jturkel

Hey guys

I just dropped off my C32 at the stealership and was shocked to get an almost brand-spanking new CLK550. I did not realize how much power these things had. 382 hp @ 6000 rpm and 391 lb-ft @ 2800-4800 rpm. It weighs ~3720 lbs, compared to ~3540 for the C32.

Now, it definitely feels faster (and might be) than my stock C32. Though, I cant decide if it actually feels faster than my pullied C32 or if it is just that low-end V8 torque on that car that makes it "feel" faster.

Opinions?

Any C32, stock or modified, have any run-ins with one?

c32used

Well enjoy the fact that they lent you a CLK550 I can't say much of those but based on the numbers you mentioned it definitely sounds fast but I bet the extra weight will hamper it at some point or another...

e1000

CK550's are total sleepers. don't forget they come with the 7G.

Al Bundy

Enjoy it, they gave me a PT Cruiser when my C32 was in the shop...

crazeazn

unless theres a drastic gearing difference in the 7speed shouldnt the cars be about the same giving the power/weight ratios.

c32used

The best I ever got was a ML(for a day)...but mostly c230/280sand at times 4matic even when dealer uses Enterprise...

Corrosive

I know that the CLK550 is marginally faster than the old clk55. I still am not certain which is quicker, but v8's can be very deceiving. You may want to post up in the CLK part of this site and see what people say... or at least troll there.

-Mike

MB_Forever

CLK550s do indeed have an extra 30 hp or so, but you have to remember they also lack the AMG tuning. They do not have the AMG ECU software optimized for performance rather than luxury (which Mercedes focuses on). Also, they do not have AMG speedshift in that 7 speed tranny. Of course all the other goodies play a small role as well: lighter wheels, brakes, suspension, etc....

I think both cars should be very close in performance, but I truely believe that once the 550 engine gets a good ECU tune, it'll definately have an edge. Mercedes has a history of leaving plenty of power on the table and once an aftermarket companies start taking advantage of that, you'll see these cars really shine.

However, when it comes to a stage 1 or 2 C32, I don't think the 550s have a chance.

jturkel

you make an excellent point. while driving it around yesterday, i noticed that when i manually shifted it, either using the paddle shifters or the regular shift stick, it had some lag in between shifts. the AMG speedshift is so much quicker than the shifting in that 7Gtronic. It is quite noticeable.

As far as the suspension goes, they are quite mushy and soft. They do not hold a candle to the suspension on the AMGs, at least that i have driven. the c32 and c55 have much tighter steering than the CLK550.

DarkXerox

Ya when I first drove our E550, I was shocked at how easily it lit up the rear tires and how much it pulled while accelerating. The new tranny really makes a difference while accelerating and the engine isnt spinning as fast at freeway speeds (I can take my foot off the gas and I hardly lose any speed). Even bigger diff than my old 300E haha.

But the weight really feels like it is there even though the airmatic smooths out some of the body roll.

MB_Forever

Yes the AMG speedshift enhancement makes the transmission shift 35 to 50% faster than the normal Mercedes tranny. Also, the AMG ECU tuning optimizes power output when at WOT. I'm sure also the suspension and other components help transfer weight and power better when racing for a dig. Also the high performance light alloy wheels and high performance brakes make it generally easier to accelerate and brake. The AMG models get a lot more goodies than just engine power

e1000

Although I'd agree with you on the speedshift enhancements, some of the other points aren't valid in comparison to the CLK550. ECU tuning is totally moot because power is power. Yes the 550 engine could benefit from the AMG tuning, but that dosen't change the fact that even without it, it still makes more power than the C32 or the C55. I'm not 100% certain about the CLK550 but the C-Class sport sedans got the same sway bars and suspension components from the C55. The CLK550 most definitly has the AMG wheels from the C55/CLK55. The 4-piston fixed calipers and 13.6" rotors are also from the C55/CLK55.

Kotcho

based on motortrends review he c32 can pull off a 4.7 0-60 and the clk550 is in the low 5's......as far as 1/4 im sure their close as well.....with the edge going to the c32

jturkel

all i will say to this is that without a doubt, my c32 outhandles the clk550 and i have driven both back to back. the loaner clk550 that i have does have AMG wheels but not the ones that come stock with the C55

e1000

can anyone confirm? the 18" double five spoke wheels look identical to the C55 wheels.

MB_Forever

About the ECU tuning...... I was in no way saying the C32 or C55 is producing more power. I was saying that the ECU tuning from AMG gives the car multiple advantages, such as, optimizing power output when WOT through A/F ratios, timing, etc.... This allows the car to use its power much more productively when racing. I did not say it gives the car more power. I've raced with multiple cars that were producing same hp as my C32 (when it was stock) and most of the time, my C32 pulled on them hard. I felt like the AMG engine was working hard and was pulling even harder This was not a result of more or less power from the engine, but I believe was tuning and better power transfer and use.

