Friendly Advice Please
Discussion
Hi
I'm currently running a TVR Tamora and have been wondering about changing it for some time.
I quite fancy the idea of a Merc AMG Clk 55.
Can somebody let me know what the running costs are? I could be doing upto 15k miles a year. What are the service intervals and costs? Can this be done any merc garage.
Are there any major works required at landmark age/mileages that I should be aware of?
And what is the average mpg?
Many thanks in advance
Chris
I'm currently running a TVR Tamora and have been wondering about changing it for some time.
I quite fancy the idea of a Merc AMG Clk 55.
Can somebody let me know what the running costs are? I could be doing upto 15k miles a year. What are the service intervals and costs? Can this be done any merc garage.
Are there any major works required at landmark age/mileages that I should be aware of?
And what is the average mpg?
Many thanks in advance
Chris
I don't have any experience of the CLK in particular, but I would guess it would average 20-22 mpg depending on how and where you drive it. My SLK which has more or less the same engine is lighter, and I get 22-24 in normal use and 27-29 on a reasonable distance run. Any main dealer should be able to service it, although it's probably a good idea to take it to a larger one where they may have seen a few before. The service interval will be calculated automatically based on usage but mine will have worked out to be about 10,000 miles unless it changes dramatically. The overall costs should be lower than the Tamora because the residual value is likely to be much higher, unless you choose an unpopular colour or spec.
If you buy a new one I would recommend the Personal Collection service. It's free for one person and includes a business class flight, a night in a hotel, 5 days insurance and a Eurotunnel ticket. You pay extra for passengers and other hotel nights, but it's well worth collecting the car from the factory in person. By the time you get home, it's already run in.
If you buy a new one I would recommend the Personal Collection service. It's free for one person and includes a business class flight, a night in a hotel, 5 days insurance and a Eurotunnel ticket. You pay extra for passengers and other hotel nights, but it's well worth collecting the car from the factory in person. By the time you get home, it's already run in.
Hi Ceecee,
I'm a new owner of a C32amg, my last sports car being a Lotus Elise 111S, but I have driven several TVRs including the Tamora at length. I also had a long test drive in a 2001 CLK55 prior to deciding on the C32.
Compared to the Lotus, I felt that both Mercs felt a little remote. The auto transmittion promotes a more laid back feeling, although this can be overridden to some extent with the semi-auto option. The steering follows the same theme... coming from a true sports car, neither Merc offered the same feel and were as confidence-inspiring than the Lotus.
The engines are what makes the cars stand out. Whilst both Mercs are happy to tootle about on 5% throttle, go to 10% and the transmittion gets excited and is a lot more encouraging. I opted for the C32 as the supercharged V6 felt a lot more lively than the V8. Perhaps it was just the car I was testing, but I thought the CLK's engine was a little lazy low down the revs, whereas the 32 offered a TVR-stlye chove from as low as 1800rpm. Both engines make good noise, but your straight 6 in the Tamora is a league above in those stakes, though assuming some of your 15000 miles are on the motorway, eaither Merc will be a lot more comfortable on a long cruise.
Fuel economy-wise, I should get almost 300 miles on my first tank of fuel. That's included a mix of enjoyable driving, some shortish trips in busy London traffic and a long drive on motorway / A-roads. According to the on-board computer, it's returning about 25mpg overall. I don't know for sure, but I'd suspect the larger V8 would return a few less miles on the same amount of fuel as the V6, but they're probably similar to your lighter but thirstier TVR.
I think that if you're looking to move to more of a cruiser with a fun streak, the CLK is well worth a look, but be prepared to lose some sense of connection with the road and the TVR noise.
Servicing costs appear to be in the range of £250 - £300 for a basic 'A' service, perhaps around £500 for a 'B' service at a dealer, but being a new owner, others are better qualified to answer that one.
hope that helps
I'm a new owner of a C32amg, my last sports car being a Lotus Elise 111S, but I have driven several TVRs including the Tamora at length. I also had a long test drive in a 2001 CLK55 prior to deciding on the C32.
Compared to the Lotus, I felt that both Mercs felt a little remote. The auto transmittion promotes a more laid back feeling, although this can be overridden to some extent with the semi-auto option. The steering follows the same theme... coming from a true sports car, neither Merc offered the same feel and were as confidence-inspiring than the Lotus.
The engines are what makes the cars stand out. Whilst both Mercs are happy to tootle about on 5% throttle, go to 10% and the transmittion gets excited and is a lot more encouraging. I opted for the C32 as the supercharged V6 felt a lot more lively than the V8. Perhaps it was just the car I was testing, but I thought the CLK's engine was a little lazy low down the revs, whereas the 32 offered a TVR-stlye chove from as low as 1800rpm. Both engines make good noise, but your straight 6 in the Tamora is a league above in those stakes, though assuming some of your 15000 miles are on the motorway, eaither Merc will be a lot more comfortable on a long cruise.
Fuel economy-wise, I should get almost 300 miles on my first tank of fuel. That's included a mix of enjoyable driving, some shortish trips in busy London traffic and a long drive on motorway / A-roads. According to the on-board computer, it's returning about 25mpg overall. I don't know for sure, but I'd suspect the larger V8 would return a few less miles on the same amount of fuel as the V6, but they're probably similar to your lighter but thirstier TVR.
I think that if you're looking to move to more of a cruiser with a fun streak, the CLK is well worth a look, but be prepared to lose some sense of connection with the road and the TVR noise.
Servicing costs appear to be in the range of £250 - £300 for a basic 'A' service, perhaps around £500 for a 'B' service at a dealer, but being a new owner, others are better qualified to answer that one.
hope that helps
I'm assuming you are talking about a W208 (old shape from 99-02) CLK55 as I don't know about the newer ones (W209).
Mine seems to be between 12-18K for service intervals, I'm gussing it depends on how you drive it, I'm on a fairly light throttle most of the time due to traffic.
An A service is likely to be around £200 and a B around £450 from any main dealer, it will be cheaper at an independant but this will nullify your MobiloLife cover (free breakdown cover and 30 year bodywork warranty amongst other things). Obviously the service prices will be more expensive if you need additional work (brakes etc..)
Spark plugs are due every 60K and this tends to be expensive (16 plugs and not a quick job by all accounts). I seem to recall mention of a belt change of some description at 120K but not got there yet.....
I'm averaging 25mpg but like I say I rarely get chance to open it up......(18mpg is not uncommon if hooning) but conversely I get 30mpg at motorway cruising speeds (80-90).
Cheers,
Adam.
Mine seems to be between 12-18K for service intervals, I'm gussing it depends on how you drive it, I'm on a fairly light throttle most of the time due to traffic.
An A service is likely to be around £200 and a B around £450 from any main dealer, it will be cheaper at an independant but this will nullify your MobiloLife cover (free breakdown cover and 30 year bodywork warranty amongst other things). Obviously the service prices will be more expensive if you need additional work (brakes etc..)
Spark plugs are due every 60K and this tends to be expensive (16 plugs and not a quick job by all accounts). I seem to recall mention of a belt change of some description at 120K but not got there yet.....
I'm averaging 25mpg but like I say I rarely get chance to open it up......(18mpg is not uncommon if hooning) but conversely I get 30mpg at motorway cruising speeds (80-90).
Cheers,
Adam.
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