03-04 55 owners - need your help

lowpost · 08-11-2008, 10:31 PM

I was thinking about upgrading my brakes to the 2003-2004 AMG calipers but I'm not sure if it will clear my Brabus rims. I know the rotors are the same size as my 500, except cross drilled. But I'm not sure how much larger the caliper is. Would be cool if someone could just stick a tape measure in and tell me what the dimension is from the rotor surface to the caliper face. If anyone could help me - greatly appreciated.

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kiamcoj · 08-11-2008, 10:36 PM

Hmmm...

I always thought the 500 and 55's during those years shared the same calipers

...

lowpost · 08-11-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiamcoj

Hmmm...

I always thought the 500 and 55's during those years shared the same calipers

...

I don't know - the rotors are different, and my 2004 catalog says the CLK55 has "enlarged" calipers. Plus they say AMG on them and not Mercedes.

AMGOODNESS · 08-12-2008, 01:55 PM

they will most likely not clear the calipers. you need wheels with an offset of about 32 and backspacing needs to be almost six inches. there are only a handful companies that make wheels that clear the big AMG calipers. BBS, Rays, OZ.

go to tireack.com and search for wheels on your vehicle and then search for wheels on a AMG and compare the differences. then you can look at the specs on your wheels for comparison purposes.

FatTony001 · 08-12-2008, 02:50 PM

I guess spacers will do the job if the calipers don't clear the wheel

lowpost · 08-12-2008, 03:42 PM

thanks for the advice above....

reserved · 08-13-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowpost

I don't know - the rotors are different, and my 2004 catalog says the CLK55 has "enlarged" calipers. Plus they say AMG on them and not Mercedes.

The brake systems on both cars are the same. Only difference is the CLK55 has cross-drilled rotors and the AMG logo on the calipers. The only gain from the upgrade is esthetic, not improved performance (not that I am knocking that; I did it myself several years ago).
If improved braking performance is what you are after, then best bet is to get some stainless steel lines installed (Luke will hook you up) and get some better brake pads.

AMGOODNESS · 08-13-2008, 06:16 PM

if the brakes are the same you should have no problem. i assumed the CLK500 had different brakes altogether.

sometimes spacers are not the answer. i bought some wheels with a 32 offset and it took 21mm worth of spacers on the front to clear the calipers. this pushed the wheel one inch passed the fender. they had to be returned. know what you are buying when you buy wheels for this car or you will get burned.

lowpost · 08-14-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reserved

The brake systems on both cars are the same. Only difference is the CLK55 has cross-drilled rotors and the AMG logo on the calipers. The only gain from the upgrade is esthetic, not improved performance (not that I am knocking that; I did it myself several years ago).
If improved braking performance is what you are after, then best bet is to get some stainless steel lines installed (Luke will hook you up) and get some better brake pads.

Cool thanks. So the 2004 catalog that says the 55 has "enlarged" calipers is marketing I guess. It makes sense since the stock rim on the 03-04 CLK55 is only 17. Anyone know what year they improved the brakes?

reserved · 08-14-2008, 10:02 PM

Does the current CLK55 have 4 or 6 piston front calipers?

MARTYMAR · 08-14-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reserved

Does the current CLK55 have 4 or 6 piston front calipers?

The 04 CLK 55 AMG's have 6 pistons.

reserved · 08-14-2008, 11:35 PM

OK, now I am really confused because the 03/04 CLK500 has 4 piston calipers.
Lowpost - check with the guys at Evosport. That is where I bought my brakes. They will be able to tell you for sure.
Let us know!

Tony Yeung · 08-15-2008, 12:11 AM

I own a 04 CLK55 AMG

03-04 4Piston Brake Front
05+ 6Piston Brake Front

The CLK 500's have similar brakes, 4 Piston in Front

-Tony

SoCalCLK · 04-04-2009, 02:22 PM

You 18" Brabus rims should clear the calipers with the help of a 10mm spacer (minimum) all the way around. If you are running spacers already, then you should be fine.

As for the brakes, I heard the rotors are the same size, but the calipers are physically larger. The only way to be sure is to check with your hook-up at the stealership and have them verify

fredbaum · 04-06-2009, 02:59 AM

I also own an 04 CLK 55 AMG - very clearly my manual and the original marketing literature says 6 piston front brakes - but mine is a European Spec car. The rear brakes are completely standard MB OEM brakes as far as I can tell. The dealer said 05 model year onwards moved to AMG branded rear brakes as well.

