I was doing some research to see what exactly is the difference between the W203 C55 and W209 CLK55 from a chassis and performance point of view, as there was a recent thread in the C32/C55 subforum about this. It was interesting for me to see how the W209 CLK55 actually changed from its introduction as a 2003 model, to its final iteration as a 2006 model (before it was replaced by the CLK63 as a 2007 model). I'm sure some of you are totally aware of all the details, but I just wanted to summarize this so I can always refer to this thread later on.

2003-2004 CLK55: underpinnings essentially based on the W203 C32 AMG with the exact same wheelbase dimension. Came with the same brakes as the C32 (4 piston in front and 2 piston at the rear). The CLK55 likely had very similar suspension tuning as the C32, which was more biased towards comfort rather than optimized handling. The CLK55 had dual exhaust tips on one side, and had 17" AMG rims. One thing that the CLK55 had over the C32 was the "M" (manual) mode of the 5 speed transmission with shift buttons at the back of the steering wheel. However, even in M mode, the transmission still upshifts on its own if you hit the redline.

2005 CLK55: This is where it gets interesting. This was the year where the W203 C-class facelift occurred, and the C55 AMG replaced the previous C32 AMG. It was not time for the W209 facelift yet, but there were mechanical and cosmetic changes made to the CLK55 during this model year which mirrored the significant upgrades that the C55 got (more direct steering ratio/rack, 18" Style IV AMG rims, revised stiffer suspension components to improve handling, quad exhaust tips). The CLK55's brakes were upgraded to larger rotors with 6 piston in the front and 4 piston at the back. As far as I can tell, the brakes were the only obvious performance feature that CLK55 had over the C55. Like the W203 C-class facelift, the CLK55 got revised interior materials and centre console design, along with more scratch resistant nano-paint. The CLK55's "M" transmission mode got revised to match the C55's new "M" transmission mode (it does not automatically upshift even if you hit redline and bounce off the rev limiter).

2006 CLK55: This was the official facelift for the W209 CLK-class. As far as I can tell, the only difference were cosmetic changes, including a different front grille, a revised front bumper and foglight design, and a different taillight design. All the mechanical and performance upgrades already ocurred in the 2005 model year.

Then for the 2007 model year, the CLK55 was discontinued, and the CLK63 became available (coupe not available in N. America). The CLK63 got revised suspension, a 7 speed transmission, different steering wheel with shift paddles, different 18" Style VI rims, and a different front bumper design. The CLK63 also got new more supportive seats, and a different instrumet cluster.

Did I miss anything significant?

From a performance point of view, I presume the 2005-2006 CLK55 handles better and has better steering feel than the 2003-2004 CLK55 models due to the revised suspension components and steering rack (just like the C55 out handles the C32). Relative to the C55, I presume the C55 may have a very slight edge over the CLK55 in all aspects due to lower weight compared to the CLK55 (3540 lbs vs 3635 lbs curb weight).

What I can't tell from the previous brochures and press releases is whether the 2005-2006 CLK55's had the same revised electronic traction control system as the C55 which tries to mimic a mechanical LSD when you press "ESP Off" (similar to the "e-diff" of the 135i). Another thing I'm not sure of is whether any model year of the CLK55 came with a finned rear differential oil cooler (which was standard on the C55). If anybody knows, please post and let us know (for the rear differential oil cooler, just look under your car to see if you have one).

Great post. I leaned a few things

Good post,all this information are true,yes all the clk55 05-06 have the rear differencial oil cooler with the same ratio: 3.06

Good data-mining!

re excerpt below.... I sure wish there was some real comparo's backing all this up.... it would make sense the newer iterations performed better on a track... but is there any track times, slalom data to support? I'd be curious to know the relative diff between the later years down to the W208 as well.

"From a performance point of view, I presume the 2005-2006 CLK55 handles better and has better steering feel than the 2003-2004 CLK55 models due to the revised suspension components and steering rack (just like the C55 out handles the C32). Relative to the C55, I presume the C55 may have a very slight edge over the CLK55 in all aspects due to lower weight compared to the CLK55 (3540 lbs vs 3635 lbs curb weight)."

Also tighter suspension does not always = better performance.... many car actually low spring rates to go faster at my autocross track. I actually would not want my 04 stock amg clk55 suspension any firmer for daily driving.... but I'm and old guy. My wifes pp c63 is a killer on the back side anything over 1 hr of driving.

