Lowering a CLK W208

[FADEC]

What advice can you guys give me on the pros and cons of lowering a W208 430? Basically I am thinking ahead and considering putting a new set of 18 inch AMG 2 alloys on.

Is it possible to lower the car and replace the original 17 inch rims for the new 18 inchers?

Will it affect anything like the ESP system for example?

Does it require any reworking of the cars wheelarches or systems?

I love the way the car looks at the moment and she is a real gem, in great original condition with low mileage. I would love to get my hands on a similair condition 55, but with my car being well sorted I am reluctant to part with her and take on a new motor.

I have this idea in my head that some small tasteful original Benz modifications will make the car look a bit more exclusive. I am also thinking of an Eisennman back box to bring out a little more of the V8 sound.

Its just an idea at the moment. Should I just leave it as is, are these mods more trouble than they are worth?

Any input from you guys in the know would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jberks]

nice idea but get a block booking at your local cheiropractor first.
Lowering will stiffen the suspension, plus 18" wheels so even lower profile sidewalls (my 17" setup can be bad enough). On UK roads, it could easily make it the wrong side of uncomfortable.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Be careful lowering the car as the CLK i don,t think has rolled wheel arch lips like the w202 has.
As jberks said you will definitly compromise the ride of the car with 18s, for the sake of an inch in diameter is it worth the additional expense in the price of the tyres and the compromised ride.
Spend your money on the exhaust as if you replaced it with Kleeman manifolds and system you are looking at a potential BHP increase of over 50BHP. If you replace just the exhaust back box don,t expect any increase in performance as the standard v8 manifolds are next to useless and are very restrictive.
Just the replacing the manifolds will give you a different sound to your exhaust and will also give you in well in excess of 15% increase in BHP.

 

[shadowninja]

Having the likes of Longlife or Powerflow replace the system from the cat with a single backbox will result in the sound you are looking for.

 

[type49]

You could lower the car by fitting the smaller spring cups. At least you can keep your MB springs (& your teeth) that way. I lowered my other half's 202 Elegance down to "Sport" height that way, with no compromise in ride whatsoever.

 

[gworilla]

As I have a 430, the only mod I would contemplate is having the ECU re-mapped which would provide a 25-30bhp gain and remove some of the flat spots at low-med revs. With the exhaust mod you will get no more than 8-10 bhp at the wheels (max) and forget about the 18" wheels or lowering the car as the ride will sadly be far too harsh. If you have to stiffen the ride then purchase some quality uprated/ stiffened springs. The induction is already pretty good and TBH, the only gain you can make in changing this is in terms of noise/ sound not huge performance.

The only real "mod" you can make to improve this car is to go out and buy a '55 like you say. However, I love my 430 and is one of the best engines I have had.

 

[television]

and forget about the 18" wheels or lowering the car as the ride will sadly be far too harsh. If you have to stiffen the ride then purchase some quality uprated/ stiffened springs.

Doing what Type 49 did would not alter the ride

 

[type49]

Doing what Type 49 did would not alter the ride

Cheers - no it won't. Also the cheapest option by far, at about £5 per corner

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Just for information regarding exhaust power increase

http://www.kleemann.dk/site/Main/performanceproducts/headers

google kleeman headers/exhaust system and read the threads from the American forums they are talking power increases in excess of 50 BHP with the clk 430 and only around 30 BHP for C43 AMG using kleeman headers and exhaust system with ECU mod

 

[television]

Hi,
Just for information regarding exhaust power increase

http://www.kleemann.dk/site/Main/performanceproducts/headers

google kleeman headers/exhaust system and read the threads from the American forums they are talking power increases in excess of 50 BHP with the clk 430 and only around 30 BHP for C43 AMG using kleeman headers and exhaust system with ECU mod

Any idea of the cost of these things

 

[bigasotonuk]

No i,ve been trying to find out but the UK price list page does,nt load was gonna try to e-mail them but as my CATS have turned out to be ok the need to replace has gone but i am going to sometime in the near future.

 

[shadowninja]

What do you mean by exhaust mods? If you just change the exhaust for a louder one, I doubt very much that you will get anything more than about 1bhp gain. Freeflowing exhausts are more important on forced induction cars, I understand. On V8s, better back-pressure means more perceived power (aka torque). The only way to really improve power when tinkering with the exit of the engine is by binning the cats.

 

[FADEC]

Thankyou all very much for your replies.

I am reluctant to throw away the ride quality of the car simply for the sake of 18 inch rims! Also I think that I will leave the suspension as the standard 430 fit. Interesting info with regards to the exhaust system though, this is something which I will look into further. I was quite surprised to read of a 50bhp increase! Remapping the ECU sounds good too guys.

Cheers