My next door neighbor has an 04 CLK 500 and the brakes are very clearly different, with the callipers being a different shape. so not sure about the "aesthetic only" comment above.

08-11-2008, 10:36 PM	#2
kiamcoj MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: LB-CA Posts: 2,077 Drives: 2003 CLK500	Hmmm... I always thought the 500 and 55's during those years shared the same calipers ... __________________ -Jon

08-12-2008, 03:42 PM	#6
lowpost Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakland Posts: 199 Drives: 2003 CLK 500 . 2001 4.4 X5	thanks for the advice above.... __________________

08-14-2008, 10:02 PM	#10
reserved Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: virginia beach Posts: 241 Drives: clk 500 (wifey's); 350Z roadster (daily driver); 350Z coupe (track car)	Does the current CLK55 have 4 or 6 piston front calipers? __________________ 03 CLK 500: Brabus suspension / H&R sways / AMG Styling IV F18x8.5, R18x9.5 / AMG front brakes / Carlsson quad exhaust / Euroteck front lip / AMG rear lip

08-14-2008, 11:35 PM	#12
reserved Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: virginia beach Posts: 241 Drives: clk 500 (wifey's); 350Z roadster (daily driver); 350Z coupe (track car)	OK, now I am really confused because the 03/04 CLK500 has 4 piston calipers. Lowpost - check with the guys at Evosport. That is where I bought my brakes. They will be able to tell you for sure. Let us know! __________________ 03 CLK 500: Brabus suspension / H&R sways / AMG Styling IV F18x8.5, R18x9.5 / AMG front brakes / Carlsson quad exhaust / Euroteck front lip / AMG rear lip

08-15-2008, 12:11 AM	#13
Tony Yeung Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oakland CA Posts: 92 Drives: CLK 55 AMG	I own a 04 CLK55 AMG 03-04 4Piston Brake Front 05+ 6Piston Brake Front The CLK 500's have similar brakes, 4 Piston in Front -Tony Last edited by Tony Yeung; 08-15-2008 at 12:13 AM.

08-12-2008, 01:55 PM	#4
AMGOODNESS Super Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 613 Drives: 03 CLK 55 AMG, IMCO muffler/Magnaflow tips, KW V1 coilovers, 19" Petrol Metrix Wheels	they will most likely not clear the calipers. you need wheels with an offset of about 32 and backspacing needs to be almost six inches. there are only a handful companies that make wheels that clear the big AMG calipers. BBS, Rays, OZ. go to tireack.com and search for wheels on your vehicle and then search for wheels on a AMG and compare the differences. then you can look at the specs on your wheels for comparison purposes.

08-12-2008, 02:50 PM	#5
FatTony001 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 279 Drives: CLK 55 AMG 2005 and CLK 63 AMG cab.2007	I guess spacers will do the job if the calipers don't clear the wheel

08-13-2008, 06:16 PM	#8
AMGOODNESS Super Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 613 Drives: 03 CLK 55 AMG, IMCO muffler/Magnaflow tips, KW V1 coilovers, 19" Petrol Metrix Wheels	if the brakes are the same you should have no problem. i assumed the CLK500 had different brakes altogether. sometimes spacers are not the answer. i bought some wheels with a 32 offset and it took 21mm worth of spacers on the front to clear the calipers. this pushed the wheel one inch passed the fender. they had to be returned. know what you are buying when you buy wheels for this car or you will get burned.

04-04-2009, 02:22 PM	#14
SoCalCLK MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,628 Drives: 2004 CLK55 AMG	You 18" Brabus rims should clear the calipers with the help of a 10mm spacer (minimum) all the way around. If you are running spacers already, then you should be fine. As for the brakes, I heard the rotors are the same size, but the calipers are physically larger. The only way to be sure is to check with your hook-up at the stealership and have them verify __________________ W209 CLK55 AMG \| 19" BRABUS Mono VI 2-piece \| BRABUS Suspension \| BRABUS Door pins Sig thanks to Shake!

04-06-2009, 02:59 AM	#15
fredbaum Almost a Member! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Africa Posts: 51 Drives: CLK 55 AMG	I also own an 04 CLK 55 AMG - very clearly my manual and the original marketing literature says 6 piston front brakes - but mine is a European Spec car. The rear brakes are completely standard MB OEM brakes as far as I can tell. The dealer said 05 model year onwards moved to AMG branded rear brakes as well. My next door neighbor has an 04 CLK 500 and the brakes are very clearly different, with the callipers being a different shape. so not sure about the "aesthetic only" comment above. __________________ Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4.7HO modified Range Rover vogue CLK 55 AMG

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