brianw430

Are those 9" all the way around? Makes rotating quite nice eh? Kleemann huh, I've already gotten my first ticket within a week of driving mine...my fault as I had the V1 turned down and was playing with the controls and did not see the v1 screaming at me...damn! So if you sc that bad boy, may want a jammer!

Learso

Brian,

They are not 9 all around, front is more narrow, dont remember exactly.

Sorry about that ticket, that sucks. I had a K40 jammer custom installed about 2 weeks ago, front and rear bumper. Very happy with it as its totally hidden from view.

The real question I have is what happens to reliability once the SC is installed. Is the performance and power smooth or is it raw? I will have to save my pennies if I get one, its going for like 16K fully installed...ouch.

Learso

PS: two more pics, notice the mismatch in the fog light color I was talking about.

brianw430

The last picture I feel is the best one showing the 18's. A very muscular stance. Boy that looks good! Yeah, thanks, but the ticket was my own fault for having the V1 turned down..duh

I have not heard about reliability issues with Kleemann sc, but I do know our engines are already running high compression and a sc will certainly add to the stress of the engine. Coolcarlski was talking about adding thicker head gasket and doing something else with the bolts to lower the compression a little to help reduce stress. I believe it makes the stroke a little longer, thus lowering compression some. A BMW thing from the way I read it. Kleemann people will certainly know all about the reliability issues I'm sure.

Good luck and hang on if you sc the beast!

I'm starting to like the 18's more and more!

Chappy

Learso, looks great! I really like th Black Opal color too

I am very tempted by 18s. But, have just 2500 miles on the current set of PS2s plus already have another set at home in stock size. Looks like I'll be swimming in 17s for a tad longer....

BklynBenz

looks good!

if the amgs are staggered then they should be 18 x 8 and 18 x 9

Learso

Chappy,
Thanks. Keep the 17" with the new tires but if you really want the 18" just place an add out there for someone who may want to buy them. That is how I sold my old rims with the tires. There are always people wanting those wheels.

Brian,

BLKNBNZ is correct, they are staggered and are 8 in the fron and 9 in the back.

I put about 100 miles on the new setup and so far I am very, very happy with it all. This is a good set up for a CLK55. The lowering when the euro-spec springs is does not look significant with the car is empty of gas and people but with two people in the car and a full tank of gas its right on the money...the fender is in-line with the fender. No touching so far.

Thanks to everyone for the great resource this forum provides MB drivers.

Learso

Stiggs

Can I get these Euro spec springs for a W209 CLK 55?
What should I expect to pay at the dealership for parts and total install?
Do I order the springs from the dealership or should I go elsewhere?

Man......I really want to lower my car now. I think I would stick with my 17" rims for now.

Thanks
Stiggs

Learso

I go them from Gert in Belgium that works in a Porsche tuning company. Contact him for details. Gert Carnewal [gert@carnewal.com]

He was very good in all aspects of the transaction.

Learso
2001 CLK55
2002 ML320
2003 ML 350

Stiggs

What do you order....just 4 springs?
How much does that cost?
Then go to the dealership to have them installed?
Pay for labor?

Learso

I paid somewhere around 395 euros. It took 5 days (with a weekend included) for the parts to get here, yes 4 springs. Then go and get them installed in a reputable place that won't charge you an eye and a leg for it. You will have to do the alignment probably there after. Best leave that to the mechanics to say for sure.

For more it would be best to read this entire thread on the subject, we have pretty much covered all that there is to it. All the questions have been answered here.

Good luck,

Learso

brianw430

Stiggs, as Learso indicated, you can buy them from Gert and I too had a great experience purchasing the springs from him. You may also want to consider any front end work for the same visit to the shop. Spring pads are also a common replacement part to help in the lowering process. Since you have a 2003, there really shouldn't be any maintenance items along with it. A 2 bumnp pad in front and 1 bump pad in the rear seems common...that is what I did and you can check out the pictures in my thread also.

I paid $365 Euro which included shipping (check exchange rates) and then another $140 to have them installed at my local shop, not a dealer. I received them about a week after the order.

Good luck!

