Love your signature lol
Traded My 430 for a 55 Today!
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From: So Cal
CLK Cabrio
-Scott that interior is beautiful, if you can wait I am planning a custom head unit install and will have my nav for sale. with all the bits needed for the install. Car looks great!
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From: Lodi, CA
2001 CLK55 AMG
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From: Surrey, England.
'00 Mercedes 430/55 clk cabriolet
We haven't been to a track. But judging by our on street races, I win by a cars length or 2!.. It does help that I have cams and more torque! I guess it's how your car is tuned rather than factory specs and bolt on mods!
Both cars would be very similar. I doubt the 20hp advantage the W209 recieves would be enough to make it a clear winner if both were factory spec all things considered...
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
I was under the impression the W208 AMG was slightly faster, handled and stopped better due to reduced weight over the W209 AMG until the 05's got better brakes. I like how the W208's came with the 2 tone interiors which really set apart the cars while the W209's were given chrome accents on the exterior, an analog clock in the instrument cluster, and interior and styling similar to the c class. The w209 is a great car too though just not for my taste. If I ever got a w209 it would be hands down an 05.
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From: Lodi, CA
2001 CLK55 AMG
Thank You, I appreciate it! I've just repaired the pixels that were suffering the normal fate. I also just re-dyed the top portion of the steering wheel that is "alpaca grey" as it was horribly warn, looks and feels new. If anyone needs the source for the dye, or any MB dyes that are fantastic, I actually bought it from eBay from a UK seller, and it actually arrived quicker than most US sellers.
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From: Lodi, CA
2001 CLK55 AMG
I did... Probably the easiest thing to do, but I also work in IT. There's several ways to go.... There are two ways to go if you replace the cables.... Bonded, and non-bonded cables. I tried both. I would have stayed with the Bonded cables but I had one fail, bought them from an unsavory seller on eBay who wouldn't sell me just the clock / gear select cable even though it was clearly a product failure. I will post the seller that I bought the non-bonded cables I am using now with great success... It looks fantastic. Also, you don't need a tool to remove the cluster, you can grab one side at a time and pull, go from side to side and wiggle it out. I've used this method on my 430 and my 55 now and never had issues.
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
Snapped some quick phone pics in the garage so the lighting sucks. the red definitely looks better in person.
As far as I know it was an option to get the color seat and door inserts on the W209. I think you could get red or blue. I've seen a few pics of the blue inserts and they are nice.
As far as I know it was an option to get the color seat and door inserts on the W209. I think you could get red or blue. I've seen a few pics of the blue inserts and they are nice.
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C36 - AMG - 1996 - Black (040)
Snapped some quick phone pics in the garage so the lighting sucks. the red definitely looks better in person.
As far as I know it was an option to get the color seat and door inserts on the W209. I think you could get red or blue. I've seen a few pics of the blue inserts and they are nice.
As far as I know it was an option to get the color seat and door inserts on the W209. I think you could get red or blue. I've seen a few pics of the blue inserts and they are nice.
Congrats...
Maybe someday I could buy this beautiful model...
See U
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From: Lodi, CA
2001 CLK55 AMG
Beautiful Interior!!!!
Word of advice on cleaning that (I do high-end detailing as a side business, mostly high-end vehicles needing full on paint correction, and deep interior cleaning) go to wally world or target and grab yourself a handheld steamer, the kind meant to steam the wrinkles out of clothes, should be about $20 bucks, grab a bag of microfiber cloths, wrap the top of the steam machine and you can use that to lightly scrub the leather and really get it looking new again... It pulls all of the dirt, grease, and shine off leaving it the factory matte that it's supposed to be... Plus, you're opening the pores of the leather, perfect time to condition with your favorite leather conditioner... I have a few favorites... But everyone has their preference.
Word of advice on cleaning that (I do high-end detailing as a side business, mostly high-end vehicles needing full on paint correction, and deep interior cleaning) go to wally world or target and grab yourself a handheld steamer, the kind meant to steam the wrinkles out of clothes, should be about $20 bucks, grab a bag of microfiber cloths, wrap the top of the steam machine and you can use that to lightly scrub the leather and really get it looking new again... It pulls all of the dirt, grease, and shine off leaving it the factory matte that it's supposed to be... Plus, you're opening the pores of the leather, perfect time to condition with your favorite leather conditioner... I have a few favorites... But everyone has their preference.
Snapped some quick phone pics in the garage so the lighting sucks. the red definitely looks better in person.
As far as I know it was an option to get the color seat and door inserts on the W209. I think you could get red or blue. I've seen a few pics of the blue inserts and they are nice.
As far as I know it was an option to get the color seat and door inserts on the W209. I think you could get red or blue. I've seen a few pics of the blue inserts and they are nice.
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From: So Cal
CLK Cabrio
Hey scott that some great advise with the steamer. will try that for sure. Who did you use for the cable for the clock? I fixed mine however the cable I received for the clock was ever so short and causing the pixels to distort.
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From: Lodi, CA
2001 CLK55 AMG
These guys were great... I think they're from the UK...
http://www.akspeedo.com/mercedes-lcd...epair-shop.php
Here's a couple of pictures of the finished product with the pixel repair... As well as my leather steamed and conditioned in some angles that show direct light and the amount of shine that should come with properly cleaned leather (dealer put the super shine kit on it, which I hate).... Enjoy:
Sorry for the crappy cam.... Here's the steering wheel re-finished (silver part) and de-greased before and after:
Seats:
http://www.akspeedo.com/mercedes-lcd...epair-shop.php
Here's a couple of pictures of the finished product with the pixel repair... As well as my leather steamed and conditioned in some angles that show direct light and the amount of shine that should come with properly cleaned leather (dealer put the super shine kit on it, which I hate).... Enjoy:
Sorry for the crappy cam.... Here's the steering wheel re-finished (silver part) and de-greased before and after:
Seats:
Last edited by Scott Simoncic; Nov 18, 2014 at 11:41 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Lodi, CA
2001 CLK55 AMG
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 3
From: Lodi, CA
2001 CLK55 AMG
It's a small process but basically you have to get the pores open or nothing will work well... So, I will either use the steam method I mentioned earlier, or, grab yourself a very soft brush, basically a bit stiffer than a paint brush and get some Griot's Garage interior cleaner, it's very mild, clear and odor free, then spray the seat and use the soft brush in a circular motion, wipe dry with a microfiber, then apply the conditioner... I will either use Griot's Garage Leather Care, should be able to find it at pep boys or autozone... OR my personal choice, Surf City Garage Voodoo Blend Leather Rejuvenator. Neither are terribly expensive, both will leave a soft, oil free finish as long as you steam open or tickle open the pores with the methods I talked about. If your seat are really bad, and I mean really bad with grease or dirt, you can grab a couple of Mr.Clean Magic erasers, and VERY LIGHTLY scrub the worst sections, you have to be VERY careful so that you don't pull off the top coat, or even worse, the color coat... I would reserve that for someone really experienced. I've had great success with that in the really bad cases. They make more expensive, and better leather conditioners, but I've found both I listed to work well, usually I apply in small amounts with a microfiber applicator sponge, let sit for about 5 minutes then buff the excess off with a clean microfiber. It's important to make sure all creases are clear of debris or dirt so the cloth doesn't pick it up and scratch your leather. Hope that helps. Soon I'll be doing my dad's 07 Azera that has been completely neglected for the entire time he's owned it since 2010, I'll show the steps from taking it from horrible to incredible.
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From: Lodi, CA
2001 CLK55 AMG
