A cheap W208 CLK55 AMG
Discussion
griffin dai said:
There’s also a pedal reset to sharpen up the gear change on the E55 AMG and bring it back to life (I think it shares the same auto box as the XJR8) but not sure if it’s the same as yours? I found after a few weeks of long motorway journeys it got a little slower changing gear (still quick and pulled nicely but more of a relaxed change) the pedal reset sorted this out.
Rust.....definitely get it checked as above, mine was pretty bad.
Interesting, I have noticed that the kickdown and part throttle acceleration can be inconsistent. Sometimes it will put into the sweet spot at around 4K and other times it wants to stay put and pull from 2.3-3 with the same input. I will look into this as the box itself is smooth just a little dim witted at times. Since picking it up all I have done is motorway drives. Rust.....definitely get it checked as above, mine was pretty bad.
As for rust I’m accepting of the active weight shedding superleggera bodywork. A cursory look underneath didn’t reveal anything more than surface rust on suspension bits. Intend on giving it a closer inspection on ramps this weekend.
Here’s the screen shot from a few years ago
No idea if yours shares the same box though? Maybe
Here’s my old one
Loved it, quickest car I’d owned at the time, had a few scary moments in it, front suspension arm snapping at 70 and sending me over the other side of the road towards another car was a massive brown trouser moment!! But had to sell it when I lost my job (couple £1,000+ bills over the last 3 months so it had to go)
No idea if yours shares the same box though? Maybe
Here’s my old one
Loved it, quickest car I’d owned at the time, had a few scary moments in it, front suspension arm snapping at 70 and sending me over the other side of the road towards another car was a massive brown trouser moment!! But had to sell it when I lost my job (couple £1,000+ bills over the last 3 months so it had to go)
That's an absolute bargain - the engine must be worth 3k by itself. The drivetrain is bulletproof (and awesome) it's just the water based paint that let them down. Although this one looks a hell of a lot better condition than the examples I've seen local to me - that interior looks mint.
Enjoy it
Enjoy it
Neil1b24 said:
Oil arrived today from eBay costing £35 for 10L of Genuine Merc stuff. The oil filter came with car and a quick search of the part number revealed it was the correct one.
The CLK55 looks an amazing buy, despite the small bits and pieces which need doing. It is making my ML55 purchased a year ago seem very expensive indeed!I am curious to know if the oil you purchased is the very same as the MB dealers supply and if you know what they would charge for it? I have found the stuff you bought on e bay and am considering buying it - looks way cheaper than Mobil 1, which a lot of people seem to recommend.
Thought I would give an update on the first day of work on the CLK, and I really do mean “day”
First job was to collect and fit the door speaker grill which was satisfying and straight forward.
Next up, whilst the sun was out, I thought I would tackle the purple parcel shelf. Now the internet warned that this was going to be a pain but it’s difficult to gauge the scale of understatements in the written word.
The main problem is the headrests, if only they had put the same care and effort into rust proofing as they did engineering those then I would have one less headache.
To get the clips to release, you really need to be able to decouple your head and put it on a tripod looking through the rear window.
Eventually, after a minor tantrum and muttering long sentences made entirely from swear words, it came free.
I removed the speaker grills and the little Bose tags, brake light and masked up.
After a few coats of matt black, it came up a treat and didn’t transfer to my hands after drying. I also sprayed the speaker grills separately.
Refitting was the reverse of having your finger nails ripped out with pliers.
I then turned my attention to the minor service. Just oil and air at this stage. The air box was easy to remove but held together by 16,000 of the longest screws known to man.
Of course, the filters I had spent hours researching to ensure they matched the original part numbers didn’t fit. It turns out the MANN ones from ECP I had originally disregarded were correct but Croydon helpfully only had one in stock. I bought it anyway and they ordered the other for delivery on Tuesday. Reflecting on the disgust expressed over my choice initial choice of a lesser known filter brand, I also picked up a MANN oil filter.
But my woes aren’t finished yet....
Leaving the doors open all day, leaving the radio on after checking the parcel shelf for rattles and leaving key in position 2 with the climate working drained the battery and the big sweaty V8 wouldn’t start.
The oil change can wait until tomorrow. I need a beer.
First job was to collect and fit the door speaker grill which was satisfying and straight forward.
Next up, whilst the sun was out, I thought I would tackle the purple parcel shelf. Now the internet warned that this was going to be a pain but it’s difficult to gauge the scale of understatements in the written word.
The main problem is the headrests, if only they had put the same care and effort into rust proofing as they did engineering those then I would have one less headache.
To get the clips to release, you really need to be able to decouple your head and put it on a tripod looking through the rear window.
Eventually, after a minor tantrum and muttering long sentences made entirely from swear words, it came free.
I removed the speaker grills and the little Bose tags, brake light and masked up.
After a few coats of matt black, it came up a treat and didn’t transfer to my hands after drying. I also sprayed the speaker grills separately.
Refitting was the reverse of having your finger nails ripped out with pliers.
I then turned my attention to the minor service. Just oil and air at this stage. The air box was easy to remove but held together by 16,000 of the longest screws known to man.
