CLK 55 AMG track day car
Discussion
Hi, Thinking about buying a 209 CLK 55 AMG and modding it for track day use. How far can one modify the car without the on board computer throwing a wobbler. For example, if I took out the seats back and front would there be a problem with the electronics? If I put in a roll cage and need to disable any of the airbags. I was also thinking about an LSD, possibly Quaiffe. Has anyone out there done one of these cars for track day use? Feedback welcome.
Cheers
Cheers
Really can't see any problems with removing the seats.... At worst it might confuse sensors for airbags but if you're removing airbags that's fine. Also the seatbelt pretensioners might call up problems which might light up the airbag light.
That CLK is based on the original, first gen C-class which is way old so in theory the CLK may not be all that full of computers. Also being based on the old C-class should be good for low weight. Likewise the old 5.5 is only a 3-valve per cylinder, 1 camshaft per bank engine (Merc say they decided that was the best choice for emissions/power/weight etc, but they were cost cutting at the time so....) so by my reckoning this engine would be refreshingly light for a big capacity V8.
What're you doing with suspension? I find these smaller Mercs handle brilliantly on their standard soft but advanced suspension, very balanced and safe yet without being boring and understeery. Brakes are going to be interesting with all that power and relatively big weight! The steering is recirc-ball on this car I think which might be a slight shame.
Very interesting project by the way!
Remember you can sell off lots of the parts that you remove on ebay for good money. Especially bodykits, wheels, AMG items (AMG brakes would be a tempting upgrade for lesser CLK owners, especially if they look good), interior parts.
Personally I like the idea of keeping it looking like a rubbish coupe-barge but making it stonkingly good underneath.
It goes against the theory of removing weight but I think there's something very cool about an un-stripped leather-clad interior with a roll cage put in around it. Power and luxury combined! Reminds me of old-timer racers racing their upmarket Bentleys and suchlike!
That CLK is based on the original, first gen C-class which is way old so in theory the CLK may not be all that full of computers. Also being based on the old C-class should be good for low weight. Likewise the old 5.5 is only a 3-valve per cylinder, 1 camshaft per bank engine (Merc say they decided that was the best choice for emissions/power/weight etc, but they were cost cutting at the time so....) so by my reckoning this engine would be refreshingly light for a big capacity V8.
What're you doing with suspension? I find these smaller Mercs handle brilliantly on their standard soft but advanced suspension, very balanced and safe yet without being boring and understeery. Brakes are going to be interesting with all that power and relatively big weight! The steering is recirc-ball on this car I think which might be a slight shame.
Very interesting project by the way!
Remember you can sell off lots of the parts that you remove on ebay for good money. Especially bodykits, wheels, AMG items (AMG brakes would be a tempting upgrade for lesser CLK owners, especially if they look good), interior parts.
Personally I like the idea of keeping it looking like a rubbish coupe-barge but making it stonkingly good underneath.
It goes against the theory of removing weight but I think there's something very cool about an un-stripped leather-clad interior with a roll cage put in around it. Power and luxury combined! Reminds me of old-timer racers racing their upmarket Bentleys and suchlike!
Thanks Pentoman, I was going to upgrade the brakes by possibly fitting the front and rear calipers and discs from an E55 kompressor if they go on. I am a mechanical engineer so can adapt most things. The problem is Mercs are new to me as I have usually had BMWs in the past for the track. The CLK 55 AMG looked like good power for the money, but I thought it would be a bit lardy. Are you sure that the power steering isn`t rack and pinion on the W209, I would be put off slightly with the older system. Wheels would be sourced as and when required as would the suspension. I have not heard any horror stories about this engine, are there any?
Cheers
Cheers
Ah, well you can scrap my entire first post then! You're talking about the current CLK
aren't you (should've read it properly). To me that's a bit less tempting, since it's based on the current E-class which is bound to be a bit heavier. I believe the engine is the same as the previous CLK55 but updated with more power. Certainly have never heard horror stories about it and being Mercedes/AMG should be very tough and able to stand up to lots of track work. I do wonder if the previous CLK55 might make more sense for the reasons mentioned in the first post?
