Chappy

If you've got some trivia to share, post it!

Did you know???

The W208 CLK55 AMG was imported only two years for the U.S. Market: Model years 2001 and 2002.

The W208 CLK55 AMG was unveiled at the 2000 Chicago International Auto Show in February 2000.

It served as the Formula 1 Safety Car from 1997-1999 (the longest consecutive stretch of any AMG model).

It was the Quickest Car Mercedes-Benz AMG produced in 2001.

ProjectC55

BIG DEAL!!! C43 was the original Baller!

MarcusF

Rumor has it the original 2001 CLK55 press release is here.

Quant

iTrader: (1)

cleanslate

Shoeing that big *** V8 in the lil 208 body? Hell yeah! I do remember hearing that it was the fastest production Mercedes ever made when it came out and that it held that title until the 2003 model year. Supercharged Benz's tend to blow my doors off ftw

JamE55

Fact:

W208 CLK 55 AMG - Are only driven by pimps and uber wealthy people!

Chappy

I see we have picked up a W202 and W210 fan along the way....

ANOTHER FACT NUGGET:

The W208 CLK55 was the first AMG, according to The Star, where Mercedes-Benz actually provided not only 0-60mph data (4.89 sec.), but 1/4 mile stats as well (13.3 @ 109.8)!

JamE55

How can you not be a fan of the uber pimp W208 CLK55? That is the question.

Thanks for gracing us with your royal presence.

Chappy

Fixed!

JamE55

Re-fixed.

Chappy

Need I say more??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXBB1l0Vap4

JamE55

Whoa!! I'll let you have this one Chapparoony! That CLK with the CH's looks like it's ready to attack!

Chappy

.....one more parting thought! This one has a Kleemann.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BoTvHmuAb8

JamE55

LOL Donnie's legendary 7sec burnout! Not exactly sure why he did run for president?

blackbenzz

LMAO!

The CLK55 did 0-60 in 4.89s stock and trapped 109.8? Damn that's not bad! I wonder what my car does 0-60mph

ProjectC55

Chapster!

Jons95c36amg

You know a 13.3 @109.8 is a impressive trap speed but the time should be in the high 12s with better traction.

rsr911

I am so proud to be a member

neilbo75

Interesting seats in that car.

Chappy

Other than designo, the U.S.-spec W208 CLK55 came extremely well-equipped with virtually every option fitted as standard excepting the following:

CD changer
Phone/Voice Activation/Linguatronic
COMAND

What did the CLK55 AMG owner get standard above the CLK320 or CLK430 "base models"?

Xenon High Intensity Discharge low-beam headlamps with automatic level control, and heated headlamp washers
Infrared rain sensor automatically adjusts intermittent wiper delay based on rainfall
Rear sunshade
Multicontour front seats with pneumatic side, lumbar and thigh supports
Blue tinted glass (standard on the CLK430, n/a on the CLK320)
AMG-designed sculpted front air dam, side skirts and rear apron (standard on CLK430)
Ski sack and rear center armrest pass-through
Hematite blackout trim on side windows. Monochromatic color-keyed door handles (standard on the CLK430, n/a on the CLK320)
AMG-design Charcoal or two-tone Nappa leather upholstery on seats, sport steering wheel and shift knob
AMG Light grey instrument faces
Exclusive AMG floor mats


This, in addition to the performance features:
AMG-developed performance exhaust system with dual polished stainless-steel finishers
Separate AMG-Bilstein gas-pressurized shock absorbers and progressive-rate coil springs
Thicker stabilizer bars
AMG 4-wheel ventilated disc. Two piece front rotors with 4-piston calipers
AMG-built 5,439-cc SOHC 24-valve 90° V-8. High-pressure die-cast alloy cylinder-block, alloy heads
AMG-spec transmission (shared with the V12 models)
4" driveshaft


So, for roughly $20K above the "base" CLK430, you got a lot of value for the money.


In the original brochure (2001 model year for the CLK55), "Exclusive Leather" was an option which included a leather dash and console. Sadly, my dealer told me this was not available when I was hunting for mine (unless I wanted a Designo-optioned car).

neilbo75

In the original brochure (2001 model year for the CLK55), "Exclusive Leather" was an option which included a leather dash and console. Sadly, my dealer told me this was not available when I was hunting for mine (unless I wanted a Designo-optioned car).[/QUOTE]


Yes, Chapster, it was too bad that MBUSA could not get the hang of the designo options. "EL" was not included Stateside even in the pricey "espresso", "cashmere" and other designo packages. You do see it sometimes on the 208 55 cabs, but often just in charcoal without the contrasting stitching. For me that takes away some of the fun.

"EL" is rare in AMG coupes, in any market. I went out of my way to buy mine in Germany two years ago and I have yet to see another CLK quite like it. SFAIK, "EL" has never been offered on 209 CLKs, although AMG manufactur (aka Performance Studio) will add various leather bits on a special order basis -- but not for the top of dashboard (too curvey?). IMHO the leather top of the dashboard and center console stitching on the 208 CLK is the epitome of designo work, done better than on any other Mercedes ... although unlike the CLK, the top end CLs and S class cars continue the leather party by covering the parcel shelf as well.

As you have guessed, "EL" is probably my favorite CLK option. It also happened to be the second most costly option n the German catalog (designo chromaflare paint taking top prize - about five thousand euros IIRMC). COMAND was third. There were no designo packages - everything was a la carte, allowing for nice touches such as an AMG curly maple wood and leather steering wheel.

But don't be sad -- you Yanks got spoiled by MB. As you described, the 55 CLKs came with a boatload of standard equipment that would have been optional in Europe. Thus, for example, I had to pay some heavy coin to Steve of MBenzNL in order to get that electric sunshade. It's an expensive job because you also have to replace the parcel shelf and the wood trim around the extra console switch.

Thanks to Steve, you can get any option you want. I have indulged in some that were never offered in the USA: for example the TV, the power folding side mirrors, and the fire extinguisher (mounted under the driver's knees).

neilbo75

That dashboard speedo is a tuner's fantasy job -- the AMG model tops out at 300 km. Rightly so, since the rev limiter will not let you go any faster in fifth!

Quant

iTrader: (1)

before i bought my car, i was thinking of buying a w209 amg. anyway, after i saw that digi-tec video i had to get the w208 amg.

check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM0SGOS4eqU

JamE55

Good lawd have mercy!

Chappy

W208 CLK55s are prone to excessive throttle on oversteer.....I think I read that in the brochure somewhere.