beckswheels

Has anyone used a CLK 55 AMG on the track. I was thinking of getting one, probably a W208 over here in the UK. I want to give it the DTM look and strip it out to reduce weight, and put bigger brakes on. Is the auto gearbox too much of a limo setup for track use. Could paddle shift be fitted? What bigger brakes will go on from other AMGs or is it the AP route? Is the car too heavy for throwing around even. Any feedback is welcome. I thought this car might be a challenge to do. I am fully conversant with track use and fast cars, but I have never had a fast merc. I have at present a BMW M3 CSL, could the merc better it in performance? Many thanks.

AMG_55

keep ur csl, no mercedes will be faster around a twisty track and if it is it wont be nearly as enjoyable.

if u r ready to do all that work and spend $, ur best bet wsould be to find a c320 sport coupe w/ a stick.
full suspension
brakes id go w/ ap or brembo 6 piston fr. 4 rear
kleeman s/c
strip the interior and all the weight u can and put a roll cage
upgrade the drivetrain (clutch, axles.....)
and most important.....tires

ProjectC55

I guess you don't know about Speedy Benz's C43 which murders M3's around the track!

speedybenz

I do have have a pretty stock appearing 1999 C43 that I have taken out around 250 pounds and it does just kill the BMW M3's I have run into at the track so far. And I love sticking it to the Mustang crowd.

Jeff

AMG_55

as i said, u might make it faster but itll never be more enojoyable or as enjoyable as a m car or porsche, or any other real sports car.
i used to have a e36 m3 and my brother has a e46 m3
ive driven many mercedes cars and they are just not made for track work.
speedy- nice car , get em

ProjectC55

Jeff,this guy needs a ride in your car! Jeff's car isn't "many Mercedes" based on descriptions from others that have driven in his car.!!!!!!Car has over 3k worth of suspension work.

AMG_55

look man, im not arguin w/ u.
the steering is still the same, the tranny is an auto, it's nose heavy, its not an enjoyable car. and the m3 drivers are most likely pussies b/c a stock e36 m3 is faster than a c43 up to about 100. an e46 m3 is much faster.
by the way, ill murder any mercedes driven by any1 through any canyon. :v
dunno about track though, never been 2 1.

MarcusF

The guy who started this thread specifically asked about a TRACK CAR. You just posted that you've never been on a track. That being the case, I'm unclear how you could give advice on this particular subject. In post number 5, it appeared that you were speaking from experience when you said

“ive driven many mercedes cars and they are just not made for track work.”

I mistook that post for something other than "I really don’t know because I've never been to a track". Post number 5 could also be read in such a manner as to state that an M3 is a real sports car.

"as i said, u might make it faster but itll never be more enojoyable or as enjoyable as a m car or porsche, or any other real sports car."

I've owned sports cars. My 73 Porsche was a sports car. My Rx-7 was a sports car. Like a CLK, an M3 is not a sports car. An M3 is a sports VERSION of the 3 series. Like a CLK, it's in the "touring car" class. However, let's not spend too much time on the touring class. If we do, someone will bring up the fact that since DTM was resurrected in 2000, Mercedes-Benz finished first in 2000, 2001 (didn't CLK's SWEEP THE TOP THREE SPOTS THAT YEAR??), 2003 (just to prove 2001 wasn't a fluke - didn't CLK’s SWEEP THE TOP THREE SPOTS THAT YEAR TOO???), and 2005. Being of the kindler, gentler persuation, we all recognize that to a BMW guy, that's hitting below the belt. Especially since the last time BMW placed in the top three was way back in 1990, when they placed second.

But you're right, let's not argue. Let's just state your expertise is in canyon racing. I had a friend who thought he was an expert in that arena. He was mistaken. You are the king.

AMG_55

every1 knows, no matter where u drive (track, cyn., hillclimb,....), if u drive hard, anywhere, then weight is ur #1 enemy (mercedes cars r heavy), auto tranny (no matter how good) will never give u the control u need to drive as hard as possible, nose heavy cars (again no matter where u drive) tend to understeer a lot on turn in (compromising the whole turn).
bmw m cars are almost always 50/50 (or very close, a lot closer than mercedes) when it comes to weight distribution, they are lighter have more direct steering (eventhough the e46 m3 is worse in this area than the e36), come w/ a stick or smg (i prefer the stick).


u r right about m cars not being true sports cars, (gt3, elise,..., those are true sports cars), what i was trying to say is that they are more sporty than amg cars.( i ****ed up)

by the way, i once drove off a cliff, i got lucky cause the side of the road rose slightly and my underbody got stuck, my front wheels were in the air though :p

Schiznick

These threads crack me up!

