What do you think of a MB CLK 55 for a track car?

LOL!

Didn't EVO magazine do a giant track test with everything including garbage truck, limousine, golf cart and London bus a couple of years ago?

Anyway I did once go round Moroso in Florida in a Renntech Mercedes (Renntech is a Florida based equivalent of AMG) I have no idea what model, it was about 10 years ago: a big old boat anyway and the driver Kim John Crumb a former winner of the Virginia City hillclimb could make it do all sorts of things but...said we only had a few laps before the brakes ran out....which sort of proves the point...

 

The best bang for the buck, the biggest driving orgasm has always been and will always be this:
If the likes of Montoya, Schumacher, Hamilton, Alonsobnoxious, Villeneuve play with karts (real racing karts not what you might have seen in funfairs) then us mere mortals should do just like them.
I raced real karts 20 years ago, do rentals any chance I get but drove a real one in October and smiled for about 4 hours afterwards
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The Benz would be better suited on an oval http://m-kobayashi.cocolog-nifty.com/photos/uncategorized/0704111.jpg

 

There are a million better options for a track car.

Figure out what your real track-related objectives are before anything else. If you want to simply cruise around the track and get your photo taken, then, sure, a CLK is just fine. If you want to learn how to go fast, then you're going to have to start elsewhere.

 

I echo what others say - CLK55 is very bad as a track car. Its got a flexy chassis, its expensive to repair, and since its heavy with weak brakes, its going to go through brakes and tires like crazy. You *could* use it but you could also use it as an off-road car - even if it's the wrong choice for the job

A CLK55 is going to be worlds apart from an E36. The nice thing about the E is that there are tons of aftermarket parts and companies supporting them. The same with a Miata.

If you are stuck on an MB, a C series is probably your best bet. MB doesnt really make any track-worthy cars (sorry MB fans). If you dont mind deviating from that then there are cars that will be MUCH faster, much cheaper to maintain, much more enjoyable, much easier to modify, and much longer lasting. The ones that come to mind are

E36 BMW
Lotus Elise
Mazda Miata
E46 M3
BMW M Coupe

Even some VW's like a VR6 is a good car - or a Mitsu Evo would be a great track car. Even a Neon ACR is a good track car!

If you are stuck on the MB, I'd look into a C instead of a CLK, but that would be a faaaar distant choice to the ones above. It would be like wanting a nice formal wear outfit made but saying it MUST be made out of fleece... you can't really have both

 

There are MB track days? That's kind of amusing. Most events are not marque-specific, though. Those that appear to be will usually let in anyone as long as you're polite. There's really no reason to get a CLK for the track. Being a big luxury car, it's certainly not designed for that kind of use.

That said, I've actually autocrossed an old 300E before. While even less of a track car than a CLK55, it was still fun. I was actually really impressed with how balanced it was on the limit. So you can have a good time in just about anything. I'd really recommend karts, though. They're cheaper and more fun than almost anything street-legal.

 

If the OP REALLY wants a Mercedes for track, the best bet would be to buy an old C-Class from the 80' or 90' for 5K USD and spend the rest of the money prepping it for track. Ripping out the interior, roll cage, brakes, suspension, the engines are bulletproof so you can turbocharge them. Should make for a very competent track car.

 

After doing Skippy's MX-5 (new Miata) racing school at Laguna, it is hard to imagine a better sedan-based track/race car. Yeah, after three days, there were a few times where it would have been fun to have a few more ponies under the hood. But, all in all, there should be laws against having that much fun.

That said, and you knew this was coming, I did wonder what it would be like to drive my C55 around the track. Maybe lower it a little bit, stiffer suspension. Man, it is hard to beat a mouth breather V8!

Dale

 

It would be interesting for exactly one lap, or after drifting a few corners.

 

I forgot to add that I used to have a mechanic who raced his MB 190E 2.3-16 (this competed with the M3 in the 80's). He actually won quite a few autocross trophies with it. That's probably the closest affordable MB to a track car.

 

OK let's compromise: a kart with a 6.9 engine....hum maybe a bit to much rear weight bias but lots of oversteer

Seriously Letsjet I think that you should experiment, i.e. ride and if possible drive some other cars before you commit to doing this as you may regret it later: a couple of times I have seen people buy new kart or racecar, the best helmet racesuit shoes, trailer....and show up one time only to discover that it wasn't for them: define to yourself what exactly you are after, perhaps you are more suited to road rallies for example...good luck to you in any case!

 

Those are future classics, better to keep on in good shape. Also I think that the prices for a decent example are above 20K.

 

I think most are actually under $15k, but I haven't checked very closely.

 

Subaru STi makes a pretty decent autox car, lots of aftermarket available and MUCH more reliable than an evo. I've know a few guys with Evos that have major reliability issues, especially when aftermarket parts are added.

 

Hey if you must have a Mercedes, why not try an old AMG C32? The kinda cars that raced in the DTM series? I imagine you can find one really cheap and then trick it out

one of these in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5gP0sxdb84

 

I think the first question is, do you really want an autox car, or a track car. Many small front drive cars can be fun on an autox course, but not so much on a real track. As others have stated a "spec" Miata,or racer,( maybe with a turbo?) would be a REALLY fun toy for the track. They can be had for very cheap, are inexpensive to maintain, and have plenty of aftermarket support. I have alyays been a believer that a lower powered car or motorcycle helps a person develop better driving skills on a racecourse. By not having the big power to make up for poor technique, it forces the driver to concentrate on corner speed and momentum. That's half the fun on a track.


BTW, I wouldn't mind taking the wife's 06 CLK 55 to the track to see what it would do. I actually think it would be faster than our 355.


Darrell.

 

Not to join the pile on, but I have a CLK55 (albeit a convertible). My thoughts on it and tracking it:

1. Its actually a great car. Fast, great sound from the V8.
2. Remember the CLK55 is NOT supercharged - circa 370bhp, not 500.
3. The gearbox is very slow, the switches in no way can be thought of like an F1. It regularly won't give you a gear in manual if you drive it hard. I just drive it in auto and don't bother with the switches.
4. The brakes are fine for the road and brisk driving, but you can feel the weight. Note that all M cars have rubbish brakes also, and all the guys in the BMW club at track days have changed them for at least pads, and often a whole new setup.
5. Z06 previous shape is a good option. A fully track ready one can be had for short money, and you'll annoy the crap out of the Ferrari guys at a track day.

Tracking ANY car can mount up. Tires, brake pads, oil changes, wear and tear. it really is not a cheap hobby. I ended up with a race car, simply because I found I was going fast, and I like to worry less about safety. Roll Cage, HANS etc is the way to go.

IMO, a Z06 with a cage, is a good way to be fast and safe and cheap.

 

$20k, track car... Formula Continental open wheel race car BUT being open wheel means some places will not let you play with the slow fat closed wheel cars like 430, 599 etc.

Miata. Cheap as hell fun car when properly done. Buy a retired SCCA modded car for dirt cheap $7k to $10k. If you wall the Miata who cares and easy to just walk away from due to low cost and MOST IMPORTANT the full cage protection of a proper SCCA car.

IMPORTANT: Who gives a %$&^% about the car, this is YOUR LIFE my friend and go full cage or do not buy it.

Of course you can mod the Miata cheap and then power to weight is adjusted accordingly but then you eliminate SCCA racing as the car may then be out os 'spec.'

A Z06 is more than $20k so that is a no go. Same with Radical (my first pick BTW, but they are 3x to 4x more).

Miatas are popular for hard core track guys for a reason. Think about it... and if you want faster add engine mods.

ALSO, remember you may want to factor in various 'spares' parts and tire costs.

Just my humble 2 Yen.

Below pick is what $20k gets you (without spares package). Makes the current crop of mass-produced Fcars and WRX and Miata look like slow arse dogs Think 1200 lbs total w/driver and 155HP/145TQ... and stopping a mere 1200 lbs is 'easy' as is cornering at 2.5+Gs WEEEEEEEeeeeee for cheap thrills
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+1 to EVERYTHING above if you have to go closed wheel and want to go Z06, which smokes a Miata. Have seen many a Vette smoke Fcars on the track.

 

Ok, and you are set at $20k limit yes???

Also, is this just for car... or car and spares package?

Closed or open wheel?

Will you be racing the car in SCCA (once you get bored of HPDE)?

 

you could spend way less and get a better, safer, faster car. radical, stohr, formula mazda....there are dozens.

 

Ok, have been reading your replies carefully. Frankly, if i knew now what i knew the first time tracking the 308... would have never driven the car on the track due to lack of HANS, piped in halon system and electrical cutoff plus full roll cage. Color me on the side of 'screw the car, it is my life here.' Note, <knocking wood> never had any real track offs per se, but having seen what others have experienced around me...

i'd suggest starting with a Miata that has been race prepped with SCCA safety features ($10k). Do not remember seeing anything about your previous track experience on this thread, so the Miata is also about getting a nice inexpensive learning car where momentum is key. This is where the 308 was excellent as it taught me the proper race line and driving/car dynamics. To walk, first one must crawl. Putting a newbie in a very powerful Vette that may have a twitchy suspension is like placing an axe in the hand of a mass murder (bad analogy, sorry). The MB is possibly more driveable for a newbie, yet you will need to invest into cage and brakes and perhaps other things PLUS parts costs are probably on the high side.

Add to that, good usable Miatas can be had for VERY short money, are dirt cheap and easy to fix/get fixed, and parts can be hard at virtually any decent store 'around the corner'. They are lightweight and we must never underestimate the power-to-weight ratio. All things being equal, this not only allows for more speed, it makes braking events shorter and tossing the car around easier (yes, that is overly generalized... and all generalizations are not 100% always correct).

The MB is VERY heavy (over 3k lbs) and what concerns me is the brakes and lack of roll cage. Am sure you will use/install an FIA-approved 4 to 6 point harness in whatever you drive. HANS are expensive, though please make that a must in your equipment list. If you must have an MB, strip her down to save weight and have at a minimum a cage and harness system installed by a professional (halon and electrical cutoff would also be good).

If you like the Miata and pocket the 'extra' 10k, that can be used for tires and other things. Those 'other things' add up FAST, trust me on that! The next level for short money, as Dan rightly pointed out, would be the Vette. The Vette has various suspension tuning levels and finding a used track prepped Vette is relatively cheap and this way the suspension will (hopefully) be worked out by the previous owner. Engine swaps for the Vette (and Miata) are cheap too. If i had $1 for every 'good' engine i have seen go KA-PLOWIE at the track...

ALL the above is just my 2 Euro opinion.

ALSO, you may want to INVEST in a data acquisition system (i like the TraqMate for $700) and a video camera setup ($400). Data really helps to analyze things after a race and video also helps to understand where things can be improved to further lower lap times and enhance my *racing* techniques (racing is not part of HPDE of course, and this is where all the HPDE events i attended did not really provide much usable experience for on-track interaction).

The whole point is to be safe, learn and have fun. Throwing more money to acquire a different car will not necessarily be 'better,' it will only be 'different.' Have seen guys with more money than brains who get Formula cars and quickly realize that that type of track car is not for them.

Lastly, and apologies for long post, you could easily RENT a Miata or some other cars for a few track days just to see what you like or dislike. There are many options...