More horsepower for a 320CLK (1999) w/ 35K miles
08-06-2003, 03:10 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More horsepower for a 320CLK (1999) w/ 35K miles
I recently bought a practically mint condition 1999 320CLK with 35K miles on it and was thinking of upping the horsepower by perhaps going to BRABUS and installing new camshafts and maybe a new muffler and a K and N Air filter for free flow of air. Anyone done this before? Was it worth it? I am told I should get a 25HP boost by doing all of this; but will it be worth the $5K price tag? And I think it would still be slower than a 430! Darn. Anyone got good experience for a free flowing muffler? I am told that the exhaust manifold of the V6 3.2L engines are good and there is no need to change them.
I really like my 320 CLK car - it's very clean and my wife would for sure divorce me if I was to trade it in for a 430! So I figure best would be to make these engine changes under cover of darkness!
Except - Brabus would want to hold my car for 4 days! That will be a hard one to do!
Also - has anyone upgraded to 18 inch wheels, BRABUS and many others have them. I notice that my CLK tends to act boat like and point its nose up in the air every time I floor the accelerator; I noticed that the 430 I also test drove at the dealership did not do the same. Would it be better to get stiffer shocks or tighter springs, or both for my 320CLK? I also kind of like the soft ride it has...
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Vidur
I really like my 320 CLK car - it's very clean and my wife would for sure divorce me if I was to trade it in for a 430! So I figure best would be to make these engine changes under cover of darkness!
Except - Brabus would want to hold my car for 4 days! That will be a hard one to do!Also - has anyone upgraded to 18 inch wheels, BRABUS and many others have them. I notice that my CLK tends to act boat like and point its nose up in the air every time I floor the accelerator; I noticed that the 430 I also test drove at the dealership did not do the same. Would it be better to get stiffer shocks or tighter springs, or both for my 320CLK? I also kind of like the soft ride it has...
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Vidur
08-06-2003, 04:14 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Let me be the first of many to tell you... save your $5k, and save a little more and spend about $8k on a klemmann S/C... that will make it faster than a 430... i think...
08-06-2003, 04:16 PM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yup... here are the specs...
CLK320
3.2 V6 CLK 32K Sport Compressor System
(klm-208sc1)
original HP 221hp/232lb-ft
w/ kleemmann HP 330hp/309lb-ft
Price before install at evosport: Sale! $8,400
remember, a stock 430 only has 275 hp, and something like 290 torque
CLK320
3.2 V6 CLK 32K Sport Compressor System
(klm-208sc1)
original HP 221hp/232lb-ft
w/ kleemmann HP 330hp/309lb-ft
Price before install at evosport: Sale! $8,400
remember, a stock 430 only has 275 hp, and something like 290 torque
08-06-2003, 04:42 PM
#4
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey - thanks guys - but my main hesitation to go the supercharger route, although who knows it may come to that, is that it would put a heck of a lot more stress on the engine - namely the pistons, piston rings, transmission etc. I do have a StarMark Warranty on the car till 2007, but I suspect if I blew out the automatic transmission because of the supercharger, that they may not replace it for free; you concur?
After reading previous posts, here is what I am leaning towards doing:
3 hp - K & N air filters
5hp - Eisenmann or Brabus or Renntech exhaust
13hp - Underdrive pulleys
1 hp - High Performance Spark Plugs?
18 hp - Brabus Camshaft Upgrade
Total 40 hp increase. Price about $6K without putting too much extra pressure on engine; Of course, I'd have to trick out the suspension some, and for that I see:
H& R Springs, Billstein Sport Shocks, Brabus or Koni/Eibach suspension.
Am I on track now?
Of course, I may still get beat by a 430, but at least I'd be having more fun and my engine and marriage may survive the indulgence!
After reading previous posts, here is what I am leaning towards doing:
3 hp - K & N air filters
5hp - Eisenmann or Brabus or Renntech exhaust
13hp - Underdrive pulleys
1 hp - High Performance Spark Plugs?
18 hp - Brabus Camshaft Upgrade
Total 40 hp increase. Price about $6K without putting too much extra pressure on engine; Of course, I'd have to trick out the suspension some, and for that I see:
H& R Springs, Billstein Sport Shocks, Brabus or Koni/Eibach suspension.
Am I on track now?
Of course, I may still get beat by a 430, but at least I'd be having more fun and my engine and marriage may survive the indulgence!
08-06-2003, 06:03 PM
#5
Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dont forget the chip tuning. Powerchip's a good one. I tested my car with a G-tech and ran the same as a stock 430.