Nice thread, Skull Leader

Well there has never been head to head comparison regarding laptimes between a 2003-2004 CLK55 vs a 2005-2006 CLK55 (no magazine would do such a crazy thing). The closest and most objective thing I know of are the Sport Auto Supertests, where they test cars around the Nurburgring and Hockenheim using the SAME driver. They have tested the C32 AMG and C55 AMG on separate days, and here are the results:

Nurburgring:
C32: 8.37 min
C55: 8.22 min

Hockenheiim:
C32: 1.20,6 min
C55: 1.18,6 min

They attributed the signfiicant improvement in laptimes to the suspension and improved traction out of corners (due to the electronic "pseudo" LSD).

If you look at North Amercian magazines, the C55 consistently had higher slalom speeds and skidpad grip than the C32, again suggesting that the more aggressive suspension tuning did make an objective difference in handling.

Putting all this together, I would suspect the same would apply to the 2003-2004 CLK55 vs 2005-2006 CLK55.........can anybody confirm that the 2005-2006 CLK55 has the same electronic "pseudo" LSD as the C55?

Interesting data.... or perhaps the better lap times are due to the tq power characteristics of the 55 vs 32 car.... or heat soak of a stocker c32? Just thinking outloud.

Another tid bit. Please correct me if I am wrong. But early production 2005 CLK55s came standard with navigation and xenons, but came with 8 speaker Bose Audio.

In mid cycle, those two items were changed to options and a 10 speaker Harmon Kardon system replaced the Bose.

It is unlikely, in my opinion, that the C55's improved laptimes over the C32 was because of better power/torque. The acceleration advantage the C55 has over the C32 is subtle (some C32 owners think a stock C32 is actually faster than a C55).

As far as I can tell, all 2005 CLK55's came with the revised centre console and Harmon Kardon audio system. I have the Canadian 2005 CLK brochure (printed in 2004), and it's clear that Command was an option and the Harmon Kardon system is standard. Bixenons were standard too.


There are still 2 things that I'm not sure about regarding the CLK55 compared to the C55.
1) Did the 2005-2006 CLK55 come with the revised traction control function to mimic a LSD (electronic "pseudo" LSD) like the C55 did?
2) Did the 2005-2006 CLK55 come with front rims which had decreased offsets (like the C55 did) to increase front track width to improve handling? The C55 had 7.5x18" ET30 rims in the front. I had read before that this front offset was specific to the C55.

Here in this link is a picture of a 2005 CLK55 I tried purchasing last year.

https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...miles-30k.html

Note that the Window sticker says 8-Speaker Bose under comfort. I have seen others with the Bose as well, all with the updated interior. It is very strange that Mercedes did this, and even more weird that all auto sites have Harman Kardon as standard in 2005 for the CLK55. But it was not the case. Also you see on this example xenons were optional. Not sure what the cutoff is for the stereo change. Would be nice to find out, as I found this out on my own shopping for a 2005 CLK55 for over a year.

I would like to know about the diff as well. But I have searched to the ends of the internet and came up empty handed.

My guess is that the label on car is incorrect and that the car actually has Harmon Kardon system. Dealerships often make mistakes.

That is the original window sticker. It would not come from the dealer, it comes straight from the manufacturer.

Guess we will find out for certain when I pick up my 05. As the one I am picking up too has the Bose listed on the original window sticker. Maybe the Manufacturer had typos on early production 05's.

His car had wood grain too which was strange. The original owner equiped the car with the options to their liking instead of buying it off the lot. My car has the harmon kardon system, xenons never came standard but should have been.

Yes, but the bose was standard according to the sticker. Do you have the window sticker for your car? Does it say Harman Kardon?

I still have my original window sticker. Would it be helpful if I posted that? Its a 2003.

Hello W209 owners - I'm modding my C55 with parametric steering that came on W209 CLK55's. If any of you have this option... Code 213, can you please post the information of your ESP ECU?

I've already changed the steering rack, but the ECU is not programmed for option 213 and I have to change the ECU also. EPCnet is not making it easy to reference the correct part numbers.

Thanks.

Just picked up my 2005 CLK55. It does in fact have the differential cooler. Oh and even tho my original window sticker says bose, the car has the Harman Kardon, I will check into the other things once I have more time.

Congrats on the purchase! Is it a coupe? (sorry for the thread jack)

Yup, it is a 2005 Coupe. I'll make a post about it with pix later on. Didnt get home til 3am last night from driving the car home. And it was not picture ready. SO many bugs!

Must be a monster w/ the kleeman headers