Speedybenz Needs A New Car, Should it be a W208, AMG CLK 55 or W202, AMG C43

[speedybenz]

What do you guys think. My wife leans to the CLK and I am patial to the W202, C43.

Jeff

[Denlasoul]

I say C43.

Bet I know what Renn will say! ;)

[Renn 208]

Speedybenz tuned C 500!

[c55m8o]

Used W208 CLK 55 AMG ... (coupe of course, not the convertable)

I guess I can ask here then... guess you won't be parting out all the mods of the W202 then and will be reusing them... ;) Hey, you know who'll buy most everything you've put on the W202 that isn't broke. (ahem, ME! :D) )

edit: is it being totalled and you'll buy it back to take your mods off, or will you be permitted to take off all your mods before handing it over to the insurance company? ... as I'm assuming they're giving you $0.00 for the mods.

[Abuimad]

CLK 55 for so many reasons, most importand one is that it comes with a stock 55AMG engine (no offence ne1:D) and it has gorgous looks both in the interior and exterior

HOWEVER..if a c43 would get u to stay in this website then i say c43;) :D

[thmsshaun]

Tough tough call.


Thinking..........

No I cant say

Love the shape of the C43 but then the CLK has the 55 engine.


CLK

[benzfan]

It's strange how the women prefer the CLK. My wife wants one too, but given that she's only been licensed for 2 years, I think it won't be a CLK55. Maybe a 430.

I think the CLK55 would probably satisfy you best. The chassis (208) as I understand it is the exact same as the 202, which you have tuned masterfully.

[SLAMMED_C]

I say another C43 Jeff... isnt it a great feeling when you can roll up to someone and blow the doors off them.. in your 4 door sedan!!
I love the W202.. obviously you do too!! (with all the mods to your C43) but as some people say.. maybe its time for a change?...youve been there and done that with the c43.. maybe a new project will be the CLK55!
for me.. Id stick with the W202.. just love this car so much.

[jnenad16]

tough call. since you have a family, the 202 would be a logical choice, but I personally would rather go with the 208, especially 55, I was looking at one yesterday at the manheim auction and I didnt want to part from it for about 20min, until my dad literally dragged me out of it. it went for about 25K it was a 2001 model.

nenad

[jnolte]

i would get a CLK55 thats my dream car!

[c55m8o]

Woa ... I know I said "CLK55" but Jeff, I just realized something... Guess who has a C43/55 for sale.... KNVS! Asking $24K. ...and he's in SF/Sac area. Click Me (http://www.club202.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7828&highlight=sell). :Ponder:

somewhat related, Renn, did you get my e-mail?

[aruba]

clk 55

[rollinrealbig]

my opinion ... I dont like the 208 AT ALL ...

id either get a C43 and covert to a C55 (god knows how)

a sport 203,

or an SLK . they look better, shape and all.

[Ashkan's C280]

so are your parting it or no? cause I am very interested in some of your stuff, sways, and other parts I really want, and did you ever check any of my emails, I am begging you to let me send you money for parts...lol please

[Ashkan's C280]

and I say go with another c43, a 2000 if you can get one, and then do the Na build you have always wanted to do, or a c55 conversion, c55k amg has a nice ring to it

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by c55m8o
[B]Woa ... I know I said "CLK55" but Jeff, I just realized something... Guess who has a C43/55 for sale.... KNVS! Asking $24K. ...and he's in SF/Sac area. That's the ticket.If not go CLK55!That motor in that C43/55 has very low mileage I believe.Whatever you do Jeff go 5.5L.

[benzaddict]

The C and the CLK are basically identical underneath, so the real question is do you want 2 doors or 4?

[c55m8o]

Another thought ... The CLK55 has the 1:2.82 rear diff ; while it's a beefier, higher torque capable pumpkin, we all know those are not road course gears... The C class is a little shorter and comes with the 1:3.07 gears and one can put 1:3.26 or 1:3.45 gearing in the rear. (pardon, not sure if I got all the ratios exact, but it's close.)

Jeff, I remember seeing the latter on your work bench. I know they come out of C classes from Mexico. Did you not use it because it's too worn, or because of the need for reprogramming of the tranni ECU?

