CLK 63 AMG Cabrio - To mod or not to mod?
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From: Central Jersey
2008 CLK63 Cabriolet, 2018 GLE 350
CLK 63 AMG Cabrio - To mod or not to mod?
I have had my 08 for about a month now and I am feeling the itch. However I am torn whether to mess with a last of it's kind (I know, I know, an 09 was made in Europe but that doesn't count ;-)
Which way have you gone? What have you modded? Post pictures...
Which way have you gone? What have you modded? Post pictures...
Last edited by kubandude; Apr 12, 2014 at 01:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Central Jersey
2008 CLK63 Cabriolet, 2018 GLE 350
OK so this morning I found my first must do mod (if you can call it a mod). I need more power on the audio system. Out for a cruise this morning on a beautiful Spring morning with just about 70 degrees out. Alas, I just can't feel the oomph of the music when the permagrim starts to set at 75 mph with the top down and just need more volume from the driving music in my iPod.
Has anyone messed with adding after market amps and speakers to the original command 50 unit? I rather keep it and hide the added goodies so the look remains faithful.
Has anyone messed with adding after market amps and speakers to the original command 50 unit? I rather keep it and hide the added goodies so the look remains faithful.
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From: Manchester, CT
I am thinking of an a x-pipe and lowering springs; that's it, the rest of the car is just great as is....but with that said, these mods will not do anything for the value of the car, in fact, I bet they de-value it.
Truthfully tho, MY first mods will be head studs and SLS valve tappets....to fix what MB should have done before releasing all these cars to the public.
Truthfully tho, MY first mods will be head studs and SLS valve tappets....to fix what MB should have done before releasing all these cars to the public.
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I don't thinking modding will affect value over the short term for this rare model Benz.
1) Differential - install limited slip. That's the best mod.
2) Lowering 1/2 - never hurts and still keeps the car "streetable" IMO.
3) Black Series Front and Rear shock tower braces.
Yes, some mod the exhaust going so far as to add a second pipe and two more tips with a new rear valance panel. They do make Headers yet I read these are difficult to install and not a great power increase. Resonator to X-pipe may better the tone. You can also mod the ECM and remove the speed limiter.
The stereo. I really agree the CLK HK system is horrible.
I too wished to keep the head unit for its compatibility with the rest of the systems in the car.
There also seems to be fiber optic wiring involved with the stereo system, which for a DIY mechanic may be a road block.
What I did was add a Bazooka brand self powered sub into the truck. Wired the input from the OEM rear seat sub woofer speaker wires to the amp. This did help the sound quality and was very easy DIY install.
I also looked at all the speakers.
They appear to have a high build quality.
However, to replace the four door speakers, I understand spacers have to be built/ utilized.
The door tweeter have a transistor, for lack of my knowledge, on them so that was not plug and play for me.
So with all that said, I would add a sub in the trunk, replace the four door speakers and add a small amp in each door to upgrade the power to those four speakers. Again anyway, that is what I would do.
Yes these cars are quick, they just need traction!
1) Differential - install limited slip. That's the best mod.
2) Lowering 1/2 - never hurts and still keeps the car "streetable" IMO.
3) Black Series Front and Rear shock tower braces.
Yes, some mod the exhaust going so far as to add a second pipe and two more tips with a new rear valance panel. They do make Headers yet I read these are difficult to install and not a great power increase. Resonator to X-pipe may better the tone. You can also mod the ECM and remove the speed limiter.
The stereo. I really agree the CLK HK system is horrible.
I too wished to keep the head unit for its compatibility with the rest of the systems in the car.
There also seems to be fiber optic wiring involved with the stereo system, which for a DIY mechanic may be a road block.
What I did was add a Bazooka brand self powered sub into the truck. Wired the input from the OEM rear seat sub woofer speaker wires to the amp. This did help the sound quality and was very easy DIY install.
I also looked at all the speakers.
They appear to have a high build quality.
However, to replace the four door speakers, I understand spacers have to be built/ utilized.
The door tweeter have a transistor, for lack of my knowledge, on them so that was not plug and play for me.
So with all that said, I would add a sub in the trunk, replace the four door speakers and add a small amp in each door to upgrade the power to those four speakers. Again anyway, that is what I would do.
