New here... introduction
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 46
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From: Dallas
2001 CLK55
New here... introduction
Hello all
I just purchased an '01 CLK55 and wanted to introduce myself. This is my third MB but my first AMG... I had a '99 E320 followed by an '03 CLK320. For the past 2 years, I've been straight BMW... had an X5 and an E36 M3 and I just traded in the X5 for the AMG... so now I've got the CLK55 and the E36 M3.
I absolutely love this car... it is a joy to drive, but in all honesty it could use a bit stiffer suspension. At triple digit speeds, it's a bit lofty and a makes me a bit nervous. The tires that are on the car don't inspire much confidence either because I got this from a local dealer that installed crappy Kumho tires on it and so my first order of business is to get a better suspension and better rubber, and possibly get 18's or 19's.
In terms of suspension, I've only been able to find H&R springs but are there any coil-over options out there?
In terms of rubber, I've noticed some people on here running 19s but isn't that too rigid of a ride and too low of a sidewall? Wouldn't 18s work much better?
Sorry for the questions right off the bat, but I really love this car and I'm trying to set it up perfectly already!
Good to be here and thanks in advance for any suggestions.
I just purchased an '01 CLK55 and wanted to introduce myself. This is my third MB but my first AMG... I had a '99 E320 followed by an '03 CLK320. For the past 2 years, I've been straight BMW... had an X5 and an E36 M3 and I just traded in the X5 for the AMG... so now I've got the CLK55 and the E36 M3.
I absolutely love this car... it is a joy to drive, but in all honesty it could use a bit stiffer suspension. At triple digit speeds, it's a bit lofty and a makes me a bit nervous. The tires that are on the car don't inspire much confidence either because I got this from a local dealer that installed crappy Kumho tires on it and so my first order of business is to get a better suspension and better rubber, and possibly get 18's or 19's.
In terms of suspension, I've only been able to find H&R springs but are there any coil-over options out there?
In terms of rubber, I've noticed some people on here running 19s but isn't that too rigid of a ride and too low of a sidewall? Wouldn't 18s work much better?
Sorry for the questions right off the bat, but I really love this car and I'm trying to set it up perfectly already!
Good to be here and thanks in advance for any suggestions.
ON PROBATION
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,024
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Welcom amr.
Congratulations on the car.
I'd suggest you buy much better rubber and give the new tires 1000 miles to break-in/settle-in, and then see about any suspension mods....
I do understand that the '01 suspension on that car is not what it is on the current model; so suspension mods may be in order - but change the tires first, would be my recommendation.
Congratulations on the car.
I'd suggest you buy much better rubber and give the new tires 1000 miles to break-in/settle-in, and then see about any suspension mods....
I do understand that the '01 suspension on that car is not what it is on the current model; so suspension mods may be in order - but change the tires first, would be my recommendation.
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,734
Likes: 65
From: Hotlanta
AMG
Originally Posted by amr
I absolutely love this car... it is a joy to drive, but in all honesty it could use a bit stiffer suspension. At triple digit speeds, it's a bit lofty and a makes me a bit nervous. The tires that are on the car don't inspire much confidence either because I got this from a local dealer that installed crappy Kumho tires on it and so my first order of business is to get a better suspension and better rubber, and possibly get 18's or 19's.
In terms of suspension, I've only been able to find H&R springs but are there any coil-over options out there?
In terms of rubber, I've noticed some people on here running 19s but isn't that too rigid of a ride and too low of a sidewall? Wouldn't 18s work much better?
Sorry for the questions right off the bat, but I really love this car and I'm trying to set it up perfectly already!
Good to be here and thanks in advance for any suggestions.
In terms of suspension, I've only been able to find H&R springs but are there any coil-over options out there?
In terms of rubber, I've noticed some people on here running 19s but isn't that too rigid of a ride and too low of a sidewall? Wouldn't 18s work much better?
Sorry for the questions right off the bat, but I really love this car and I'm trying to set it up perfectly already!
Good to be here and thanks in advance for any suggestions.
AFAIK, there is no coilover kit offered for our cars. Do a search for options on suspension offerings, but (as Clay has suggested) your best bet may be to get some quality rubber on first.
I have stock dampers, but added euro-spec springs which lowered the car about 1.5 inches. I am running stock 17s with PS2 rubber and it handles very well with no significant body roll.
If you are looking for a stiffer setup, this may not work for you. Look into Kleemann, RENNTech or Brabus setups or others like Koni/H&R, etc. There are lots of folks here that can offer you quality advise.
