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Our second £5k pick is the R170 SLK320. There will always be some debate about whether the 230 is the one to go for, with its smaller, lighter engine, impressive torque, potentially better fuel economy and smaller running costs, but while a supercharged four-pot is fine, a lusty V6 is just so much more desirable, let’s be honest. The idea of a large engine in a small car is always one that will put a smile on the face of any motoring enthusiast.
Doubling our virtual budget puts a lot more exciting machinery within our grasp and so the first thing we’re naturally going to jump on is a V8 – because why wouldn’t you? – and we’ve opted for the C209 CLK55. We’re not going to beat about the bush because the reason we’re here right now is the M113 under the bonnet, here in its pure NA form, and in the CLK55 it makes an impressive 367hp and a hefty 376lb ft of torque.
It’s time to throw caution to the wind and live a little and while a C215 CL600 will never, ever be even remotely sensible in any way, at this price point you’ll be able to find one that isn’t a complete basket case and we have, of course, opted for the full fat biturbo version. C215 CL600 / ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE MERCEDES BUYING GUIDE WHY YOU WANT ONEWe’re going to be honest, you have to be very, very brave to commit to a CL600 – if you are then there are a lot of reasons to want one.
There had to be an M113K-powered four-door in this guide and it came down to either the W211 E55 or the CLS55 and, as you can see, the CLS was our choice. WHY YOU WANT ONEThere are several reasons – first of all, while it may be a larger and heavier car, the CLS is also 30% stiffer than the E-Class, it’s lower and it has quicker steering for a more responsive helm, and while the W211 did eventually receive the quicker steering, all CLSs had it from the off.
We’re back with another SLK but with our rather more substantial budget we’ve been able to treat ourselves to the full-fat SLK55 and if you’re looking for full-on driving thrills, this is the machine for you. While rivals BMW and Porsche were happy putting their hottest straight-sixes into their range-topping roadsters, AMG’s engineers decided to stick a V8 into the diminutive R171 SLK and the result was completely and utterly unhinged, and that’s exactly why it’s on our list.
As if you need a reason to want a monstrously fast V8-powered super-saloon? The W212 received a couple of different engines in its lifetime, starting with the 6.2-litre M156 V8 before then being fitted with the M157 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 in 2011 and then receiving what was surely be the most dramatic facelift of just about any car ever made in 2013. Whichever engine you go for, and whether you opt for the more angular pre- or smoother post-facelift model, the W212 E63 is an awesome machine.
Even 18 years on from its launch, the R230 SL remains arguably one of the best-looking models Mercedes has ever produced. The styling is just so right, sleek, elegant, perfectly proportioned, beautifully balanced and there’s not one bad angle anywhere on this car. It looks as good today as it did when it was launched, and perhaps even better because each subsequent angular generation has only served to highlight how good the R230 truly is.
The W205 C63 had a very hard act to follow because its predecessor, the W204 C63, was so awesome and so popular, and while this was a very different car, slightly less raw and wild perhaps, it was no less impressive. Buying Guide W205 C63 AMG OVER £20K WHY YOU WANT ONEIt’s a spectacular performance saloon and there’s a lot about this machine that makes it a very tempting proposition. Let’s begin under the bonnet with the M177; yes, the 4.
After the SLS, the GT is AMG’s only other standalone creation that isn’t based on a Mercedes model and, as far as we’re concerned, it’s absolutely stunning. Unveiled in 2014 before going on sale in 2015, the GT was developed with assistance from Lewis Hamilton and was designed to compete with – and beat – the best sports cars on the market.
When new, the first generation SLK mesmerised with its seductive looks, vario-roof arrangement and sporty handling, and now you can pick one up for just a few thousand pounds. Words David Sutherland. Images Terry Oborne & Daimler AG.
The first instalment of this new series looks back at the 124-series 500E, launched at the Paris motor show in October 1990. It set a new high watermark for four-door saloon performance and is fast becoming a favourite among collectors with its link to Porsche.
Our recently acquired AMG is being brought up to scratch This generation of C63 has long been my dream car, and as you may have read in our ‘Living the Dream’ feature two issues ago, after recently spotting a well-optioned 2010 estate for sale I finally took the plunge. A 480bhp rear-wheel-drive AMG will struggle to disappoint even the most seasoned drivers, but, with this technically being my very first car, it’s safe to say that I’m rather pleased with my purchase.
Champagne motoring — not for laying down. Ben Selby checks out the next Mercedes-Benz SL to climb the value ladder and learns how to avoid the snakes. By Ben Selby. It could be argued that the Mercedes-Benz SL has carved out its own niche in the sports car world, offering more sporting performance than most roadsters derived from saloons and certainly more refinement and luxury than most other sports cars.
AMG’s superhatch is even more appealing with the savings available from BuyaCar BuyaCar Buying Guide: Mercedes-AMG A45 S Mercedes-AMG is better known for its V8-powered super saloons than its hot hatchbacks, but after a shaky start with the original AMG A45 of 2015-2018, the latest version is something really quite special – so much so in fact that it secured a third-place finish in 2019’s evo Car of the Year.