Looking to buy a CLK55
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,443
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From: Desert
02 CLK 55 AMG,09 C63 loaded with P30
Somehow the w208 CLK55 looks more aggressive then the w209s especially from the rear. People tell me the same. Also the w208s handle better because of the lbs.
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2008
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1996 C36 AMG
01 02 are only years for 208 and really no real substantial difference between the two. I think nav was option on 02s but other then that, same thing pretty much. Eitherone is good. Its all about finding well maintained car with good previous owner, thats more important than anything else.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
The W208 chassis uses an unequal length, double wishbone front suspension system. The W209 uses a three point MacPherson strut design.
The MacPherson suspension design has fewer parts, is less expensive to manufacture, and is more compact. If that’s what you're referring to, you're right. The double wishbone design has a lot going against it. It's main advantage is it's "functionally" superior. In a curve, an unequal length double wishbone suspension will induce negative camber on the outer wheel. With a MacPherson strut design, the suspension leans with the car, the tires lean with the suspension (positive camber), and traction is reduced because the tire is no longer perpendicular to the road.
The W209 does have a better steering design.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 298
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From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
2002 CLK55 Cabriolet (DEAD: 1989 300E, 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible)
2002 all the way baby!
There's a nice blue 2002 Coupe with 61K miles on it (and tasteful spoilers) at Keyes European in Van Nuys, CA just dying for a new home (I saw it when I took mine in for an oil change a week or so ago).
They're asking $21k on their Web site, can probably get them to go under $20k.
There's a link on Page 4 of this site.
No offense to the W209 owners, but I think styling-wise they look really bland compared to W208's. I think a W208 Cab is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed!
There's a nice blue 2002 Coupe with 61K miles on it (and tasteful spoilers) at Keyes European in Van Nuys, CA just dying for a new home (I saw it when I took mine in for an oil change a week or so ago).
They're asking $21k on their Web site, can probably get them to go under $20k.
There's a link on Page 4 of this site.
No offense to the W209 owners, but I think styling-wise they look really bland compared to W208's. I think a W208 Cab is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
The feature that the W209 has but the W208 does not is the pillarless window design. All four windows go down on my car. I love that. But the styling on the W208 is more aggressive. For the OP...if you wanted to get a W209 then I would say try to find a 2005. You get quad exhaust, 18 inch rims and updated interior. 2003 and 2004 models do not have that.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 528
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From: living in Paris, France and San Diego ...
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupé
Better suspension layout? You must mean the front suspension as they both use a five link rear.
The W208 chassis uses an unequal length, double wishbone front suspension system. The W209 uses a three point MacPherson strut design.
The MacPherson suspension design has fewer parts, is less expensive to manufacture, and is more compact. If that’s what you're referring to, you're right. The double wishbone design has a lot going against it. It's main advantage is it's "functionally" superior. In a curve, an unequal length double wishbone suspension will induce negative camber on the outer wheel. With a MacPherson strut design, the suspension leans with the car, the tires lean with the suspension (positive camber), and traction is reduced because the tire is no longer perpendicular to the road.
The W208 chassis uses an unequal length, double wishbone front suspension system. The W209 uses a three point MacPherson strut design.
The MacPherson suspension design has fewer parts, is less expensive to manufacture, and is more compact. If that’s what you're referring to, you're right. The double wishbone design has a lot going against it. It's main advantage is it's "functionally" superior. In a curve, an unequal length double wishbone suspension will induce negative camber on the outer wheel. With a MacPherson strut design, the suspension leans with the car, the tires lean with the suspension (positive camber), and traction is reduced because the tire is no longer perpendicular to the road.
The W209 does have a better steering design.
209 has rack and pinion steering whereas 208 has worm and roller, just like your grandfather's Oldsmobile. R&P is better - not sure why - but neither car gives much feedback to the driver. I understand the CLK 63 BS is a break-through vehicle in terms of MB's ability to compete against Porshce and BMW in the steering department. An AMG salesman explained that they got away from plastic parts and rubber dampers and put metal on metal.
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 659
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From: Miami, FL
E55 AMG + Mustang GT
Since your sig says performance and other upgrades soon to come, I have a modded '03 clk55 for sale if you're interested. Here's the link to the for sale thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-vehicles/251266-fs-2003-clk55-modded-very-clean-low-miles.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Southern California
2017 W205 C43 AMG
Marcus you DA MAN.
209 has rack and pinion steering whereas 208 has worm and roller, just like your grandfather's Oldsmobile. R&P is better - not sure why - but neither car gives much feedback to the driver. I understand the CLK 63 BS is a break-through vehicle in terms of MB's ability to compete against Porshce and BMW in the steering department. An AMG salesman explained that they got away from plastic parts and rubber dampers and put metal on metal.
209 has rack and pinion steering whereas 208 has worm and roller, just like your grandfather's Oldsmobile. R&P is better - not sure why - but neither car gives much feedback to the driver. I understand the CLK 63 BS is a break-through vehicle in terms of MB's ability to compete against Porshce and BMW in the steering department. An AMG salesman explained that they got away from plastic parts and rubber dampers and put metal on metal.
I've had both a W208 CLK430 and W209 CLK55, and there are plus and minuses to both. The W208 had a classic, brute look that never goes out of style. It was beautful in its simplicity.
The W209 is more svelte, but the interior is much more comfortable. Plusher seats, better HVAC controls and more luxury appointments. It handles better and is more roomier inside.
Lookswise, I've had to add 18" AMG rims (standard on 2005) to get the look where I wanted it. The CLK430 looked great on 17"s or 18"s.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Marcus really knows his isht! Besides the steering and suspension, the W209 has a 40% stiffer chassis, due to more usage of high strength steel.
I've had both a W208 CLK430 and W209 CLK55, and there are plus and minuses to both. The W208 had a classic, brute look that never goes out of style. It was beautful in its simplicity.
The W209 is more svelte, but the interior is much more comfortable. Plusher seats, better HVAC controls and more luxury appointments. It handles better and is more roomier inside.
Lookswise, I've had to add 18" AMG rims (standard on 2005) to get the look where I wanted it. The CLK430 looked great on 17"s or 18"s.
I've had both a W208 CLK430 and W209 CLK55, and there are plus and minuses to both. The W208 had a classic, brute look that never goes out of style. It was beautful in its simplicity.
The W209 is more svelte, but the interior is much more comfortable. Plusher seats, better HVAC controls and more luxury appointments. It handles better and is more roomier inside.
Lookswise, I've had to add 18" AMG rims (standard on 2005) to get the look where I wanted it. The CLK430 looked great on 17"s or 18"s.
Regarding the suspension, a stiffer chassis is exactly how some manufacturers have overcome the shortcomings of the Macpherson strut design. A stiff chassis, carefully chosen springs, and non-conforming sway bars limit body roll. With a Macpherson strut design, this keeps the suspension flatter, allowing for increased traction. Still, the W209 CLK55 doesn’t produce the g’s on a 200-foot skidpad that a W208 CLK55 does (mid-eighties versus low-nineties). However, the W209 does run consistently faster through a 700 foot (100 foot cone spacing) slalom. Although those tests do demonstrate grip while driving in circles, and a vehicle’s recoverability when driven like a maniac, neither test should be confused with how a car performs on a road course. The big track at Willow Springs has had a direct impact on my preference – but as I’ve said in the past, “I can’t drive” so the preference of others may vary.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
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2001 clk 55
