CLK55 AMG

It appears you can get sub 100k mile cars for around the 15k mark. I know they aren't available in manual transmission, and GTO blah blah blah, but is anyone else tempted by these cars? I read up on the platform and most are saying it is the most reliable out of the modern Mercedes. It has to be better then VAG from the same era, right?

Or will this be the first time GRM says bad idea?

No blower

maintenance and parts costs are through the roof. If it was given to me, I'd sell it.

I did a rockauto repair index (not the most accurate I know) and it puts it dead even with an e46 m3 of the same year. Does stuff break on them more often? Is rockauto just plane wrong on this one?

As far as no blower, what about an E55 AMG? It seems like anything out of the AMG world is immediately dismissed by enthusiast. Are they really that bad?

What are you going to use it for? Awesome grand tourer, but not a great sports car imo

I would not expect them to be a sports car. If I were to get one it would most likely be nice weather car and date night car. Not really looking to buy one, just curious. Whenever I see an AMG badge during my commute it always catches my attention.

The early 2000s were a very dark time for Mercedes quality. I'd be wary.......wary enough that I'd buy a Boxster S, M-Roadster, or C5 Convertible instead. YMMV

When would you say they got out of that rut? Or just avoid at all costs?

I am curious also why their value plummets like a boat anchor. Yes, they are complex and complicated. Yes they are expensive to repair but maybe some examples have been well (ya right, sort of well?) taken care of and won't need a lot of repair. At 100K miles, likely the "big stuff" will need replacing so maybe that's why the owners tend to dump them around that mark. I am with the OP on the date night, weekend car thing. You don't want a lowered, bone rattling sports car for that but a MB AMG might feel mighty good to pick up your GF in. I am always amazed, but from past experience going on dates in convertibles/sports cars the women always want me to put the top up so it doesn't mess up their hair or complain about how hard it is to get in/out of the car with a dress on. A sweet MB could be just the ticket. Jarod, please buy one and let me know how your experience goes.

I sure do like the sound of the AMG V8 though. I followed home a SLK 55 AMG and man it sure made me have a major case of the wants.

If you have the money for maintenance and are willing to do some repairs yourself, go for it. You just have to be ready for those expensive parts like a steering rack, etc. Then you can report to us how good, bad, or average the car is. I'm not too tempted by almost any Mercedes since they're not really known to be fun to drive (except C63 AMG Black Series). No manual trans for many of them also kills the desire for me.

Cough 900 dollar brake rotors cough

Jarod wrote: When would you say they got out of that rut? Or just avoid at all costs?

By 2010 or so I think they had things worked out. They had massive problems in 2000-2003. IIRC they were labeled the "least reliable new car" back then. I remember visiting a client who had bought a new 500SEL, and he was so frustrated with the thing constantly breaking he was considering joining a class-action lawsuit. Not sure where the lawsuit went.....but it gives you the idea that he wasn't alone in his frustration.

I'd rather buy a mint, low mileage 560sl for around the same money and be done with it. If it's a "date night" cruiser you are looking for--- it would be hard to find a better car. They were made when Mercedes build quality really was the best in the world. Classy, fast, comfortable, and I've never found a woman who didn't love these cars. Bonus is, you can drive it for a few years and likely sell it for more when you are done. These are expected to jump in price soon.