The search continues....

[buccal]

another W208 55 man here, well, aspiring to one at least........

 

[Will]

It's horses for courses I guess.

Rememeber that the current 209 CLK will soon be the 'old one' when the new model is launched.

I think facelifted 208s still look pretty good and an immaculate CLK55 is a nice proposition. Agree about the B-pillar issue and the lack of moving rear window (except in the cabriolet models, of course )

I don't think that a ~£6-10k CLK55 can lose that much more cash. Might be more expensive to run than a newer, non-AMG 209 though?

Personally, I'd take the AMG for the rarity and driving pleasure. The CLK500 won't offer as much fun, and I guess the aesthetics are purely down to personal taste - so go for what appeals to you

Will

 

[peterg1965]

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

Just my 2p

I originally had the W208 down as old hat and out of date, however, having looked a little harder I kind of agree that it looks sharper than the newer W209. The W209, whilst still a great looking car, is much more curvy and bulbous.

 

[peterg1965]

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,

I am looking forward to driving a 55 next saturday, I will have to leave my chequebook and cards at home under lock and key if they are that addictive! The Jag needs to find a new home before I can commit to buying. I would absolutely love to find a car that I am happy to keep for more than 12 months, particularly one that will not loose me a lot of money. I know if I go this route I need to choose wisely.

I checked up on the DVLA site on the blue CLK55, it was registered by DVLA in 2005, yet it is a 2001 car. The trader said it was originally from Northern Ireland. If it was bought over to the mainland does that explain why it was registered by DVLA in 2005? Does NI have their own DVLA?

It's horses for courses I guess.

Rememeber that the current 209 CLK will soon be the 'old one' when the new model is launched.

I think facelifted 208s still look pretty good and an immaculate CLK55 is a nice proposition. Agree about the B-pillar issue and the lack of moving rear window (except in the cabriolet models, of course )

I don't think that a ~£6-10k CLK55 can lose that much more cash. Might be more expensive to run than a newer, non-AMG 209 though?

Personally, I'd take the AMG for the rarity and driving pleasure. The CLK500 won't offer as much fun, and I guess the aesthetics are purely down to personal taste - so go for what appeals to you

Will

Agree, it comes down to personal taste. I have clocked the slightly more expensive running costs, but they are not prohibitively expensive. Discs and pads cost more (front) but not sure what esle. Tyres on the 17" AMG wheels are quite reasonable.

 

[W210 Fan]

I am looking forward to driving a 55 next saturday

and unless you buy one look forward to not having that power for the rest of your life - think Clarkson and the Veyron, honestly, joking aside, I cannot wait to get back behind the wheel of one, that acceleration is addictive, but whats better is the suprise, and that never fades, you just cant believe that a big fat merc can stump up that performance...

 

[peterg1965]

Now that I have just about sold the Jag, I am in a position to move forward with the CLK purchase. The last thing I want to do is to impulse buy and regret later (been there, done that). I am off to see this lovely blue CLK55 this weekend. I really like this car, decent spec (in fact v good), nice low mileage, I have emailed the trader asking for the full sevice details so I can check to see what has been done (and what hasn't). The colour is great and I can temporarily live with the half cream steering wheel! Hopefully I will have a decent test drive and learn to appreciate the AMG experience! The only issue for me is the price, I would like to get this much much closer to £9K, particularly if it needs a big service and tax. I am not sure if the trader will move that far.

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

The other car that I have taken a fancy to is this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=200280005164

It just looks right. Accept no heated seats and xenons but he has just had it serviced and taxed. It is not an AMG but it is a decent V8. He has told me I can have it for £8500. His exact words were... "Given that I have just spent near on £600 to tax and service the car ready for summer use, I would not sell the car for less than £8500". I will not be able to get to see this one that easily, too far for me. I don't necessarily want/need a cab but, as I said, it looks the part. Those alloys are spot on.

So, when I have a large wad of cash burning a large hole in my pocket I need to pick the right car!

What to do....

EDIT: BLUE CLK55 NOW SOLD - back to the classifieds!

 

[Will]

Now that I have just about sold the Jag, I am in a position to move forward with the CLK purchase. The last thing I want to do is to impulse buy and regret later (been there, done that). I am off to see this lovely blue CLK55 this weekend. I really like this car, decent spec (in fact v good), nice low mileage, I have emailed the trader asking for the full sevice details so I can check to see what has been done (and what hasn't). The colour is great and I can temporarily live with the half cream steering wheel! Hopefully I will have a decent test drive and learn to appreciate the AMG experience! The only issue for me is the price, I would like to get this much much closer to £9K, particularly if it needs a big service and tax. I am not sure if the trader will move that far.

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

The other car that I have taken a fancy to is this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=200280005164

It just looks right. Accept no heated seats and xenons but he has just had it serviced and taxed. It is not an AMG but it is a decent V8. He has told me I can have it for £8500. His exact words were... "Given that I have just spent near on £600 to tax and service the car ready for summer use, I would not sell the car for less than £8500". I will not be able to get to see this one that easily, too far for me. I don't necessarily want/need a cab but, as I said, it looks the part. Those alloys are spot on.

So, when I have a large wad of cash burning a large hole in my pocket I need to pick the right car!

What to do....

EDIT: BLUE CLK55 NOW SOLD - back to the classifieds!

Not personally that keen on the 430 cab in your link - the wheels and lip spoiler make it look a bit 'got at' IMHO

Doesn't seem all that cheap considering it's a big V8 cab, about 8 years old and not exactly top spec (no COMAND, heated seats etc). Would rather a standard, mint '55

The blue '55 in your first link looks great, but says it's sold..?

Will

 

[peterg1965]

There doesn't seem to be much out there at the moment that fits the bill in price/spec terms. I have seen another 430 cab, nice colour combo, but once again 'poverty' spec (very few toys) although miles are low and full MB history.
http://www.getaroundcars.com/content/view/516/1/

Calls from a couple of dealers; South Lakes Merc still trying to sell me their CLK500Cab (the blue one I drove). I said I would buy it for £10000 (it is up for £14K) he said no, so I will watch it slowly reduce in price over the next few months. MB Nottingham called, they have a 53 plate CLK500 Coupe in silver, 59000 miles, full 1 year Tier 1 warranty up for £10990 (it was £12700 a couple of weeks back) it has most toys but I don't like the alloys and the colour combo silver on grey.

Still waiting for the 'right' one to pop up!

 

[Howard]

Drive an AMG and you'll forget about those 500's ....

Make sure you give it the beans at least once ...