I took a Cab home yesterday.

mbenzman · 09-28-2006, 09:58 AM

It started innocent enough, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I wanted a rough w124 coupe to turn into a 500CE wide body project,
After haggling over a dead coupe, I decided a w124 cab would be a lot cooler. I found them and drove everywhere to see them. They were all horrible, It seems the only ones for sale, they don't want and I wouldn't either! So I'm surfing online and accidently didn't put E320 in the search, just Mercedes and convertible. I went out to see it.
Well it wasn't advertized properly, And it was nightime. But I fell in love with a 02 CLK55 Designo Cab with Xenon, Command and Nav. I drove it and that was all she wrote. The leather interior is gorgeous.
I checked out the car at the shop yesterday and then I stroked the check. Now I have 2 AMG's and my 500E.
Rich

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Chappy · 09-28-2006, 10:46 AM

WOW! Congrats and welcome to the W208/AMG club!

There were very few of those cabrios made.

Schiznick · 09-28-2006, 11:16 AM

Sweet! How are you going to get both to the even in November?

scrapes55 · 09-28-2006, 12:16 PM

Lol when I first read it I though you took a taxi back home assuming your car broke down or somethin'

Gratz.

neilbo75 · 09-28-2006, 03:05 PM

Congrats on a very nice rag doll.

I also love the designo work in the 208 ; the leather in the door inserts is so soft!

Motortrend thought this was a better car than the M3 cab in a 2002 test you can read on the 'net. The only drawback back then was the Benz's MSRP being some twenty grand more.

By waiting until now to buy a cherry one you have solved that problem!

mbenzman · 09-28-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chappy

WOW! Congrats and welcome to the W208/AMG club!

There were very few of those cabrios made.

Thanks, the wife doesn't know which car to fight for now. You've seen the 500E, She thinks this is hers, but I'll share.
Juniors seat fits in the back just fine. (note picture #1)
Rich

mbenzman · 09-28-2006, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schiznick

Sweet! How are you going to get both to the even in November?

Scott,
The problem is larger than that, 3 cars. ML55, CLK55 and I want to still bring out the 500E.It has had engine improvements that I would like to try out. Here's a video http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...1a68efeb32.htm

Rich

mbenzman · 09-28-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrapes55

Lol when I first read it I though you took a taxi back home assuming your car broke down or somethin'

Gratz.

I like a sense of humour, or lack one! LOL

mbenzman · 09-28-2006, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilbo75

Congrats on a very nice rag doll.

I also love the designo work in the 208 ; the leather in the door inserts is so soft!

Motortrend thought this was a better car than the M3 cab in a 2002 test you can read on the 'net. The only drawback back then was the Benz's MSRP being some twenty grand more.

By waiting until now to buy a cherry one you have solved that problem!

It's not "cherry". Yet!!! The leather on the steering wheel is not in perfect shape, but I have a brand new wheel for it already going on in a few minutes. I've serviced it and ordered new floor mats, nav discs, and various odds and ends. Just like the 500E wasn't cherry, but it's about done.
Rich

blackbenzz · 09-28-2006, 06:44 PM

Congrats. You have some nice cars! The 500E is no slouch.

mbenzman · 09-28-2006, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackbenzz

Congrats. You have some nice cars! The 500E is no slouch.

Thanks, The 500E is getting meaner and prettier as I work on it.
I have to focus my attention on the CLK right now to bring it back up to par.
I found a lot of problems including the Xenon headlights not leveling. Fixed most everything today and started an electronic tuneup like shortening the oil change intervals to 5k. miles.
Replaced the steering wheel, installed Silverstar bulbs in the fogs and aimed them. Replaced wheel bolts with chromed bolts. Replaced steering dampner.
MUST MAKE BETTER THAN NEW!!!!!! Took a couple decent shots of it tonight.
Rich

mbenzman · 09-28-2006, 11:40 PM

Beauty shots.

ZedStyle · 09-29-2006, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbenzman

Scott,
The problem is larger than that, 3 cars. ML55, CLK55 and I want to still bring out the 500E.It has had engine improvements that I would like to try out. Here's a video http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...1a68efeb32.htm

Rich

i still need to bring my car to your shop (I'm calling you tomorrow). i'll be happy to drive the 500 to the meet for you...

neilbo75 · 09-30-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbenzman

It's not "cherry". Yet!!! The leather on the steering wheel is not in perfect shape, but I have a brand new wheel for it already going on in a few minutes. I've serviced it and ordered new floor mats, nav discs, and various odds and ends. Just like the 500E wasn't cherry, but it's about done.
Rich

If you haven't already ordered them be sure to get designo floor mats, at least for presentation purposes. They are more than double the cost of regular AMG mats but come trimmed in leather.

mbenzman · 09-30-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilbo75

If you haven't already ordered them be sure to get designo floor mats, at least for presentation purposes. They are more than double the cost of regular AMG mats but come trimmed in leather.

It's didn't have those floor mats you described, I I ordered the standard clk55 AMG mats in Black/charcoal. Came in yesterday and installed along with "V8" emblems on the front fenders.
I also installed some aluminum wheels spacers and another set of chrome bolts, 10mm front and 15mm rear. Post pics later.
What's the larger tire size anyone is running? I thinking about a set of 18 inch wheels or staying with the 2 piece 17 inch wheels.
Rich

Chappy · 10-02-2006, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbenzman

What's the larger tire size anyone is running? I thinking about a set of 18 inch wheels or staying with the 2 piece 17 inch wheels.
Rich

235/40-18 - f
265/35-18 - r

on 18" Monoblock IIs. No spacers required.

mbenzman · 10-03-2006, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chappy

235/40-18 - f
265/35-18 - r

on 18" Monoblock IIs. No spacers required.