Powerchip
Supersprint Exhaust
Underdrive pulleys
Extrude honing
K&N Filter
Also keep in mind that the 320 is over 100 lbs lighter then a stock 430 plus my rims are lighter then the stock rims on the 320, and I didn't spend that much. When I weighed my car against my friends 430 I Was over 200 lbs lighter.
Powerchip
Supersprint Exhaust
Underdrive pulleys
Extrude honing
K&N Filter
Also keep in mind that the 320 is over 100 lbs lighter then a stock 430 plus my rims are lighter then the stock rims on the 320, and I didn't spend that much. When I weighed my car against my friends 430 I Was over 200 lbs lighter.
08-06-2003, 06:29 PM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Most of the horsepower figures you gave are very optimistic. A cat back exhaust won't really give you much more hp, it's more of a sound/looks thing. "High performance" spark plugs won't give you more horsepower, but dirty ones will rob you of it. Filters won't give you that noticeable of an increase. The only mods that you really will feel would be the camshaft or the pulleys. As far as the supercharger putting stress on the engine, it's not running particularly high levels of boost so the stress would be minimal. (I really don't know what I'm talking about on this one so help me out Ben) For $9k the supercharger sounds like a no brainer. Hell for that price I would do it, but the 430 one is way more expensive.
08-06-2003, 07:12 PM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally posted by hotcarman
Hey - thanks guys - but my main hesitation to go the supercharger route, although who knows it may come to that, is that it would put a heck of a lot more stress on the engine - namely the pistons, piston rings, transmission etc. I do have a StarMark Warranty on the car till 2007, but I suspect if I blew out the automatic transmission because of the supercharger, that they may not replace it for free; you concur?
After reading previous posts, here is what I am leaning towards doing:
3 hp - K & N air filters
5hp - Eisenmann or Brabus or Renntech exhaust
13hp - Underdrive pulleys
1 hp - High Performance Spark Plugs?
18 hp - Brabus Camshaft Upgrade
Total 40 hp increase. Price about $6K without putting too much extra pressure on engine; Of course, I'd have to trick out the suspension some, and for that I see:
H& R Springs, Billstein Sport Shocks, Brabus or Koni/Eibach suspension.
Am I on track now?
Of course, I may still get beat by a 430, but at least I'd be having more fun and my engine and marriage may survive the indulgence!
Hey - thanks guys - but my main hesitation to go the supercharger route, although who knows it may come to that, is that it would put a heck of a lot more stress on the engine - namely the pistons, piston rings, transmission etc. I do have a StarMark Warranty on the car till 2007, but I suspect if I blew out the automatic transmission because of the supercharger, that they may not replace it for free; you concur?
After reading previous posts, here is what I am leaning towards doing:
3 hp - K & N air filters
5hp - Eisenmann or Brabus or Renntech exhaust
13hp - Underdrive pulleys
1 hp - High Performance Spark Plugs?
18 hp - Brabus Camshaft Upgrade
Total 40 hp increase. Price about $6K without putting too much extra pressure on engine; Of course, I'd have to trick out the suspension some, and for that I see:
H& R Springs, Billstein Sport Shocks, Brabus or Koni/Eibach suspension.
Am I on track now?
Of course, I may still get beat by a 430, but at least I'd be having more fun and my engine and marriage may survive the indulgence!
Kleemann also offers a 1 yr warranty, so, if you do it 1 year before your starmark is over, then you are good to go...
Trending Topics
08-11-2003, 06:05 PM
#8
Almost a Member!
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you really think about it. You should just save the 6-9k sell the 320 and buy a 430. What year is your 320? When I bought my 99 320 8 months ago, I was also looking at some 99 430's and the price difference wasn't that much more. I think it was like another 2-3K. Just my opinion though. Or keep an eye out you might even find a used 55 for a decent price.
08-11-2003, 11:40 PM
#9
...............buying a 1998 or 1999 CLK whether 320 or 430 is not generally a good idea. The next time you turn artound to sell it, the value would have halved itself. Try to stick with a 2000 or later. I'd mucgh rather buy a 2000 CLk 320 than a 1999 CLk 430. I think the 2000 320 will probably be cost more.
Ted
Ted
08-12-2003, 02:37 PM
#10
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not sure why you said you'd prefer to get a 2000 320 clk rather than a 1999 430 clk; was there something bad about the 1999 cars, or are you just talking about the psychological feeling of owning a pre 2000 car? Personally, I couldn't care less; my 320 clk is a very well built car, any way you look at it (except for all the little interior trim/plastic pieces that tend to break off!); and I doubt I would sell it; unless I wanted to go to a 430...
