorted), and he turned onto a limited access highway, he nailed it thru 3 gears. One second after he said, "well, that's 97 mph", he said "uh oh, flashing red lights in the rearview mirror". I had visions of being taken away by police, with the car on a trailer for 97 in a 45. Moments later, we were passed by an ambulance. Whew!!
I bought the car. Task 1: Install radar detector... (check)
AS
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 742
Likes: 161
'12 C63BS "SlickTop", '08 CLK63BS, '16 E63S wagon, '12 CLS63, amongst other non-Merc toys
^were the Evo & R8 converted to RWD? or did you mean "power slide" instead of "drift"? two very different things... o.0
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 742
Likes: 161
'12 C63BS "SlickTop", '08 CLK63BS, '16 E63S wagon, '12 CLS63, amongst other non-Merc toys
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
CLK 63 BS
This car is fun all the time. Not many know what it is, but guys who do give thumbs up as they come close, restaurants park it out front, you can leave work and drive to the track (as long as you remember to put the helmet in the trunk), and you can take it to the edge on an off ramp. Plus, it sounds great! I hope to drive mine past 100,000 miles. AS
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 742
Likes: 161
'12 C63BS "SlickTop", '08 CLK63BS, '16 E63S wagon, '12 CLS63, amongst other non-Merc toys
This car is fun all the time. Not many know what it is, but guys who do give thumbs up as they come close, restaurants park it out front, you can leave work and drive to the track (as long as you remember to put the helmet in the trunk), and you can take it to the edge on an off ramp. Plus, it sounds great! I hope to drive mine past 100,000 miles. AS
I was talking about how you said you power slide the Evos & R8 during a "test-drive"
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
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CLK 63 BS
Actually, the sales guys kind of like it too, once they recognize you can drive. When our son was considering an Aventador, I was invited to Bologna to drive the car at the factory. The factory test driver flipped me the keys of an orange Aventador, and after a few miles on the factory "test track" (the two lane roads of Bologna around the factory), he said, "put it in Corse (track mode), and shift at 6500". That was a compliment, as third gear in that car is flying on those roads, with little vans, and micro cars functioning as moving chicanes. The car is kind of violent but exhilarating.
Yes, he bought the car (dark silver), and they agreed to mildly customize it for him. The take-away message is, if you are considering the car, better make sure it does what you want it to do. It is more fun that way, and everyone comes back from the test drive smiling. Next week, we will be in the Hamptons, and I'll get a chance to drive the one he bought. This time, I expect to ***** foot around..... AS
Yes, he bought the car (dark silver), and they agreed to mildly customize it for him. The take-away message is, if you are considering the car, better make sure it does what you want it to do. It is more fun that way, and everyone comes back from the test drive smiling. Next week, we will be in the Hamptons, and I'll get a chance to drive the one he bought. This time, I expect to ***** foot around..... AS
