Mtthias MB

Hello, first post. I have a 2002 CLK 55 AMG with one large exhaust. Inside I see two outlets. From pictures I see other cars of the same year and model with two exhaust tips. What's up please???

Acez

i don't see anything funny to laugh about.
where's the picture you saw? could use some reference here.

mbenzman

You bought a rebadged clk430. What's the first half of your vin #?

velvet fog

That's what I'm thinking. What do the brakes and engine cover look like?

Stiggs

Is this post for real? Whats so funny?

mbenzman

Who's laughing? I asked him for the vin # to identify whether he actually has a CLK55 or a rebadged CLK430 clone. The exhaust he described would be stock on a CLK430. They clone easily if they have the AMG sport package already. The wheels on the CLK430 sport are different but are AMG labeled 17's as well!
You could relabel the instrument cluster too but changing the vin, very hard to do, as well as illegal.
I have had cars in the shop where people complained about power and it turned out to be incorrectly labeled, ie 300E 2.6 with the 2.6 emblem removed and sold as a 300E. Then you ride a real 300E and say "mine don't run good, I'll get a tune up". The shop finds you really bought less cubes then you thought. The VIN # will reveal!

PTE

Your Right Rich ; and they are everywhere in Florida. There is nothing to say it cann't be done else where . I see them all the time ___PTE___

mbenzman

Yeh, there's a couple AMG wannabee clones here in Roswell. One took the CLK430 off and installed the AMG emblem on the left side.
Have any more intake spacers in stock? Like a couple pair?
Rich

Btw. You only need to post the first half of your VIN # it contains model info, The rear half is your actual serial #. Just to clarify.

Mtthias MB

Thanks for the replies.

The VIN on my car is WDBLJ74G62T......

Definately a real CLK 55. I have paper on it since it was new.

Back to the exhaust. I'll take some pics tomorrow and post them. I look forward to your insight.

Stiggs

The original poster was laughing.

mbenzman

Missed it, but I guess he's sincere about solving it. Good eye.

mbenzman

Maybe previous owner sold the exhaust to someone for some $, before trading it in. Or also had a CLK430 he kept and swapped. If cars could talk!

ProjectC55

Hey Pat I'm sure someone would be happy to buy my car as it its still badged C43! They would probably say "Damn" this car is unusually fast for a C43"! I get that all the time.... I think the buyer would be delightfully surprised!

PTE

Yes They would , but only My Barber knows for sure

om84

I hope its a real clk 55 amg, or somebody is a real jerk off out there, otherwise some just placed a different tip on the car, maybe because he missed up the original one and found the current one for a good price.

mbenzman

The owner already posted the vin # and it's the real deal.

He hasn't posted pics of what tips are on it. Still waiting.......

Mtthias MB

Geeze tough crowd. How do you know I didn't meet and old girlfriend or something? Anyway, thanks for bringing this up. I am still bugged about the exhaust, but the car is still awesome. Here are the pics. What do you think?

Mtthias MB

Not sure on how to get the pictures to show. I used [img]urllink[/img]. Just get the red cross.

ProjectC55

Use www.photobucket.com

They are free and easy to use as well.

Mtthias MB

Here tis

mbenzman

That is a nice 430 or 320 exhaust you have there. How about some overall pics of this beauty, wheels, brakes, engine compartment, engine number, steering wheel, instrument cluster etc. . If the rear muffler is wrong, let's see what else has been swapped from your puzzle.

Mtthias MB

C'mon up. Where is the engine number? Thanks. Matt

Mtthias MB

Well the answer is now known. Ridden with irritation and resentment at perhaps making a stupid purchase, I took the car up the street to Mercedes Benz of Sacramento and asked for an authentication procedure. While they had no specific procedure in place. the service advisor happily ran the VIN and obtained a Vehicle Master Inquiry, which shows that the car is what it is. Even the options, service records, warranty package, and campaigns were listed. So that's good.

He brought out a service tech who verified the part number on the muffler. It is a 430 muffler and exhaust tip. He then examined the car thoroughly and showed me a demarcation line in the silver paint along the edge of the trunk on the left side. Opinion is the car has been in a fender bender and the exhaust tips were taken out. The repair is close to perfect so I really have no problem with this (although Carfax showed nothing), except they replaced the muffler with the wrong part. The really bad news is the correct muffler is $2,128 and should it need a center pipe, that would be $1,588, all plus installation.

I'm not going there. However this does open some options. I am looking for ideas for an aftermarket muffler and tips. Nothing blingy or ricky-racer, just a nice system that would compliment the car? Ideas? Option 2 is to do nothing and behave like 98% of people would (but not us car nuts).

A special recognition to Mercedes of Sacramento. They had me bring the car right into the service area, spent time with me, provided me with print-outs, and expert opinions, all at no charge. They have my vote and my business.

I also appreciate the opinions and insight on this forum. I plan on sticking around. Cheers, Matt

AMGEEZY

Check out our group buy on the Eisennman exhaust. Sounds awesome. Plus its half the price of the AMG Muffler. Its on the other forum.

Mtthias MB

Intriguing, I'm a newby. Where is this other forum, and how do I find the group buy? I googled Eisenmann. Looks like a great company.