LetsJet

I'm a member of the Ferrari and MB clubs. Both have track days and MB club has autocross. I was thinking of picking up a CLK55 just for track / autocross and asked on a Ferrari board I frequent. They suggested the E30/e36 BMW and miata, civic. etc. but not the CLK. I thought I'd ask here and see what your opinion is.

brabusw209amg

clk's are pretty heavy. I would recommend a lotus exige S for autocross. driving that to a auto-x is almost like cheating.

Act of God

I can't imagine that the CLK would do well, mine feels like a boat. A really really fast boat.

ashutt

Although not a 2003, here is the link to my post about tracking my 2001 CLK55 AMG:

In short, I killed every driver in my beginning group. It was a blast. I did upgrade the ECU, tires, rims, added H&R Springs and put on some SS brake-lines and high temp fluids before I went to the track.

Midway down this Link are some pictures from the track event.

As for heavy, here is my experience at the track. A Porsche 997S is about 3200 and the 2001 CLK is about 3420. Yes 200 lbs can be significant but my CLK dynoed much higher in HP and TQ than my cousins 997S.

The advantage to the Porsche at the track was the 295 R-Compound tires on the rear. However, HP and TQ went to the CLK and it makes a difference when you are in 2nd to 3rd gear most of the time around the track because that is a great power band for our cars. I ate up Caymens, 911s and S4s.

Put on some wider Rims with R-Compound tires and you got yourself a race!

rsr911

W209 is much heavier than the w208 by 400+ lbs. In an autocross where you are all point and shoot with hard cornering you are at a definate disadvantage.
If you are talking regular track event the W209 is better due to HP and torque. But it is still heavy. Needs to go on a diet big time.

I have tracked my W208 and it was excellent. No autocross however. I dont enjoy the slow speeds.

Stiggs

I think of my car more of as a highway cruiser. But it is still fun for me on the back roads.

LetsJet

Thanks guys.........

I think it would be a track car and not autox.

rsr911

You are correct. Buy one with higher miles, gut the interior, put in a roll bar, harnesses and 2 race seats, "R" compound tires.....go to town!!

blackbenzz

I tracked my W208 CLK55 once at Summit for a Ferrari event and had a blast! I'm sure you can buy a better track car for the money (i.e. Evo, E30 M3, 190e 2.3 16v, etc etc) but theres nothing like getting a point by from a ferrari while driving a "boat".

I also saw a black CLK55 vert W209 last time I went to the ferrari of wash event at summit.

LetsJet

Any mods to lower and widen the stance?

Kleeman still selling the induction sys?

Chappy

Look into the Bilstein PSS9

blackbenzz

I have KW v.2's with wider Kinesis wheels.

Yes they still sell a supercharger but you should look for the older version since it was a better s/c. You can only find it used now since they stopped making them.

LetsJet

Do you mean a W208 instead of a W209 or a supercharger built older?

blackbenzz

Older version of the supercharger not W208 vs. W209

Holson

I'm not sure how the W209 '55 drives but while my 208 is nimble I do think the suspension's still a tad on the softer side.. (after driving a C6 Chevy Corvette and E46 BMW m3 that is...)

I think if you reduce its weight and put in stiffer legs (bilstein PSS9s perhaps), I'm sure it'd be decent.

An LSD would probably help too...

Chappy

Amen, brother.

LetsJet

LSD?

I don't recall that having anything to do with cars.........What is that?

blackbenzz

Limited slip differential. It allows both wheels to spin as opposed to one and gives better traction.

Holson

Yes, it's limited slip diff - not lysergic acid diethylamide http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/LSD.html

LetsJet

Ahhhhhhh

You guys and your acronyms.....

Limited slip, sure thing. Did they make one for the car or aftermarket?

blackbenzz

Aftermarket options are Kleemann and quaife. I have Kleemann which is good but if I were to do it again I'd get Quaife

rsr911

mbenzman fitted a Quaife in his W208 - he could go full throttle on the track coming out of the corners and not get the EPS to activate, HUGE improvement!!!!!

blackbenzz

I bet he cant do that anymore!