Thanks Chappy.
I decided to not decide which wheel and tire to swap to so I just installed a new set of tires on the 17" rims today. What I put on is 235/45/17 fr. and 255/40/17 rear. Had them high speed balanced. I have no spacers in front and 10 mm in the rear.
The car drives beautifully and seems to have increased grip and feeel while having a smoother ride. Next up is the suspension or shall I say "Down"!!!!

Here's the wrong sized rears with normal sized fronts on Sunday, car dirty but gorgeous cruising day, which we did.

Tonight with new tires, just washed and top up and wet.

Chappy · 10-03-2006, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbenzman

Next up is the suspension or shall I say "Down"!!!!

What are your plans for this?

mbenzman · 10-03-2006, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chappy

What are your plans for this?

Down a notch, about like yours. I lowered Drew's 500E (the silver 500E at the Rennsouth show) with the H&R springs and thin pads which he supplied. It's lower than mine.
Do you have the part #s for the euro springs? Which pads did you use?
Rich

Chappy · 10-03-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbenzman

Down a notch, about like yours. I lowered Drew's 500E (the silver 500E at the Rennsouth show) with the H&R springs and thin pads which he supplied. It's lower than mine.
Do you have the part #s for the euro springs? Which pads did you use?
Rich

I used 2 bump pads front, 1 bump rear. I don't have part numbers for the euro-spec springs....ordered them from carnewal.com and told him what options I had. There is probably a part number difference between the cabrio and coupe as well.

Note: IIRC, the W208-55 AMG cabrio was not sold in Germany, so obtaining specific euro-part information may be a little more difficult than for the coupes. They may tell you it "does not exist" Good luck!

mbenzman · 10-03-2006, 10:01 AM

I doubt there is a difference. The usual difference is in pad thickness depending on the options. Probably 1-2 points thicker.This car already looks jacked up in the rear though.
Rich.

Chappy · 10-03-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbenzman

I doubt there is a difference. The usual difference is in pad thickness depending on the options. Probably 1-2 points thicker.This car already looks jacked up in the rear though.
Rich.

Mine looked the same way prior to putting the springs on. E-mail Gert at www.carnewal.com and he can get you set up.

mbenzman · 10-03-2006, 11:44 PM

Today's project. New Brake fluid, transmission fluid and filter, coolant, spark plugs and air mass meter seals. Fuel filter and air filters tomorrow morning. This babies really happy with the tuneup. Very happy to rev and seems to be stronger.
Rich

09-28-2006, 10:46 AM	#2
Chappy MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Hotlanta Posts: 7,887 Drives: AMG	WOW! Congrats and welcome to the W208/AMG club! There were very few of those cabrios made. __________________ W208 CLK55 - 2002 (Silver w/Charcoal - 43K miles) 1 of 3,381 W208 AMG Coupes Worldwide 304WHP / 321TQ - Stock! W124 Estate - 1995 MBWGCM #71 Kombi's Uber Alles Member #3 Last edited by Chappy; 09-28-2006 at 10:52 AM.

09-28-2006, 12:16 PM	#4
scrapes55 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Winchester, MA Posts: 209 Drives: 2005 CLK55	Lol when I first read it I though you took a taxi back home assuming your car broke down or somethin' Gratz. __________________ 2005 CLK55 2002 CLK320 (sold)

09-28-2006, 06:44 PM	#10
blackbenzz MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 7,820 Drives: 01 Kleemann CLK55, 99 CLK430	Congrats. You have some nice cars! The 500E is no slouch. __________________ Run Your Car Not Your Mouth This is how we roll

09-28-2006, 11:40 PM	#12
mbenzman Super Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ga. Posts: 782 Drives: All of them!	Beauty shots. __________________

10-03-2006, 10:01 AM	#21
mbenzman Super Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ga. Posts: 782 Drives: All of them!	I doubt there is a difference. The usual difference is in pad thickness depending on the options. Probably 1-2 points thicker.This car already looks jacked up in the rear though. Rich. __________________

09-28-2006, 11:16 AM	#3
Schiznick MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,156 Drives: SL65, E55T, Pending S65	Sweet! How are you going to get both to the even in November?

09-28-2006, 03:05 PM	#5
neilbo75 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: living in Paris, France and San Diego ... Posts: 454 Drives: 2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupé	Congrats on a very nice rag doll. I also love the designo work in the 208 ; the leather in the door inserts is so soft! Motortrend thought this was a better car than the M3 cab in a 2002 test you can read on the 'net. The only drawback back then was the Benz's MSRP being some twenty grand more. By waiting until now to buy a cherry one you have solved that problem!

10-03-2006, 11:44 PM	#23
mbenzman Super Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ga. Posts: 782 Drives: All of them!	Today's project. New Brake fluid, transmission fluid and filter, coolant, spark plugs and air mass meter seals. Fuel filter and air filters tomorrow morning. This babies really happy with the tuneup. Very happy to rev and seems to be stronger. Rich __________________

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