CLK55 and E46 M3s

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Will

Hardcore MB Enthusiast
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Unusually, I've come up against E46 M3s whilst out in my CLK55 three times in about the last 9 months or so.

Very strange, but it's confirmed something now - I can say with certainty that the manufacturer's figures for a CLK55 must be fairly conservative and those for an E46 M3 perhaps more accurate as the two cars are extremely well matched.

From a standing start the AMG is at least as quick through 1st and 2nd gear - even compared to an SMG varient. 3rd gear onwards and the M3 couldn't quite match it for pace.

I won't go into too many specifics, but it really surprised me.

Said SMG 'boxed M3 coupé driver tonight briefly chatted at the lights asked me if the CLK was standard (I assumed he knew it was an '55). Car and tyres were nicely warmed up, my fuel light was on, roads were clean and dry from the heavy rain over the last couple of days, temps were cool but not freezing - perfect conditions and I was travelling alone.

One other observation is the racket that these M3s make - I was chatting to someone about it tonight at the Ace - they sound very tinny when they are revved hard, almost like a cheap stainless exhaust system etc. The AMG is very quiet, and only makes a subtle deep growl under hard acceleration.

Nothing to prove particularly - but I'd assumed that an M3 would have the edge, and it seems not. A twisty road would of course be a slightly different story.

CLK55 - a slightly dull at times car but possibly underrated :cool:

Will
 
looks like you are beginning to bond with your CLK55 :)
 
did you beat it then? by how many cars? I've always thought M3 were good after 100mph and not so good off the mark...

I beat one in a 2001 W210 E55 AMG ages ago but it was so damn close, both cars were remaped but the m3 has had abit more stuff done to it like exhuast system etc..

I find it when the car's feul light is on, it's slugish and won't go as good as say if you had half a tank...
 
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did you beat it then? by how many cars? I've always thought M3 were good after 100mph and not so good off the mark...

I beat one in a 2001 W210 E55 AMG ages ago but it was so damn close, both cars were remaped but the m3 has had abit more stuff done to it like exhuast system etc..

I find it when the car's feul light is on, it's slugish and won't go as good as say if you had half a tank...

Not going to go into too many specifics on a public forum - but off the mark a few times it was very very close between the two cars, less than a car's length either way depending on who got a good start. Possibly if I'm honest, the E46 had a split second 'jump' from the line - I reckon that the SMG must help there. And that gap remained almost identical all the way through 1st and 2nd gear, at which point the CLK55 seemed to be pulling very slightly ahead.

My fuel light came on as I left the GTG @ the Ace earlier on - said tank content was 1.8 gallons. Was 0.6 gallons when I filled up about 10 miles later :eek:

Empty tank = less weight = quicker car. 60 litres of fuel will definately make a difference I guess :thumb:

I think that the power and weight of both cars must be very similar, but perhaps the longer gearing and torque from the '55 makes it slightly stronger as you press on a bit.
 
You should re-map your CLK you would easily get another 25bhp out of it plus more responsive..
 
One other observation is the racket that these M3s make - I was chatting to someone about it tonight at the Ace - they sound very tinny when they are revved hard, almost like a cheap stainless exhaust system etc.

Will

Yup they sound like a bag of spanners if you ask me.

V8 every time;)
 
I wasn't so familar with the various specifications, so I had a quite look on Parkers. Here are the figures for those also interested.

I never realised until how how much torque the CLK has :)


BMW M3:

Length 4492 mm
Width 1780 mm
Height 1383 mm
Weight 1495 kg
Fuel Delivery Multi point fuel injection
Transmission Automatic
Gears 6 Speed

Engine Size 3246 cc
Cylinders 6
0-60 mph 5.0 s
Power Output 338 bhp
Valves 24
Torque 365 Nm 269 lb-ft
Top Speed 155 mph

Mercedes CLK55 AMG:

Length 4567 mm
Width 1969 mm
Height 1371 mm
Weight 1620 kg
Fuel Delivery Multi point fuel injection
Transmission Automatic
Gears 5 Speed

Engine Size 5439 cc
Cylinders 8
0-60 mph 5.2 s
Power Output 347 bhp
Valves 24
Torque 510 Nm
Top Speed 155 mph
 
I wasn't so familar with the various specifications, so I had a quite look on Parkers. Here are the figures for those also interested.

