New CLK55 Owner w/ Questions

[wido78]

Well... I just picked up my first MB a couple of weeks a go and I am still on cloud 9 when I drive the car. I was able to get what I think is a pretty solid deal on a 2003 CLK55 AMG with only 20K miles on the car. Here is a picture that I took this weekend. The beauty of the purchase was that it came from my neighbor who always "babied" the car and made sure it had the attention it deserved. Now I have a few questions... 1) What is the best option to allow MP3 playback or Sirius in the vehicle? I was thinking about upgrading the stereo to another MB unit, but that doesn't seem very reasonable from a cost perspective. Has anyone used the inline antenna adapter that Sirius makes for their radios? Link: http://www.amazon.com/Sirius-Wired-R...5858264&sr=8-1 2) I have read a couple of places as well as spoken to the dealership regarding oil change intervals and from what I have gathered; it is only every 10K / year? Is that correct? 3) What else should I look for maintenance wise with the vehicle? It seems very solid and is in great shape. Looking forward to all the fun...

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[MARTYMAR]

Originally Posted by wido78

Well... I just picked up my first MB a couple of weeks a go and I am still on cloud 9 when I drive the car. I was able to get what I think is a pretty solid deal on a 2003 CLK55 AMG with only 20K miles on the car.

Here is a picture that I took this weekend.



The beauty of the purchase was that it came from my neighbor who always "babied" the car and made sure it had the attention it deserved.

Now I have a few questions...

1) What is the best option to allow MP3 playback or Sirius in the vehicle? I was thinking about upgrading the stereo to another MB unit, but that doesn't seem very reasonable from a cost perspective. Has anyone used the inline antenna adapter that Sirius makes for their radios?

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Sirius-Wired-R...5858264&sr=8-1

2) I have read a couple of places as well as spoken to the dealership regarding oil change intervals and from what I have gathered; it is only every 10K / year? Is that correct?

3) What else should I look for maintenance wise with the vehicle? It seems very solid and is in great shape.

Looking forward to all the fun...

That's a very clean looking car you got there buddy How much did you pay for it? To answer some of your questions...I've never used the factory radio..I have an aftermarket Kenwood head unit...as for the oil changes..that will vary depending upon how much you drive. Sounds familiar eh? As a rule of thump just change it every 3-5k miles if you drive it everyday...to some that might be a bit frequently but that's what I do to play it safe. Other than that, enjoy every bit of the 362 ponies, 376 lbs of torque!

[M-bENZ]

damn that is CLEAN and congrats.

btw: I changed the oil every 8k in my garage (weekend car)

Andy

[wido78]

Originally Posted by MARTYMAR

That's a very clean looking car you got there buddy How much did you pay for it?

Thanks - $25K and he just had Service A and new Pilot Sports installed.

Originally Posted by MARTYMAR

I never used the factory radio..I have an aftermarket Kenwood head unit...

When I was talking to one of our more accomplished Car Audio stores, they were suggesting that I couldn't use an after market stereo in the car without MAJOR rework of the entire audio system. Do you mind me asking how you avoided this?

Also, do you have any pics of your install? I am curious as to how it looks in the car.

Originally Posted by M-bENZ

damn that is CLEAN and congrats.

btw: I changed the oil every 8k in my garage (weekend car)

Andy

I was thinking about changing the oil myself as well... I have had several race cars, etc and am comfortable working on vehicles. Is there anything special I should know if I were to do it myself?

[M-bENZ]

Originally Posted by wido78

Thanks - $25K and he just had Service A and new Pilot Sports installed.



When I was talking to one of our more accomplished Car Audio stores, they were suggesting that I couldn't use an after market stereo in the car without MAJOR rework of the entire audio system. Do you mind me asking how you avoided this?

Also, do you have any pics of your install? I am curious as to how it looks in the car.



I was thinking about changing the oil myself as well... I have had several race cars, etc and am comfortable working on vehicles. Is there anything special I should know if I were to do it myself?

Oil Extractor if you wana save some times.

[rsr911]

Congrats and welcome to the brotherhood!!

[MARTYMAR]

When I was talking to one of our more accomplished Car Audio stores, they were suggesting that I couldn't use an after market stereo in the car without MAJOR rework of the entire audio system. Do you mind me asking how you avoided this?

Also, do you have any pics of your install? I am curious as to how it looks in the car.


MAJOR work? Not sure about that...lol. They might be referring to the Fiber Optic cables that DOES not need to be replaced as most Car Audio Stores are quick to suggest otherwise. I was told the same thing and if memory serves me correct, the Fiber Optics wasn't an issue. Anyway, I had a local Audio Shop that my friend used to install his system. They were very professional and reasonably priced. Here's a link to the pics, cost and what I got for the money:

Rear Camera?

[Stiggs]

Nice looking car you got there! Congrats.

[wido78]

Originally Posted by MARTYMAR

MAJOR work? Not sure about that...lol. They might be referring to the Fiber Optic cables that DOES not need to be replaced as most Car Audio Stores are quick to suggest otherwise. I was told the same thing and if memory serves me correct, the Fiber Optics wasn't an issue. Anyway, I had a local Audio Shop that my friend used to install his system. They were very professional and reasonably priced. Here's a link to the pics, cost and what I got for the money:

Rear Camera?

The install looks great!!!

Yep... They were talking about the Fiber cables. Would you mind letting me know who did the install in hopes that I could put my shop in contact with them or maybe call them myself for some pointers?

[MARTYMAR]

Originally Posted by wido78

The install looks great!!!

Yep... They were talking about the Fiber cables. Would you mind letting me know who did the install in hopes that I could put my shop in contact with them or maybe call them myself for some pointers?