Of course, the filters I had spent hours researching to ensure they matched the original part numbers didn’t fit. It turns out the MANN ones from ECP I had originally disregarded were correct but Croydon helpfully only had one in stock. I bought it anyway and they ordered the other for delivery on Tuesday. Reflecting on the disgust expressed over my choice initial choice of a lesser known filter brand, I also picked up a MANN oil filter.
But my woes aren’t finished yet....
Leaving the doors open all day, leaving the radio on after checking the parcel shelf for rattles and leaving key in position 2 with the climate working drained the battery and the big sweaty V8 wouldn’t start.
The oil change can wait until tomorrow. I need a beer.
el romeral said:
The CLK55 looks an amazing buy, despite the small bits and pieces which need doing. It is making my ML55 purchased a year ago seem very expensive indeed!
I am curious to know if the oil you purchased is the very same as the MB dealers supply and if you know what they would charge for it? I have found the stuff you bought on e bay and am considering buying it - looks way cheaper than Mobil 1, which a lot of people seem to recommend.
Hi, it is a dealer selling it on eBay, Mercedes Cardiff or Newcastle I think. It arrives with the same kind of invoice you get from parts counter. The label as all the usual Merc markings. I am curious to know if the oil you purchased is the very same as the MB dealers supply and if you know what they would charge for it? I have found the stuff you bought on e bay and am considering buying it - looks way cheaper than Mobil 1, which a lot of people seem to recommend.
Yep stick with MANN, as said I tried loads of different performance filters but it always ran better on the Mann filters.
Wait till you swap the MAF over!! Took me ages to get the clip back in place! If yours does go don’t bother with any aftermarket junk just stump up the extra cash and get the Bosch one.
Have you tried the pedal reset yet?
Wait till you swap the MAF over!! Took me ages to get the clip back in place! If yours does go don’t bother with any aftermarket junk just stump up the extra cash and get the Bosch one.
Have you tried the pedal reset yet?
So today I set about changing the oil. I love jobs like this.
Whilst I was under the car I noticed one of earth straps from the block to the frame had snapped. This is usually a symptom of bad engine mounts which I had budgeted for anyway. The motor does move round a bit when you blip the throttle.
One other surprise was that DHL are delivering on a bank holiday. My shiny new steering damper arrived at 11am so also got to fit that.
The one I removed was crusty and about as resistant as the Iraqi Army.
Still waiting for my other air filter.
I did also have a go at the gearbox reset and it did appear sharper. However, this also could have been as a result of the memory resetting when the battery died on Saturday.
What I have noticed is that when turning at low speed the front end seems to crab. Almost like low speed understeer. The alignment is out as the steering wheel needs pulling to the right going dead ahead. But could anything else be causing this?
Whilst I was under the car I noticed one of earth straps from the block to the frame had snapped. This is usually a symptom of bad engine mounts which I had budgeted for anyway. The motor does move round a bit when you blip the throttle.
One other surprise was that DHL are delivering on a bank holiday. My shiny new steering damper arrived at 11am so also got to fit that.
The one I removed was crusty and about as resistant as the Iraqi Army.
Still waiting for my other air filter.
I did also have a go at the gearbox reset and it did appear sharper. However, this also could have been as a result of the memory resetting when the battery died on Saturday.
What I have noticed is that when turning at low speed the front end seems to crab. Almost like low speed understeer. The alignment is out as the steering wheel needs pulling to the right going dead ahead. But could anything else be causing this?
griffin dai said:
Here’s the screen shot from a few years ago
No idea if yours shares the same box though? Maybe
Here’s my old one
Loved it, quickest car I’d owned at the time, had a few scary moments in it, front suspension arm snapping at 70 and sending me over the other side of the road towards another car was a massive brown trouser moment!! But had to sell it when I lost my job (couple £1,000+ bills over the last 3 months so it had to go)
Those wheels are certainly marmite - the originals IMHO are other worldly superior. No idea if yours shares the same box though? Maybe
Here’s my old one
Loved it, quickest car I’d owned at the time, had a few scary moments in it, front suspension arm snapping at 70 and sending me over the other side of the road towards another car was a massive brown trouser moment!! But had to sell it when I lost my job (couple £1,000+ bills over the last 3 months so it had to go)
Neil1b24 said:
Hi, it is a dealer selling it on eBay, Mercedes Cardiff or Newcastle I think. It arrives with the same kind of invoice you get from parts counter. The label as all the usual Merc markings.
Thanks for the tip on the engine oil. Have just ordered 10 litres. Even with shipping costs it is still a good deal.ZX10R NIN said:
Welshbeef said:
Those wheels are certainly marmite - the originals IMHO are other worldly superior.
It's not the wheels, it's more to do with them being the wrong offset & colour.el romeral said:
Neil1b24 said:
Hi, it is a dealer selling it on eBay, Mercedes Cardiff or Newcastle I think. It arrives with the same kind of invoice you get from parts counter. The label as all the usual Merc markings.
Thanks for the tip on the engine oil. Have just ordered 10 litres. Even with shipping costs it is still a good deal.https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/5w-30-Fully-Synthetic-Eng...
It is however fully synthetic with MB type 229.5 approval - £45. With a filter from ECP an oil change works out at about £15.
Mileage on the C220 is now 223,000.
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