Well after months of deciding, I finally chose the W209 CLK55 over the W211 E55. Partly to save money, and partly because I liked the feel of the CLK over the E class.

Don't know when my CLK will arrive, but I do know one thing.....I have to change the tires to 18 inches!! The stock tires suck!!!

I Agree the first thing I did when I got my Beast was upgrade to 18" and wider rubber, What a difference
Well enjoy and remember, drive it like you stole it

Just so you guys know, the double spoke rims on the AMG are 18 already. The 500 has 17's.

I'm pretty sure the CLK55 comes with 17inch wheels, just check out MBUSA.com it says it there. And they look pretty damn small. No way they can be 18 inch!

The CLK55 comes standard with the new 17" Style IV (which looks exactly like the 18", with one stamp and high gloss).

yes, the confusion re 18" on CLK 55 is due to this being the European spec.

Have you noticed a increase in tire noise. I have 18" and they are really noisy. I have Pilot Sports.

I'd be willing to bet that with the right wheels and tires, the CLK55 is the best handling car in the current MB line-up. It's the lightest of all the V8 cars (except the CLK500) and with a kompressor it'd no doubt be the fastest as well!! I have just about 900 miles on my pewter 209 CLK55 and I'm looking sooo forward to hammering 'er down. I was a bit disapointed when I first drove it, as it doesn't have anywhere near the throttle response that my M3 did, and with the M3's much shorter (numerically higher) gearing, it made the CLK seem very sluggish. But now that I've been able to dip into the well of power a bit more, I'm pretty impressed. I still have yet to let loose all of it, but I'm looking forward to when I can! I'm right with you on the wheels. I figure that 245-18's and 265-18s (with whichever aspect ratio keep the stock rolling diameter) would be perfect. I'd like to get the euro 18's. Anyway, congrats again, I have no doubt that you'll be extremely pleased!


Best regards,
Matt

I have not experienced any tire noise when upgrading to 18" - prior to the S03 I had mounted Pilot Sports - I sold them quickly - I felt I had no traction in wet/damp weather - I don't remember if I experienced road noise - but anyway as I posted many times before I think the best WET/DRY tire overall is the S03. I have mounted them on every car I had during their life cycle, prior to them I had the 1st generation S02 (996, 986S, M3, S6) to name a few. Finally I notice my grip has improved regarding my take offs. Anyway best of luck - regarding the above comments on handling, going from a PORSCHE 996 to a CLK55 the handling characteristics were night and day. I took me a couple of months of track driving to get a better understanding of the handling dynamic of the BEAST (CLK55), I utilize the tranny more and more to improve my throttle response, Anyway I'm sure you wont be disappointed

I've also just upgraded my C32 from 17" to 18" with S03's (can't remember what style Bridgestone the 17's were) and I'm finding them quieter if anything. The ride is sensitive to pressure - I'm running 34psi for town driving and the ride is nice. The 38psi the shop put in the new tyres was pretty hard.

Congrats and Welcome!

Matt,

I'm not sure I agree about the CLK being the best handling in MB's current lineup....I believe the SLK32 gets those honors.