Amigo's
My friend down the road from me has a stock 01/E55 - we talked about testing his car and my 02/CLK55 stock - We perform various test - Roll Ons 75mph to 140+ - 0-60 runs and minor handling on back roads - In every event the CLK seemed to win. After the test we sat down and discussed the experience over coffee - I kept saying or you sure you gave it everything the E55 had - he replied yes - trust me I didn't want you to win and have to hear it every time I saw you :-)
So, my question to all you E55 owners "what have been your experiences if any" ? Thanks in advance

 

Great Story - I guess? However, everyone probably already knows that the CLK55 is quicker due to the lower weight and the already published performance figures. So why would you and your buddy doubt the obvious? Nothing better to do?

 

I believe the CLK55 to be faster too but it seems like every magazine test has the E55 beating it out?? I know Simon, the webmaster has driven both cars and can give you a better idea.

 

I raced a CLK55 with my 99'E55 in a quater mile and beat the CLK. It was really close race though. No doubt the CLK would own we in solom courses. Also I think they are quicker than my E55 if we had a race to 120mph, but I can't confirm this.

Quick to mention that my little sister was driving the CLK, so that is probably why I was able to beat a CLK55.

Wreck

 

They are close, but the E55 wins in both speed and handling.

 

Sorry Mach430 and Vic55, but even the MB brochures for the W210E55 and W208CLK55 list the CLK55 as being faster.

And I even remember the initial ad promos for the CLK55 touting it as the fastest production model MB had ever released when it first came out in 2001.

The MB brochures list 0-60 times for CLK55 as 5.2s and for E55 5.4s.
Virtually every other test result I've seen has been similar.

But why does this surprise anyone?
They have the same engine but the CLK55 weighs 3573lbs vs 3768 for E55.

 

I don't know the spec's on my 99'. I seen many reviews on the E55 and they 0-60 ranges from 4.8-5.4. For kicks though I raced my sisters CLK55 and I was driving it this time and she was able to beat me driving my E55. Go Figure.

Wreck

 

You can never rely on MBZ brochures- they are very conservative in their numbers. What tests have you seen?? I just picked up my August MotorTrend and they have the CLK55 at 5.4 0-60 with a 13.6 quarter and the E55 at 5.0 and 13.5- Road and Track for August has the CLK55 at 5.3 and 13.7 while the E55 pulls in 5.1 and 13.6. And the first E55 in 1999 ran a 4.8 in MotorTrend.
Honestly I think the coupe is faster but then why are the mags pulling different numbers?? I know when the E55 is compared to an M5 everyone chimes in that the drivers are professional and can hit the shifts perfectly on the M5 but we are talking about slush boxes here. I'll throw out the brochure times as my E55 has pulled sub 5.0's many times- of course with lighter wheels though. Can the torque difference really matter??

 

Perhaps the E55 has better numbers due to a more balance chassis & tire setup?

 

If the testing was not done on the same day with the same driver under the same conditions the numbers will always be different. Don't mix the CLK55 cabrio in this debate because the extra weight makes it slower than E55.

Currently www.mbusa.com has the 2002 CLK55 coupe listed as 4.9 second for zero to sixty while the E55 is 5.4 seconds.

 

there are so many factors that affect this type of comparison...don't forget that the transmissions are driver adaptive and "learn" and "remember" driving habits...you have to engage in some aggressive "training" before attempting performance testing for the best result.

 

CLK is around 130Kg lighter, but has less torque, slightly less HP and tyres that are 30mm narrower, 245 vs 275's. I think this helps E55 hook up better, hence better acceleration times. Even though MB official figures quote CLK as faster, most independent tests show the opposite to be true. With traction control off I can smoke up off the line without using brakes in E55, CLK would be worse.

 

One thing that I thing we have forgotten to mention is the fact that the HP and torque ratings are different on these cars. The E55 is rated at 349 HP and 391 TQ with the CLK55 making 342 HP and 376 TQ. The difference in numbers, while not being that huge, is still a nod in the direction of the E55. Before we get into 1/4 mile times and 0-60 times, lets talk tolerances between same model vehicles. When I first got my E55 I put it on a rear wheel dyno, it made 290 TQ and 302 TQ, although impressed, I have read and witnessed others making 10 more HP and 10 more TQ, and a few making a little less than mine. I was puzzled that there was that much of a tolerance in vehicle power ratings, but the bottom line is that there is. Now lets talk about acceleration times. We are talking about two cars that have enough power to spin the tires off of the line, modulating that power in the correct manner will give you a good launch and put you right in the "sweet spot" for a good run, but give it a little too much juice and you have to "back pedal" or lift to regain traction. This is not so much of an issue for me in the summer, but in the colder months, my E55 can spin tires all through first. Weather is also a factor, in 95 degree weather I have run a 14.15 @ 101 mph, now after that run you may be thinking there is a bird stuck in the intake or something, but in cooler weather 75 and below I have run a best of 13.32 @ 106.36 MPH. So weather, as well as elevation is a huge factor in acceleration testing. Now lets talk real world, I have only raced one CLK55, and we raced 3 times back to back, 2 from a roll, and one from the line. Above 100 mph I walked him every time. Does that mean the E55 can beat a CLK55, not really, but remember data is all relative, and real world is real world. If the M5 is supposed to walk me, why have I raced 5 and never once lost, 3 ties and two walks. Sorry so long winded here, let me close by saying I am a loverof all vehicles, and have nothing but respect for ANY AMG, or M car for that matter.

 

E55JAY,

Did you see the post about the W211 E-Class event in August?

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=12360

Are you going to the Cadillace Grand Prix this weekend in DC? Hope the weather is not too bad.

 

Hey KEV,

I was thinking about going on Sunday, I have so much stuff to do this weekend. Thanks for the Emotion link, looks to be a good event, I just registered for 8/24 at 11AM. We still need to get together at some time and compare some notes on our beasts my man!!!! Have a good one.

Jason

 

E55JAY, the tickets for the Saturday Grand Prix are 2 for 1 on ww.ticketmaster.com today. Single ticket is $45 but multipes of 2 are 2 for 1.

Set your VCR:

Saturday Race on CBS 2:30-4:00
Sunday Race on NBC 1:00-3:00

 

Does anyone have tickets for sale!

 

All things being equal a lighter car will always be quicker than at heavier one.

 

Why u bump this thread?

 

Why not?

 

I think emoving's trying to make a point...

 

Way to revive an 8 year old thread!

 

Hmmmmm! You want tickets for a race that occured 8 years ago? Gotta love it!

 

He has made it in every thread pretty much. Obviously noobs will never listen and there will always be those who make worthless threads, so why not just stop?

 

I don't really care, but I'm sure you will get tired Marcus