New Rims/Tyres finally

[Lee72]

After a lot of consideration I settled on some new rims for my CLK

Before:-

After:-

Few more views...

19" 's with 235/35 rubber. Also have the Eibach sportline springs to fit as of yet but had a nightmare over the weekend trying to get the other's off
Will search for a method on the forum

My choice of rims may not be to everyone's liking but I thought they looked good and have had a lot of heads turning since they went on, clearly the locals think I've nicked them off an SLR but to those of you who have noticed (most of you I'd say) they are a copy

 

[BaldGuy]

Very nice...

 

[markjay]

 

[tpwuk]

Looks good! Your CLK already looks quite low. Are they standard springs / spring pads on there already?

 

[Lee72]

Yes standard springs as far as I'm aware, they still have the Merc. logo on them so I assume they are standard. Just found a coil spring compressor in the U.S. that looks like it may work for removing mine, it compresses the spring from the inside rather than going on the outside like the one I tried the weekend. for $32 it's worth a try.

Thanks for the comments too, I fear I may need a substantial sump guard with new springs??

 

[BaldGuy]

its an expensive tool if its the same as the one for the W209 shape....

 

[Lee72]

Yer I found 2 types of tool, one is a bar and 2 discs and costs $255, the other is 4 hooks that pivot allowing them to be collapsed to enable the compressor to be inserted into the spring through the hole in the lower arm under the spring. It looks like it could work in theory although without seeing it in the flesh it's hard to say for sure? I may just get hold of one and try it out, nothing ventured nothing gained as they say

 

[momomo]

For $32 I wouldn't try that tool to be honest. It can be a dangerous job and cheap tools can let you down, so I for one wouldn't want to risk getting injured using tools which arent up to the job. The real tool is expensive. Maybe you could hire one from a member on here.

 

[d w124]

For $32 I wouldn't try that tool to be honest. It can be a dangerous job and cheap tools can let you down, so I for one wouldn't want to risk getting injured using tools which arent up to the job. The real tool is expensive. Maybe you could hire one from a member on here.

+1

 

[Lee72]

yer read a few horror stories and found the real McCoy on Ebay for around €200, lets face it, it's expensive but then again so is one's life and not worth the risk. Allegedly a compressed Merc. spring can go through a concrete wall if the tool fails, it would certainly make light work of squishy human flesh & bones

 

[Merco]

Looks fab to me!

 

[Cen]

I think the wheels are a vast improvement to the original however, looks a nightmare to keep clean. What's with the ariel get rid

 

[Lee72]

So far only cleaned them once so I'll let ya know after winter.....and Tigger stays hahaha, my wee cuz got it for me so had to put him on

 

[91dm]

They suit it, looks very nice.

 

[Lee72]

Update on wheels/tyres

Just an update on the springs, ordered the Eibach Sportline after reading many reviews on forums and after running them for a day they seem to be a good choice.
Spent the morning under the CLK but here's the update in glorious technicolor

If you have this type of coil spring compressor.....

Forget it!
You need one of these sets, as has already been suggested, they don't come cheap!

Anyone in the North West Donegal area is welcome to the use of my set as I now have the above pictured set and I dare say we could come to some agreement there

New Eibach and old original front...

Eibach with compressor fitted and ready to go back on car.

We dropped the shock and anti-roll bar to allow the suspension arm to drop giving sufficient clearance for removal and fitting, New spring in place....

New rear Eibach and original....

The rear was easier, didn't actually need the compressor at all...

As in photo, removed 3 bolts and just carefully lowered the arm on a jack, then manhandled it a bit lower and out pops the old spring, reverse procedure to re-fit new spring.

Hey presto!

The new look, not advisable to go too low when you drive on roads like I do so next on the list may well be a sump guard
But think it looks pretty class to say the least.
Hope this is of use to some of you thinking of lowering your CLK, other models may differ or be similar.

 

[C240Sport97]

front looks much too low

 

[A210AMG]

^ Thats does look low

 

[renault12ts]

Nice wheels. I'm still trying to work out from the photos in your first thread which part of NW Donegal you now live. Any clues? The photo below was taken on a beach just south of NW Donegal...Bunbeg.

 

[tagnut]

That front looks really low to me, doesn't it bottom out at all?

 

[Howard]

Front is miles too low.

Imagine you go down a pothole while the wheel is turned ( going round a bend for example ) , you'll tear your front wings off ....