CLK430 vs CLK55 (W208)

[mergli]

I'm less than 4,000 miles away from buying a CLK to replace the aged Toyota (keeping it until it rolls over 200,000 miles).
I've been doing a bit of price research and have decided that I could just about stretch to a cheap CLK55 (£17-19K) but would be limited to a choice of a couple of cars from 1999 or 2000. On the other hand for the same money I could be looking at a low mileage (30Kish) 02 430 coupe.

What benefits (other than extra 70bhp) does the CLK55 have over the 430?

 

[Shude]

I'm less than 4,000 miles away from buying a CLK to replace the aged Toyota (keeping it until it rolls over 200,000 miles).
I've been doing a bit of price research and have decided that I could just about stretch to a cheap CLK55 (£17-19K) but would be limited to a choice of a couple of cars from 1999 or 2000. On the other hand for the same money I could be looking at a low mileage (30Kish) 02 430 coupe.

What benefits (other than extra 70bhp) does the CLK55 have over the 430?

Other than body styling pack, wheels and exhaust (all available to retrofit anyway) they look the same, all the options on the '55 are available on the '430 so options for both vehicles should be checked.

At those ages the '430 is definitely a facelift model, the '55 may well be a pre-facelift - you need to check when looking. Facelift extras include new style instrument cluster with trip computer, multifunction steering wheel, indicating door mirrors and various body updates.

AMG models can be difficult to sell due to buyers wanting "perfect" examples, '430 models tend to drink fuel so can depreciate faster than smaller engined models in some cases (see ML430 for that ).

 

[Alfie]

The AMG will handle better and will most likely be better specced. It will also look (IMHO) more sporty.

Take a look at this thread here; http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=164320&postcount=2

Bensons have a nice one for under £20k but its done 66,000 miles.

I suggest you drive both and see. In any event its worth getting a facelifted one over a non facelift. The facelift came out august 1999.

Good luck

 

[C240Sport97]

All 430s and 55s are facelift ... they did not exist pre facelift.

The 55 also has nappa leather, orthopedic seats, Xenons (from 2000 I think) as standard. Just remember that AMG bodykits and exhausts are expensive new, and much more than the difference between a 430 and a 55.

I drove a 430 before I drove the 55 which I bought. The 430 was something to look at, the 55 I had to have.

There is a huge difference, power in the 55 is much more instantaneous and unrelenting. The AMG gearbox changes much more quickly, the thrust is in another league, as is the sound and the handling. The ride is not much stiffer, and is surprisingly compliant, even with 18" wheels that I have.

I don't think they are comparable. I would pay the extra for the 55, but I would say that ....

Have you seen this 55?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4576072769&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Other than body styling pack, wheels and exhaust (all available to retrofit anyway) they look the same, all the options on the '55 are available on the '430 so options for both vehicles should be checked.

At those ages the '430 is definitely a facelift model, the '55 may well be a pre-facelift - you need to check when looking. Facelift extras include new style instrument cluster with trip computer, multifunction steering wheel, indicating door mirrors and various body updates.

AMG models can be difficult to sell due to buyers wanting "perfect" examples, '430 models tend to drink fuel so can depreciate faster than smaller engined models in some cases (see ML430 for that ).

 

[mergli]

Have you seen this 55?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4576072769&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

If I was looking now I might make a bid but I'd be concerned about '4 previous owners' on a 6 year old car.....

Bensons have a nice one for under £20k but its done 66,000 miles.

It is one of my concerns that I would be getting a 55 with twice the miles of a 430 in my price range.
Should I be concerned about mileage (or age for that matter) or should I just be looking at condition?

I would definitely prefer a 55 but I'd be buying from the bottom end of the market whereas with the 430 I'd be buying from the middle to top end.

I guess I'll go and look at some (that'll help rack up some miles on the MR2 too )

 

[mergli]

'430 models tend to drink fuel so can depreciate faster than smaller engined models in some cases (see ML430 for that ).

I'm hoping that this will play into my hands when I come to buy.....after all who'd buy a high capacity V8 with petrol at a pound a litre

 

[Lazarus]

I'm hoping that this will play into my hands when I come to buy.....after all who'd buy a high capacity V8 with petrol at a pound a litre

Err... me

 

[Howard]

We've got a CLK 430 ...

I average 27/28 mpg on a motorway run, (90 mph all the way , a little fun here and there )

Around town it averages just under 20 but thats not horrendous is it ?

In the real world it will see off most things , but if your're into AMG's then that may be the way to go....

 

[stats007]

To be honest I'd rather an AMG as it comes with the uprated suspension, brakes, exhaust and usually gearbox - if I were buying another MB it would be an AMG model.