CLK55 @dragstrip

[skidz1]

I did 4 runs and my best was 13.32 @105.5. This is the second time I have been there(once this spring and yesterday). My car is 100% stock. I lowered my rear tire pressure from 33psi to 24psi and my 60 foot times(traction) was improved. I was the only German car out of hundreds but represented quite well. I was praying to see an M5 of M3 to compare some real track times.

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[5439cc]

Great Run Amigo - 24psi in the rears, wasn't that too low ? I reduced mine from 33 to 29 And I noticed a diffrence - Great to hear your run times, Puts a smile on my face - with that run you would give any M3/5 a run for the money

[bodyart27]

beats my 13.7 @ 107!
I had 60' times like 2.4 - 2.6

I know by my trap speed my car is running hard at the finish but my launch is all squirly off the line even with traction control

most impressive!

[5439cc]

I Did Beat It Yesterday, With My APM I Ran A 13.3 1/4 On The Back road Near My Job - I Think I Can Manage A 13.0, Once I Perfect My Take Offs - Your Time Was Good - Try Starting Off With No ESP And Hold Down The Brake While Pressing The accelerate To 2500rpm Then Release - But Don't Slam The Throttle Down - Let The Weight Of The Car Shift Then Hit It - Works Every time :-)

[I6turbo]

Did you try any passes with the tires inflated to 35ish PSI? I have 285mm Pilot Sports on my car and they hold much better on the highway inflated to 35 PSI than they do when they are at, say, 32 PSI or below. I know this is contrary to conventional wisdom, but I've tried it several times with the same results every time. In fact, I can tell when the tires are needing a little air because traction goes away.

BTW, this is not on a CLK. I'm looking for a nice CLK right now, but the car I'm referring to with the Pilot Sports is my Supra (768 RWHP, so it is rough on tires).

Steve

[Norm C32]

I ran a best of 13.3 @ 105.71 MPH in my C32. My 60' times are in the low 2.0's.

Does the CLK 55 have the same size rubber as the C32? 225f/245r?

Norm

[5439cc]

Looking For A CLK - Turbo, Did You Check Out Dupontregistry.com There are many CLK55 Listed

[I6turbo]

Thanks! I'll check it out. I'd LOVE to have a CLK55! Unfortunately I may be a little short on funds for one of those. I could probably manage something in the low 40s, and I don't think I could find a decent 55 for that. I've seen a couple asking $46K, but I don't know what condition those cars are in. Seems like there is a wide range of asking prices right now for the 55s....

Steve

Originally posted by 5439cc
Looking For A CLK - Turbo, Did You Check Out Dupontregistry.com There are many CLK55 Listed

[5439cc]

Good Luck Steve, I Think You Could Find One For The Low 40K - Maybe an 01 With High Mileage, No Doubt It Is A Bad Ass Coupe - It's My First MB //AMG And So Far So Great, Not One Problem, I Dog That Beast Everyday, And I Mean Everyday. The AMG Engine is a gift from the German Gods. Responsive, Awesome Trq, Wonderful Exhaust Note. The other day my brother drove it away from my house hard and I heard it for the first time and DAMMMM it sound awesome and powerful.

[I6turbo]

I'll keep looking for an affordable CLK55. I'm glad to hear that they are rugged cars. I had a new, early-production 2001 M3 for a little while and I kept seeing posts where some people were having various problems with them -- motor problems, tranny and differential problems, etc. I just hoped that mine wouldn't break while I owned it. It didn't but I never drove it hard because I didn't get the break-in miles on it before I sold it (I mainly bought it to resell, I have to admit).

I have a high level of appreciation for cars that are tough enough to withstand hard use. Not that I'm going to abuse them, but it's nice to know that it's not likely to break. That's one thing I love about my Supra -- it's extremely rugged even though it's making waay more power than it came from the factory with. It seems like the harder you drive it, the better it likes it. Knock on wood, but I've been running at the high power level (700-850+ crank HP) for almost 2 years now and not one thing has broken. That spoils you.

[SaxManiac]

Hey! as a former Supra owner that currently drives a CLK55 I gotta say yer gonna LOVE it. I had my 'dawg up to BPU. It was a great ride but the "feel" is totally different.

Best of luck in your search.

[I6turbo]

Thanks for the well wishes. My GF first got interested in the CLK so we drove a couple of 430s about 18 months ago. I'd owned a 300D and a 300E in the past, and my GF's parents have a E320 that I've driven some. And I've driven other Benzes over the years. While I liked those cars for what they were intended to be, they were very boring and utilitarian compared to, say, a BMW 5 or 7 series, not to mention an M car or even a E-36 328 or an E-46 330. But the CLK430 isn't like that at all. IMO, even the "lowly" 430 is my favorite all-around somewhat affordable car to combine decent performance, good on-the-road feel, quality, good looks, and other things that make ownership of a car enjoyable. I've never driven a CLK55 but I can imagine that the difference might be something akin to the difference between an M3 and a 330Ci. If so, the 55 must be awesome.

BTW, I don't actually like the looks of the new CLK as well as the previous one. Maybe it'll grow on me, but the new one doesn't look as muscular and just not as appealing. No idea of how the two might compare on the road though. <shrug>