2000/2001 CLK 55 AMG

[Ralph S3]

Hi Guys,

Have just sold our 525d & Scenic family wagons which will be replaced by a Verso (no comments please). The wife will be driving the Verso and I need to find something interesting for myself. Mostly I will just use it to get to work over a/b roads and probably do around 7000 miles a year. Only stipulation is that it has to be at least a 2+2 so that I can take kids to school if necessary.

Usually I know what I want to buy next before I sell my current car but this time I am still searching for ideas. Initially I thought about a CLK convertible or even an old 964 but during my searching I have realised that a 2000/2001 55 AMG is well within budget. Now this definitely presses all the right buttons.

I have had a look around the forum and on other websites to try and get an idea of any weak spots or buyers guides but there doesn't seem to be much detailed info out there. I don't like to go car hunting without some knowledge of a car so can anyone point me in the direction of a good AMG forum or perhaps answer the following questions.

Are these cars generally reliable?

I don't care about MPG but are these things generally horrendous to service. I would use a specialist for the scheduled services and any engine/transmission work. I'm pretty handy with a spanner so routine brake changes etc I would do myself.

Basically - should I get one?? My heart says absolutely but my head says there must be a catch.

R

[wormski]

I've run a 2002 CLK55 for 3 years. I've taken it from 70k to 115k miles and it has been nothing short of brilliant. Running costs have been in the region of £1500 a year and i've averaged ~28mpg. All in all the best car i've ever owned.

[Kingdom]

wormski said:

...and i've averaged ~28mpg.

Driving like Miss Daisy? The best I ever managed in my W209 CLK55 AMG was 27mpg on a long steady run. My average over 16k miles was 20.1mpg. Running costs were reasonable given the nature of the car, with front brakes and discs being the most expensive item I needed to change @ £500.

If you can afford it, go for it. It was a fantastic, fun car.

[wormski]

I supposed I asked for the "driving like miss daisy" comment. In my defense the 85% of miles done have been the dreaded 50 mph commute hence the the high MPG.

[dougt]

I've had a 2003 CLK 55 since August last year, having changed from an E46 M3. I don't do much mileage so haven't had to service it yet. Touch wood, nothing has gone wrong or fallen off, even despite it standing doing nothing for several weeks at a time fairly regularly.

I get 20 mpg or so average, up to about 25 on the motorway, which I think is pretty impressive considering the performance available.

Overall I'm very pleased with it, it's a much nicer thing to drive on the road than the M3. You don't have to go fast to enjoy it, but if you want to it's surprisingly able.

[Lewy]

dougt said:

I've had a 2003 CLK 55 since August last year, having changed from an E46 M3. I don't do much mileage so haven't had to service it yet. Touch wood, nothing has gone wrong or fallen off, even despite it standing doing nothing for several weeks at a time fairly regularly.

I get 20 mpg or so average, up to about 25 on the motorway, which I think is pretty impressive considering the performance available.

Overall I'm very pleased with it, it's a much nicer thing to drive on the road than the M3. You don't have to go fast to enjoy it, but if you want to it's surprisingly able.

I totally agree, i can enjoy driving mine steadily rather than having to drive it fast every where to enjoy it. Mileage is usually 20-25mpg, best i've seen is 28 on a busy run. As long as these cars are serviced as they should then reliability should not be an issue and if you handy with the spanners then you can save on the general repairs. As an example, I've just replaced the lower ball joints with genuine Merc parts for £60. Had a 964 before the 55 AMG and they are completely different cars.

Edited by Lewy on Monday 16th June 12:58