rennrcr

every1 should get a supercharger from kleeman to keep those freaking trashtalking bimmers and wut not at bay....

let's organize a kleeman supercharger group buy and let kleeman and evosport close early for the fiscal year

linh

Did "buellwinkle" already try that?

E55 KEV

Don't fret! My guess - The price of the Kleemann superchargers will come down due to market conditions and the avent of AMG superchargers coming in many OEM models. Once the new E55 hits these shores the only market Kleemann will have is probably going to be W210 owners who will look at trading and buying the W211 E55 prior to spending $18k and losing their warranty. Just my opinion.

Mach430

I think the opposite. Kleemann is new to the US, and their popularity is rapidly increasing. When AMG releases their SC'd engines running at more boost and less power, I think more people will become enlightened. A warranty is definitely a good thing, and would not be voided unless the Kleemann SC caused the problem. Since Kleemann has never had any drivetrain issues, there really isn't much of a concern regarding warranty. I would not have put it on my car if there was.

Thanks

Ben

rennrcr

factory forced induction is great for the extra power, but generally they don't always do a great job with it. On my Audi S4, i have twin turbos, but they are already running beyond peak efficiency so now that it inefficiency has turned into heat which dissipates and power gains become negligible

a lot of my fellow audi owners have already moved to bigger turbos and the gains are incredible, not is there more power but they don't cause as much strain

factory forced induction just gives a great basis to work with as they have already accounted for the stresses of forced induction

after market tuners are power mongors but don't want their cars to go bad...well the good ones atleast...so wutever Mach430 says i believe him

E55 KEV

Economics and Market conditions will prevail and the prices will drop during 2003 due to competition from other sources. I am not arguing the product reliability only the price point is ridiculously high. The main concern for most potential buyers is the price.

rennrcr,

that your CLK with the Carlsson kit and BBS LM wheels. If so, what H6W bulb you using in the inner bulb housing or is that a super white bulb in the high beam? Thanks.

Brandon @ Kleemann

The world does not revolve around the E class

You seem to forget we make SC's for EVERY chassis!

The new AMG SC's will not lower the price of our systems.

Sleestack

[QUOTE]Originally posted by E55 KEV
Economics and Market conditions will prevail and the prices will drop during 2003 due to competition from other sources. I am not arguing the product reliability only the price point is ridiculously high. The main concern for most potential buyers is the price.

rennrcr,

that your CLK with the Carlsson kit and BBS LM wheels. If so, what H6W bulb you using in the inner bulb housing or is that a super white bulb in the high beam? Thanks. [/QUOTE


I think if you consider the performance gains achieved by the Kleemann SC's, the price of the SC is very reasonable. The product has rock solid build quality and delivers exactly what Kleemann promises. Sure, compared to SC and Turbo systems for Japanese and American cars, the Kleemann might seem pricey, however, we are driving MB's. From experience, I can assure you that money you spend on the Kleemann SC will be the best money you ever spend on your car.

E55 KEV

Maybe I keep speaking from a Economic point of view and some of you are thinking from a 'product quality', 'product performance' or 'product happiness' point of view.

My memory is not short and I have seen the price of many items come down due to demand. That is the way a free market works. A 1993 E500 was over $80k - the 1999 E55 was $69k. I did not purchase an E55 when they were $10k over sticker. I prefer my $6k discount.

Some of you may enjoy your Kleemann now and paid $16k. I will enjoy one just the same at $10k or less one day or not! Still just my speculation.

Hell, a 42 inch Plasma was $10k - The same units sell for $6k based on demand. We are not talking about prime real estate - the price of every consumer item eventually comes down.

If Kleemann prices don't drop then G2USA will be eating them and Kleemann will go back to Denmark. Until Kleemann gets Authorized Mercedes Dealer support & service centers like RennTech and Dinan for BMW it will remain an expensive niche product. Sorry for the gloomy forecast.

Mach430

It is already possible to get a Kleemann SC installed for under $10,000. Many 320 owners can attest to this. To claim based that due to economics, the price of the SC's must go down over time would be disregarding several economic stimulants. For instance, Kleemann has been experiencing phenominal growth in the United States, as well as all over the world. With increased demand for the product, would the price not go up? Also, competitors to Kleemann who offer similiar gains price their kits at over twice the cost of the Kleemann SC's, could that not also be a factor in Kleemann prices rising? At $16,995 plus installation, 550HP out of a Mercedes is a bargain. Doing your own custom fab with the AMG kit would cost more, produce less, and be likely be a time-bomb. Ultimately, only time will tell what, if anything, happens with pricing.

Thanks

Ben

Sleestack

If you can afford a Mercedes, you can probably afford to spend a few thousand dollars to get immediate satisfaction. Yes, it is possible that Kleemann prices will go down incrementally, however, I doubt they will drop more than a few thousand dollars. Even then, I don't think that would happen for quite some time.... quite honestly, I think they are priced very reasonably. if you can wait, more power to you... I'm just not that patient.

