CLK-Class (W209) 2003 on: CLK 270 CDI, CLK 200K, CLK 200 CGI, CLK 240, CLK 320, CLK 350, CLK 500, CLK 550 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Fastest Speed

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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 11:37 AM
  #1  
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Fastest Speed

Ever since I had my governor removed I have been attempting to find the real top speed of the clk. I am just wondering what type of speeds you guys have reached before you can no longer go any faster. As well, what type of modifications are needed to reach these speeds safely?

The fastest speed I have reached is 275 km/h according to my gps and the car felt perfectly stable and I know she could go faster.
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 12:32 PM
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That is hauling man!
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 01:38 PM
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How did you remove the governor? An ECU chip I guess? That's 170mph, and I'm not sure I'd try to go even that fast unless I had proper tires and was on a closed track.

I don't know how fast you will be able to go, but there will be two things limiting it - one will be a function of the engine RPM and final drive ratio. You can calculate that theoretical maximum based on your speed at, say 2K RPM. Knowing the redline is just above 6K, multiply by 3 and you've got it. I think it would be around 231mph, or 371km/h, based on my CLK which turns about 2K RPM at 77mph (124km/h)

Of course at high speeds, wind resistance becomes a factor, and you won't be able to reach that theoretical final drive wheel speed in top gear. At best, you'll be in 6th gear, but may even need 5th to attain your highest speed. Somewhere, there will be a trade-off where redline in one gear moves you faster than lower RPM's in a higher gear where there won't be enough torque to overcome the drag. So ultimately, wind resistance will be the limiting factor.

I know that the CLK63 BS is electronically limited to 300km/h (186mph). That would make one believe that it could go faster. Note that it probably has improved aerodynamics over the base CLK body, plus a much more powerful engine. If I had to take a blind guess, I'd peg the stock CLK550 at somewhere in the 175mph (280mkh) area. But again, I don't think I'd want to do that without the right tires and roads.
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 01:58 PM
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I got the Eurocharged tune which removed the governor and gave the car some more power. I recently had a new set of kumho Ecsta xs tires put on so I trust that they are the right tires to go that speed. When I hit my top speed the car had shifted into 6th gear and felt like it was still rising but I was watching the road not my dash. I normally would not have tried to go that fast but there was an m3 I was trying to catch and my adrenaline took over. I do not believe that I would be able to redline in 6th gear though, I'm not that crazy.
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 02:06 PM
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damn 170...
lol dunnno how you do it. i was scared going 130 in my 320.

and if your calcs are correct, rudney, i think my top speed is 160 haha
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 03:23 PM
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Talking

With my CLK320, I did go up to 150 mph a few years ago. It just touched 150 and I released the gas pedal.
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 04:23 PM
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178 and still had more 2 go
but need the right tires 2b safe

i used my gps
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 07:45 PM
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Nice!!! That’s cooking!!!

These cars are defiantly cable of going 180+ with the right tires and road conditions (that is of course with the governor removed).

I don’t recommend trying this on the street but my 03 clk55 has hit 155mph multiple times (governed). During which it felt completely stable and like it wanted to keep accelerating...

I can’t wait to get my eurocharged tune!!!
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 08:36 PM
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Kumho tires are not high quality tires.......
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Shifter
Kumho tires are not high quality tires.......
I've done 230 on winters so I wasn't too concerned
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Shifter
Kumho tires are not high quality tires.......
My car had brand new Kumho Ecsta tires when I bought it at 27k. The first time I had it at the dealer for some warranty work they said "you need to get some big boy tires."
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Old Jun 10, 2012 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Yidney
My car had brand new Kumho Ecsta tires when I bought it at 27k. The first time I had it at the dealer for some warranty work they said "you need to get some big boy tires."
They really suck hey.
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Old Jun 11, 2012 | 12:08 AM
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Get some real tires (Big boy tires) and make sure you air them up to at least 40PSI before your "high speed" 170MPH run.

I prefer Michelin Pilot Super Sports, but that's just me.
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Old Jun 11, 2012 | 04:17 AM
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Once the weather cools down I'm going to get my car out on one of the many deserted desert roads here, straight as an arrow and flat as a pancake, I'm very interested to see what mine will do.

I'm not into street racing whatsoever but a top speed run on a deserted desert road is right up my alley.
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Old Jun 11, 2012 | 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Sathinas
Get some real tires (Big boy tires) and make sure you air them up to at least 40PSI before your "high speed" 170MPH run.

I prefer Michelin Pilot Super Sports, but that's just me.
The kumhos I find are excellent post-burnout or when they are very hot. 95% of the other time I find them struggling to get traction which gets annoying when I'm not trying to race anywhere. I am about to get new rims and tires.
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Old Jun 11, 2012 | 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Kevwood
Once the weather cools down I'm going to get my car out on one of the many deserted desert roads here, straight as an arrow and flat as a pancake, I'm very interested to see what mine will do.

I'm not into street racing whatsoever but a top speed run on a deserted desert road is right up my alley.
I think it would be pretty sweet to see what your car could do on those. You going to take a video of this?
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Old Jun 12, 2012 | 02:54 AM
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Originally Posted by whtclk
I think it would be pretty sweet to see what your car could do on those. You going to take a video of this?
I'll have my GoPro running and also a camera in a trailing car but I can see me posting it up on the Internet... It will purely be for my watching in the comfort of my own home
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