I think you can drive AMG cars round the track at MB World for a small fee. Could be worth trying that if you're not sure if it'll suit.
On the 109 you may well be right it could (should!) have rack and pinion steering too.
Like the idea though and would be interested to hear more.
The forums at benzworld.org are good and they could advise on things like "will the brakes fit".
aren't you (should've read it properly). To me that's a bit less tempting, since it's based on the current E-class which is bound to be a bit heavier. I believe the engine is the same as the previous CLK55 but updated with more power. Certainly have never heard horror stories about it and being Mercedes/AMG should be very tough and able to stand up to lots of track work. I do wonder if the previous CLK55 might make more sense for the reasons mentioned in the first post?
I think you can drive AMG cars round the track at MB World for a small fee. Could be worth trying that if you're not sure if it'll suit.
On the 109 you may well be right it could (should!) have rack and pinion steering too.
Like the idea though and would be interested to hear more.
The forums at benzworld.org are good and they could advise on things like "will the brakes fit".
What a fantastic idea. I have a 2003 clk55 amg and have done a number of track days in it. It's heavy so weight transfer is a big issue when moving fast but it has acres of grip and the brakes are great.
My only real gripe is that is understeers alot. This is being dealt with by Birds Autos fitting a Quaife LSD and different (A&R) anti-sway bars to increase the roll stiffness at the rear to get the car to handle better with a more progressive move to oversteer at the limit.
Keep us all posted if you go ahead.
My only real gripe is that is understeers alot. This is being dealt with by Birds Autos fitting a Quaife LSD and different (A&R) anti-sway bars to increase the roll stiffness at the rear to get the car to handle better with a more progressive move to oversteer at the limit.
Keep us all posted if you go ahead.
Thanks PeterMansell. I remember seeing your views in Mercedes Enthusiast. So at least I am not alone in going down this route! Let me know how you get on with the LSD and ARBs, it is a question I am wanting to ask anyway. I enquired at Quaiffe about the ATB diff but they only do it for the W210. I guess this is the same case as the 209? How are your brakes standing up, will the kit off an E55 fit? I`ve had a few BMW M3s that have been used for many a trackday, but wanted a fresh challenge. I know of a CLK 55 AMG locally for sale with high miles which I am tempted with. Oh is the box pleasant to use with the buttons in Sport mode? Any feedback about track use or anything else welcome.
Cheers
Cheers
It would definately be worth having a chat with Birds autos about the LSD as they are putting mine in on December 4th (along with the antisway bars I mentioned) http://www.birdsauto.com/
The brakes are great on the amg. I have changed the rear ones to the latter amg revised calipers and drilled/grooved disks but did this for the look rather than function as the July 2003 CLK55 AMG had very basic ugly rear calipers. I've DMS chipped and delimited the car (and hit 163MPH at the Vmaxx Glacier event a couple of weeks ago) and the car now runs on 19 inch AMG rims.
I think your main problem will be the same as mine - ie understeer - so I will let you know what the car is like once I have it back from Birds.
I am sure the gearbox will be fine. I never use the paddles becuase I prefer to use the box in tiptronic mode but this is becuase I use hand controls for acceleration and braking.
The other aspect I am sure you will need to sort out as the suspension becuase when you take all the weight out of the car (and thgere is an awful lot of it there) it will sit very very high.
The only real problem I have faced with the car is the cost of evrything is so high. My last 45000 service cost over £2K!
The brakes are great on the amg. I have changed the rear ones to the latter amg revised calipers and drilled/grooved disks but did this for the look rather than function as the July 2003 CLK55 AMG had very basic ugly rear calipers. I've DMS chipped and delimited the car (and hit 163MPH at the Vmaxx Glacier event a couple of weeks ago) and the car now runs on 19 inch AMG rims.
I think your main problem will be the same as mine - ie understeer - so I will let you know what the car is like once I have it back from Birds.
I am sure the gearbox will be fine. I never use the paddles becuase I prefer to use the box in tiptronic mode but this is becuase I use hand controls for acceleration and braking.
The other aspect I am sure you will need to sort out as the suspension becuase when you take all the weight out of the car (and thgere is an awful lot of it there) it will sit very very high.