The wheels that come on the C-Class sport sedan are Mercedes wheels NOT AMG wheels. They are identical in design to the AMG ones and have the Mercedes symbol, but they are not actually AMG. They are made from different material and weight more. I think Mercedes uses those AMG-Design wheels to appeal to the younger crowd without charging them $1000 / rim.

As for the suspension, I'm not sure exactly of which part numbers they use, but I know in the E-Class, the AMG versions get a different suspension and steering rack, and even firmer airmatic programming.

In the end, what I mean to say is this: if you line up an AMG with a similarly powered Mercedes, the AMG should beat it because Mercedes are tuned more for luxurious and comfortable rides. Even a slightly more hp Mercedes would still have trouble vs an AMG.

jturkel

the ones i have are 18' AMG monoblock. maybe the dealership switched them out b/c it is a loaner vehicle and people would mess up the double five spoke AMG wheels?

i should have clarified what AMG rims were on it.

e1000

I think I understand what you're trying to say about the ECU, but I don't agree when it comes to AMG vs. normal Benz. The CLK550 has already been proven to be quicker than the CLK55, an AMG vehicle. The reason your C32 pulls on OTHER cars that have similar horsepower ratings is that Mercedes and AMG have tendancies to provide a broader, wider powerband, therefore giving a fuller acceleration profile.

I never said that the C-Class sport sedans came with AMG wheels. I said the CLK550 did. Unless anyone proves otherwise, the 18" staggered wheels on the CLK550 are in fact the same AMG wheels that came on the C55 and CLK55. AMG wheels are also not known to be light weight.

AMG cars are great vehicles but facts are facts. Mercedes borrows parts from the AMG parts bin all the time. The 4-piston fixed caliper AMG brakes that came on your C32 are also found on the 2004.5 C230 Sport sedans, C350 Sports sedans, ML500's, ML55's, SL500's and S500's.

l3iGD

turned the S class in today and got a trailblazer -_-

spr

Interesting because I remember a clk55 v. clk550 thread where most agreed that the 55 was faster head to head pulled.

MB_Forever

Yes the CLK55 is faster than the CLK550. Not only by magazine reviews, road tests, members own private test results, but by Mercedes' own published numbers.

e1000

Although I HATE to say this, I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree. The debate about whether the CLK55 is faster than a CLK550 is not that trivial. I have not been able to find a definitive head to head comparison between the two cars. You really can't compare a MotorTrend or any other magazine number against an MB published number either. We all know MB is very very conservative about 0-60 times. As far as member results, I've searched the forum even before I started posting in this thread and found posts confirming both cars have won.

cntlaw

+1
I have big doubt a 550 engine powered MB has the same (better?) exhaust sound than my C55 W203 AMG (cause I heard those S550 were dead quiet) I aint even sure if a regular CLK sports seats hold better than ones on a C55. 7G is a plus plus no question.

jturkel

when i mash the throttle on the loaner CLK550 that i have, it is definitely not quiet. i actually turned some heads on camaros and mustangs earlier today. though, i do not know how it compares with a C55 as I have not heard them at WOT.

the 7G is nice, but like i mentioned earlier, it does not have the AMG SpeedShift. The shifting between gears is a little bit slow, which is a disadvantage.

Not sure about the comfort of the seats, but I miss the seat heaters on my C32 that arent on this loaner. lol.

MB_Forever

Agreed. LOL, at least we agree to disagree

I agree with you on magazine numbers, as they tend to be all over the place depending on whether the magazine favors the manufacturer. A magazine can test a car at high elevation and hot conditions to produce poor numbers or at low elevation and cold conditions to produce favorable numbers. However, I disagree on the MB's numbers part. If you assume MB's published numbers are conservative, then you must assume they are conservative for both C55, C32 and CLK550. For example, if Mercedes lists CLk550 as 5.2 seconds and C55 as 4.9 seconds, and you assume that Mercedes is generally conservative, then of course they are conservative in their numbers for the other car as well. They are not just conservative when it comes to the CLK550 numbers and not to others.

About the members races..... personally, I've read more members saying C55 is faster than CLK550 than the other way around. But because both cars are close in performance, the driver will likely determine the outcome. However, if all things being equal: same road, same driver, same conditions, then the AMG will have an edge. So if you would drive a C32/C55 and time yourself a couple of times, then drive a CLK550 on same road with same conditions, I bet you will have a better time in C55 than CLK550.