Buellwinkle

For me, that kind of money, I would sell the car and get something else. Why drive something like a CLK430 if it's not fast enough for you. Get a CLK55 or Mustang Cobra (390hp).

jl88

The problem is that it's not "a few thousand dollars". For v8 owners, its in the 5 figure range. $14k for a v8 430? $15k for a v8 55?

That is not chump change, even for mercedes owners. Especially when it will most likely void your warranty at most dealerships. I would really like to see Kleemann step up and offer an extended warranty. If you really want us to have faith in your work, I want your company to back up your promises with a 4 year warranty. It only makes sense, right?

If Kleemann can get their supercharger down to the $5-6k range like the BMW tuners, then their "explosive" growth seen in the past year will be dwarfed. BMW's are luxury cars, no?

E55 KEV

So Sleestack is saying that all Mercedes owner (even a C-Class owner) should be able to buy and install a Kleemann Supercharger and also afford to pay for any future engine related repairs because they have voided their warranty just for "immediate satisfaction". Hmmmm! Damn! that Kleemann Supercharger must be a drug, like crack or better than sex!

Mach430

Upgrades are not for everybody, especially superchargers. How many moded Mercedes do you see driving around your neighborhood? How many of them are Renntech CLK 7.4L? If a C class owner (except the C43) wants to get a Kleemann Supercharger, they would not be paying over $10,000. Have you noticed what the average set of MB wheels costs? What about the new v60 phone with mounting kit? To my knowledge, no w203 has a V8 from the factory. As far as "voided their warranty" for immediate satisfication, the warranty is not voided unless a specific problem occurs due to the supercharger. In Kleemann's case, this has NEVER happened.

I spent 4 months researching the Kleemann Supercharger before I made the decision to put it on my car. I would not put anything on my car if I thought it would create problems. While I definitely recommend that everyone research products before they buy them, I personally see it as 4 months that could have been more fun.

Thanks

Ben

Sleestack

Allright, maybe I'm a little off base there.... nevertheless, for those who have the money to send, I can assure you that you won't be disappointed.

E55 KEV

Sleestack, I really admire you for doing such impressive upgrades to your CLK. I don't know if I would have the guts to do such performance upgrades. Keep up the modifying work - you are truly a 'Pioneer'!

stephens

The reality is that BMW drivers are more inclined to modify their vehicles for performance. More volume, bigger market, quicker return on investment.

How can you complain about a genuine "supercar" conversion that costs 15K. What car can you buy after selling your V8 Benz, that will best a Porsche Carrera in acceleration, whilst maintaining the creature comforts of the Benz.

If anyone can suggest a better performing sedan than an E55K pls let me know as I may consider cancelling my W211 order.

E55 KEV

Kleemann USA has to realize this - If I wanted to spend $16,995 plus $2k labor to get supercar peformance while also voiding my warranty I would be better off using that $19k and selling my E55 and buying the W211 E55.

Here is the math for me:

Sell my car for $60k. Take the $19k I would spend on a Kleemann. That equals $79k. Use the $79k to buy a 2004 E55. Even if a little more I still get a 4 year warranty on the 2004 E55. Those numbers mean that the Kleemann will stay on the shelf unsold.

I speculate this - Based on the price increase of the SL500 (only $2k) and the Jaguar S-type R being only $62k the 2004 E55 will base price at $73k without Glass Roof.

rennrcr

stephens,

talk to Mr. Vanos or Mach430...they are from Evo Sport...I know ben has more horsepower and torque than the SL55 AMG

stephens

I have been misunderstood. I agree that economically it isn't that viable to modify a new E55 for some, but a 2nd hand E55 for 45K plus Kleemann 15K is 60K total.

I hate to burst everyones bubble here, but the new W211 is probably going to be over 80K US. In Aust price increase is 15% over W210.

I am saying that if you can suggest a better car for the price of a W210 E55K other than the W211 E55, let me know, as I have to be blunt and say I'm no big Benz fan and am happy to change to whatever.

I will probably Kleemanise the W211 E55 if talk of 650hp eventuates into a product. I have a good relationship with my dealer and am sure they would support me, even though it is a MB owned dealership.

E55MKB

Stephens wrote:

"How can you complain about a genuine "supercar" conversion that costs 15K. What car can you buy after selling your V8 Benz, that will best a Porsche Carrera in acceleration, whilst maintaining the creature comforts of the Benz"



Well the upcoming Audi RS6 (next year) at $81k is one

I am on the waiting list

stephens

True, I had put it on my shopping list, but I think residual values on the Audi won't compete with the MB. The current Audi, that it is based on, doesn't match the W211 in any reviews I have read either, so I dismissed it. The cost of the car in Aust is close to 250K with no options, my W211 is slightly less than that with panoramic roof with solar panel, distronic, active multicontour seats etc, ie fully loaded.

JamE55

stephens

Look at the Event section of this forum. I've posted a couple of pics of my stock E55.

Thanks!