I wanted to challenge myself. At first I was going to try to find the most horsepower for the least amount of money, in terms of Mercedes-Benz. But then i thought that was too broad and I decided to narrow my focus. I thought about it for a while and decided to try to find an old-school AMG with a naturally aspirated V8. I would prefer a wagon but i know thats not going to happen and a five passenger sedan would be nice, but I had a budget to work with too (preferrably $3,000, but i could go as high as $5,000).
The first car I test drove was a 2003 c32. Five passenger, $5,000, but a supercharged V6. Lots of extra complication with the supercharger and water-to-air intercooler. The car was fantastic though. Really brought a smile to my face. Very fast.
The next car was hard to get an appointment to see. They seller cancelled on me. I cancelled on him. He kept listing the car and lowering the price. $3,900, $3,700, $3,400. When it hit $3,400 i just called him and said where and when. He said he wouldn't be able to see me but his brother would sell the car for him. And that his brother drives an SL, an "SL" (his emphasis). This one was a 2001 CLK55. Naturally aspirated V8 - check, in my priced range - check, 4 seats - no check. But this one had THE wheels. CLK-GTR / DTM style. Two piece Mercedes OEM, made by BBS. Beautiful stuff. I arrive and look the car over. It's nice, but had been repainted.
It's got some weirdness to it. it's COVERED with AMG logos. I mean everywhere. under the hood, under the trunklid (!), just everywhere. inside and out. but thats all cosmetic. But the previous owner, for whatever reason, liked black. he or she spray painted the interior headliner and side panels in black, and part of the engine compartment. just weird stuff.
The guy showing me the car wouldn't let me drive it right away, he had to drive it first, then let me drive. It's fast. very fast. I looked up the numbers and it's as fast as my 996. Stiff suspension.
So I offer $3,000, we settle on $3,200. i'm an AMG owner now. very exciting. 190k on the clock.
After i get it home and look it over I notice that it has Lorinser roof and trunk spoilers. I now have a Lorinser! sweet
I get it home and it's not too bad. needs a few things and some maintenance. It needs brake lines and shocks. Plus i'll do my normal maintenance, transmission service, air filters, coolant flush, spark plugs (16!), oil and oil filter change, brake fluid flush, and diff fluid change.
When I do the oil and oil filter change it does not look like the oil filter has been changed in a while. it's all indented and part of it gets stuck to the oil filter housing when i removed it. i think it had the wrong weight oil in it too.
I wish it had five seats, but it a fun car. you just think about how fast you want to go and you're there. it reminds me of my 400hp corvette c6. so far i'm pleased.
I need to say that the wheels are what sold me on it. My favorite Mercedes is the CLK-GTR, and since this car had the CLK-GTR wheels, I was sold. The way I look at it, with this body style, the next step up from the CLK55 was the CLK-GTR. It's a $740, 000 step. If i remember correctly, this car shared the grill and some interior appointments with the CLK-GTR.
