Substance

according to MBusa.com AMG center. 01 CLK 55 w209s 0-60 value is 4.8sec.
the new chassis w209 (02-03-04 models) has the same values of 4.8 sec for 0-60miles. weighs the same as the old w208 chassis. However the 05 -06 model accelarate from 0 to 60 in 5,2 secs. It has the same 5,4L V8 as the older ones(more hp 355 vs 362). I noticed 05 and 06 models are heavier. What makes them heavier and slower if they have the same engine and same chassis?

If this is true, 05 model C55 is quicker than 05 model CLK 55. 4.9sec vs. 5.2 sec. 06 models are only cabrios, should they be lighter because of the lighter softtop? Mb website states they weigh the same as the coupe.

Learso

That value you have for the 01 CLK55 is a "wishful thinking" value. The actual value is something like 0-60 4.9 to 5.1, perhaps closer to the last. Things like altitude, temperature, and tires greatly influence launch speeds. Heavier cars go slower...which of course is why the SLK55 is king of the 0-60 race, followed by the C class AMG.

Although quicker is good, there are other variables that you should consider, rigidity, handling, wheel base, and so on. Softtop cars have extra weight on the bottom to compensate for the lack of weight up top, thus making them slower as well. These cars as initially designed to be coupes, then the cabrios come out but the original designs must me "modified to make them cabrios", there is an issue with distribution of weight balance usually. Curb weight of a 04 CLK55 Cab is 3960 and the non cab 3635lbs. CLK is a good compromise between the all highway CLs and SL and the all city/sidestreet racers SLKs and Cs.

Lastly, I have raced off the line M3s and recently 04 or 05 Porsche Turbo Cabrio and beat them in the 0-60. This I am sure was because the people in those cars did not know how to use their stick shifters properly and thus lost tons of time going through the gears. The Automatic AMGs take most of the guess work out of that equation...good for some, not so good for the pros.

Learso

Chappy

Go to dragtimes.com for some real world numbers.

For clarification, the W208 CLK55 was made through model year 2002. The 2003 and up CLK55s were the W209 models.

I have raced (at the drags) a C55, SLK55, C32 and SLK32 and have won in some cases. In come cases, I've lost, but by very slim margins. I'm still waiting to go head-to-head with a stock W209 CLK55.

Hope this helps!

Substance

my info is based on AMG center mbusa.com values http://www.mbusa.com/amg/index.jsp

clk 55 coupe 2001-2002(w208)
5.5L V8 342hp 376 ft/lbs torque 0-60 in 4.9 sec weight:3485lbs

clk 55 coupe 2003-2005(w209)

5.5L V8 342hp 376ft/lbs torque 0-60 in 4.9 sec weight:3635lbs

clk 55 cab 2004-2006

5.5L V8 362hp 376ft/lbs torque 0-60 in 5.2 sec weight:3960lbs

Chappy

The corrected horsepower rating for the W209 CLK55 is 362, not 342.

Substance

2005 C55 AMG( all stock) vs 2005 CLK55 AMG Coupe(all stock)


same day, same track , same driver. which one wins?

Chappy

The car that hooks up better. As I mentioned previously, I have beaten cars that have timed .3 seconds or better in the quarter mile. If you spin too much on the launch, you just lost.

Stiggs

When I bought my car back in 2003, I remember for sure MBUSA saying the W209 0-60 was 5.0 sec. And the W208 0-60 was 4.9 sec. Do a search, I think there are threads about this.

Stiggs

Hey Chappy...mine's bone stock! You can buy it off me then have a buddy race you in it.

Chappy

Catch me if you can, beyotch

j/k

Hope Santa brings you some $$$ for your title!

Learso

Substance,

It goes without saying, or maybe it doesn't, that all things constant mechanically, the better driver will win more regularly....and even if his car is the slower of the two. Experience on the track and proper racing classes go very, very, very far. I have taken a couple, one for my motorcycle and another for cars and can vouch for this personally. Having said that, the SLK55 IS the quicker car, whether the pilot exploits it or not is another story.

Learso

Chappy

Agree 100%.

As to the C55 vs. CLK55, the margin is very slim, but I'd give the nod to the C55 due to the lighter weight.

Substance

so its the same story with C55 vs M3. depends on the pilots.

it sounds like

bad driver C55 vs bad driver M3...C55 wins. due to Mbs auto shifter would be better than M3s bad shifter.

good driver C55 vs good driver M3..better driver wins.

So if you are not a pro, not taken driving lessons from a pro and no track experience. you have a better chance of getting most out of(much closer to its potentials) C55 than M3.

probably the same results with CLK55 vs M3 in above conditions

Chappy

I agree, unless it's from a roll....the 376 lb.-ft. TQ of the 5439cc V8 is superior to that of the 262 lb.-ft. of the inline 6. Most of the results I've seen of the M3 vs CLK55/C55, etc. have been in favor of the AMG if from a roll.

From a dead stop, the wider tires of the M3 give an advantage from a dig.

Learso

Same here...My CLK55 has ALWAYS won off the line with an M3. The M3 has superior handling so its much better once you are up to speed and taking turns... The M3 inspires tons of confidence when pushed hard and that makes it a great driver's car. If it had more power it would be even better...it will.

ProjectC55

Like the Chapster says.All of the above especially real world situations which are the best reference.

E55Cent

For some reason I thought the C55 and the 209CLK went to lower 3.07gears. What gears were in the 208 CLK, 2.81? I know my 210 55 comes with 2.81 and the 211 55 comes with 2.65. Lower gears should help the C55 and 209 get off the line quicker.
Mario

Chappy

According to MBUSA....

C55 and CLK55 (W209) has a 3.06:1 ratio
CLK55 (W208) has the 2:82:1 ratio

....all use the 5-speed auto.

The SLK55 also has the 3.06:1, but uses the new 7-speed auto.

E55Cent

I was close.

Chappy

Wish I was heading to Cali sometime soon, would love to check out your ride.

E55Cent

You let me know when, I live about 60miles north of Hollywood. PM me if your ever in the area?

MikeL

Id put my money on the CLK. Remember that the CLK comes with a 7 speed auto tranny with more aggressive gearing, while the C55 still has the old school 5 speed with wider gears.

E55Cent

More gears doesn't make a car faster, some of the fastest cars are only 2 speeds. Shifting takes time away from the 1/4 mile. Thats why most guys like to do the 1/4 mile in third with out going into 4th gear. Plus MB trannys are slow shifting. If your car has enough HP and TQ there really is no need for more shifts. More gears around town is a different story.
Mario

MikeL

The 7 speed MB trannys gearing is more aggressive than the 5 speed. Im not saying just because it has more gears its faster, but with the 7 speed, they made the gearing shorter so it accelerates faster. Race a new CLK500 with 7 speed and im pretty sure you'll be amazed at how close of a race it is with your 5 speed E55. And if you didnt know, AMG trannys have are one of the fastest shifting auto trannys on the market. HP #'s arent always everything, look at BMW's, most all of them have very aggressive gearing when compared to other cars. Even when they have less HP it could still be a faster car. Look at the 225hp 330, matched up to a G35 280 hp, its a drivers race even though the BMW is underpowered.

Chappy

Mike,

My information is that the 2005 CLK55 and 2005 C55 uses the 5-speed auto, whereas the CLK500 uses the 7-speed.

The SLK55 uses the 7-speed.