I really like my 320 clk, am just really torn up over how to get a little more juice out of it without blowing up the warranty. I am told that Mercs tend to have electrical problems; to this effect a ecu chip upgrade might not be the best thing to do; a Merc. mechanic also told me that doing a pulley upgrade wont be good for the cooling system of the car; esp. since European cars tend to run hot - hence requiring the synthetic oil for the engine; the only thing that Merc. Svc people suggest I do is to install a more free flowing exhaust and air filter - something that many people tell me will not give me much of a boost at all. Also, doing a camshaft upgrade is very involved and could void the warranty of the engine as well...
I spoke with MB Cust. Svc yesterday and they gave me this blanket stmnt that anything I do to put the car out of it's original factory condition voids the warranty; but when I bought the car, the salesrep indicated that I would have many options to boost the hp; I guess I do, but at some cost to the Star Mark warranty...
I'd love to hear from real Merc. owners in similar situations like me, and what experience they have had with warranty issues when modifying their cars; also, how reliable and effective are these upgrades...
I was told by the ecu chip upgrade people that their modifications involve controlling the fuel flow to the engine; yikes! This sounds like a pretty important thing; especially since having a reliable running car is the most important thing for me... just really dont know what to do.
By the way, I'm also told that you can get a new rear differential that would speed up your car a bit.
I really like my 320 clk, am just really torn up over how to get a little more juice out of it without blowing up the warranty. I am told that Mercs tend to have electrical problems; to this effect a ecu chip upgrade might not be the best thing to do; a Merc. mechanic also told me that doing a pulley upgrade wont be good for the cooling system of the car; esp. since European cars tend to run hot - hence requiring the synthetic oil for the engine; the only thing that Merc. Svc people suggest I do is to install a more free flowing exhaust and air filter - something that many people tell me will not give me much of a boost at all. Also, doing a camshaft upgrade is very involved and could void the warranty of the engine as well...
I spoke with MB Cust. Svc yesterday and they gave me this blanket stmnt that anything I do to put the car out of it's original factory condition voids the warranty; but when I bought the car, the salesrep indicated that I would have many options to boost the hp; I guess I do, but at some cost to the Star Mark warranty...
I'd love to hear from real Merc. owners in similar situations like me, and what experience they have had with warranty issues when modifying their cars; also, how reliable and effective are these upgrades...
I was told by the ecu chip upgrade people that their modifications involve controlling the fuel flow to the engine; yikes! This sounds like a pretty important thing; especially since having a reliable running car is the most important thing for me... just really dont know what to do.
By the way, I'm also told that you can get a new rear differential that would speed up your car a bit.
08-12-2003, 03:57 PM
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
yes and no... yes, aftermarket stuff will void your warranty... but it won't void your whole warranty... for instance, if you put in lowering springs & shocks... and your engine mounts die, they can't say your modified suspension is cause to not repair your engine mounts.
your warranty will only be voided in cases where your aftermarket mod can be directly traced to be the root of the problem. But it has to be a direct modification.
even in your lists of mods... there are a few things that can void some warranties.... for instance, something as simple as K&N filtersupgrade can cause excess oils from filters and that will damage the MAS
your warranty will only be voided in cases where your aftermarket mod can be directly traced to be the root of the problem. But it has to be a direct modification.
even in your lists of mods... there are a few things that can void some warranties.... for instance, something as simple as K&N filtersupgrade can cause excess oils from filters and that will damage the MAS
08-12-2003, 05:02 PM
#12
I'd love to hear from real Merc. owners in similar situations like me, and what experience they have had with warranty issues when modifying their cars; also, how reliable and effective are these upgrades...
...........You are talking to a real merc owners in your similiar situation. I have a CLK 320 with a Kleeman s/c and a boost kit. My car gets regularly serviced at my local Mb dealer. I had a water pump failure of the s/c which was replaced by Kleeman at no cost to me. I was not trying to dis your 1999 CLK 320. The issue of pre and post 2000 CLk's is not psychological. Pre-2000 Clk's do not have steering wheel controls and are not pre-wired for comand and the 320's come with a body kit and wheels that are not attractive. For this and perharps other reasons, the market for the pre-2000 CLk's is not very good. On the other hand, it allows one to pick up a very good deal if you were to purchase one. Except for the steering wheel controls, you can upgrade the car to lo0k like the post 200 version if you wish, but the cost makes it a bit unreasonable compared to just buying a post 2000 CLK.
........As far as power upgrades go, you really cannot go wrong with a Kleeman s/c.