The only real problem I have faced with the car is the cost of evrything is so high. My last 45000 service cost over £2K!
Thanks petermansell, I remember you not liking the ugly rear calipers, and I can see your point! I am in two minds about removing the interior as it is so nice. Why was the cost of the service so high, scary??? Was thinking about independent as the car is a high miler. I will probably be able to get the LSD unit fitted myself, it will be interesting to know how much better it feels.
Cheers
Cheers
If it's what you fancy fine, but the enemy of track cars is weight so wouldn't it be better to start with a lighter car? Starting with something so heavy and road setup just seems to be making life difficult for yourself.
Witness the whole heap of development that has gone into the EVO magazine Ring M3.
Having driven a few things on track the weight issue is very very difficult to overcome and in all of the cases I've tried the lightest thing works the best.
But the world, and indeed tracks, would be a very boring place if we all had the same ideas so good luck with it.
Witness the whole heap of development that has gone into the EVO magazine Ring M3.
Having driven a few things on track the weight issue is very very difficult to overcome and in all of the cases I've tried the lightest thing works the best.
But the world, and indeed tracks, would be a very boring place if we all had the same ideas so good luck with it.
There is a very good argument to say a Caterham will be a cheaper option and arguably more fun on track.
With a mahoosive amount of work you could probably get a CLK to be as quick as a Caterham but will it be as much fun? Depends on what you enjoy I guess.
However much you try and mod a big coupe it's always going to be a big coupe but it's a personal thing.
With a mahoosive amount of work you could probably get a CLK to be as quick as a Caterham but will it be as much fun? Depends on what you enjoy I guess.
However much you try and mod a big coupe it's always going to be a big coupe but it's a personal thing.
Yes the Evo M3 has not been as quick as I'd have thought it'd be, especially with all that trick equipment. There is something satisfying about driving something big as quickly as someone else is going in a little sports car though. At my castle combe track day I overtook my friend's Caterham in my old Merc. A couple of corners later she went off trying to keep up! As long as the car's fun in it's own way then having something different is nice and you can always surprise people. I saw an RS6 on track, driven very well, and reasonly quick too, but I really do not imagine it was much fun, it did not dance or look balanced in any way and was probably rather expensive on brakes and tyres driven like that too! However I honestly wouldn't compare the RS6 and CLK55 - the Audi is a notorious understeerer lacking in balance and fun, whereas the CLK if it's a half decent Merc will be sweet and balanced if uninvolving and soft. There's also a surprising market for tuning newish Mercedes, albeit too often based on Germany or America.
Just wondering about the weight issue. How much did Mercedes shed in the making of the CLK DTM AMG. Apparantly it is quite heavy but goes well round the track? Sold my E46 CSL last year, which was great on track being performance focused, although it always felt big. The CLK feels slighly smaller although obviously heavier. I`ve seen a couple of videos of the E55 smoking round some racetrack. Looks fun for a big heavy saloon!
I suppose it`s good to think through these issues before getting the cheque book out again.
I suppose it`s good to think through these issues before getting the cheque book out again.
Well according to this page it's 1748Kg
http://www.supercarsite.net/mercedes--benz/clk-dtm...
Should be noted that it's got the supercharged 5.5 which must be a bit heavier.
Coming from a CSL to the CLK55 would be a bit different! What's your thinking? Just fancy a change?
http://www.supercarsite.net/mercedes--benz/clk-dtm...
Should be noted that it's got the supercharged 5.5 which must be a bit heavier.
Coming from a CSL to the CLK55 would be a bit different! What's your thinking? Just fancy a change?
Yes you got it, what to have next syndrome. I have a Subaru 22B type UK at present which is up for sale. This is light and very nimble but a bit high profile on the street. Just thought of taking the plunge with a Mercedes, as I have only had G-wagons before. Now they were heavy and slow!
Well the beast has arrived, although I have had little time to assess it! Looks like a lot of weight could be removed from the car as everything is built like a tank. It definitely needs a Quaife ATD IMHO. Anyone know who does a half cage, Safety Devices possibly? I want to keep the car road and insurance legal. It`s all just ideas at the moment as the car is great in its own right, but I can`t help that feeling.......
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff