Has anyone here on the board had their 2003 or 2004 supercharger clutch pack's changed to a 2006 clutch under warranty? I know a few have had them changed. But couldn't find any references as to weather they were changed by MB or paid for. I'm interested primarily in answers from Canadian owners. Sorry if i'm asking a question that has already been beaten to death.

whats the advantage of an 06? I have a model year 06 and my car still jerks like crazy when the blower engages

The jerking is 500hp coming to life, so don't whine about it!

MB has been replacing some of the older clutch packs to the '06 one under warranty. Clearly, you have to have it diagnosed at the dealer and they say that it is needed. You can't just walk in and say you want it.

The main complaint about the older ones was a slight slippage with them that caused a chirping sound. My '05 did it. I'll be honest, I liked it and once engaged, I had no issues. Last thing, the newer clutch pack also jives better with the newer ECU revisions in terms of WHEN it engages and disengages.

I said that i want it, they did it. period

I complained about the chirp and said the engagement was harsh and slipping. The Dealer tested it and said it was OK. They wouldn't change it for me.

Other than the chirp is there any real advantage in getting the 06 clutch?

Smoother engagement when it kicks in.

Not sure if this is the correct term, or even the one that he used, but the mechanic that replaced mine said that the "impellers" on the new S/C looked to be of a better design than the ones on the old S/C. I'm not sure of his qualifications to make that statement, but it was what was said.

The chirp and that it "speaks" more seamlessly with the ECU. It makes it appear to be smoother engagement, but is really a shift in RPM and how quickly the clutch grabs.

I tried at my dealer by saying it slipped and chirped, but that the slip and the rough engagement were the real problem and that I didn't care about the chirp... which is true.

No replacement. It actually doesn't engage roughly, but I thought that was the key phrase for getting the new one. I may try again at another dealer. The chirp doesn't bother me, but anytime I can get new parts for free that can only lengthen the time before they need service years down the line, I'll do it.

I typically take in a copy of the DTB and hand it to them so they can't play games.

jangy what is the DTB?
I want to get it replaced for the chirp but also, as it's aged it really engadges quite roughly depending on what speed your at. And the % of throttle. It all comes down to the fact that 06 pack works better, smoother.
And if the operation of the older models is supposed to be normal, then why did they redesign it? I have heard of American dealers doing changes for their customers. I have yet to hear of a Canadian dealer that has changed it under warranty however. Perhaps VRUS will chime in.

I'll look to see if I have it in my list of saved DTBs or in my old paper work from the '05. Someone else may be able to get that info faster, but I'll try.

Mine failed ... so I have the new 2006 design on my CL55. This failure occurred at around 50K miles, so my assumption is that the redesign is because MB was tired of people complaining about the chirp and because there truly is an issue. The clutch face material is totally different.

IMO, the single best improvement for dealing with the rough engagement was to have the tranny computer adaptation reset back to "original" settings after fresh tranny fluid.

- the sneaky ECU reset helps,
- the 2006 clutch pack helps,
- RennTech software helps (engages at a lower load point)

... but nothing helps as much as fresh tranny fluid and reset tranny adaptation on an aged 55K. I had to experience it to believe it, but what you are feeling with the rough engagement is actually the interplay between the SC engagement and the torque convertor lock-up engagement. It's a zen thing, when the lock-up torque convertor engages it impacts engine load which impacts when the SC engages. The AMG software is very aggressive at engaging the torque convertor lock-up.

I never use Comfort mode anymore. I'm convinced brisk second-gear starts and then having the TC lock-up clamp down when there is a lot of TC "slip" is what causes the tranny computer to adapt towards rough engagement.

I had the 06 clutch put on mine.. Mine squealed & squeeked like a stuck pig so I told them to change it.

The new one does have a smoother engagement, and there is ZERO chirp when it engages.. BUT, it is still a harsh engage/disengage with a big pulley. With a 175mm pulley, the engagement is really sudden and that I dont like.

But, its ok.. I am having the electronics modified so my clutch engages with a flip switch.. Problem solved..

I actually like the chirping and jerking from the supercharger clutch assembly. Gave me a feeling of power. My entire supercharger was replaced last year at 19,000 miles and I'm assuming that I must have this newer version that you're talking about because the engagement is MUCH softer. Believe it or not, I actually hate it. I miss my old charger...

I dropped the E at Penske Motorcars West Covina for repairs...

The NEW service center is SWEET!!!

jerky transmission, possibly torque converter or contamination of fluid on the tranny.. typical issue for the early 03. My car was build 5/2003.

but I had a tech Juan drive the car with me.

He also noticed the chirp and rough engagement. I told him that previously the installed a new tensioner pulley and the problem return in a matter of weeks.

quote from tech "I'm going to replace your kompressor clutch, the new ones have a better material that make less noice and engage smoother" so we will see if this holds true.

The Service advisor is Mike Bohla. Mike was a little skeptical about my transmission, but the tech confirmed that I was not making up a story.

I have, under the excuse "the super charger clutch is slipping!!"
they changed everything that has to do w/ clutch/pully tensioner etc.

Juan's a good guy. He'll take care of you. If you have any issues just let me know. He replaced mine with the newer clutch pack. (made of kevlar) I have a 2003 also....

Thanks for all the imput. I talked to MB here in Montreal. They said they have to take the matter up with the head office for Canada in Toronto. I might get lucky and they will fit me with a 06 clutch pack. But probably not, I've yet to be lucky with this dealer for anything. If there is anybody with a Canadian workorder for this upgrade that wanted to give me a copy, I wouldn't say no! Proof that somone else has done this before them is somtimes the only way to get these people to budge!

That guy knew his stuff...

it almost seem like he knew AMG's in particular.

It was nice to have somebody believe you when you describe problems with the car. He noticed all my problems just driving the car within the parking lot.

Can we request Juan as our Tech?

Yep... Just make sure to tell your service advisor that you want Juan to work on your car. Otherwise I could just talk to Juan and tell him to do the work on your car.... Juan's been around for awhile so he does know his stuff and he knows AMG's.

What's up Jangy? You got the info?

No, I haven't had time to dig through my '05 stuff. The '06 already had it, so I don't have that info. I'll dig, bro. I just figured someone who had the paperwork would have posted by now.

I'm going to call the Dealer Monday. What exactly should I tell them? Are there any TSB to reference? What does DTB mean?

Sorry to sound stupid. Thanks.

Same as a TSB, but it is Daimler Technical Bulletin.

I wonder why MB never sent me a recall notice like they did with the sneaky ECU reset. Maybe this makes the car faster and we know they don't want to do that..