Just want to know, I just bought a CLK430 and I have a freind talkin S##T that he can smoke me

it be a tough call. The 540 produces 282HP and 324TQ...0-60 in 5.5 seconds.

The 430 produces 275HP and 295TQ...0-60 in about 6 seconds.

Though, the CLK is lighter by about 500 lbs (3323 vs 3803), so that could play a role.

It would be a close race IMO. Does your friend have the manual or auto? Also, if it is manual, all depends on how good of a driver he is

Get a powerchip and problem solved :p

How much is a power chip? Will it void warranty, I have 7-100,000 and woudn't want to loose that.

the 540 automatic does NOT do 0-60 in 5.5. Stay the hell out of magazine times. The 540i(manual) is definitely faster than the 540 but Im not sure about 5.5.....I smoke 540's all day long on the southern state...

Then i'm guessing it's about the same times with the CLK430.

540i weighs nearly 500 pounds more than the CLK430, but has the same horsepower. That's a pretty big handicap to be giving up.

540i = 3800 pounds/290 horsepower = 13.1:1

CLK430 = 3365 pounds/275 horsepower = 12.23:1

You should be able to take him with an advantage like that.

I think the 540i is just geared really strong and doesnt have such a limiting transmission like ours...

...I did race several of them from a roll, and also ran several 540i's, in my previous car. From a roll, the 430 was every bit a match for my car, the 540 auto would lose by several lengths, and the 540i 6-spd was closer, but still about a length back.

Is the 430 slow off the line? Even with the traction control switched off?? I'd think that with a brake-torqued launch and 290 lb-ft of torque, it would pull pretty hard, but I haven't driven one.

The 540's tranny gives it the edge in a direct race. However, in a real life situation, the driver would have to be pretty handy with the manual to pilot it to a better 1/4 mile time.

If a CLK 430 had a the ESP shut off and the tranny was in "Sport" mode, it would be a pretty close race.

I once raced a 540 in m Audi S4 (260hp) 6-speed and took it by 1-2 car lengths.

For some reason, BMW engines do not put out the power as wel las Audi or MB engines (my .02)

I had a CLK430 and 540iA at one time. A friend and I raced both cars. I was in the CLK.

From 1st gear to 2nd gear it's a real close race...but the CLK starts to walk away from the 540 ... SLOWLY.

Ok, Im going to make the call and tell him to BACK IT UP