I agree. Your best bet is to wait for a CLK 55. It makes more sense, because most of the modification are done in mass production, so its cheaper then having any tuner do one car at a time.

Also, if factory warranty is an issue, then get a CLK 55, and wait for a couple years before the mods if you want to do them.

After you receive your CLK 55, and You still want to do modifications, then I suggest RENNTech. Even though they are down right rude sometimes, they have better mods then some of the others. In comparison, the highest AMG gets out of the new V8s are 5.4 liters, while Brabus does 5.8. Lorinser has gone the Kompressor route, but RENNTech still gets a hefty 6.0 Litters, in which the torque is felt much more present then the others. I know one of my best friend's dad purchased and E55, RENNTech 6.0, then went to Lorinser recently and added the Kompressor Kit.

My advice is that if you can find a good shop in your area who knows how to work with Benzes and you don't want to spend as much, then trust him with your car. I know a mechanic here who has worked with Mercedes, then AMG and now lives in the US working and serviceing primarily Benzes and BMWs.

My story: I have a 190E 2.6. The gasket blew at 80,000 miles, and was my first real problem with the car. What he suggested to me was that he can get rebuilt engines at a good price. He said he was doing an old lady's car, and not many 2.6 were available. He had given her the option of using the 2.8, 3.0, or 3.2 since they were all basically the same configuration in her vehicle. But she wanted the 2.6. He told her it would cost relatively the same, only a $500 difference (transmission change was also required), and labor would be about $100 more. She said she wanted to keep it completely stock. So He saw that my 2.6 and told me the the old lasy is willing to pay me for my engine, that could easily be repaired, and for the money she paid me, I basically got a 3.2 installed in my car. All it costed me was $1500 (required a transmission swap from an 300E) and everything else is perfect.

What he was telling me is that People like RENNTech, Brabus, Lorinser, AMG, and Bekkers all have to get thier parts manufactured somewhere. He was able to do some research and purchase some of their parts used in the engine tuning. He helped a guy who had purchased an ML320 when in fall 98, and since the V6 engine was the only ones available at that time, the guy would rather tune the V6 then wait for the V8 in 99. So, he got the engine stroke to a 3.8 using RENNTech parts. He got Brembo brakes adapted from an E-class since they used the same braking system, and did some sound upgrades to his music system, transmission, bigger radiator, added an oil and transmission cooler, Eibachs to the rear, and adjusted the torsion bars up front, mount 18" wheels and tires. It costed him in total about $20k parts and $5k in labor. Pretty cheap considering RENNTech costs $19 just for the 3.8 conversion, $8500 for the brakes, plus the other upgrades. And if you consider that RENNTech's 3.8s puch 290hp@5850 and 306lb.ft.@3600, you have a engine thats as strong as the 4.3 in power rating, if not stronger. (the 4.3 is still more powerful just cause the torque comes up so much quicker.)

Point being, find a good mechanic, and pay him well, and ask him to research, and you got a RENNTech clone for much cheaoer then you expect it.

P.S., people have asked me before, but my friend's dad's E60 Kompressor pushes a little shy of 500hp and close to 575lb.ft. To handle all the power, he tried to have someone add the 4 wheels drive system from the m-class and fabricate it into the E55, I think they were for the most part successful except for the low range, which they had to do without. Fine by him, since he was never going to use it. 0-60 is almost 4.0 on the dot (with a 2 stop watches at a time.)

I think it's the best that just wait for a CLK55, and have fun with it for couple years. And if you really want to do any mods, like the superchargers(not Turbo)from Lorinser(Lorinser uses "K" for supercharged Mercedes they made. Like Supercharged C43 will be badged "K43"), then wait after the warranty is over, and go for the mods....

Just my opinion....

Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
  
• Blue/Red Headlights
  
• Xenon-Look Foglights
  

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
http://drive.to/akry

Lee:

Can you tell me more about the Mosselman and Lorinser Supercharger for my 98 E430? What's the difference between the two and which gives more hp? What's the price? and do you know any shops that do the job in San Francisco area? Thanks!!

---WILL

Contact www.cecwheels.com for the Lorinser supercharger.