Howard

besides the engine?

Bigger rotors and calipers?
Bigger sway bars?
Different shocks?
Different Springs?

Brian Yee

...Transmission, (out of the V12) the driveshaft, differential and exhaust system.....I presume enough of a difference to justify the
reasonable (?) difference in price.

karl k

AMG!

Engine/Tranny/Seats/Suspension/Wheels/Body...

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...pec=0&menu=3_0

rp430

What's different about the body of a 430 and a 55 Karl? AMG logo on the trunk is about all I can see. I am not talking about wheels & exhaust.

karl k

rp430 wrote:1. Power tilt/sliding tinted glass sunroof with one-touch express-open.

2. Xenon high intensity discharge low-beam headlamps w/automatic level control.

3. Heated head-lamp washers.

4. Infra-red rain sensor automatically adjusts intermittent wiper delay/activity based on rainfall intensity.

plus as you mentioned:

5. "CLK 55 AMG" logo on trunk.

6. AMG 55 monoblock wheels.

7. AMG exhaust with dual-tip polished stainless-steel finishers.

Mach430

My 430 came with all of those options except "AMG 55" monoblock wheels and the AMG Muffler/emblem. As far as the body is concerned, there is no difference.

hmrdwn

Howard wants to know about the "guts" not the cosmetics.

rp430

Karl, my 430 has 1, 2, 3 & 4 also.

hmrdwn, I know Howard wanted mechanical differences, I was just wondering why Karl said there were"body" differences.

karl k

These are all of the EXTERIOR STANDARD FEATURES on the 2002 CLK55 AMG, as listed in the OFFICIAL MBZ CLK brochure!


1. Power tilt/sliding tinted glass sunroof with one-touch express-open.

2. Xenon high intensity discharge low-beam headlamps w/automatic level
control.

3. Heated head-lamp washers.

4. Infra-red rain sensor automatically adjusts intermittent wiper
delay/activity based on rainfall intensity.


5. "CLK 55 AMG" logo on trunk.

6. AMG 55 monoblock wheels.

7. AMG exhaust with dual-tip polished stainless-steel finishers.

bodyart27

the exclusive two tone nappa leather (?) interior - love my charcoal /solver

and - of course - the ski sack!

guages are different I would assume since they say AMG

rp430

But Karl. you must admit that the "body" of a CLK 55 and a CLK 430 are the same given the 430 has the options - sans of course the wheels, logo and exhaust.

Howard

Geez, a lot of different answers.

I believe the tranny is the same.
I believe the differential is the same.

Springs are stiffer, yes?
Shocks are bigger, yes?
Sway bars are bigger, yes?
Rotors are larger, yes?
Calipers are 2 or 4 piston, yes
Engine is bigger, duh!
Exhaust is slightly different, yes?
Wheels are monoblocks but same size, yes?
CLK 55 and amg logos, yes?
Did I miss anything?

Brian Yee

Ask MBZ....Tranny and differential is different from the 430. The trans is as I've mentioned before, out of the V12 models, and the diff is a heavier spec item. Part nos. are AMG cataloged items as per internal MBZ part #'s.

karl k

You are correct Brian, some people just don't read:

As is typical with the AMG models, the CLK55 receives numerous other performance enhancements to complement the powerful hand-built-by-AMG V-8, which is 67 horses racier than the engine in the CLK430.

The five-speed automatic transmission is based on the heavy-duty gearbox used in the V-12 S-class models. And it is coupled to a reinforced differential with a beefy driveshaft four inches in diameter.

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...view_clk55.xml

In addition, the INTERIOR STANDARD FEATURES for the CLK55 AMG, - a couple items duplicate what was stated prior by others, - include:

1. Multi-contour front seats with pneumatic lumbar, side and thigh supports.

2. Heated front seats.

3. AMG design Nappa Leather charcoal or two-tone upholstery.

4. AMG instrument cluster design.

5. Sport steering wheel w/AMG logo.

6. Sport shift knob.

7. Rear window shade.

8. Black birdseye maple wood trim.

9. AMG logo floor mats.

10. Exhilaration from the get-go &

~~~ NO MODS REQUIRED! ~~~

TripleCap

I know this doesn't answer your question, but I upgraded from a 2000 320 to a 2002 55 and it is like night and day. The 55 is amazingly fast and handles like a dream. I love the damn thing.

Brian Yee

...Methinks Karl is secretly a high level employee in charge of marketing. This position is known internally as "chief propagandist" in the MBZ hierarchy. He was given this plum position as his actual sirname IS Benz and the "K" is out there as a ruse. He had the choice of ANY model in the lineup and chose what is known internally as "the best"....Am I getting warm, Karl??

karl k

Again, tnx Brian, - that's funny.

I am just a driving enthusiast, currently enjoying the best car MB built - 2002 CLK55 AMG -, since Karl Benz patented his first motorcoach in January of 1886!

PS:
The worst was a 2001 SL500.

This SL500 spent so much time in the MB service shop, that I was tempted to swap it for the Vitara Suzuki loaner.

Brian Yee

Hi Karl,
I contemplated purchasing an SL once but realized that I wasn't really cut out for convertible motoring. I always thought that this model in particular, was very well built. What were the problems you had that caused you so much grief??

Mach430

My dad has a 1992 SL500 that is both still in perfect condition, and has never had any problems. I think that the SL's are very well built, however some cars tend to have a lot of problems and it looks like Karl had one of them. BTW, I saw a new model Red 500SL on the 405N Saturday. That is definitely a well built car. It's absolutely beautiful.

karl k

Brian asks:2001 SL500 problems:

1. Incorrect gas tank content readings.
Gas sending unit replaced.

2. Noisy aircon compressor. Replaced compressor.

3. Aircon expansion valve noise constant annoyance. Nothing done because, "they all do it."

4. Oil level sensing unit giving low oil warnigs, when dipstick showed full. Unit replaced.

5. Vanity light contacts corroded. Replaced contacts. Lights still flickered.

6. Flex of car always caused squeaks in hard top.

7. I am 6'2". Seats felt very uncomfortable. Too close to steering wheel and lacked lumbar support.

8. Rusty engine compartment screws replaced.

9. Rear-view mirror auto-dimming at night did not work.

10. Window tint, provided by MB dealer's sub caused squeaky windows. Tint had to be removed.
Sub said that this was the first problem with an SL.

When I test drove the CLK55 AMG - I knew that was the car for me. Just Love it!!

damianbaez

just want to know the different between engines ...like different head ,cams etc...

MarcusF

The air boxes are different, and its not just cosmetic. The early (pre-2001) 430 used Bosch Motronic ME 2.0. These used a 69mm throttle body. The 2001/2002 430s used ME 2.8 and had a 74mm throttle body. The CLK55 also uses a 74mm throttle body, but it is physically different (and no longer available). The CLK55 uses the same heads as a CLK500 (same part number), but the exhaust ports are different on an AMG - yes, the same part number, yes the ports are different. The 430 heads are different. CLK430, 500, and 55 cams are all unique. The 55 and 430 use different rocker arms. The 55, 500 and 430s all use the same lifters. The 430 uses different intake and exhaust valves. The 500 and 55 use the same valves. The 55 has different intake and exhaust valve springs than a 430. The 55, 500, and 430 use the same intake manifolds. The 430 and 55 use the same exhaust manifold, but the rest of the exhaust is different. The 2001/2002 (ME 2.8) 430 uses the same injectors as the 500, but the 55 has unique injectors. Before anyone asks, the C43 injectors are different from the standard ME 2.0 430 injectors. 430s and 55s use different cranks. The 320, 430, 500, and 55 (NA) all use the same rods and rod bearings. The 320 and 430 (both early and late) used different pistons than those of the 55. The 430 uses a different block (although there is a new and late casting number). The 55 uses a unique block, the 55K has yet another unique block. The 55 has an oil cooler.

cm60k

Marcus,

As i know; All M113 using the same 74mm T/B, including all 430's, isn't...??

ZAYED,,

MarcusF

The C43 (or some C43s) had a 74mm throttle body, but the pedestrian, run of the mill early 430s had a 69mm unit.

The 2000 and earlier CLK430s had Bosch Motronic ME 2.0. Their throttle body is Mercedes-Benz part number 113.141.00.25 (Bosch part number 0 205 003 048). That is a 69mm throttle body.

The 2001 and later CLK430 had Bosch Motronic ME 2.8. A lot of parts are different, including the throttle body which is Mercedes-Benz part number 113 141 01 25 (Bosch part number 0 280 750 017). This is a 74mm throttle body. The same part is used on the CLK500.

The CLK55 uses part number 113 141 01 24 (discontinued). This is a 74mm throttle body.

That's why some people were trying to buy 2001 and later TBs on ebay. They found out it's not simply a matter of grabbing an ME 2.8 TB and bolting it to a manifold. It will bolt up, but the electrical connector is different. 2.8 on the left and 2.0 on the right

cm60k

Thankss for info. Marcus,

Bosch/MB only provides "2" types of T/B's,

1) "112 141 00 25" & "112 141 01 25", (68mm)

2) "113 141 00 25" & "113 141 01 25", (74mm)

* the diameter is the same of both different connector plugs, i hope im not wrong..!!

ZAYED,,