On first sight, this AMG beast could be mistaken for any Mercedes CLK model of that era. The silver AMG alloys were available on other models at that time. For those with a keen eye, this model sits lower and the front fog lights are round, not the standard oblong style. A walk around the rear of the car the model variant reveals itself by the boot badges to be the 55 AMG model.
Presented with aluminium door sills depicting ‘V8’ when opening the long driver’s door, the seating position seemed perfect and the leather seat comfortable. The leather was non pinchable due to its thickness – this was quality upholstery. I liked the grey sloping dashboard with black ash veneer inserts. The seat adjustment levers covered every ergonomic seating angle for which there were memory buttons for three people.
A turn of the key created a quiet deep rumble noise as the five and a half litre V8 engine burst into life. Engaging drive in the 5 speed ZF automatic gearbox that is also installed in the ’S” class, pulling away and the subsequent ride was such a smooth ‘rolling’ feeling. The car felt quite heavy and confident progressing the side roads in search for a dual carriageway or motorway. The ambience inside the cockpit gave a sense of quality and attentive engineering. At around £50k at the start of the millennium for this variant, it lived up to the expectations of having no creaks, rattles or economical shortcuts.
Back in 2011, I purchased her up from a north London dealership for a 50 mile journey home. After a few miles and all warmed up, negotiating the first roundabout led me onto an empty dual carriageway which I tested the acceleration ability up to the legal limit. Exiting the roundabout it felt like I was in second gear – no advisory visual display back then, I hit the accelerator which brought a smile to my face as the car launched me to 70 without an audible changing of gear and a very noticeable, not so subtle roar of the AMG V8. The relationship had begun.
Some luxury features included a thoughtful chute with a ski bag between the rear seats which comfortably seated two adults. A Nokia mobile phone under the box between the front seats. Usable with a SIM card and a phone network for a few years before these became obsolete. The front seats were incorporated with extra support from a multi contour support system that with the use of a command stick inflated the bolsters and other parts of the seat to custom support your thighs, shoulders and lower back.
Tipple
Running costs were the usual expected fuel consumption figures which I was happy with attaining 25mpg on average. Main dealer servicing was very expensive, but as it was straightforward and the car at this stage was eleven years old, I purchased genuine parts from Mercedes, ran it on Mobil 1 oil and did the servicing and maintenance myself. There were different parts fitted for this model from the CLK line-up, including the aforementioned front fog lamps and brake disc and pads which were low volume produced items. This was reflected in the replacement premium prices! I replaced all the brake disc and pads at one stage but held back replacing a slightly cracked front for lamp due to its extortionate cost. Changing the 16 spark plugs was challenging due to the lack of space available in the engine bay as the large V8 was shoe horned in. The plugs were low down and angled at four o’clock due to the ‘V’ shape of the engine.
I owned the car for over 7 years and got her up to 200k without missing a beat. A failed MOT due to required floor pan welding forced me to sell her on as is. The cost of the welding repair unfortunately was not cost effective for me to facilitate. German vehicles around the 2000 year era seemed to suffer from rust problems due to some economising by the manufacturers on their choice of sources for steel. A vehicle dealer purchased her from me without viewing, had her welded, sold her on and was duly back on the road within a few weeks.
The original purchaser from new was one of the co-founders of the Innocent drink company. I have a couple copied photos from Google Earth of this car parked in the Innocent staff car park and after owing for a year I discovered under the passenger seat electric motors when doing a thorough interior clean, his business card amongst some sweet wrappers. Amazing what gets dropped under seats!
This year model AMG was amongst the last of the Mercedes line-up that wore the three star chrome emblem on its radiator grille. Being an AMG, the buyers of this top CLK variant at new were not spending their hard earned cash for this premium priced AMG for the nice badge, stylish wheels or some extra trim level. No, it was for the 8 pot monster under the bonnet and what it was capable of. A great car, well engineered. A future classic for the surviving ones I think.