Ted
...........You are talking to a real merc owners in your similiar situation. I have a CLK 320 with a Kleeman s/c and a boost kit. My car gets regularly serviced at my local Mb dealer. I had a water pump failure of the s/c which was replaced by Kleeman at no cost to me. I was not trying to dis your 1999 CLK 320. The issue of pre and post 2000 CLk's is not psychological. Pre-2000 Clk's do not have steering wheel controls and are not pre-wired for comand and the 320's come with a body kit and wheels that are not attractive. For this and perharps other reasons, the market for the pre-2000 CLk's is not very good. On the other hand, it allows one to pick up a very good deal if you were to purchase one. Except for the steering wheel controls, you can upgrade the car to lo0k like the post 200 version if you wish, but the cost makes it a bit unreasonable compared to just buying a post 2000 CLK.
........As far as power upgrades go, you really cannot go wrong with a Kleeman s/c.
Ted
08-20-2003, 04:12 AM
#13
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks y'awl, for all this good info. Kind of wish I had read this before I bought the 320 CLK. Clearly, the best option would be to get a 430, esp. since I have the need for speed! But I didn't see any used CLK 430's in the colors that I wanted...
For now, I'm just going with a Carbon Fibre air intake with a K and N Filter. I think I will do a pulley kit for the water pump and a Kleeman suspension as well. The rest - most likely a Kleeman S/C will have to wait until I win the lottery!
Thanks again for all your posts; you guys were a great help.
Vidur
For now, I'm just going with a Carbon Fibre air intake with a K and N Filter. I think I will do a pulley kit for the water pump and a Kleeman suspension as well. The rest - most likely a Kleeman S/C will have to wait until I win the lottery!
Thanks again for all your posts; you guys were a great help.
Vidur
08-24-2003, 03:47 PM
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
01' CLK55
Ted, how are you going to say that if he buys a 1999 CLK430 right now , the price will be halfed by the time he sells it? That is ridiculous. He can pick up a nice low mileage 99 430 for around $30-35K right now. You are saying if he drives it around for a couple of years it's going to be worth $15-17? DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL. I bought my 99 CLK430 2 years ago w/ 14000 miles for $42K. I don't think my car is worth $21K now.
08-24-2003, 11:58 PM
#15
Ted, how are you going to say that if he buys a 1999 CLK430 right now , the price will be halfed by the time he sells it? That is ridiculous. He can pick up a nice low mileage 99 430 for around $30-35K right now. You are saying if he drives it around for a couple of years it's going to be worth $15-17? DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL. I bought my 99 CLK430 2 years ago w/ 14000 miles for $42K. I don't think my car is worth $21K now.
........Calm down! My basic point is that there is a significant difference in the market for pre-2000 and post 2000 CLK's, whether or not you believe the price will be halved in a few years or not is not really my main point. However, here is a 199 CLK320 on sale for $18K. If he bought one two years ago for $35K. The price will be halved already.
1999 CLK 320 on sale for 18K
........Calm down! My basic point is that there is a significant difference in the market for pre-2000 and post 2000 CLK's, whether or not you believe the price will be halved in a few years or not is not really my main point. However, here is a 199 CLK320 on sale for $18K. If he bought one two years ago for $35K. The price will be halved already.
1999 CLK 320 on sale for 18K
08-25-2003, 12:14 AM
#16
..............Here is a 199 CLK430 on sale for $27K
1999 CLk430 on sale for $27K
1998 CLK320 on sale for $15K
1999 CLK320 on sale for $24K
1999 CLK320 on sale for $18K
1998 CLK320 on sale for $10K with no reserve
Ted
1999 CLk430 on sale for $27K
1998 CLK320 on sale for $15K
1999 CLK320 on sale for $24K
1999 CLK320 on sale for $18K
1998 CLK320 on sale for $10K with no reserve
Ted
08-25-2003, 01:05 AM
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
01' CLK55
that's good ted. However, you just listed all the auctions' current bid. Those prices are NOT the closing bids. The only one that is a decent deal (but 63K miles) is the 99 430 for 27000. And I guarantee you that the price will NOT be halved in 2 years. Yes, I know that wasn't your MAIN point, but I'm making a point to tell you that your statement is false. It makes sense to everybody that if someone has the money to spend on a car, they would rather buy a newer one than an older one, NOT because of the resale value, but because the newer ones have less bugs, and probably will last a bit longer due to the lower mileage. And of course the newer ones have a few more cosmetic upgrades.
AL
AL
08-25-2003, 06:20 AM
#18
...........actually, you are incorrect. all the auctions i listed have a "buy it now price" and have no reserve and are within one day of auction completion. Look again.
Ted
Ted
08-25-2003, 02:11 PM
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
01' CLK55
the 2nd, 4th and 5th auctions have NO buy it now option. The 3rd auction has a buy it now for $24900. If you know how e-bay works, you will know that bidders really do not start bidding until there is about an hour left or so. I think you should stop now. You have made 2 incorrect statements now. LOOK AGAIN!?!?!?!