Are you in California? This is from another thread that I posted on a few months back:

I paid $2500 for the Head Unit, Amp, back-up camera and Factory steering wheel control. Without the amp and Head Unit I was looking to pay around 2k. My buddy who lives in Pasadena referred me to this guy who installed his sound system. They are really professional and use top of the line stuff. I forgot the name of his shop but his name is "Art" and if you're seriously considering it, give him a call at 626-796-2122 (Pasadena, CA) that's the number to the shop. I forgot the name of the Amp but it's a good one...

[M-bENZ]

MARTYMAR, KLinh and Lychychy

I am leaving to cali. on this friday (tomorrow) and I will pm all you guys when im there. See you guys soon.


Wido78,

Sorry for using your thread and if u live somewhere around Anaheim, CA you are welcome to join us nothing special just coffee and cars.


Andy

[wido78]

Originally Posted by MARTYMAR

Are you in California?

No, Kansas City... just trying to get a hold of someone that has "been there done that" regarding an install on these cars and might be willing to talk.

I have called several of my local shops and they won't touch it at all if the car has the fiber.

One more question... I assume your dash controls, etc (I think it is called the Comand unit) still works?

[MARTYMAR]

Originally Posted by wido78

No, Kansas City... just trying to get a hold of someone that has "been there done that" regarding an install on these cars and might be willing to talk.

I have called several of my local shops and they won't touch it at all if the car has the fiber.

One more question... I assume your dash controls, etc (I think it is called the Comand unit) still works?

Yup! All works fine.

[Klinh]

Originally Posted by M-bENZ

MARTYMAR, KLinh and Lychychy

I am leaving to cali. on this friday (tomorrow) and I will pm all you guys when im there. See you guys soon.


Andy

Sorry guys, I'm gonna be in San Diego (parent house) this Friday in the evening. Why don't we all meet up this Saturday (6/27) in San Diego at the biggest SOCAL meet.....? I'm 100% sure I will be at the meet with my friends. Here's more info.........Big SoCal Euro Gathering 2009 - June 27th 2009

[Klinh]

Originally Posted by M-bENZ

Klinh you lol man I dont think I can make it there I am not flying man but driving (1300 miles) so I will be in Anaheim around 7 AM on saturday. How far is from Anaheim to San Diego ?

Andy

Are you driving your Clk? It about 1.5 hrs from Anaheim to San Diego. There will be alot of people meet in Ervine (15 mins away from Anaheim) then caravan to San Diego.

Official OC Caravan to BIG Socaleuro 2009! 06-27-2009 (Irvine Spectrum)

[Stiggs]

Geez guys...keep it to PM's. Hijackers!

[Chappy]

[quote=wido78;3591047]Well... I just picked up my first MB a couple of weeks a go and I am still on cloud 9 when I drive the car. I was able to get what I think is a pretty solid deal on a 2003 CLK55 AMG with only 20K miles on the car.

Here is a picture that I took this weekend.



The beauty of the purchase was that it came from my neighbor who always "babied" the car and made sure it had the attention it deserved.

Now I have a few questions...


Great find, welcome!

[wido78]

Originally Posted by M-bENZ

I did say sorrry to the guy man ...read it .

Andy

...and I was so insulted by the thread-jack that I am out of here. Sorry, but I might even have to sell the AMG if this is the way their owners behave.

[M-bENZ]

Originally Posted by wido78

...and I was so insulted by the thread-jack that I am out of here. Sorry, but I might even have to sell the AMG if this is the way their owners behave.

My bad man I tried to remove every post that I made in here.

Andy

[MARTYMAR]

Wido,

It seems to me that the local Audio shops in your area are reluctant to do work on your car for liability reasons....either that or they're not confident that they'll be able to do "Quality" work on the car. Well, take your time and keep shopping around because you want it to be done right the first time.

[wido78]

Originally Posted by M-bENZ

My bad man I tried to remove every post that I made in here.

Andy

Originally Posted by MARTYMAR

Wido,

It seems to me that the local Audio shops in your area are reluctant to do work on your car for liability reasons....either that or they're not confident that they'll be able to do "Quality" work on the car. Well, take your time and keep shopping around because you want it to be done right the first time.

You are exactly right... I have called just about every single shop in the KC area and noone wants to touch the car! I will keep looking and will also stop by the dealership to see if anyone there would be willing to lend a helping had regarding the design of the network and how to keep everything intact.

[MarcusF]

On a W208, the only fiber connection from a non-COMAND (no nav) head unit is the CD changer. If the stock head unit on a W209 is the same, there are other options. If you get a new head unit the reads digital content from an iPhone, iPod, or USB powered hard drive, it will make the CD changer obsolete. This removes the need for a fiber connection. I’ve got one of these head units and I’d never consider going back. The sound is clearer, the storage capacity is much greater, the sound quality doesn’t degrade over time, and uploads are faster than burning a CD.


As an aside,

• Converter boxes can allow you to keep steering wheel controls.
• If you have Bose amps that you want to keep, and you chose to use a head unit with an unbalanced interconnection, that can overcome for $15 in parts. The Bose amp will accept an unbalanced signal, but the sound will be cleaner with a balanced signal.
• If you use a wiring harness adapter, installing a headunit straightforward and takes very little time.

[Jons95c36amg]

Only 20k miles? I'm jealous I have 46,xxx on my Clk55. It just gets stronger as the miles accumulate.

[MatttCLKamg]

I just bought my CLK two months ago and have a lot of questions.
The mods I had in mind were dropping it(just springs) on H&R,
purchasing Iforged or HRE meshes and
installing Kleemann tubular headers..

any feedback on these products?
any recommendations?

I'll take any words of advice.

here's the ride