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I joined the CLK63BS club a few months ago – and I love it!
My first impression followed by mechanical help needs:
The initial driving impression is comically eye-opening. It puts down the power unlike anything I have ever driven. It feels like the car has two steering systems. The back is loose yet fully connected and the front turn-in cannot be described, only experienced. For some indescribable reason, this car engages a driver in a completely different manner than other cars/exotics I have had the privilege to drive. It is not a scalpel. It is not a sledgehammer. It can scalpel. It can also sledgehammer. It is perhaps the most Jekyll/Hyde car I’ve driven. In a word – its joyous.
I’m still learning the limits. I’ve only driven it 19 times (yup, I’m keeping track). My daughter summed it up best the last time we were out. I decided to take a different way home and abruptly made a 90 degree turn at a rate of speed I would only trust a handful of cars to take. My daughter was able to grab the handhold in time as the front gripped and the back rotated smartly around. Not a slide, just a pure rotation around the corner. No over steer (boy does it feel like it is right there though), but a rotation at a speed you don’t think should be possible for a car this size. After shaking my head in disbelief, I looked at her. Her grin was ear to ear and she said, “that was fun”.
I suppose that is the point of this machine. It is joyous fun. It has presence yet does not scream look at me the way a Lambo or F-Car would. Virtually no one knows what it is. It is just as comfortable on a twisty back road as it is going to grab take-out. It puts a smile on my face and everyone who has gone for a ride with me thus far. Lord willing, it will never be for sale even if the Mrs. wants that new kitchen. Is it the fastest, most precise, most deliberate car I have ever driven? No. The most fun? By a smile ear to ear.
Mechanical:
I try to do all my own wrenching.
1) I wanted to check that the suspension was stock. I think it is. I assume when they say 3.5 turns of the dampers a “turn” is 1 turn of the key from where you insert it to where it stops thereby exposing the next hole for the key. I see no other way of confirming a full 360 degree turn as a turn. Can anyone who has adjusted/checked their compression and rebound rates verify?
2) FYI, the aluminum post found in the tool kit/jacking supplies used to assist mounting the tire to the hub is not the correct size. After comparing wheel bolts the CLK63 uses a larger bolt than a CLK55 (also explains the higher torque setting). The assisting tool must be for a standard CLK. This is one of those oversights one would accept (maybe even expect) in a low run car. Then again, it is German. All the same, it made me chuckle. Also, Doug DeMuro…there are switches for the rear windows in the “rear seats”. When removing the rear shells to inspect the battery etc the switches and side storage cubbies are right where they should be for a CLK (and functional too) you just can’t get to them. A quirk for sure.
Thanks for the help on #1 above and everyone for the past posts. It made me comfortable buying a car I did not have the chance to drive beforehand with the shutdowns. The emotional forum posts/videos/reviews about this vehicle come close but do not fully do it justice. I’ll do my best to be a dutiful steward of this emotion evoking machine for whoever my wife and kids sell it to after I’m gone.
Congratulations on the purchase and that is a great description of just how special this vehicle is. Interested to see what others have to say regarding the mechanical questions.
Thanks everyone. Thanks for the link to the larger hub post – “add to cart”.
The exotics I have driven have all commanded respect in some way. Its like walking into an operating room, seeing the table and equipment and knowing exactly why you are there.
The CLK 63BS is like walking into a room, seeing fireworks, matches, a book on psychology, a 30 rack of beer, a calculator, a random business card, and a perfectly cooked NY Strip steak. You’re not sure how all those ingredients are going to go together but you know you are going to have a great time figuring it out.
Re other cars driven consistently…good question DocTodd33. I do not think you need to drive a car consistently to get the car’s attitude. Put a few hundred/thousand miles on cars in various conditions (highway, back roads, trips to the store) from various makers and you get the car/builder’s ethos.
GT3 RS’s, Scuderia, a handful of low production product from both manufacturers, a few low production British cars.
While all have been unique, none have been dare, I say “normal”. All were beefed up variants of their siblings. Importantly, none of the specialty cars made me giddy. Blessed for the seat time? Undoubtedly, but not giddy. That is what is so enjoyable for me about this low production CLK – the feeling you get while also driving an unknown car among the masses. It is completely subjective but, it has checked all the right boxes. I would love seat time in a Morgan 3 Wheeler - that looks truly unique.
Derekm15, that part in the video where the commentator said everyone wanted the CLK over the other exotics by the end of the day speaks to how experiential this car is.
Thanks everyone. Thanks for the link to the larger hub post – “add to cart”.
The exotics I have driven have all commanded respect in some way. Its like walking into an operating room, seeing the table and equipment and knowing exactly why you are there.
The CLK 63BS is like walking into a room, seeing fireworks, matches, a book on psychology, a 30 rack of beer, a calculator, a random business card, and a perfectly cooked NY Strip steak. You’re not sure how all those ingredients are going to go together but you know you are going to have a great time figuring it out.
Re other cars driven consistently…good question DocTodd33. I do not think you need to drive a car consistently to get the car’s attitude. Put a few hundred/thousand miles on cars in various conditions (highway, back roads, trips to the store) from various makers and you get the car/builder’s ethos.
GT3 RS’s, Scuderia, a handful of low production product from both manufacturers, a few low production British cars.
While all have been unique, none have been dare, I say “normal”. All were beefed up variants of their siblings. Importantly, none of the specialty cars made me giddy. Blessed for the seat time? Undoubtedly, but not giddy. That is what is so enjoyable for me about this low production CLK – the feeling you get while also driving an unknown car among the masses. It is completely subjective but, it has checked all the right boxes. I would love seat time in a Morgan 3 Wheeler - that looks truly unique.
Derekm15, that part in the video where the commentator said everyone wanted the CLK over the other exotics by the end of the day speaks to how experiential this car is.
Glad you liked the video. Enjoy the car it’s the best!!
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