Bought a CLK63 AMG Black Series, my 2 cents of ownership and pics

With help from a few fellow F-Chatters, I got feedback on the CLK63 AMG Black Series, I test drove it and now its mine. Just thought I'd post my 2 cents after nearly 2 weeks of ownership, along with a few pics.

I think many of my comments mirror those posted in an earlier Black Series post as well as 6speedonline and mbworld forums. I consider it a hybrid of multiple cars; I'll do my best to explain. Having been a former Maserati GranSport owner, I think its safe to say its a very similar car, but with a shot of steroids!! I'm not saying one level better, but at least 2 to 3 levels better, its that good. Everything I liked about the GranSport, but wish it had better handling, more power, better sound, its all there in the Black Series. Like the Maser, its 2 different cars in one. The suspension is very compliant, not bone jarring at all. It can be driven long distances without complaints. At slow speeds, the steering has some heft to it and the car feels heavy as you would expect from a 4000lb car, similar in feel to my old 1994 MB E500. But give it gas and the magic of this car begins. Steering and handling completely change. The tail is so easy to whip and yet so controllable. In my Gallardo you have to ring its neck to get the fun out of it, but the Black is fun at all speeds and thats what makes this car so special. I'm an average Joe driver with a few driving schools and track time under my belt, but it makes you feel so confident to push it hard, especially on the turns. Glued with no body roll at all. Many Benz's have the ESP light flashing every second, as the computer tries to make things safe, the Black gives you a lot of leeway and with the ESP off its a drift monster. It really feels 1000lbs lighter at speed than it is and thats the shock to anyone who drives it. I think we all knew AMG could build a car like this and now they have.

Unlike the Gallardo, which has a flap in the exhaust that opens at 3500 revs or so, there is none on the Black, its quiet when cruising, but hit the accelerator and its loud off the bat. The seat's very large side bolsters really hug you more than any car I've ever had, no comparison to the Gallardo or GranSport, actually they remind me of my son's Golf R32 Koenig seats. The speedo lights up red to indicate redline and the carbon fiber treatment is tastefully done inside and out. The paddle shift is not exotic like a Ferrari or Lambo is, but it fits the character of the car perfectly, the shifts are quick and reminds in a way of the DSG found on Audi's, seamless.

A few interesting tidbits I found out from fellow Black Series owners, the fully adjustable suspension was done by KW, and it isn't the same as the F1 Safety Car currently has, however for the 2008 F1 season, the Safety Car will be the same suspension as the Black Series, so that tells you a lot how good it is. The Safety Car does have an advantage on the exhaust however, a little more flow and ecu upgrade, so it has about another 40 or so horsepower on the Black's 500hp rating.

I was an annual visitor to the USGP and always wondered how good that F1 Safety car was. Now I know, its truly is as good as you think it is. I've gone through a couple nice cars recently, but the Black Series may be the best car I've ever had. I've always had a heart for not getting rid of my 1994 Benz E500, mainly because it is the last of the old school Benzes. Sure there are more powerful sedans out there, but there not as special as my Porsche built E500, its a legend and I think the Black Series ranks right up there with it. It will be very hard to sell this car as the years pass, and like the E500, I think it will be in the family for a very long time.

Kudos to the guys at MB of North Olmsted who delivered the car to me in Vegas. Bottom line, go and test drive one!!!
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Thanks for the comments Steve. I too look forward to driving into the Nevada moutains to see how well it works. Hopefully some track time too this summer. You're right about it being a projectile, the power is very progressive and its direct steering is the best of any of the modern Benzes I've driven, more Porsche than Benz. Its no surprise this car seems be gobbled up by many Porsche GT3 owners. The Black is really not too far off from that car. I read recently on another board a current 911 Turbo owner ran at the track all day, swapped to his friends Black Series and in just 4 or 5 laps beat his best Turbo time, so its got the attention of a lot of racers out there.

To answer your question, she really likes the car. She's had a Benz herself for awhile so I think familiarity is coming into play here. The big plus is I'm going to drive it a heck of lot more than the Gallardo and because its so subtle I don't have to worry where I drive or park it.