I can't tell you how many professional drivers that I know that got their big break canyon racing....

It is certainly the proving grounds of the next generation Schumacher!

Humbucker87

Whenever I think of track cars, the Lotus Elise always immediately pops in my head. It doesnt have nearly the practicality of a clk55 but it would surely be a better track car. I know there are a few with turbochargers pushing 400hp! in a car as light as that. That would be my choice.

perzbenz

go get urself a manual 2.3-16v, have fun!

beckswheels

I am pleased it`s started a bit of a debate! Wish we had canyons over here to race on a Sunday morning, good ol` SoCal. That`s what it`s about isn`t it? I bought an RS200 evo in bright yellow that used to do that sort of thing about 15 years ago, anyone see it back then?
Anyway, you are right about the weight issue, I was wondering how much I could get off it. I would need a flappy paddle box like the DTM CLK road car, can this be easily done? Is the rear suspension up to it or should I refab some items. There are some concerns over the auto trans, but the DTM gets rave reviews? Would I just be better off winning the Lotto or sell my soul and buy a bloody CLK DTM road car. Or can I build something better?

AMG_55

the dtm tranny is totaly different, it is programmed to be more agressive and to provide shrper shifting. its reinforced for the extra power and torque. it also has different settings and different parameters for those settings.
u might be able to shave off 300-400lbs if u try really hard, it'll still be very nose heavy however. i think u could do the wheel buttons for the tranny cause the clk does come w/ tiptronic, it shouldnt be a problem if ur willing to pay

ProjectC55

YOU HAVE NOT DRIVEN AND DO NOT KNOW ABOUT JEFF'S C43!!
MAYBE U SHOULD ASK HIM ABOUT IT B4 YOU COME TO JUDGEMENT!!

READ!!!!http://www.speedybnz.com/ Then CLICK on the part that says:Who Is SPEEDY BENZ! This is the way a Benzo suspension should have been built.

MarcusF

Are you going to hold something as minor as not having any track experience against him?




What about the "mad driving skillz yo"? Doesn't that count for anything?



Not only that, there could be STICKERS INVOLVED.



Whoops. Was that last one a Benzo? Sorry. I got carried away with the Hateraide and the post button got away from me. In the future I'll try to drink responsibly.

AMG_55

im not judging anything, i'm talking about a stock c43.
so he got rid of 200lbs or whatever it was, and added, what? 30hp. hip hip hooray. great 4 him. maybe now itll beat a stock 6 cyl. w/ 240 hp in a drag.
as for track driving, it all down to the driver.

ProjectC55

Bro,I own a 99 M3 so give me a break!Stck they are total pigs!The C43 will kill it above 100mph also.

u obviously have not read up on Jeff's car which has trounced modded M's and Porsche's around the track!

Chappy

ROFLMAO!

AMG_55

u said it, above 100.
and it wont kill, itll slowly pull.
i used to own a 99 m3, it was chipped w/ the limiter removed, got it up to 163 and it was still pulling (traffic is a *****)
around a track and thru a canyon, both cars being stock, the m3 will killllll a c43. murder, eat alive for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

as for jeff and his car..... he must be a good driver or the other just suck.
wish he was in la... i need some real competition in the canyons.

AMG_55

i dont get that, can u please elaborate chappy, u seem to understand it and actually find it amusing

Clk&Slk

[QUOTE=MarcusF Like a CLK, an M3 is not a sports car. [/QUOTE]

AMG_55

u r right, the m3 is more sporty than a clk.
but its no sports car, at least not the current 1.
the e30 and to a lesser extent the e36 were sports cars.
the new 1 is 2 heavy and the driver is more isolated from the car

Chappy

A few more canyon runs and you'll understand.

Clk&Slk

Dude.......if your brain is not on DRUGS, I don't know what is !!!!!