[knvs]

Originally posted by c55m8o
Woa ... I know I said "CLK55" but Jeff, I just realized something... Guess who has a C43/55 for sale.... KNVS! Asking $24K. ...and he's in SF/Sac area. Click Me (http://www.club202.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7828&highlight=sell). :Ponder:

somewhat related, Renn, did you get my e-mail?

yeah mine is still fore sale. But ionno if it will be on par with the Speedybenz... Heh I'd give a Speedybenz discount just to get you into another 202, Jeff :) If you want to see how the 5.4L engine performs in the W202 just let me know and I'll let you take it out for a spin. Just remember, it doesn't have your suspension...

[Alps]

C43, then a S55 kompressor engine... its been done :)

[c55m8o]

Originally posted by Alps
C43, then a S55 kompressor engine... its been done :) please provide a URL to where it was discussed. A few of us would love to know how they worked around the engine management computer issue... N/A 5.4L swap is plug & play regarding the EMC. F/I uses a different (newer) EMC that I don't believe is compatible with the other systems in the C43 ... if that is wrong or can be worked around, that certainly extends the horizon for us... would luv to know more. :D

[thmsshaun]

This is what you want speedy.

GO CLK for shure

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-CLK-Class-CLK-Renntech-CLK-60-Renntech-Convertible_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ31853QQitem Z4601033391QQrdZ1

:cool:

[Renn 208]

Originally posted by thmsshaun
This is what you want speedy.

GO CLK for shure

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-CLK-Class-CLK-Renntech-CLK-60-Renntech-Convertible_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ31853QQitem Z4601033391QQrdZ1

:cool:

IMHO, I think that Speedy can do a better job than that himself...

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by c55m8o
please provide a URL to where it was discussed. A few of us would love to know how they worked around the engine management computer issue... N/A 5.4L swap is plug & play regarding the EMC. F/I uses a different (newer) EMC that I don't believe is compatible with the other systems in the C43 ... if that is wrong or can be worked around, that certainly extends the horizon for us... would luv to know more. :D Steve there's a long thread with a guy from MBworld that's using the compressor from one of those cars on his CLK55!

[mayagman]

NA build on a C36.
Grab a decent one, hone it out, rebuild, manual swap, and work your favorite running gear.
Better balanced then a C43 could ever dream to be without the use of sandbags.
MLS gasketry, new studs, cams and timing, exhaust and inlet systems, software work and the car is insane. Prolly cheaper too if you can do the rebuild yourself vice tuning up a C43 to that sort of level.

[c55m8o]

Originally posted by coolcarlskic43
Steve there's a long thread with a guy from MBworld that's using the compressor from one of those cars on his CLK55! but that's a N/A 5.4L motor that he's running an AMG Supercharger on, but at low boost ; much the same as if it was a Kleemann Supercharger bolted on instead of the AMG one. And as I understand, Dan's still got ECU tuning to do; "Still working bugs out, just no time" last I read. Just say'n it's not Plug&Play that route....far from it.

However, I'm hope'n Alps is talk'n about something or someone else... :Ponder:

[Renn 208]

Originally posted by c55m8o
but that's a N/A 5.4L motor that he's running an AMG Supercharger on, but at low boost

Sounds exactly like the RennTech approach to me.

[mbLova]

Jeff, go with the w202 c43. Its got 4 doors and once you do the 5.4l conversion, just add on a supercharger with low boost ans your good to go. Sad to hear about the car.. you put a lot of time and effort into the car.. Hope your doin better with the back and hope you get to 100% in no time!

[97C28O]

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/123277732.html

1999 C43, turboed...

Just happened to see it on craigs... not my posting or related with..

[c55m8o]

Originally posted by mbLova
Jeff, go with the w202 c43. Its got 4 doors and once you do the 5.4l conversion, just add on a supercharger with low boost ans your good to go. From what I know of Jeff, both 5.4l and S/C is too much weight in the front for him. But hey, watch him make me eat my words... :p Tell us what you're feel'n Jeff....

[mbLova]

Originally posted by c55m8o
From what I know of Jeff, both 5.4l and S/C is too much weight in the front for him. But hey, watch him make me eat my words... :p Tell us what you're feel'n Jeff....

Quite possibly true... and by the time im writing this he could have already purchased a 5.4l engine AND a c43. But thats only speculation on my part:confused:

[Ashkan's C280]

408 out of a 6.0 v8? that is a bit weak imho, whoever posted before was right, I think jeff could do a much better job than 408 from a 6.0, and I think he could get more than 6.0 out of it too, by any chance how much more weight is the 5.4 compared to the 4.3, I could be wrong but I thought it was the same engine with different bore and or stroke? Does anyone know exact weight differences? and how much weight does a s/c add?

[c55m8o]

Been covered a bunch here. I think concensus is about 50lb more for the 5.4L; beefier crank and silica steel cylinder sleeves, with the lion's share of the added weight going to the former. I have to uprate the spring rate on my car 100lb/in upfront to 900lb/in springs due to the added weight; my car's way too low with the adjustable spring perches at max extension now due to the added weight. What I was saying was I doubt Jeff would want to do both together, as a supercharger would be even another say 25lb or likely more, but instead of the weight being down low as the crank's weight is in the 5.4L, it's up high above the motor. That increases the moment arm of inertia of that weight, magnifying its effect ; i.e. body lean. ... just not good for handling, which Jeff is all about.

[Ashkan's C280]

who would have thought 50 or 25 lbs would make such a difference....

[c55m8o]

;) ... sure does, and where it is too. s/c up high, or big heavy subwoofer sitting in the back sides of the trunk behind the rear wheels both amplifies the effect of the weight because of where it is.

[coolcarlskic43]

;)

[coolcarlskic43]

Steve ,the only thing we've noticed is an increase in HP and TQ. I have not noticed any kinda of difference concerning weight or nose heaviness due to 50 lbs.

Plus you guys have that lovely Nascar ,F1 like suspension so I don't think 50lbs is an issue especially since we did'nt notice a difference with the stck suspension.(Like I said if I had your $$ i'd burn mine:p)

By the way the CLK55 is a heavier car than the C43 even with the 5.4L motor.

[c55m8o]

Originally posted by coolcarlskic43
Plus you guys have that lovely Nascar ,F1 like suspension so I don't think 50lbs is an issue especially since we did'nt notice a difference with the stck suspension. LoL ...but I didn't think you have stock suspension?

[trust068]

I would say it depends on which you found the best deal first of W208 or W202. let the fate decided

[J Irwan]

Jeff,

I would look at this as an opportunity to try something different.
If I were in your shoes, I would go for CLK55 (W208) and all your works on your W202 suspension can be transfered, and you could spent the time, thought and idea for other future performance upgrade.


Just my $0.02


Regardz,

[speedybenz]

Gentleman,

Thanks for all the reply's. I am still in a delimma. I am still sort of liking the C43 but the wife is set on the CLK55 which is a great car and all my stuff would bolt right up.

Maybe a high mileage CLK that I can pull the motor and rebuild it to my specs, and get 400 to the wheels NA.

Steve, Did you say the the E55 ECU boxworked on your wiring harness and functioned well? If it did I would run the ME2.9 ECU as it is much more tunable and you would need to have the e55 MAF sensor in your car because it would have the correct calibration to work correctly. The C43 MAF sensor would not function well with all the airflow with a e55 ECU.

Also if you manually shift a CLK55 say into 2nd gear will the tranny hold the gear all the way too redline and into the rev limiter without shifting. This is important to me, that the tranny holds that gear and does not shift to 3rd. It is OK for it to shift down a gear. Say if I amnually shift into 3rd gear and mash the gas I want the car to shift down to 2nd gear and then back to 3rd gear at the 2nd gear redline, then pull through the rpm in 3rd gear to redline, into the rev limiter and not shift into 4th gear.

Can someone please confirm the above. It will not hurt your car to run the revs into the rev limiter.

Thanks, Jeff

KNVS, lets get together so I can get a drive in your C55.

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by speedybenz
Gentleman,

Thanks for all the reply's. I am still in a delimma. I am still sort of liking the C43 but the wife is set on the CLK55 which is a great car and all my stuff would bolt right up.

