Chappy

The spring pads sit on top of the springs. You have to remove the springs to get to them.

I don't know about 5 hours tho...

brianw430

My mechanic replaced all four springs and pads in half that time. It took him about 2.5 hours for springs nad pads only, no shocks/dampers. Five hours seems excessive, but I don't know if that is just quoted from the rate book or what.

Co 55 AMG

The information I find here is priceless. I cannot say it enough: I LOVE THIS FORUM!!!
Rock On!!!!

Learso

Okay,

Yesterday I got the euro-spec springs for my 2001 CLK55. Needless to say I dropped everything, no pun intended, and went to get them installed asap. Around mid afternoon I found a tuning shop that could do them right there and then...I said SOLD! It took one technician working alone exactly 2 hours to complete all four springs and cost me $175.00 total. The car was lowered onto its AMG 18" Monoblock IIs and sunk into its new stance about an inch lower than before. Wowza, it looked so right, so muscular. Prior to intallation I was very concerned that the europ-springs were not going to be low enough but that quickly faded away. The car now looks perfect and the rear fender above the tire is about 25.75 inches from the ground and 1.5 to above the rear tire... and in my mind just right. The front looks custom tailored and I have not measured it.

The problem I encountered yesterday was that the technician accidently popped one of my rear Michelin Pilot Sports during the mounting. Of course they denied everything but at that point I had to decided whether to but two new rears to replace the popped one or just 4 new tires altogether. I have decided to go with 4 new Michelin PS2s and leave the front at 225/40/18 and go a bit wider in the back: 265/35/18. I read lots about pads but judging from I saw there was no reason to go messing the pads at all. In fact, from here on I am done with the suspension/tires/rims part of my car. Whether it gets an upgrade of the brakes and calipers, that is another issue all together. I found that my rim is pealing a bit its coating of paint that it came with. After talking to some people, it seems an overheating issue coming from heavy braking. Brembo's see like the obvious choice here but I will deal with that later. The car will be ready tomotorrow and I will post pics of it soon there after. I still can not imagine anyone not going with the 18" rims for this particular model CLK, its fits so well you would sware its stock.

The ride quality initially, keeping in mind that I am using one snow tire in the rear while I wait for my new tires, is without a doubt better. It's not something an average driver like my wife would feel dramatically different, but to a perfectionist car enthusiast like me, its huge. The car sits very well and is cornering with less roll. Worth every penny.

Thanks to everyone who helped me get the springs from European, great investment!

Learso

Chappy

Congrats. You'll love the PS2s as well

brianw430

Awesome, I can't wait for the pictures! I would like to see your stance with 18's. I found a set of 210 E55 rims for sale on eBay for $1,500 with tires and almost bought them, but thought...not now. Maybe a mistake, time will tell. I am just unsure of 18's at this point until I can drive one with 18's.

Glad you got it done, sorry about the popped tire, but the PS2's are incredible tires, you will feel even more of a difference with those.

Congrats and post pics when you have time!

Learso

I will get the pics up as soon as I can. What are your reservations with going to 18"s just out of curiosity Brian? I found that 17" where disproportional to the car when I bought it, specially the 55s. Even today MB is still making them with 17", do they even offer an 18" optional now? In 2001 they did not. My guess is that they did it to get more impressive numbers: 0-60, fuel economy, and noise. I don't really care too much about 0-60, my pleasure driving the car is above 60 and in lots of curves! I can not see my car without 18"s now, no way. The AMG 18" of the same year keep it looking stock too. Can you imagine an M3, a Maseratti, or a Porsche with 17s?!

More resistance on the road means more work for the engine, but with the 55s it not a problem. It's a matter of taste I guess.

Hey Brian, I am not sure on this but you may want to double check to see if the E55 rims work with your car. The E class sits on a different chassis the the CLK, CLK sits on a C-Class chassis, and thus may not have the width to accomodate the rims properly. But I am not sure on this. I do know that the E-Class chassis has a deeper wheelwell to work with thus easily accomodating a 275 tire.

Learso

PS: Here is a pic of my car half way up Mt. Washington in Oct. of 2002. At this point I still have the 17" and had yet to add anything.

brianw430

Hey Learso, my only reservation is ride quality. The suspension stiffened the ride slightly and my pleasure comes form driving the car down the road. I'm not a real aggressive driver but do love the twisties. For my taste the car handles just fine as it sits and if 18's made the ride more harsh, that would be a negative aspect for my taste, especially if it increased road noise! So, I will just have to find one with 18's that I can drive and compare the two setups. I agree, the 18's look more muscular and I would really like to see yours with the 18's...that might be enough to convince me!

I had asked the question about E55 210 rims fitting on the 208 CLK55 and the answer I got here was yes, but I have not confirmed that anywhere else like the Tire Rack. Just from info obtained here.

Your picture just came through...where are you located? That is a beautiful shot! And are those 18's in the picture?

Learso

In the fall of 2002, my wife and I took a pleasure drive to Mount Washington in New Hamphire. It's the highest peak in the Eastern U.S. The drive was cut short to only half way up as the conditions would not allow anyone from making it to the top. What I remember about this trip is actually going back down the winding road in first gear. Increadibly, the CLK55 never picked up speed in first gear while rolling down the steap roads like other cars would have. I think it went up to 20mph and that was it, no matter the decline! I was so amazed.

Learso

brianw430

Are those the 18" mono's? Gorgeous picture!

