Basic questions from the FNG
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
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From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
Basic questions from the FNG
Hello Everyone,
My name is Melvin and I'm new to the group. I have been surfing through for a couple of day and everyone seems pretty cool. I just got a 2001 CLK 430 silver/black with the AMG package. Now I am ready to jump in with both feet into making my car my own and wanted to pick your brains. I came from the BMW side of the house but these Merc's are a whole different animal. There are certian areas that I would like to address and any information you could give would be great.
2001 CLK 430
Performance:
1. How do I remove the engine cover to change the air filters to K&N?
2. Does anyone make a intake kit for my car?
3. What is a good exhaust?
4. What is the best way to lower the car and still maintain ride quality?
Style
1. Where can I get the illuminated door sills and how hard are they to install?
2. I have factory HID's so where can I get upgraded bulbs to 6000K?
3. How hard are they to install?
4 What would I need to do to fit 19x10 wheel on the rear for stock setup and a lowered one?
Thanks again for your help
My name is Melvin and I'm new to the group. I have been surfing through for a couple of day and everyone seems pretty cool. I just got a 2001 CLK 430 silver/black with the AMG package. Now I am ready to jump in with both feet into making my car my own and wanted to pick your brains. I came from the BMW side of the house but these Merc's are a whole different animal. There are certian areas that I would like to address and any information you could give would be great.
2001 CLK 430
Performance:
1. How do I remove the engine cover to change the air filters to K&N?
2. Does anyone make a intake kit for my car?
3. What is a good exhaust?
4. What is the best way to lower the car and still maintain ride quality?
Style
1. Where can I get the illuminated door sills and how hard are they to install?
2. I have factory HID's so where can I get upgraded bulbs to 6000K?
3. How hard are they to install?
4 What would I need to do to fit 19x10 wheel on the rear for stock setup and a lowered one?
Thanks again for your help
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,781
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From: The Heights, CA
Tesla Model S
Welcome to the board!
Performance:
1. How do I remove the engine cover to change the air filters to K&N?
Pull straight up from the back of the intake. It's held on by 4 clips that fit over some rubber standoffs.
2. Does anyone make a intake kit for my car?
Your best results will be to get the AMG airbox for a CLK55. Along with some K&N filters it's good for about 15 rwhp.
3. What is a good exhaust?
You won't get much performance from a catback, it really just changes the sound. If you like OEM get AMG's (it's stainless steel and a nice piece). I have a Remus and am happy with it.
4. What is the best way to lower the car and still maintain ride quality?
If you want to maintain ride quality then get adjustable shocks (Koni) and be mindful of how big you go on the wheels.
Style
1. Where can I get the illuminated door sills and how hard are they to install?
www.formymercedes.com They're inexpensive and easy to wire. Wire them to the door pin, not the dome light.
2. I have factory HID's so where can I get upgraded bulbs to 6000K?
D2R bulbs are available all over ebay. Search the forum, I'm sure someone has posted a good place.
3. How hard are they to install?
You have to remove the headlights which involves dropping down the bumper. Search the forum, I think I posted instructions for front bumper removal a long time ago.
4 What would I need to do to fit 19x10 wheel on the rear for stock setup and a lowered one?
You'll have to roll/flare your rear fenders a bit, but you shouldn't have any probs.
Performance:
1. How do I remove the engine cover to change the air filters to K&N?
Pull straight up from the back of the intake. It's held on by 4 clips that fit over some rubber standoffs.
2. Does anyone make a intake kit for my car?
Your best results will be to get the AMG airbox for a CLK55. Along with some K&N filters it's good for about 15 rwhp.
3. What is a good exhaust?
You won't get much performance from a catback, it really just changes the sound. If you like OEM get AMG's (it's stainless steel and a nice piece). I have a Remus and am happy with it.
4. What is the best way to lower the car and still maintain ride quality?
If you want to maintain ride quality then get adjustable shocks (Koni) and be mindful of how big you go on the wheels.
Style
1. Where can I get the illuminated door sills and how hard are they to install?
www.formymercedes.com They're inexpensive and easy to wire. Wire them to the door pin, not the dome light.
2. I have factory HID's so where can I get upgraded bulbs to 6000K?
D2R bulbs are available all over ebay. Search the forum, I'm sure someone has posted a good place.
3. How hard are they to install?
You have to remove the headlights which involves dropping down the bumper. Search the forum, I think I posted instructions for front bumper removal a long time ago.
