2003 CLK55 review from an M3 owner
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Frisco, TX Dallas 'burb
2003 CLK55
2003 CLK55 review from an M3 owner
I just bought an '03 CLK55. Wow, I knew this car would be a bit faster than my '04 M3 convert, and it is! But it is also more fun to drive, sounds MUCH better, and drives smoother. I guess now that I am 40 I am kinda tired of the jarring race car ride of the M3. AMG seems to have a perfect balance of ride and control...it sokes up everything. And as much as I loved the beemer, I always made fun of its engine sound by Singer. My buddy took the 55 out the other day and were giggling like school kids because of the sound and power. So, a couple questions...and I'm a "search retard" cuz I never find what I want. Two things. How do I completely turn off traction control? And what is the best performance mod? I would suppose a tune....but which one?
Thanks and does anyone wanna buy a used M3?
Thanks and does anyone wanna buy a used M3?
Banned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 960
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From: Socal
06' Clk 500 Cabriolet, 01' CL 55, 00' Clk 430
I just bought an '03 CLK55. Wow, I knew this car would be a bit faster than my '04 M3 convert, and it is! But it is also more fun to drive, sounds MUCH better, and drives smoother. I guess now that I am 40 I am kinda tired of the jarring race car ride of the M3. AMG seems to have a perfect balance of ride and control...it sokes up everything. And as much as I loved the beemer, I always made fun of its engine sound by Singer. My buddy took the 55 out the other day and were giggling like school kids because of the sound and power. So, a couple questions...and I'm a "search retard" cuz I never find what I want. Two things. How do I completely turn off traction control? And what is the best performance mod? I would suppose a tune....but which one?
Thanks and does anyone wanna buy a used M3?
Thanks and does anyone wanna buy a used M3?
An M3 Cabriolet performances is no where near the M3 coupe !! Wrong comparision.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 453
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From: Las Vegas
2005 SL600 by SPEEDRIVEN
Welcome
Welcome and I believe you have made an excellent choice as well. To answer some of your questions, there is no way to fully turn of the ESP. You can use the button to disable it but if things really go bad it will still kick-in.
I have taken mine to the track and can tell you that ESP doesn't kick-in very much in those conditions, so you shouldn't really notice it in spirited driving. Turn ESP off for off-the-line digs and practice power-braking for launching the car. 1500 RPM or less will work fine for a good launch.
At the track my instructor had an M3 coupe. We drove both cars. I am glad I have the CLK55 AMG. The feel was very different. I kept waiting for his car to pull but it felt pretty flat until the car reached high revs but by that time we were hitting a corner again and back down to a lack of power at low revs. On the other hand, I loved the CLK in and out of corners because of the power- and the straights.....very big smile!
Here is a list of common modifications:[LIST=1]
I have taken mine to the track and can tell you that ESP doesn't kick-in very much in those conditions, so you shouldn't really notice it in spirited driving. Turn ESP off for off-the-line digs and practice power-braking for launching the car. 1500 RPM or less will work fine for a good launch.
At the track my instructor had an M3 coupe. We drove both cars. I am glad I have the CLK55 AMG. The feel was very different. I kept waiting for his car to pull but it felt pretty flat until the car reached high revs but by that time we were hitting a corner again and back down to a lack of power at low revs. On the other hand, I loved the CLK in and out of corners because of the power- and the straights.....very big smile!
Here is a list of common modifications:[LIST=1]
- Green Filters (Like K&N but better in MHO)- $110 or less
- SS Brake Lines and High Temp Brake Fluid- $150 or less
- Performance Brake Pads- $150 t0 $300
- Radar (Escort, Valentine or Bel)- $400 to $500
- ECU Reprogram- $350 to $1,200
- H&R Springs- $450-$500
- 19" Rims- $1,000 to $5,000
- Big Brake system (i.e Brembo)- $4,000 or more new for front
- Tires (Michilen PS2 or Eagle F1 DS-D3) $900 to $1,400
- Cams, Headers, etc.
