It's been almost a week since I got my car back and I am still exploring its new found capacities. The intalls were not entirely 100% without problems however...

Since all was complete I found that the technician did not cut the exhaust short enough and thus my tail pipes about about 4 to 5 inches out from the back of the car, too far out. Its not a big deal but they have promised to take the car in and fix that when ever I am ready. Also, while breaking in the ECU this weekend I got a "Check Engine" light come on. I contacted Cory at Kleemann and he forwarded me this email:

"The check engine light might be a catalyst inefficiency code, due to the fact that the primary catalysts have been removed. I did change the version code in your ECU to tell it the car no longer has primary catalysts, however, sometimes these cars, particularly the W208 and W210 chassis cars can "forget" the version coding- I've seen that happen on a few other occasions. If it is the catalyst inefficiency code, you'll need to send the ECU back to me, so I can perform the version coding again- no big deal."

He has been easy to work with so far and I will follow his instructions to getting this resolved. The car goes to the dealer tomorrow to get checkout.

Having said that my review of the products after about 350 miles is the following:

The Kleemann LSD was for many people in these forums a questionable upgrade. Many found it to be worthless, NOT ME. For the CLK55 stock, the LSD is essential and should have come with the car as a stock piece, its just that good. Power is nothing without control and this one install insures the power of the engine is well put to use via the rubber on the tires. It is a real pleasure to launch and you feel that there is very little wasted power on the tires. Peeling out is cool but it does not make you go faster. My launches in the rain are easy and highly effective. Kleemann suggests 0-60 improvements of up to .03. If you equate the time wasted on wheel spinning due to lack of traction I can say that their claim should be accurate.

The Kleemann Headers are an aquired taste that I am in the process of aquiring. The sound of the engine is increased and seems to come from under the seats, not the rear exhaust. Its raspy, graggly sound with thunder that is clear only when you drive the car hard. Under normal conditions and easy driving you almost forget its there. I say its aquired because I found the exhaust notes of the stock CLK55 to be quite elegant, powerful, and understated. The new header sound hints at something under the car, more sporty and more racy. I think I will like it more as I go along.

The power increase of the Kleemann ECU and the Headers combine should have increased my car to about 388hp. I must tell you that sometimes I feel the difference and other times I don't. The throttle response seemes quicker but now I am questioning whether or not the programing for the chip has changed. I need to squared away this first to give you a clear and objective review. I will keep you up to date as to what happens with this.

WHP at the wheel before installs: 295.2
WHP at the wheel after installs: 315.4
WHP at the wheel a after 500 miles: ? (Kleeman says a 10hp increase is possible).



Learso

 

Great feedback, thanks

 

Awesome thanks!!

 

Great review! How about some pics pls?

 

Great job on the post...

Please post some pics.

 

As far as the dealer is concerned how do they see the mods? is the ESN changed on the ECU? if so the "flash" would be apperent but if not than I don't see how they could void any waranty? do you know anything about it?

 

Very nice, and you are correct as time goes on you will learn to love the sound the headers create.

 

The car will feel better and faster as you put on the miles and drive her hard.You'll see! Jsut make sure and do your tranny fluid change as well for good measure.Won't hurt.

 

Ghost Rider I have been meaning to ask. who is on your avatar?? you can always tell me to stfu if it is a family member.

 

why would you get hp increase after 500 miles? Something todo with headers I guess?

 

Hi Scrapes55,

According to Kleemann USA, the additional hp after 300 to 500 miles is due to the ECU's "learning" of the new maps and gets used to the new fuel in the car (higher octaine). I am guessing Cory would be better to answer this question in detail.

WhitePony,

The dealer was "quite impressived" with the gain in power from just headers and ECU, gains typical in turbo cars but in naturally aspirating engines. He was also quick to comment that as far as ECU upgrades from high-end MB tuners are all pretty much achive the same way with slight variations but that the real difference was in the support the tuner offered when things went wrong. Kleemann, he noted, was quite helpful and open throughout the whole proceedure. I think that the headers were a bit tough to install because the fit was quite tight in there. He did promise me some pics of the whole proceedure, I will see if he came through on this. In short, he liked the products he saw and the customer service provided. Can't wait for the S/C!


Jam55,

Let me get those pics to you once the car is back from the shop and it's rear end is proper again.

Learso

 

Learso:
Glad to see you did it!! and you did it right. Question ? did you not use or install the 100 cell cats . I did on my 03 CLK and it was enough to tone down the exhaust growl , just a little. Plus the CEL doesn't come on after a hard run.



02-28-2006, 07:06 AM #6
PTE
Member


Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: S.E. FLA.
Vehicle I drive: 03 CLK5.5 AMG
Posts: 213 going for it

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learso:
I'm sure you will find that the steps in which you are taking . To Be quite satisfing. If I was to do it all again . I would go for the LSD 1st. (I wish I Had)Traction control is not great on the OEM setup to start with. If you do the ECU thing 1st. . You gain tons of bottom end & Midrange!! , but very little on top end hp. If you think the traction issue ! stock , is bad , Wait untill the ECU is installed. . Be sides . when you install the headers , the ecu has to go back , for recalibration anyway. At This point of header installation & ecu upgrade to match them. On the test drive . you are going to go HOLY C>R>A>P!!!
Have fun I did ___PTE___

 

PTE,

Can you elaborate on the 100 cell cats install?

My dealer emailed me today to tell me that Cory's suspision was correct. The ECU will need to go back to Kleemann and get reprogrammed.

L.

 

Learso:
Talk to Cory, There might be a Little, very little, lose of hp , but in mine mind, it was worth knowing that the car would still past Emission testing and it will tone down your exhaust Just a Touch. Regards Patrick T. Eves S.E. FLA

 

thanks for the review id i got a 55, id do the lsd rite away!!

btw, ghostrider, whats in ur avatar? is there a larger version(S)?

 

now you are really ready for a blower.

 

I think the 'what' is pretty evident; the who and where remains the question...

 

who did you use in the boston area to do the work and did they seem knowledgeable about what you were doing as well as capable of doing it?

 

Hi All,

I found the best increase was from the installation of the AMG LSD diff (imported it directly from AMG Germany), larger drive shafts & universal joints combined with 19" wheels & PZero tyres. Now the ESP light hardly comes on because of the better traction. This setup takes a half second of the 0-100km time.

Robertus

 

Heh, life's a beach.

I'm with you on the liberating effect of LSD. Learso loved the change. Can anyone say if Kleemann or AMG has the better product? Is there a price or installation advantage?

I'm also with you for plus sizing the tires. But do 19s make sense from a performance perspective? I thought they were more for the bling crowd.

I would have guessed 235/40/18 front and 265/35/18 rear are best for the 208. Maybe even 275s out back if they fit (do they?).
Not sure about the 209.

Finally, I thought the AMGs already had a beefed-up drive shaft. How does a bigger drive shaft and UJs improve performance?

 

...it doesn't... (perhaps 'lighter' would decrease angular momentum a teency weency bit, but that's not the question anyway)

 

How much is the Kleemann or AMG LSD?

Would they affect the ESP/ASR operation at all?

Do they require special differential oil?

Thanks!