Yes these cars are quick, they just need traction!
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'15 T&C & '14 SL63
OK so this morning I found my first must do mod (if you can call it a mod). I need more power on the audio system. Out for a cruise this morning on a beautiful Spring morning with just about 70 degrees out. Alas, I just can't feel the oomph of the music when the permagrim starts to set at 75 mph with the top down and just need more volume from the driving music in my iPod.
Has anyone messed with adding after market amps and speakers to the original command 50 unit? I rather keep it and hide the added goodies so the look remains faithful.
Has anyone messed with adding after market amps and speakers to the original command 50 unit? I rather keep it and hide the added goodies so the look remains faithful.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 31
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From: Central Jersey
2008 CLK63 Cabriolet, 2018 GLE 350
OK so I could not resist 
Smoke side markers with "stealth" chrome bulbs that light up yellow.
Smoke side markers with "stealth" chrome bulbs that light up yellow.
Last edited by kubandude; Apr 20, 2014 at 09:31 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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From: Central Jersey
2008 CLK63 Cabriolet, 2018 GLE 350
Not having a whole lot of luck with the audio though. There doesn't seem to be an "easy" way to add stuff to the command unit. The whole fiber optic thing seems to be a nightmare to modify. 
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From: Rhode Island
CLK 63 AMG
I'm hard pressed to ignore historically proven reliability mods. That said however, my car is fast enough, grips enough, is low enough and growles loud enough.
I already have hearing deficit; the pursuit of sound that is loud enough to meet my desire is unsafe (in my case) and not something I would chose to impose on others around me either. My days of multiple amps, active crossovers and capacitors are behind me. Been there and done that.
I know where some are coming from... and yes the car would be much faster with better traction, and yes its exhaust not pales by comparison to far lesser cars...but I'm in love with this CLK 63 AMG as equipped. I have no hunger to chase a higher level of perfection. The car is perfect for me.
No performance mods necessary
I already have hearing deficit; the pursuit of sound that is loud enough to meet my desire is unsafe (in my case) and not something I would chose to impose on others around me either. My days of multiple amps, active crossovers and capacitors are behind me. Been there and done that.
I know where some are coming from... and yes the car would be much faster with better traction, and yes its exhaust not pales by comparison to far lesser cars...but I'm in love with this CLK 63 AMG as equipped. I have no hunger to chase a higher level of perfection. The car is perfect for me.
No performance mods necessary
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Central Jersey
2008 CLK63 Cabriolet, 2018 GLE 350
...
I already have hearing deficit; the pursuit of sound that is loud enough to meet my desire is unsafe (in my case) and not something I would chose to impose on others around me either. My days of multiple amps, active crossovers and capacitors are behind me. Been there and done that.
...but I'm in love with this CLK 63 AMG as equipped. I have no hunger to chase a higher level of perfection. The car is perfect for me.
No performance mods necessary
I already have hearing deficit; the pursuit of sound that is loud enough to meet my desire is unsafe (in my case) and not something I would chose to impose on others around me either. My days of multiple amps, active crossovers and capacitors are behind me. Been there and done that.
...but I'm in love with this CLK 63 AMG as equipped. I have no hunger to chase a higher level of perfection. The car is perfect for me.
No performance mods necessary
on my 98 CLK 320 (my son is enjoying it now) I am having a rough time with the stock audio on the 63.
Of course I replaced the whole thing on the 98 from head unit all the way to speakers and there was no fiber optic to worry about so it was "easier"...
Last edited by kubandude; Apr 20, 2014 at 09:33 AM.
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2007 CLK 63 AMG
CLK 63 AMG
My mechanic says whatever I do make sure it can be taken back to bone stock. These cars are collector cars that have increased in value. I have installed ROW AIR BOXES, and flashed the CPU. That's IT! Now I just enjoy the ride.
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2007 CLK63AMG CABROILET
Has the CLK63AMG Cabriolet become a collector car and has it increased in value?
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MB’s of all kinds.
I don’t know about the term “Collector Car” for the CLK63 Cabriolet… Has gone up in value but the only CLK that is collector status is the CLK63 Black Series and well of course the GTR, DTM and those ones of course.