Stiggs

well I guess I should've figured the dealer was not the best place. I called my dealer today and asked about lowering. He said they don't do it because of the bumper height regulations and it wouldn't be legal, but when he gets a chance he will call me back with a good place where I can get it done.

Thanks for all the help.
If all goes well I will be posting before and after pics!

Stiggs

Alright!!
Talked with Gert and ordered my AMG springs!!!!

So far all I can tell is that I need a 4 wheel alignment after they are installed?
No need to adjust the camber.....correct?
I'm a little nervouse because everyone here that has done it has been on a W208 not a W209.
Oh well...keep my fingers crossed!

brianw430

Congrats on the spring purchase, you'll like them! No camber issues yet and there shouldn't be according to Gert.

Stiggs

Ok...one more question......Will the spring pad size be different for my car since I have a W209 and you guys all lowered your W208?
Should I still go with a 9mm front and 5mm rear?
Thanks

brianw430

I do not think there is any straight answer for what pads go on which cars. I could be wrong, but even between 208's I believe the pads may vary. I'm not sure how you would know what is on yours without looking at the pads. The Euro springs do not lower the car as much as some others, so just check out the pictures and see if that is what you like. Chappy and I both have 5 & 9 mm pads.

WhyTry! CLK 55

This is my first post.

I purchased my 2002 CLK 55 AMG back in December of 2003. The vehicle is stock metallic silver with the original 17" Mono-II (I know ... I'm looking to eventually go to the 18" rims, but I did (after Chappy's and Brianw430 already taking the plunge) purchased the Euro-spec springs ... I ordered them from Gert yesterday ... He is great with his timely responses as well as his expertise with the Euro sports cars.

In addition, I followed Chappy and Brian and got the pads ... 5 ( 1 bump) in the rear ... 9 (2 bump) in the front. According to Gert ... the pads are interchangeable on all CLK models ... both American and Euro ... which makes sense ... but I went ahead and bought new pads all the way around instead of just taking the 9 (2 bump) which is stock on American CLK models (55 AMG) in the rear ... to meet ride height requirements ... and switch it to the front ... and just buy a 5mm to replace the rear ... as was recommended by my mercedes mechanic.

I do have one question ... for Chappy, Brianw430, or anyone else with the upgraded Euro-spec springs along with 5mm in the rear and 9mm in the front ... Did you need to get an alignment or any other mechanical adjustments after the springs were installed?

Gert said I wouldn't need to ... but you guys have "boots on the ground" on this issue and I could use some visability/clarification ...

Any way ... GREAT FORUM ... and I'll be actively participating from now on here on out!

If there are any AMG shows planned near Tampa FL in the future, count me in.

2002 CLK 55 AMG: Brilliant silver, Command/NAV, Voice recognition, Charcoal interior with Black and White Designo nappa leather, Xenons, 17" Monos w/Dunlaps ... lousy tires ... will be switching to PS2s as soon as they wear out.

Stiggs

Here's an update on the situation so far:

The springs arrived today! Gert is awesome!
I went to the local guy that does work on BMW's and some mercedes to get a quote. He broke the work down by the hour. He said the front springs will take 3 hours to put on......the rear springs will take 2 hours....and the alignment 1 hour. Just to be safe he said the whole job would be about 6-8 hours!!! At $75 per hour. He said "you're looking at a $600 job."

I almost crapped myself! And on top of that I asked about the spring pads and he wanted to know if I ordered them already?? What?? Then he wasn't sure what spring pads were suppose to go on there! He wanted to know what pads Mercedes recommended for these springs.

OK.....I will definitely shop around.

I also e-mailed Gert and he said all you need is a four wheel alignment...no camber issues. He also said that 2 bump front and 1 bump rear should be perfect even for a W209. Geez....I hope Gert knows what he's talking about!
Maybe I'll have pics by next weekend!!

WhyTry! CLK 55

Wow ... that's alot of labor ... I know mine is a 2002 ... but my mechanic ... at the MB dealership saild he'd have the new pads and springs installed in less than 1 - 1 1/2 hrs. Alignment would be the normal price.

