quickburn

I used to belong to bmwcca when i had my e46 m3. They would organize autocrosses and track days for bmw owners. Does MB have a similar club?
Any websites out there that can inform me on events in the Chicago area?
Most importantly has anyone here tracked their clk500 coupes? If so how did it hold up with the auto tranny and the ESP?
Thanks for any info!

quickburn

any help would be appreciated!

Dave OH

EMail me, I've done about 50 autocross events and have a heavily prepped / race tired B Street Prepared SLK. Feel free to ask any questions. If you're looking for local autocross events, www.myautoevents.com is definitely the place to find events. Pretty much every club lists their events on there.

crv1

I autox and track my clk500. I have had good results. It is alot of fun. In autox this past weekend in sd,ca I won FS there were five cars, 1 amg c36 and one c55 a mustang,etc.
I also ran with the bmw club on sunday and I was in the top 5 of all cars theres. lost to only a highly modified mcoupe and two m3's and a lotus.
My car has a H and R swaybar in front. ( cuts 50% of the body role) It feels stiffer but it is quite a difference in handling - especially through the salom. In addition, i have 245 kumho f and 275 v710 rears on the stock 7.5 and 8.5 rims.
For street, I have E55 amg rims 8.5 and 9.5 with yoka neovo 235 and 265-the best grip street legal tire.
So basically, I have only done the swaybar and race tires.
I have tracked the car also and it keeps up or overtakes the e36 track cars and stock e46s just fine.
Kind of fun the looks the car gets after people see the posted times.
My tranny has been fine. my car is a 03 and been on the track for almost 2years. For safety, the first time on a track I keep the ESP on for a few laps then turn it off the rest of the day.
Hope that helps

Dave OH

crv, is 245/275 of the 710's all you could fit on the CLK? I have 245F 275R 710's on my SLK and would have thought you would have been able to fit more tire than that?

quickburn

I have the clk55 wheels and michelin pilot sports on my car so im gonna use those up until i can get familiar with the car and go on slicks. Im in chicago and plan to take advantage of the summer and get out to as many autocrosses and track events I can get into. I just hope that the ESP and the auto tranny dont hold me back!

crv1

In Scca Rules for FS class you have to run factory size rims=7.5 x17 and 8.5x17
the 245 is already large for a 7.5 wide rim. I am going to take a used 275 next week and see if the shop could install it on the 7.5.
If I did not need to run the spec rim size then yes you could run larger all the way around.
I may get a set of 10 and 11 for the track )(not autox) and I would try 275f and 315r v710 (tires are only 25.4 diameter) respectively.Currently, there is alot of room in the rear. The 9.5 17 from the e55 rim on the car does not have much offset-the tire still has at least an inch before it is flush with the outside of the fender lip.
I recommend a swaybar with race tires, when I first put the race tires on with out the swaybar the body roll was intense and putting to much pressure on the control arms. Not to mention the huge handling improvement with the swaybar.

crv1

Under intense driving even with the ESP off it will start flashing. With the tranny for autox just keep an ear for a third gear shift and down shift back to second. Most courses my car will stay in second. Often out of habit, I will downshift at the end of a straight away.
Have Fun!

quickburn

can you let me know where you got the sway bar from and how much was it?

Dave OH

You can definitely fit 275's on a 7.5 inch wheel... It'll be rolled over on the sides, but it will definitely fit. It might **** of the guy installing the tires, but it'll work.

crv1

thats good news!
a 275 will trim some time!. Hopefully, this will also induce some oversteer too.
Any issue with rubbing on the strut? The 245s are close. Do you use a 1/4 inch spacer? ALso, where you able to get any neg camber?(really need some) Curious what struts you are running? I am considering the pss9 and only using the shock.(FS Rule- no spring change) I have also talked with KW and they can make a custom variant 3, double adjustable. Price for custom suspension is decent too. There german based.

crv1

It was about 250-80 cant recall,they also make a rear swaybar. They also had a great price on the PSS9 Bilstein coilover kit. They were very helpful.

bob
at Shox.com
1300 Hill St.
El Cajon, Ca. 92020
(800) 683-2890