This afternoon, coming back from my gf's house in CT, I pulled next to a black CLK-430 at a red light near her house. (it was empty) I didn't even pay much attention to the CLK next to me, as they usually never want to play. I took off normally at the green light. I noticed the CLK started to pull away quickly, so I gunned it. I quickly caught up but I stayed at it's door and I was unable to pull ahead any more until we both slowed down at 65+ or so.

I am sure that if I knew he wanted to race and launched harder, I would have definitely beaten it. Not by much, but still beaten it. I am impressed on how smootly the CLK accelerated. I would pull a little when I hit 5k+ rpm then fall back a little, then pull again. The CLK just smoothly kept accelerating. I guess that's the benefit of a V8.

In summary, I guess with CAI/Headers we are able to run with a CLK430

 

The 430 is listed to do 0-60 in 6.2. With headers and intake, it is a very good race. I can tell you one thing though, I have a friend with a 320 and man is that thing slow.

 

With my previous encounter w/ a 430, we started at 55 (w/ him infront of me) up to about 105. I had about 1/4 a car on him.

 

I definitely agree. I started off slowly, so he had about 1/2 to a car lead on me before I hit it. If we both started from the line, I guess I probably would have had about a car on him.

 

Tom (stock CLS) and his bro (CLK430) raced at least a couple of times and it was dead even.

 

Comes to show you!

CLK 430 runs way over 40K, and is V8.

For that much money, and specially having a V8, The Benz should have some kind of advantage on speed.

Guess a lot of people are learning not to under-estimate the CL-S!

I'm still trying to talk my roommate into racing his 540i with me. I'm curious of the out come as I am sure the 540i is surely quicker than the CLK 430. I'll probably lose since I'm bone-stock... We'll see!

 

yes, you will lose (unless he's a REALLY bad driver) but at least you'll look good in doing so

 

If its an auto, it might be close. If its a 6-speed, then good luck and hope he misses a shift.