The search continues....

[peterg1965]

The next installment, sorry if I am becoming a bit boring and repetitive!

The Jaguar is now being advertised more widely (PH an Ebay) so with a bit of luck I might sell it soon!

Meanwhile, I did a bit more searching and found a few more interesting AMGs which are all within 60 miles of me. I hadn't used 'Top Marques' before, but there are some different and very nice cars on there. There are still some W209 CLK500 in my budget (which I have not completely discounted), but I looked for some more W208 CLK55s and found:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2001&vehicleRegLetter=51http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2001&vehicleRegLetter=51

Already referenced this one before; nice car, reasonable mileage but a tad on the expensive side and it doesn't sound like he will move much.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...icleYearOfManufacture=2000&vehicleRegLetter=W

Looks like a nice car, yet another silver, mileage is high, but full MB SH, which I would check out in more detail when I see it. The price is right though. No NAV in this one.

http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/dri....uk/is/autoedit/AETA27169/AETV40905277_1a.jpg

This blue one is the nicest one I have seen to date. Low miles (54,000) all looks good, I spoke to the trader, it was originally from NI, two owners and loads of old MOTs, Tax discs, receipts and an MB and specialist history, last serviced late 07 at 48000 ish. Would probably need a big service; gearbox oil, plugs etc. The only thing I could not live with on this car is the steering wheel! The white/cream leather is awful.

Anyway, I aim to see these cars next weekend I hope. All just down the M6 from me!

 

[C240Sport97]

like you, I like the blue .. it's Jasper Blue, and it's the first time I have seen it on a 55 208.

also like the 2 tone interior .. no doubt the black leather on the wheel can be dyed black.

silver 55 CLKs are very common.

 

[A210AMG]

I like the leather on the black one,

Different than just black and brightens up the interior.

 

[wemorgan]

Nice cars, but like you said, I'd be looking for a W209 CLK500 myself. These two caught my eye:

car 1
car 2

 

[st4]

Peter, would a W215 Cl500 be something you'd be interested in. A real wafting car....

 

[peterg1965]

Nice cars, but like you said, I'd be looking for a W209 CLK500 myself. These two caught my eye:

car 1
car 2

Not unsuprisingly, I have seen and looked at both of those cars (on autotrader). I like 'car 1', difficulty for me is that it is in Hertfordshire. Looks good and has a great spec (sunroof/xenons/nav/phone etc). 'Car 2' is the one with the C63 lookalike alloys (which I am not sure about). It also has a great spec and includes keyless go which, although gimmicky, I quite like! It is closer to me (Sheffield) and worth a look if I go down the W209 route. Not sure if one is v cheap, or one is OTT with the price, £2K difference on identical cars?

I suppose one of the dilemmas is whether to go for a 208 AMG or 'standard' 209 500. When I started this quest, I didn't realise that a decent AMG would be in my price range, albeit an older model. I have driven a 209 500 and they feel just right, I need to drive an AMG 5.4 to see if the difference is noticeable. The other nagging doubt I have about 209s is the valeo issue. Ratz' experience in the last few weeks focusses the mind there - although I suppose peace of mind is the cost of a new radiator and fitting cost.

***, a CL is too big for my purposes.

 

[trapperjohn]

Peterg1965 would you give me a ring please. Cant do PMs yet not enough posts. Thanks trapperjohn

 

[BTB 500]

IMHO the 208 is looking a bit dated now ... I much prefer the look of the 209.

 

[peterg1965]

Peterg1965 would you give me a ring please. Cant do PMs yet not enough posts. Thanks trapperjohn

John, thanks for the information, I have changed the details in the links, and been back through my previous posts to do likewise.

 

[Dryce]

***, a CL is too big for my purposes.

Cough...... "Hardcore MB Enthusiast".

That's not a valid excuse!

 

[timskemp]

IMHO the 208 is looking a bit dated now ... I much prefer the look of the 209.

I'd agree, and sum it up in one phrase: "B Pillar"

 

[peterg1965]

Cough...... "Hardcore MB Enthusiast".

That's not a valid excuse!

Surely one big Merc (GL) is enough for any family!

 

[st4]

Surely one big Merc (GL) is enough for any family!

Nah, the way this car search has gone I was dissappointed to see that you haven't started looking @ used 215 and 220 600's and 65AMGs. Really, you know what you really need is a V12 Turbo.

Honestly, I'd give up the idea of a CLK C8 and go with my suggestion above. The S65 can achieve a frugal 19mpg

 

[wemorgan]

I'd agree, and sum it up in one phrase: "B Pillar"

I agree too.

As I understand it with many parts of the W208 being shared with the W202 the structure is getting on a bit now. I think my W208 is great but also the interior design looks it's age and for that reason if I had £10k to spend it would have to be on a W209, even if it meant 'only' having the CLK500.

Does anyone know what the residuals would be like on a £10k W208 AMG vs £10k W209 500?

 

[Howard]

w209 looks a bit womanly compared to the more aggressively styled and dare i say 'masculine' w208 ...

Just my 2p

 

[st4]

w209 looks a bit womanly compared to the more aggressively styled and dare i say 'masculine' w208 ...

Just my 2p

Judging by the comments on here I can only say you've opened a tin of worms with that statement.

 

[Howard]

Ah , the doctored photos ....

 

[st4]

Ah , the doctored photos ....

I liked the one with the boot spoiler . I was watching an old top gear on Dave today, and that pic sprung to mind when the guest, Jordan, wanted to have her DB9 on order sprayed pink.

 

[W210 Fan]

I have driven a 209 500 and they feel just right, I need to drive an AMG 5.4 to see if the difference is noticeable.

er yes it will be, the 500 is a large engined cruiser, the 55 is an animal, these are not paper comparisons, on paper its only another 50odd horse but the difference in engine note and throttle response will huge as they are designed for different reasons,

word of warning, if your going to see a 55, and any 55 will show the gap between a 500 and a 55 take a cheque book as you will want to buy it there and then, its like crack, its addictive, my E55 was the car I have kept the longest ever, 18 months, normally I do 4-6 months in a car and get bored, I only got rid of it to be sensible and pay some debts off, it is the best thing, not just car, I have ever brought myself and I will get another as soon as I can,

w209 looks a bit womanly compared to the more aggressively styled and dare i say 'masculine' w208 ...

Just my 2p

agreed, thats why I have one too, there are not many new mercs I like, I seem to be stuck in my W210, W208, R170 era as I like the interiors, I find the W124 and W126 a bit dated and the new stuff to me isnt `classic` merc

 

[e55]

I agree................nothing compares once you have driven a 55.