I never realised until how how much torque the CLK has :)


BMW M3:

Length 4492 mm
Width 1780 mm
Height 1383 mm
Weight 1495 kg
Fuel Delivery Multi point fuel injection
Transmission Automatic
Gears 6 Speed

Engine Size 3246 cc
Cylinders 6
0-60 mph 5.0 s
Power Output 338 bhp
Valves 24
Torque 365 Nm 269 lb-ft
Top Speed 155 mph

Mercedes CLK55 AMG:

Length 4567 mm
Width 1969 mm
Height 1371 mm
Weight 1620 kg
Fuel Delivery Multi point fuel injection
Transmission Automatic
Gears 5 Speed

Engine Size 5439 cc
Cylinders 8
0-60 mph 5.2 s
Power Output 347 bhp
Valves 24
Torque 510 Nm
Top Speed 155 mph


What are the specs for the new V8 M3 ?
 
What are the specs for the new V8 M3 ?

Again taken from Parkers the E90 M3 DCT:


Length 4615 mm
Width 1804 mm
Height 1424 mm
Weight 1600 kg
Fuel Delivery Multi point fuel injection
Transmission Automatic
Gears 7 Speed

Engine Size 3999 cc
Cylinders 8
0-60 mph 4.5 s
Power Output 414 bhp
Valves 32
Torque 400 Nm 295 lb-ft
Top Speed 155 mph


and some more data from Autocar, but for the 6sp manual this time:


How much ?

* Price as tested £53,275
* Price as tested £50,524
________________________________

How fast

* 0-30mph 2.1 sec
* 0-60mph 4.7 sec
* 0-100mph 10.2 sec
* 0-150mph 26.5 sec
* 0-200mph no data
* 30-70mph 3.7 sec
* 0-400m 13.3 / 112 sec/mph
* 0-1000m 23.5 / 143 sec/mph
* 30-50mph in 3rd/4th 3.1 / 4.3
* 40-60mph in 4th/5th 4.1 / 5.2 sec
* 50-70mph in 5th 5 sec
* 60-0mph 2.62 sec
* Top speed 155 mph
* Noise at 70mph 68 dbA
________________________________

How thirsty?

* Test average 19 mpg
* Test best/worst 25.2 / 9.5

Government figures

* Combined/urban 22.8 / 15.8 mpg
* CO2 emissions 295 g/km

________________________________

How big?

* Length 4615 mm
* Width 1804 mm
* Height 1418 mm
* Wheelbase 2761 mm
* Weight 1655 kg
* Fuel tank 63.0 litres

________________________________

Engine

* Layout V8 cyls Vee , 3999 cc
* Max power 414 bhp at 8300 rpm
* Max torque 295 ft at 3900 rpm
* Specific output 103.5bhp per litre bhp per litre
* Power to weight 261bhp per tonne bhp per tonne
* Installation F Longitudinal
* Bore/stoke 92.0x75.2 mm
* Compression ratio 12.0:1
* Valve gear 4 per cyl
* Ignition and fuel no data, Unleaded

Gearbox

* Type 6-speed Manual
* 1st 4.1 / 5
* 2nd 2.37 / 8.6
* 3rd 1.58 / 12.9
* 4th 1.19 / 17.1
* 5th 1 / 20.3
* 6th 0.87 / 23.3
* Final drive 3.846

________________________________

Suspension

* Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
* Rear Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
________________________________

Steering

* Type Rack and pinion, hydraulic power assistance and Servotronic
* Lock to lock 2.30
________________________________

Brakes

* Front 360mm ventilated discs
* Rear 350mm ventilated discs

________________________________

Wheel & tyres

* Size front 8.5J x 18 in
* Size rear 9.5J x 18 in
* Made of Alloy
* Tyres front 245/35 ZR19 93Y
* Tyres rear 245/35 ZR19 98Y
 
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That tinny sound is a love/hate thing to be honest. I used to hate it, but as I grew up and I heard them more & more, i've actually started to like it. It isn't the most refined noise in the world, but it does suit the skittish 'racer' character that is the M3.

And what you are saying seems to be accurate, yes you have more torque & power, which will start to show itself as the speeds increase.
 
Merc published figures are always a little bit conservative. They figure an E500 211 at 6.1 secs to sixty, the press have it at 5.8.

I'll have 5.8 thanks (and 164mph unrestricted too.....)
 
I take it the e500 is a success ;)

Yup. It's such a great car for me on a number of levels.

Going from a W202 to a W211 is always going to be a big leap - the spec on this one just accentuates that jump.

It's luxurious, very family friendly (what with the with seven seats and integrated boosters) but at the same can also go like stink.

I wasn't really expecting the "go like stink" bit as is "only" has the 5.0 V8. But I've tried it and it definitely goes like stink.

And then are all the little touches that make such a difference. My favourite this week is that when you release the parking brake it makes a barely perceptible sound whereas on the C43 it sounded a small detonation every time you pulled off.
 

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