Hello about to pull the trigger on a CLK 55 02 AMG OR CLK 430

anar23 · 11-04-2009, 02:57 AM

how is the quality, reliability, of a clk55 02, since i wont be able to win

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vegas55amg · 11-04-2009, 12:48 PM

mine has been awesome. I bought it in 2005 with only 13k miles on it. it was like brand new. it now has 40k miles on it. had a few minor repair issues, broken convertible top cables ($800), cracked washer fluid reservoir ($200), and this year, the one biggie, the front brakes and rotors needed replacement ($1200 - AMG brakes are huge, and have a huge pricetag).

quality is top notch. the designo leather interior includes a leather dash, none of the cheaper looking plastics you will find in the non-AMG models.
car is very solidly built. it just FEELS expensive, if you know what i'm saying.

the engine is strong. very strong. I just test drove a G37 6-speed last week for fun. they were claiming like 320-something horsepower I think. man it was soooooooo slow compared to my car. there really is NO replacement for 374 ft.lbs. of torque.

these cars are very unique. the only down side is that when things do break, they ARE much more expensive to repair than your typical toyota camry.

just make sure you do your due diligence and have the car thoroughly checked by a qualified mechanic. you don't want any unpleasant surprises after you've closed the deal. I took mine to an independant mercedes shop in southern cal, the mechanic, an older european guy, took my car for a test drive, spent some time looking under the hood, then put it on the rack and lifted it, I asked him to verify nothing that looked like repaired crash damage. after about 5 minutes looking very closely under the car with a maglight, and taking off the wheels to look at the brakes, he steps back and says, in a heavy german accent, "I do not think that this car has ever been driven in the rain, this car is perfect. I would buy this car."

neilbo75 · 11-04-2009, 06:11 PM

The AMG model (55) will give you much more bang for the buck than the 430. Both cars are reliable. While the AMG is somewhat more expensive to maintain if you need AMG-specific parts (such as brakes), no one regrets getting the AMG vs the 430.

Jons95c36amg · 11-04-2009, 06:24 PM

The Clk55 vs the Clk430 is like night and day. Mine has been reliable had it for almost 2 yrs put in 15K miles. Now has 50k. One problem though when the temps get cooler traction becomes a problem. Damn torque

Ubergeist · 11-05-2009, 06:12 PM

55 all the way. 430 wasn't in in contention. They like to eat light bulbs though.

Chappy · 11-06-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilbo75

The AMG model (55) will give you much more bang for the buck than the 430. Both cars are reliable. While the AMG is somewhat more expensive to maintain if you need AMG-specific parts (such as brakes), no one regrets getting the AMG vs the 430.

You speak the truth!!

joeljp · 11-07-2009, 03:13 AM

Go the 55, you'll be so glad the moment you put your foot down and feel the rocket takes off! Driving an AMG vehicle is something very special

11-04-2009, 06:24 PM	#4
Jons95c36amg MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Desert Posts: 1,520 Drives: 02 CLK 55 AMG,95 C36 AMG	The Clk55 vs the Clk430 is like night and day. Mine has been reliable had it for almost 2 yrs put in 15K miles. Now has 50k. One problem though when the temps get cooler traction becomes a problem. Damn torque __________________ 02 Clk55 bone stock time 2.1 60ft 13.1@108.6

11-05-2009, 06:12 PM	#5
Ubergeist Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 188 Drives: w208 CLK55	55 all the way. 430 wasn't in in contention. They like to eat light bulbs though. __________________ 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 Twin K&N's - LET Tune 13.52@105.90 - For Sale -

11-07-2009, 03:13 AM	#7
joeljp Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Syd, Australia Posts: 56 Drives: CLK55	Go the 55, you'll be so glad the moment you put your foot down and feel the rocket takes off! Driving an AMG vehicle is something very special __________________ "There are two tragedies in life. One is not getting what one wants, the other is getting it!"..Oscar Wilde.

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11-04-2009, 12:48 PM	#2
vegas55amg Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6 Drives: 2002 CLK55 AMG Cabrio	mine has been awesome. I bought it in 2005 with only 13k miles on it. it was like brand new. it now has 40k miles on it. had a few minor repair issues, broken convertible top cables ($800), cracked washer fluid reservoir ($200), and this year, the one biggie, the front brakes and rotors needed replacement ($1200 - AMG brakes are huge, and have a huge pricetag). quality is top notch. the designo leather interior includes a leather dash, none of the cheaper looking plastics you will find in the non-AMG models. car is very solidly built. it just FEELS expensive, if you know what i'm saying. the engine is strong. very strong. I just test drove a G37 6-speed last week for fun. they were claiming like 320-something horsepower I think. man it was soooooooo slow compared to my car. there really is NO replacement for 374 ft.lbs. of torque. these cars are very unique. the only down side is that when things do break, they ARE much more expensive to repair than your typical toyota camry. just make sure you do your due diligence and have the car thoroughly checked by a qualified mechanic. you don't want any unpleasant surprises after you've closed the deal. I took mine to an independant mercedes shop in southern cal, the mechanic, an older european guy, took my car for a test drive, spent some time looking under the hood, then put it on the rack and lifted it, I asked him to verify nothing that looked like repaired crash damage. after about 5 minutes looking very closely under the car with a maglight, and taking off the wheels to look at the brakes, he steps back and says, in a heavy german accent, "I do not think that this car has ever been driven in the rain, this car is perfect. I would buy this car."

11-04-2009, 06:11 PM	#3
neilbo75 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: living in Paris, France and San Diego ... Posts: 454 Drives: 2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupé	The AMG model (55) will give you much more bang for the buck than the 430. Both cars are reliable. While the AMG is somewhat more expensive to maintain if you need AMG-specific parts (such as brakes), no one regrets getting the AMG vs the 430.

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