1 of 143: 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG
In 2006 (and 2007) Mercedes-Benz released the first of the M156 V8 powered AMG speed machines including the S63, CL63, ML63, R63, E63, SL63, CLS63, and CLK63. The new engine was a naturally aspirated 6.2 liter screamer that replaced the supercharged 5.4 liter V8 — it made up for the lack of torque with charisma and a screaming 7200 rpm redline. Find this 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG here on eBay offered for $23,995 or best offer located in Chantilly, VA.
The A209 generation CLK was built on shared mechanical components with the W203 generation C-Class, and a few lucky souls (143 in 2007 and 100 in 2008) got the insane AMG CLK63 version for just a few pennies under $100k. Like all AMG branded products, the instant sting of off-the-lot depreciation hits hard, but the 10 year glitch hits even harder for any mass market luxury sedan. There is something magical about the 10 year old German car — be it a luxury class cruiser that cost $120k new, a executive sport sedan that cost $65k or a bargain basement compact 2-door — they all cost about $20k when they hit the 10 Year Glitch (TM).
Powering the AMG version of Mercedes-Benz’s hairdresser with a family‘s car is a 6.2 liter M156 V8 that pushes 475 horsepower and 465 ft-lbs of torque into a 7 speed automatic gearbox. Even with a Buick Roadmaster rivaling 4113 lb curb weight, the CLK63 is fast, and not fast for a convertible, or fast for a heavy sedan — but just plain old fast. It hits 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and will do 12.5 seconds in the 1/4 mile at 116 mph.
The CLK63 also offered surprisingly supportive seats with adjustable lumbar/thigh/side-bolsters and one of the sportier steering wheels found in a modern Benz that wasn’t part of the Black series. With 65k miles on the odometer and in seemingly good shape, this car looks like the perfect daily driver for the person who wants something uncommon and can afford to deal with occasionally expensive repairs.
See a faster 4-seat convertible? tips@dailyturismo.com
Wanna look 20 years older than you are? Buy this car, a tommy bahama shirt, and drive your wife's little white dog around in it.
So I've been shopping recently for a w213 E63, and have learned of an issue with the M156 engine…caveat emptor. Seems that for all M156 engines made through early 2011 (regardless of which model they were used in), there's an issue with weak head bolts. They eventually stretch, and the problem initially shows up as coolant loss, eventually ending up in a hydrolocking scenario.
If the car is out of warranty when this happens, best case is $4k in parts and labor to retrofit the newer style head bolts, and the worst case is needing a new engine. Just thought I'd throw that in there.
Oh yeah, here's a good link:
mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w204/446300-m156-head-bolt-problems.html
Speaking from experience there are a bunch of sketchy transient dealers in that building. Maybe they're legit, maybe not.
Shame about the head bolts, that's the kind of thing where I couldn't relax about it and would put the new ones in before I did any driving.