Hal H

The EL leather option was even on the MBUSA website for very short while when the '01 model year was under way. Then it disappeared for good.

IIRC, the option was about $3k and was available on the W208 320/430/55 models, but DCAG cancelled that as a US market option. I was playing with the US configurator on the website back then and found the price out that way.

with the tone-on-tone "standard" interiors of oyster or ash, the darker leather areas got the lighter complement color stitching and lighter leather area got the darker stitching.

Maybe the product planners felt there wouldn't be that many opting for that option at such a big $$. Instead, you had the two-tone interiors on the 430 and 55 as alternates, but still had the vinyl covering on dash, door panels and console.

neilbo75

About 3K sounds right. EL was that price in the German catalog as well. At that time, dollars and euros were at parity - same list price of 67K in both markets.
If you want to see my interior and pleny of photos of a CLK chassis painted designo alanite green, click on this link:

http://forum.hifimobile.fr/viewtopic...er=asc&start=0

IMHO EL was one of best value for money options. The craftsmanship is very good. You could spend about the same amount of money on an AMG body kit and just get different pieces of plastic.

BTW, if your budget permits, you might be able to convert your CLK to "EL" by working with Steve at MBenzNL. All the bits are in the MB parts catalog.

Hal H

http://forum.hifimobile.fr/viewtopic...er=asc&start=0

Nice! That looks like the interior for the US market Designo Espresso option.

The light brown nappa leather and the auburn maple wood trim. I've seen a few of these around - very striking color combination.

The Mocha Black Metallic paint was very attractive.

neilbo75

Yes, the designo expresso comes close to this interior look. Trivia freaks will spot the differences between the steering wheel and gear shift, where my car keeps going on the curly maple theme. But the big difference as mentioned above is no exclusive leather on the espresso package. CL and S class cars were also offered with the designo espresso package.

I like the mocha black color too - you can really see the bits of brown in the paint when you get close. A good choice if you want it black - it might even hide the dust a little better!

neilbo75

Was our car really "the quickest Mercedes-Benz ever"? Obviously not, compared to a CLK GTR, but that was not really a production automobile.

But what about another V12, the 1999 SL 73 AMG? That was a real car. And I'm betting that baby could outpull a 208 55 AMG despite the big weight penalty, at least in a straight line. Does anyone know for sure?

BTW a nice example of a SL 73 is on the AMG Private Lounge showroom thread -- check out its "Aero" multi-piece Style I wheels - same as the 208 CLK 55 AGM F1 Safety Car!

MarcusF

That's the information as supplied by MB USA. I can't say whether MB USA is correct, but I can say that webpage is exactly what was contained in the press release.

neilbo75

Well, I just read in Mercedes Enthusiast magazine that only about 80 SL 73s were built, and that none were RHD models imported into the UK. Did it make it to the USA? Anyway, the very limited build may explain why Stuttgart and MBUSA chose to ignore it in the press release.

The car itself would be hard to ignore - it was rated at 518 HP.

Chappy

Didn't come here - at least through MBUSA.

E55 PWR

That is the Digitec CLK55, heres are the specs:

"This is the Mercedes Benz CLK55 AMG, tuned by Digitec.. What will it do? This:

Engine: 5.5 litre Alloy SOHC V8, 24 valves
Power: 401hp
Transmission: Daimler 5 speed automatic, with AMG Speed-Shift.
0-100km/hr: 4.9 seconds
Top Speed: 311km/hr
Sound: Lots of it, and, quite LOUD!
Oversteer: Flick the ESP off, and it stays off, on this thing.."

so it appears 401 can be done relatively easy on these things.

neilbo75

What is a Digitec CLK?

Yes, 400 HP is possible with our engines but it won't come just from re-flashing a chip. The most effective mod is a good set of exhaust headers. AMG did that when taking our naturally-aspirated M113 engine to its ultimate factory level of 400 HP in the SLK 55 Black Series. Since they lightened the weight of the car at the same time (no more power cabriolet roof) the 55 BS has outstandng fuel economy as well as power.

Chappy

Neilbo, have you dynoed your car since the performance upgrades?

Coupecrazy

So much win.

neilbo75

No sir. Nor before. So it's hard to say what Kleemann ECU, Kleemann headers, KW V2 coilovers and a Qaife LSD are really worth. I do know the car is more fun to drive on a track. I also know it gets its *** handed to it when trying to keep up with 63s at Nurburgring. But maybe if we switched drivers?

Chappy

^^Wish you lived closer.

Please get some pics of your next outing.