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Totally obsessed with my relatively new to me CLK55AMG (49k miles, two prior Cal owners, perfect), for me the perfect weekend car. For some reason my stock wheels are 17's although I've seen many CLK's with 18's which look like they fill out the wheel wells and give a better stance. Car as it is drives, corners, etc extremely well with pretty new Pirelli P Zeros, only mod I've done is add 10mm spacers to the rear wheels which helps the look but still wondering about getting 18's. Don't plan on lowering and plan on keeping the stock width wheels and like the original twin spoke style (7.5 and 8.5) which I've found a decent set at a decent price. Worthwhile? Thanks for any input.
Firemist O5 CLK55 Cab Silver 05 CLK55 Coupe Tanzanite 06 CLK500 Coupe
05 saw the intro of 18 inch wheels and it looks like yours is a 03 or 04. A while back I did some research into this exact question and found that if performance is your goal that the 17 inch wheel was the A answer! How much improvement is probably more theory than reality and the bigger wheels are aesthetically better. In my opinion it comes down to the 1500+ a set of refurbs will set you back.
I would say for performance a light weight wheel and a hihg quality tire is more important that the size. MB did not go to an 18 (only on the amg) because it was slower. The p0 is a good tire but does not match the higher end Michelin or Bridgestone.
Thanks guys, justified saving a few bucks in the short term. Can't believe how fun this car is to drive, beats the heck out of my last fun car a 1989 Porsche Carrera.
Thanks guys, justified saving a few bucks in the short term. Can't believe how fun this car is to drive, beats the heck out of my last fun car a 1989 Porsche Carrera.
I never knew that a Benz was more fun to drive than a Porscha?
Most of the time 9 out of 10 it's the other way.
Ordinarily you'd be correct but not with this car. 375 hp in a small chassis, fastest car Mercedes imported in 2004 and there's only 509 of them. I can't drive it in sport mode.
I never knew that a Benz was more fun to drive than a Porscha?
Most of the time 9 out of 10 it's the other way.
Allow me to speak from experience.
I jumped out of a 964 Carrera and into a W208 CLK55 and found the Benz to be much more fun and predictable to drive.
The 964 was a hand full, that rough ride and understeer on turns, and oversteer on exits was a little too much for my daily driving habits.
Wonder what Porsch did wrong if they designed such bad cars like your 964 and Clubteds Porsch?
With the engine in the rear Porsch always been a drivers car wagging it's tail sideways on racetrax and small roads with twisted bends.
Wonder what Porsch did wrong if they designed such bad cars like your 964 and Clubteds Porsch?
With the engine in the rear Porsch always been a drivers car wagging it's tail sideways on racetrax and small roads with twisted bends.
I quickly accepted that I was not made for a Porsche and Porsche wasn't made for me.
I only speak from personal experience, others may be completely opposite based on their driving abilities and habits.
Having said that, the newer ones (991 and 992) are different animals all together. My 13 year old could drive them comfortably.
Don't get me wrong I loved my 911, 1989, last of the great 3.0 Carrera with the bulletproof G50 transmission, second owner 37k miles. Great car in incredible condition, just that the only five years older CLK is such a more refined driver.
Don't get me wrong I loved my 911, 1989, last of the great 3.0 Carrera with the bulletproof G50 transmission, second owner 37k miles. Great car in incredible condition, just that the only five years older CLK is such a more refined driver.
I could never compare an AMG to a Porsche totally different cars for different purposes.
Porch is lightweight and drive happy when the AMG is powerful and heavier more of an Autobahn straight line cruiser.
I could never compare an AMG to a Porsche totally different cars for different purposes.
Porch is lightweight and drive happy when the AMG is powerful and heavier more of an Autobahn straight line cruiser.
Not to deviate from the subject on hand... but aren't Porsche and Mercedes like two lovers under the sheets?
For a start, they live next door to each other, and...
Not to deviate from the subject on hand... but aren't Porsche and Mercedes like two lovers under the sheets?
For a start, they live next door to each other, and...
Didn't they jointly build the Mercedes W124 E500?
MB and Porch should have still kept that partnership!
MB could start making a MKII series of the W124 E500 Limited for the new decade with minor but modern design exterior tweaks.
I believe it would have been a nice special vehicle.
Today MB is a shi**y company it's all about making money not quality cars!
Congrats in finding a nice low mileage CLK55. I have a 2002 W208 CLK55 which has the stock 17 inch Monoblocks. Not long after I bought the car I grabbed an used set of 18 inch W209 wheels. So just like yours but 18's. The feel was different but the tires were also really low profile. I really just prefer the look of the monoblocks so I still have these 18's that I only used for 1 summer. They have been stored for about 10 years. If you are ever interested if buying these wheels I'll give you a good deal. They should bolt right up with no issues. PM me.
05-30-2022, 02:24 AM
