Hi all, I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself. I am a new owner of a beautiful silver 2000 clk430. Sorry, I don't have any pictures yet, I will have some taken tomorrow. I am coming from owning 2 1995 (E36) BMW M3s, so I am looking to

1) lower the suspension about 1" while MAINTAINING the ride quality. With BMW, it was Eibach/Koni.. Ebay has Tokico and Bilstein setups. What do you all recommend? Where should I go to get the best prices?

2) The engine is way powerful, but what can I do to the engine to make it more peppy/ increase throttle response?

I also want a chrome exhaust tip - can I just score one on ebay? What are some other good upgrades I should consider while shopping?

Thanks! Looking forward to some solutions.

Ok, so I was searching around and saw a nice drop with H&R springs. Wouldn't you guys recommend changing the shocks too and not just the springs? I want a comfortable ride with 1" drop.. still searching.. but waiting on suggestions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/KYB-SHOCKS-SPRIN...QQcmdZViewItem

Decent?

search function will help you a lot.
but heres what most people do correct me if im wrong

susupension
h&r springs or eibach (go with h&r if your going to upgrade your wheels to 19's)
you can also adjust the spring pads size which are little shimmys that go above the spring make a little difference.

Bilstein shocks or koni adjustables

ive got hnr spring with bilstein shocks with 19's. rides and handles great better than stock great turning everything.

Or you want a big drop go with the cup kit

dont know too much about upgrade of power cause i have the 320 you have a 430 so from what i hear you can upgrade your intake into a 55 amg intake, then you have eisenmenn exhaust remus. most people like eisenmenn. theres a thing called sprinterbooster not sure if it will work which makes your throttle quicker but not 2 sure if it will work.

if you upgrade your rims do 19's most people do staggered setups wider in back.

theres not 2 many kits out there for the clk so far the carlsson rs kit is out there but fitment is not great at all best one from what i hear is from felix. theres a brabus lip kit. and theres the lorinser kit most of the kits are pretty pricey and hard to get your hands on.

thats most of it somebody else chould fill in what ever else there is or use the search funcion.

get some pics up asap.

We have a Group Buy going on for Remus exhausts, have a look at my signature!

Thanks! This is VERY VERY helpful. I'll look into the AMG intake.. Does the AMG exhaust fit the 430? I honestly just want a little more aggressive note (not much more than the stock 430 - which is very very mild) and a chrome tip. I haven't had good experiences with Bilstein with my BMWs. It is always too stiff and a harsh ride.

Where is a good online store to buy these parts? (springs/shocks) maybe find an AMG intake? Where can I find 19s - I would want to get AMG wheels if possible?

Does anyone know about these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-WH...QQcmdZViewItem

Those are Brabus replica wheels. My friend has them on his clk and the clearcoat began to peel after a year.

If you want smooth springs with a drop the best I have ever dealt with is the Kleemann speed sensitive springs and bilstein shocks. I have a set with ~7k miles on it that I'm selling for $600 + shipping and they came off a CLK55

600 is for the Bilstein Sports and Kleeman springs? Can you post a picture of the exact drop? I need to know how low it will take me. I only really need 1.00 -1.50" MAX all around. With 19's I don't want to crack any rims.

Yes, 600 + shipping, but like I said they are used. Here is a pic I have uploaded with the springs/shocks and 19's (click on the pic to enlarge it). Keep in mind I have a lower bumper than stock and that my front end is heavier than yours.

I have H&R w/ Bilstein shocks...smallest spring pad in front and stock in back. I would suggest a smaller pad in the rear. (i accidentally ordered 4 front pads instead of 2 front 2 rear, hehe)

Here's a pic before the shocks. it sits a little lower now. You need shocks too. Esp for ride quality.

Those kleemann spring would be sweet.

I probably got one of hte best deals on shocks/springs here. I bought H&R's new shipped for $125, somebody never put em on. And I got barely used Bilsteins for $200 shipped from CLK FAN when he needed a different setup for his 20s. This is normally $250 for springs and $350-400 for shocks. BB's setup would be sweet w/ the kleemann springs.

Keep in mind I am coming from a BMW M3 and that thing handled AMAZINGLY. I feel like I'm driving a truck with how high this stock clk430 suspension is. I plan on putting on 19s.

Can someone talk to me about clk55 intakes, or some kind of better intake system?

Will the clk55 exhaust bolt up to my 430?

BLACKBENZZ you have an email.

CLK55 intake is supposed to increase power and there is also a renntech c/f airbox available. Theres been plenty of debates about which is better but I wont touch on that. I personally have the renntech box on my CLK430.

The CLK55 muffler will indeed bolt up to your CLK430 but if you want the loud growl get the Eisenmann Race (which I also have on my CLK430 and there are sound clips on youtube).

If you were local I could sell you all 3: Kleemann springs and bilstein shocks, renntech intake, and CLK55 muffler. But since you're in Cali and these things require big boxes I think the shipping will be too much. If you know anybody thats travelling from here to there they could bring it over for you

I just got your email and responded. Sorry for the delay.

heres a pic of my suspension before/after (keep in mind that it isnt completely settled in the after pic) ...its a lil lower now...
im on H&R sports and Bilstein sports..#1e pad in front; #4 clk in the rear and about 110 lb of audio in the trunk..


this is how its sittin now:


heres some pics of my intake install in this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ally+installed

and heres a thread for my exhaust..i went with the eisenmann race exhaust..chek out the pics and youtube vids ta c how it sounds...:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w208...+modding+begin

Just want to throw up a picture of my old M3 (i've had 4 bmws). I'm trying to get the CLK suspension to handle at least a little closer to it.

Here is a pic of my ride with a nice drop...(H&R Sport Springs, Bilstein Sport Shocks) Welcome to forum.

Your H&R Sports look a lot lower than almost every picture I've seen with them installed. did you remove or adjust your spring pads??

Here is an update for any of you who've wondered where I've been in the last 2 weeks.

I really want to thank everyone for their help. I'm very satisfied with the outcome. The pictures above are of my CLK430 lowered on H&R Sport and Bilstein Sport shocks, 19x 8.5 / 19x9.5 Monoblock wheels.

looken good iv got my new suspension (BB's old one) coming in and than a quick install for that right look. love the rims

Beautiful E36 M3.
1999?

1995 It has 99 M3 wheels, so great guess!

Wow! Def. does not look like a 95.

My friend just bought a 99 M3 with 56k miles.







I was pretty sure, your m3 was a 99 too.

Yeah, I absolutely LOVE that model BMW M3. I'm considering getting another one soon enough. For now I am trying to enjoy the merc.. but what I am beginning to realize is that it is not really ME. a few weeks ago when I was looking to buy another car, I was hoping to get an 1997 840ci, but the seller did not call me back until a day after I bought the clk. One day I'll have one.. it just may be a year before then..

I love that model also. I was on the market for an 1999 e36 2d coupe, M3 or 328is a few months ago, but decided to keep my CLK.

Just a month ago, I sold my 1996 E38 740iL and miss it a lot
I'm hoping to buy a 2001 740iL w/sports package.

The CLK looks great with the 19" rims, nice job.