208 CLK F1 Safety Car (1998-2000)

[Jons95c36amg]

Clk55 AMG (W208)

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[Chappy]

Originally Posted by neilbo75

Very nice work, Chappy, getting deeper into one of my favorite CLK mysteries!

$300,000 sounds like a lot of money, unless you're talking Aussie dollars and the initial cost of HWA setting up the F1 Safety cars.

As you know, I now have those "Aero" wheels on my 208. After all the doubts and speculation and yearning aired on this and other boards, it turns out they just bolt on. It couldn't be easier to get that piece of the competition set up.

I can also report that, at least with the standard TUV sized rubber (225/40/18 F and 255/35/18 R) and with driver only on board, the wheels don't rub. At all. And that's after putting them through the "Green Hell" of Nurburgring where sometimes the car is getting the beJesus pounded out (the Carousel) or even getting airborne (Flugplatz).

So it made sense to put these rims on a competitive rally car.

With the rims safely on board, it's on to the next step in my quest: getting those bigger, cross-drilled AMG brakes. A number of people have Brembo BBKs on their 208s, but I'm looking for real AMG brakes. Obviously it can be done by HWA. But has anyone done it in the real world? I asked AMG and they laughed - they don't tune cars. HWA will do it, HWA will do anything, as long as you're a Saudi prince. I had an independent MB mechanic source some promising parts (the six pot brakes from the current SLK performance package/63 CLK) but after having a look he told me that installation was a no go on account of contact with some suspension/steering component.

So that mystery continues....

so....you're NOT a Saudi Prince? :-)

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by Jons95c36amg

Clk55 AMG (W208)

I couldn't have said it better myself!

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by neilbo75

With the rims safely on board, it's on to the next step in my quest: getting those bigger, cross-drilled AMG brakes. A number of people have Brembo BBKs on their 208s, but I'm looking for real AMG brakes. Obviously it can be done by HWA. But has anyone done it in the real world? I asked AMG and they laughed - they don't tune cars. HWA will do it, HWA will do anything, as long as you're a Saudi prince. I had an independent MB mechanic source some promising parts (the six pot brakes from the current SLK performance package/63 CLK) but after having a look he told me that installation was a no go on account of contact with some suspension/steering component.

So that mystery continues....

Interestingly, I found some internet chatter that pointed to the "trick brakes" failing, causing Doohan's crash in the Targa Tasmania.

[neilbo75]

Originally Posted by Chappy

Interestingly, I found some internet chatter that pointed to the "trick brakes" failing, causing Doohan's crash in the Targa Tasmania.

Ouch. I'm coming to the conclusion that it's unwise to improvise an AMG big brake setup in the absence of factory support -- maybe even with.

The next best thing would be swapping (or simply painting) "AMG" calipers on the Brembo product which does fit our car.

Alternatively, since I have yet to be let down by my stock brakes, how about painting the "AMG" logo that is oh so discreetly cast into the brake? Maybe in contrasting colors? Has anyone done it?

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by neilbo75

Alternatively, since I have yet to be let down by my stock brakes, how about painting the "AMG" logo that is oh so discreetly cast into the brake? Maybe in contrasting colors? Has anyone done it?

Not me, but do a search on the username "C43". My buddy Dave up in New Jersey has a C43 (same brakes as us) and he did a nice job of making his calipers pop without looking too flashy.

[AMGOODNESS]

i was reading through this thread in regards to offsets. i am running 8" wheels up front with a 20mm offset. out back i am running 9.5' wheels with a 20mm offset as well. you can get aggressive with the right wheels.

[Chappy]

It's the W208/55 Safety Car driver that has the MOST FUN in this clip!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhApWdR0Rr8&NR=1

[neilbo75]

Right on!

The 208 wears its heart on its sleeve. And not afraid to be balls out!

I wish I could understand German - what is this, an after-hours party for safety cars?

Look at the clip at around 1:20. Nice how much the 208 is lowered. And are those front fenders too flared to be stock? An old debate continues....

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by neilbo75

Right on!

The 208 wears its heart on its sleeve. And not afraid to be balls out!

I wish I could understand German - what is this, an after-hours party for safety cars?

Look at the clip at around 1:20. Nice how much the 208 is lowered. And are those front fenders too flared to be stock? An old debate continues....

Amen brother!!

It definitely has a nice squat to it...wonder if they had anyone sitting in back or still had a lot of the radio and other safety equipment (perhaps a 2nd battery the strobes, etc.) which could add weight to the trunk.

As far as the flaring....the debate continues lol!! Lookie what I found.