You may want to get a second opinion ...

brianw430

First, welcome whytryclk55! I'm fairly new here also and glad to see more new people arriving! I would say anytime you are removing parts associated with your wheels, count on an alignment. I had some front end work ocmpleted also, so I had to have an alignment.

Stiggs, certainly shop around. That quote sounds really high for replacing springs. I don't remember exactly, but I think my mechanic had all four done in about 2 hours. Then off to the alignment shop.

The spring pads are really personal preference for ride height. I believe you can put any of the pads on there you wish, just dpeends on high or low you want it to sit. They just come from the factory different, as Schorchie indictaed, depending on options. The 1 & 2 bump pads just make it sit lower. Plus I think people take into consideration the weight of the engine, therefore using 2 bump up front instead of 1.

Stiggs

What's the deal????!!! Why won't my MB dealership even talk to me about changing the springs?? They flat out said they don't do it. I spoke to me dealer and my service rep. How did everyone else get it done at the dealership? It just doesn't make sense!

LOH

Try a different dealer even if you have to drive a little. My dealer didn't hesitate and charged me about $200 if I remember correctly. I had it done on two separate cars and the bill said something like install customer supplied parts. Simple as that.

Maybe my 208 CLK55 is the odd one but after lowering there was a lot of negative camber which required a camber kit. After the dealer installed the kit the car aligned with no problem. Also I agree with brian in that the spring pads are both unique to each car and ultimately depend on personal preference as to how high or low you want it. Through my trial and error I ended up with 4/1 F/R and have a 1-1.5 finger gap both front and rear.

Stiggs

This is really starting to turn into a nightmare. I decided to shop around at some other dealerships. The Hartford dealership (New Country) said the labor alone to replace the springs would cost me over $600. Then there's the alignment.......$130.
The dealership in Rhode Island (Inskip) wouldn't even give me a price unless I brought the car in so they could "look at it". I also called my dealership to see how long a job like this usually takes and the guy on the phone said about 2 + 1\2 hours for each side of the car!!! 5 hours total!!! I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. How is everyone getting away with slapping these springs on for $200 and in 2 + 1\2 hours? My last hope is another independent shop which still hasn't returned my calls yet. I can't imagine he'd be any cheaper.
Can it get any worse for me? This whole spring job will probably end up costing me nearly a grand! The worst part is I already have the springs.....they are just begging to be put on!
The saga continues.....

Co 55 AMG

Chappy, it has now been several months since you did your Euro Spec mod. How do you feel about it now with real world testing on it? How is the ride and handling compared to factory U.S. Spec.? Lastly what kind of road conditions are you running on? (ie) potholes, rough or uneven surface. Thanks for your views.
Brianw430 I would ask the same question of you.

allenjdmb

I've got lots of experience here, and been messing with 208's since the day they came out.
Stiggs, yes, you need to find the right guy. Anyone that has no more knowledge than that about these cars doesn't need to be working on it. And yes, the pad thing is sort of black art. There is no absolute. There is no doubt that MBUSA is super paranoid about ride height and ride quality, and those will both be affected by the pads. Let me say one more time that you MUST measure your car before and after to see if the setup suits you, and although a high percentage of the people on these boards think so, they are not supposed to be the same height front and rear. They are supposed to be a bit "nose heavy", in compensation for fuel, passengers, and/or luggage.
I also don't think that enough people take the camber issue into consideration; I would not install any spring set on a 208 without installing the crash bolt set in the front. Without it, I'd be willing to bet you've got way too much negative camber in the front. Benz cars now have so little adjustment in the suspension that you need the ability to properly dial in the front. The rear is NOT adjustable. And BTW, if you think you're going to install the H&R and not have camber issues in the rear, think again. I'll be glad to show you several Pilots, Dunlops, and SO3's that will get your attention.
I had told Steve I was going to do a mini comparo with the H&R's and the Euro spec AMG--I just exchanged them about 500 miles ago. Suffice to say that the AMG stuff does ride a bit better, is not quite as low, and is a good value from Gert, who provides excellent service. But frankly, not as different from the H&R's as I suspected. I'll try to get some pix up, mine's a convertible with some other mods, so maybe it will give some insight. Hope this helps.