4 What would I need to do to fit 19x10 wheel on the rear for stock setup and a lowered one?
You'll have to roll/flare your rear fenders a bit, but you shouldn't have any probs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
01' CLK55
Josh pretty much already answered everything for you, however, I had a different answer in mind on the 19X10 wheel on the rear:
The first thing you need to make sure of is the correct offset. Once that application has been taken care of, I've seen 2 rear tire choices : 275/30/19 and 265/30/19. I had the 265/30/19 tires on my lowered CLK w/ spring pad #1 all the way around, and I didn't have to roll or flare my fenders at all. I believe if you go with the 275 set up, you will definitely need to roll and flare your fenders. It also depends on your car....all cars are a bit different.
good luck and welcome =)
The first thing you need to make sure of is the correct offset. Once that application has been taken care of, I've seen 2 rear tire choices : 275/30/19 and 265/30/19. I had the 265/30/19 tires on my lowered CLK w/ spring pad #1 all the way around, and I didn't have to roll or flare my fenders at all. I believe if you go with the 275 set up, you will definitely need to roll and flare your fenders. It also depends on your car....all cars are a bit different.
good luck and welcome =)
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 4
From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
Hey, thanks for all of your help guys. Do you think the HID upgrade will be worth the effort, or is it easier than it sounds to drop the bumper?
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
2000 CLK430 Cabrio
If are upgrading from Halegon light housing to HID housing, removing the bumper is required. If you already have the OEM HID housing installed (it sounds like you do), you shouldn't need to drop the bumper.
You can find generic 6000K D2R bulbs all over eBay, and occasionally you'll see a set of Philips Ultinon 6000K's get posted. I've heard that those are the best quality and brightness for that color temp.
You can find generic 6000K D2R bulbs all over eBay, and occasionally you'll see a set of Philips Ultinon 6000K's get posted. I've heard that those are the best quality and brightness for that color temp.
Last edited by splib; May 8, 2005 at 09:33 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Posts: 4,707
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From: New York, NY
06 SV650S, 11 Santa Fe
I would also suggest checking out http://www.eisenhaus.com/main.php for an exhaust. Their race exhaust sounds amazing.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 4
From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
Thanks, you guys are great. 
I really had no idea what was out there for this platform but now I'm getting that anxious feeling. You know the one, all the idea swirling around in your head about what to do first. But it's even better now because I know what to do. Does anyone know where I can find a CLK55 airbox?
Does anyone have an upgraded sound system? I want to keep the sfactory radio but I would also like more low level base, any suggestions?
I really had no idea what was out there for this platform but now I'm getting that anxious feeling. You know the one, all the idea swirling around in your head about what to do first. But it's even better now because I know what to do. Does anyone know where I can find a CLK55 airbox?Does anyone have an upgraded sound system? I want to keep the sfactory radio but I would also like more low level base, any suggestions?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
01' CLK55
Originally Posted by Ghostrider
Thanks, you guys are great. I really had no idea what was out there for this platform but now I'm getting that anxious feeling. You know the one, all the idea swirling around in your head about what to do first. But it's even better now because I know what to do. Does anyone know where I can find a CLK55 airbox?
Does anyone have an upgraded sound system? I want to keep the sfactory radio but I would also like more low level base, any suggestions?
I really had no idea what was out there for this platform but now I'm getting that anxious feeling. You know the one, all the idea swirling around in your head about what to do first. But it's even better now because I know what to do. Does anyone know where I can find a CLK55 airbox?Does anyone have an upgraded sound system? I want to keep the sfactory radio but I would also like more low level base, any suggestions?
To just add the lower level bass like what you want to do: Just make sure you buy a good quality amplifier that has a bass control knob, so you can control the sound level of the sub independently. If you don't have a bass knob, when you turn up the bass level on your factory deck, you will also increase the bass level in your door and rear speakers, and at high levels, those speakers will start distorting.
good luck
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
01' CLK55
Originally Posted by Ghostrider
I plan on going with an all JL Audio system for the subs and the amp.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 4
From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
Really, what kind setup did you have?
Now to the all important chip question. I have seen a lot of traffic about chips, but the ones that keep coming up are RENNTech, Speed Tuning USA, and Powerchip. Are there any others out there and what info/suggestions could be given. Personal opinions welcome.
Okay can someone help me find a CLK55 airbox?
Now to the all important chip question. I have seen a lot of traffic about chips, but the ones that keep coming up are RENNTech, Speed Tuning USA, and Powerchip. Are there any others out there and what info/suggestions could be given. Personal opinions welcome.
Okay can someone help me find a CLK55 airbox?
Last edited by Ghostrider; May 9, 2005 at 05:45 PM.
