us_matrix

Hi,

I am driving a 03 CLK320 now and planning to get a used C55 or E55.
When i was reading the catalog from C class. It mentioned that C55 has the same front end (hood) as the CLK style. Is that mean the C55 front end is different (longer) than standard C Class front end?

Thanks.

Harris

Yes, C55 has a different front end as a regular W203. Everything from the windshield forward is the same as the CLK.

rguy

My understanding is that they actually (in true hot rod fashion) take a plasma cutter and cut off the front clip of the w203 body and weld on the front clip of the w209, but then magically change the hood latch mechanism. Thought that was kind of a weird direction to go as it took extra engineering, so I wonder what they needed to improve upon so desperately that a redesign was needed.

cntlaw

I only heard that C55 has a long nose (longer CLK hood) was due to the size of the engine needs more engine compartment room. Presumably, after they have enlarged the room under the hood , then the original hood will no longer be 'long' enough to cover the front.

I like the CLK hood on the C55 except, 2005 W203 's cornering light feature has never been available on the CLK headlamp of the C55.

BlackC230Coupe

Yeah, the C55 is longer.

C320 Overall length 178.2 in
C55 Overall length 181.8 in

NORTH 44 C63

The different grille in the C55 requires the new hood latch as access to the W209 latch is restricted by the top fin and cannot be released

Saprissa

what about the air box cover ?
is the C55 air box the same size as a C-Class W203 V6 C320 ?

mbbodytech

Wow, you guys are way out there! The only thing different about the structure of the C55 is the bolt on front module, or portion forward of the frame rails. This is because the front module of the CLK is longer, to fit the 113 engine. So, it is true that the fenders and grille and bumper is different, but only at the front area.

So, put it this way, there are no differences in any of the welded parts of the C55 and other C sedans.

©32

The C55 shares the CLK's front end to accomodate the V8... but the front fenders are slightly modified (wider flares) compared to CLK... thats makes it the ONLY AMG that requires a bodypanel modification!!! SEE IMAGE

BlackC230Coupe

wow, i never relized the difference in the fenders!

rguy

Um, yeah they do weld on the new clk front end. This came out of a direct report from a tour of the facility where they are made. Either the journalist was lying, which makes no sense, or you are mistaken. You can't just hang a different front bumper and some fenders on an existing unibody frame and expect to get a longer engine bay out of the deal. You have to lengthen the unibody to provide the extra space. Cutting and welding seem very necessary.

As to the issue of the hood latch, my point was why couldn't they just use the same grill as the clk, but remove the star from it. Why spend all the money to redesign it so that the "new grill" can't fit it? Anyway, just throwing it out there. It seems easier to accomodate for use of the clk hood latch in the new grill design than to redesign the hood latch to accomodate for the from scratch design of the grill. It would probably be alot more expensive too because that hood latch is a safety piece. Redesigning that probably has to go under TUV certification testing. You don't want your hood flying open. Maybe the next CLK and future mercedes will have the C55 hood latch and that was there motivation. Who knows...

mbbodytech

[QUOTE=rguy]You are wrong. If you have all of these factory connections, why don't you have them look and see what the part numbers for the wheelhouses (frame rails) and upper longitudinal members (the part that the fenders bolt to) are? Then you would see that there are no differences between the regular W203 and the AMG version. Same WELDED parts. The screwed on front module that is taken from the 209 includes the crash boxes, headlight supports, etc that give the engine just enough room to fit. Here is a picture of the front module from an E class, however it should give an idea of the part that I am talking about.