Maybe a high mileage CLK that I can pull the motor and rebuild it to my specs, and get 400 to the wheels NA.You can do that with the 5.5L and get even more ower!LOL!
Originally posted by speedybenz
[B]Steve, Did you say the the E55 ECU boxworked on your wiring harness and functioned well? It was my car.The 1999 E55 ECU wrks, but you need the ABS traction control unit with it so that you won't get a CEL. However I went back to my C43 ECU and traction control unit,had it socketed by our SW guy over here and the car now runs with E55 SW files on a chip. I sent back the E55 ECU and saved $$.As you see I have a Low13 sec car. Now Steve's C43 ECU was flashed instead of socketed.He has a stck C43 ECU with the same files that are on my chip. Basically from 98-2k AMG's use the same ECU,you just use the Star diagnostic computer to pull either the E55 files or he C43 files.
Originally posted by speedybenz
[B]If it did I would run the ME2.9 ECU as it is much more tunable and you would need to have the e55 MAF sensor in your car because it would have the correct calibration to work correctly. The C43 MAF sensor would not function well with all the airflow with a e55 ECU.The MAF for the E55 and C43 are the same!Trust me the ECU in the C43 is very tunable.My car and Steve's car are perfect examples. My ECU is socketed and Steve's ECU is Flashed!
Originally posted by speedybenz
[B]Also if you manually shift a CLK55 say into 2nd gear will the tranny hold the gear all the way too redline and into the rev limiter without shifting. This is important to me, that the tranny holds that gear and does not shift to 3rd. It is OK for it to shift down a gear. Say if I amnually shift into 3rd gear and mash the gas I want the car to shift down to 2nd gear and then back to 3rd gear at the 2nd gear redline, then pull through the rpm in 3rd gear to redline, into the rev limiter and not shift into 4th gear.

Can someone please confirm the above. It will not hurt your car to run the revs into the rev limiter.

Thanks, Jeff

KNVS, lets get together so I can get a drive in your C55. The tranny will hold 2nd gear and or 3rd gear to the redline Jeff.I ran the 1/4 mile the whole way down till the car hit the rev liiter in third gear.Third gear took me a little past the 1/4 mile marker.

P.S. Our SW guy can reprogram Ken's ECU with E55 files as he did mine and Steve's . Jeff our Mechanic felt that the ECU did not need to be reprogrammed. When Steve's motor was first put in hs car ran like an animal with the Stck C43 fles.He's since upgraded to the E55 files but my question has always been Is this necessary? i have a suspicion as Jeff stated that the car will adapt.But I will dyno my car with the C43 chip i have and find out.By the way I personnally like having Chips as opposed to having my ECU reflashed.Just my preference.It's more convenient.

[c55m8o]

I'm glad you caught this thread Carl. Thank you. I was going to reply you were the one who used the E55 ECU and send you a PM to reply, but it's great you caught this 1st and providing the info. thanx.

[speedybenz]

Is there anyone on this board that lives in San Diego? I have a CLK55 there I would like to have looked at.

Jeff

[c55m8o]

Oh darn! Jeff, I had you on the phone but forgot to ask you about the velocity stacks you teased us all with in that message... :o I know what they are, but can't for the life of me picture how they'd be used along with the 2-stage mercedes manifold :confused: (or maybe you're not using it anymore?).

And ya, good point you had. MBUSA states the year MB started using ME2.8 in 2001. Though, I don't know if there's any change in wiring or harnass with that or if pre-2001 wired cars could use it ... time to load up WIS tonight after work again. (though the serial # on my motor goes to a 2001 car, the chalk writing on the motor said 2000.... ;) )

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by c55m8o
Oh darn! Jeff, I had you on the phone but forgot to ask you about the velocity stacks you teased us all with in that message... :o I know what they are, but can't for the life of me picture how they'd be used along with the 2-stage mercedes manifold :confused: (or maybe you're not using it anymore?).

And ya, good point you had. MBUSA states the year MB started using ME2.8 in 2001. Though, I don't know if there's any change in wiring or harnass with that or if pre-2001 wired cars could use it ... time to load up WIS tonight after work again. (though the serial # on my motor goes to a 2001 car, the chalk writing on the motor said 2000.... ;) ) Nope different Harness ends alltogether.ECU is totally different as well. We are 98 to late 2k or early 2k1.

ME 2.0

[coolcarlskic43]

Jeff what's the word on the Velocity stacks??????

[J Irwan]

Jeff,

Another plus for CLK55,

As I have driven C36, C43, CLK55 (W208), E55 (W210), SLK32, C32.... and the new C55 (W203) supposedly to have even better tuning and less intrusive than C32/SLK32..


C36 and C43 has the worst traction control under road driving condition, they are way too instrusive.
CLK55 and C32/SLK32 seems to have the same kind tuning for the traction control and not as intrusive. (base on my butt feel off course)


You won't be dissapointed getting CLK55.