- Forced Air Induction Systems- $10,000 or more
Last edited by ashutt; Dec 10, 2007 at 10:39 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: East Falls, Philadelphia / Swedesboro, South Jersey
CLK55 AMG
Ultimate,
From another BMW convert ('99 E46 328I), great choice!! I was blown away by the performance of my "new" 2003 CLK55 AMG. The sound, acceleration, and feel of the CLK is unbelievable! Coming from another person over 40 it was a great upgrade to better performance, ride, acceleration, and handling over my E46, I'll never go back!!
The first mods I'll be doing are the wheels (19" is what I'd like), K&N filters and the ECU, then moving on to the suspension.
Welcome to the club!!
Bob
From another BMW convert ('99 E46 328I), great choice!! I was blown away by the performance of my "new" 2003 CLK55 AMG. The sound, acceleration, and feel of the CLK is unbelievable! Coming from another person over 40 it was a great upgrade to better performance, ride, acceleration, and handling over my E46, I'll never go back!!
The first mods I'll be doing are the wheels (19" is what I'd like), K&N filters and the ECU, then moving on to the suspension.
Welcome to the club!!
Bob
Banned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 960
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From: Socal
06' Clk 500 Cabriolet, 01' CL 55, 00' Clk 430
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 75
From: USA
18 G550, 24 EQB3504M
I just bought an '03 CLK55. Wow, I knew this car would be a bit faster than my '04 M3 convert, and it is! But it is also more fun to drive, sounds MUCH better, and drives smoother. I guess now that I am 40 I am kinda tired of the jarring race car ride of the M3. AMG seems to have a perfect balance of ride and control...it sokes up everything. And as much as I loved the beemer, I always made fun of its engine sound by Singer. My buddy took the 55 out the other day and were giggling like school kids because of the sound and power. So, a couple questions...and I'm a "search retard" cuz I never find what I want. Two things. How do I completely turn off traction control? And what is the best performance mod? I would suppose a tune....but which one?
Thanks and does anyone wanna buy a used M3?
Thanks and does anyone wanna buy a used M3?
One of these suckers:
1) The new 335i coupe
2) A used '04 645ci
3) A used '04/05 M3 Coupe
There's something silly about the AMG's exhaust note that I love and is totally missing from the BMWs (including the 645ci)
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Frisco, TX Dallas 'burb
2003 CLK55
Holson, I would chose the 335i...with a simple ECU chip you can get a 40+ hp and tq boost and smoke the others on the list, even more power with exhaust and CAI. I still love BMWs, but this AMG has me sprung!
Thanks for all the feedback guys!
Thanks for all the feedback guys!
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 980
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From: Boston, MA
My ex-cars: 03 E55,04 C32, 05 C55 ,03 E320
Get 645 man..
forget the hype about 335 plus chip, tired of hearing all that "oh but a 335 with chip will xxx you"!
are you reading forums at work? Im reporting you!
forget the hype about 335 plus chip, tired of hearing all that "oh but a 335 with chip will xxx you"!
are you reading forums at work? Im reporting you!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
Congrats on the CLK55.
No way to turn ESP completely off unless you put your car in Dyno mode. Do a forum search with key words "dyno mode". I believe that turns ESP completely off. Just be very careful with it off. I personally have never tried it. Too afraid.
No way to turn ESP completely off unless you put your car in Dyno mode. Do a forum search with key words "dyno mode". I believe that turns ESP completely off. Just be very careful with it off. I personally have never tried it. Too afraid.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 960
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From: Socal
06' Clk 500 Cabriolet, 01' CL 55, 00' Clk 430
That would also turn off your ABS..etc. Very smart on your recommendation !!!
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CLS55 AMG
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=119485
Here's their measured dyno plot, stock vs. Vishnu chipped:
Chips don't add much (if any) hp to normally aspirated cars, but with turbos, where they can actually add boost, it's a whole 'nuther story. The B5 Audi S4s were easily modded from a 14.1 @ 99 to a mid 13 car with just a Stage I chip.