Learso

Those are actually 17" Monoblocks, I now have the same but in 18". (see last comment on previous posting).

LOH

Sorry gang, my 55 was rear-ended the other day and is in the shop for repairs so my pics with euro springs will have to wait. Thankfully, it is drivable and didn't look too bad but underneath is another matter. We'll have to see.

Anyway, I too strongly recommend the PS2 as a excellent tire. They are much better than the original Pilot Sport and PZero Nero that I tried and worth every penny IMO.

The E-class monoblocks have a different offset and although they will fit I don't think they are ideal. Personally, I was thinking of going with the twin spoke AMG rims that come on the 209 CLK. They are available in both 17" and 18" in the correct offset for the CLK.

Enjoy the Euro springs as I have found them to be an ideal compromise with stock handling and mildly lowered ride height which suits my poorly surfaced city driving environment. Much more confortable than the H&R/Koni setup I had on my 430 which although handled much much better had a pretty stiff ride. Cheers.

Chappy

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully, everyone was okay

brianw430

Yes, sorry to hear of your 55, but hope it all works out, and that everyone was ok. Could you please explain why the E55 rims would not be the best setup? Is there potential for rubbing? Not real sure on the 18's and I just got new PS2's on, so it wouldn't be until they wear out, but might consider it down the road. I was just thinking those particular rims as they seem to surface for reasonable prices, but Tire Rack does have the CLK55 rims in 18" for a very good price. Actually, I believe the tires are more than the 18" CLK55 AMG rims! I also agree 100% with your assessment of the euro-spec AMG springs and I am just afraid the 18's will make it even more harsh. I have the Carlsson suspension on my 430 and although it handles like no other, it is much more harsh than the euro springs.

I hope your repairs work out fine and get you back in the drivers seat!

LOH

Thanks everyone, nobody was injured. I was stopped in stop-and-go traffic and a chevy astro workvan hit me at maybe 10mph. He and his company insurance accepted full responsibility but I just want my baby back. This is without a doubt my favorite car I've ever owned.

With the E55 rims, let me qualify myself as NO expert but my understanding is that the different offset may put you at risk for rubbing depending on the width of both the rim and tire that you choose. Tirerack or someone with more expertise may be able to offer more advice. The european amg website has a wheel/tire configurator which recommends 235/18 in the front I think and 265/18 in the rear. I don't think this setup will affect the ride too much with the euro springs and it should definitely help traction.

LOH

The european amg website has a wheel/tire configurator...

well they used to. I tried to find it but couldn't.

Learso

Home at last.

Got the car back from the tire shop with the new PS2 this morning. I must say that I am in awe of who beefy this new setup make my car look. I will post pictures in a bit so you can judge for yourselves whether its for you or not. I went with 225 in the front and 265 in the rear, 18" of course, same setup as a Carrera C4. The car looks impressive from the back, lots of rubber to show its not your everyday CLK. Most impressive is the ride, the tightest it has every felt. On the highway I don't have to touch the steering wheel, it feels like it's truly on rails now. The curves at highspeed have become a piece of cake now. The euro-spec springs must get credit for that too. In essence, it feels like I am driving a derivative of a Porsche C2 only with 2 full seats in the back (ha). I am happy with the result.

Learso
(going to take some pictures now).

brianw430

Excellent, and just when you thought the 55 couldn't get any better! Anxiously awaiting the look of the 18's!

Grinning?

Chappy

18s from a W210 E55 will work. Not a W211 E55.

I've been checking some 18s out on ebay on occasion, just to see if I can get a bargain

Chappy

Nuff said

Learso

Like Chappy wrote..time for less words more pics: 2001 CLK55, Euro-Spec Springs, 18" Monoblocks on PS2.

brianw430

Learso, very nice pictures and yes the 18's do make a visual difference, very nice! So where did you get your 18" mono's and how wide is the rear rim?

Thanks Chappy for confirming the E55 rim info! I too have just been checking for deals and if they present themselves, then maybe I would consider. Have you checked the Tire Rack's prices on 18" mono's? Very competitive!

Learso

Glad you liked them.

The 18" rims you can buy at TireRack.com. They are 18"/9"deep and fit anything from a 225 to a 265, maybe even 275. Notice that there is still room between the tire and the fender to fit 4 people and cargo while going over a bump.

Anyway, let's see if they lower a bit more in a few weeks.

Learso.

LOH

Learso, very very nice. Is that black or black opal?

Learso

That is Black Opal LOH.

Incidently, when I took those early shots I did not notice that the gas tank was almost empty. Just filled it up and the space in the back between the tire and the fender has gotten to the size so that I can only fit one fingure in between, which is pretty much what I was hoping to accomplish. The front remains the unchanged after the refuel.

Driving it most of the day I also notice that with the ESP off I don't get nearly the tire spin I used to get with the original Michelin PS. The new PS2 are very nice and very responsive. Went over some bumps at high speed while turning today, no touching of the fenders at all in the back or front.

Will install the 4200k fog lights on Tuesday for closely matching look with the headlights. Installed at 8200K, does not match at all, too blue, too aftermarket looking.

In the back of my mind I keep hearing the word "Kleeman" and visualizing the vanity plate KLEEMN (it's available ;-). If anyone can tell me what their opinion is on this upgrade, perhaps the costliest and most "impacting" on the car overall I would appreciate it.

Thank you,

Learso
Boston, MA