That's been done Speedybenz's C43, now go and make Speedybenz's CLK55 :D


my $0.02


Regardz,

[speedybenz]

I still need to know if the ME2.8 ECU will hold a gear and let the motor rev into the rev limiter.

Anyone know? I guess it needs to be a 2001 or newer mercedes

[Renn 208]

I know that it'll bump into the rev limiter...just not sure how many times you can bang up against it before it upshifts for you....I would've found out today, but traffic was a bia bia on 101.

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by speedybenz
I still need to know if the ME2.8 ECU will hold a gear and let the motor rev into the rev limiter.

Anyone know? I guess it needs to be a 2001 or newer mercedes What yr MB are you looking at?You already know that the ME 2.0 equipped cars can hold any gear you want uptill redline. A good person to ask would be Chappy from MB world about his CLK55.I think his is a 2k1.He drag races it often.


Jeff what's the word on the velocity stacks we're still curious!

It's nice to trade information you know!:D

[knvs]

Hey Jeff give me an email so we can set up a time for you to drive my car. It's currently at home with my parents in the bay area so just give me a couple days notice so I can go pick it up. I didn't want to drive it in the rain after I cleaned it last. djkev28@sbcglobal.net

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by knvs
Hey Jeff give me an email so we can set up a time for you to drive my car. It's currently at home with my parents in the bay area so just give me a couple days notice so I can go pick it up. I didn't want to drive it in the rain after I cleaned it last. djkev28@sbcglobal.net Why did i think your name was Ken!:D

[knvs]

Originally posted by coolcarlskic43
Why did i think your name was Ken!:D

haha ionno. I didn't noticed it, besides Ken and Kev look similar.

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by knvs
haha ionno. I didn't noticed it, besides Ken and Kev look similar. Hey Kev if u see Jeff please ask him about the velocity stacks,we're dying to find out about it here! Thanx!

[Chappy]

Originally posted by coolcarlskic43
A good person to ask would be Chappy from MB world about his CLK55.I think his is a 2k1.He drag races it often.


It will hold gear :) Mine's an '02, if that makes any difference.

:banana:

[99amgc43]

wanna buy my 99 c43? has a vis cf hood too
http://www.msnusers.com/_Secure/0SAAAAPEUHuS!jBy0xLmDkDSDqd1ryyx2YBrTS!7gv6EgoLMfR c5bYi65dxVcYxUxUhGjL9PHc2OtMgHTH0C!HwSOSLQOKxo40mT 2!22CvbUGKvh3AABjAQ/IMG_0909.JPG?dc=4675557184485956123

[coolcarlskic43]

too late.I heard he already has a beast in hand! 5.5l at that;)

[SLAMMED_C]

You do know Jeff has another project coming up! They are going to transplant a V8Kompressor tranny and motor, I think from a wrecked 211 E55 in a w203 C32 very very soon.That's the latest big rumor going on now.

Any truth to this rumour Jeff?.... any word on the next choice of car for your project?

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by SLAMMED_C
Any truth to this rumour Jeff?.... any word on the next choice of car for your project? LOL! sorry!
Motor swap Jeff in NY is doing the transplant!

Jeff in Cali has got a new N/A 5.5L beast. Two different Jeff's.

[SLAMMED_C]

Originally posted by coolcarlskic43
LOL! sorry!
Motor swap Jeff in NY is doing the transplant!

Jeff in Cali has got a new N/A 5.5L beast. Two different Jeff's.
WHOOPS!!!.. sorry, my bad.
so who is this other Jeff in NY then.. any info on his V8 Kompressor install? Im very insterested in that!!

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by SLAMMED_C
WHOOPS!!!.. sorry, my bad.
so who is this other Jeff in NY then.. any info on his V8 Kompressor install? Im very insterested in that!! Were'nt you looking for a grill insert? I totally forgot all about it!I do have a brandnew one I did not need!

[SLAMMED_C]

Originally posted by coolcarlskic43
Were'nt you looking for a grill insert? I totally forgot all about it!I do have a brandnew one I did not need!
you gots the wrong person mang!...

[Ashkan's C280]

so I hear jeff coped knvs's car, cool.... was his the one with the cracked bumper, or was that someone elses, there are too many c55's now to keep track of