OlegKouz

Purchased the car new as stock as I could performance-wise back in 2012 with limited options aside from the porcelain/black leather and upgraded audio, with no LSD and with the factory OEM Yokohama tires I replaced a few times (don’t do either of those things).

Got a tune and carbon fiber pieces in the first few months of ownership. Have a good contact for warranty work so the plan was always to slowly build a car focusing on all segments of the car equally and trying to hit a goal of around 450-475 rwhp (550+ crank), currently at 435.

Well, safe to say for the first 18 months of me owning my car (especially after getting tuned) I did not really have much grip, going to the drag strip and realizing that launching (maybe a low rpm, low feather launch, but then I was cutting slow 60 foot times which took away from the time overall..couldn't do better than high 12s/low 13s in South Florida) was a pain without an LSD and some better tires. TSC off, floor in first resulted in MASSIVE spin. I decided I would develop the suspension and handling of my car (in steps) before I move on to headers and finishing up the rest of the exhaust setup.

The following is a review of the coils, LSD and tires after owning them for a little bit.

KW v3

I decided on the V3s of their ability to easily adjust the ride height and dampening and rebound adjustments and all the positive forum/word of mouth reviews. Since owning them for about 14 months, I have done a lot of adjusting and tweaking, but once you finally do get them set up like you want… boy the reviews did not lie.

Install – The install was a pain, without going into detail and calling people out I had to get the installation job redone and corner weight distribution alignment redone. The first shop did not know you need a “Mercedes-specific” tool to work on it. Anyway, eventually I got the car back (had it running pretty good after a few days, but it takes a lot of tweaking to get it riding perfectly, I finally got it after about 6-7 months of slight work here and there) and had it set to a “semi-aggressive” stance making the car look flush, without dropping it too low to the point where I would have to scrape (as I have carbon fiber pieces and in Florida my biggest fear is to have a stance guy roll up on me and think I am “one of them”).

Make sure you find a shop that has specifically worked on AMG before, for some reason I chose to experiment with a new shop that is renowned for tuning high-powered GTRs, lesson learned.



Review –

There was a noticeable difference in the ride instantly. The car rides extremely flat, in the best possible way. There does not seem to be any body roll at all when you get on it and are at high speeds, and it grips harder and for longer. The car is able to move in and out of turns a LOT faster. I am actually signing up for some upcoming track days before the summer months (Florida) come and am very excited to see how she handles at PBIR/Sebring/Homestead. Looking forward to passing some ///M’s.

When cruising on the highway (aside from dodging occasional holes, which you feel) the car runs stiff. Plain and simple, you feel like you are in a car with a modified suspension, every movement you can feel and the only complaint is that you really do feel everything (little bumps etc., but I like it, gives it a slightly more raw element)

Michelin PSS (235/255)

Still rocking the factory 18”s so went with the 255’s. Kind of regret it, but I am considering going wheel shopping anyway so maybe for the next set can get something even bigger and wider.

I got these installed after I got the coil overs and they were able to make another noticeable difference in the grip, traction and ride quality of the height. It is pretty obvious that turning (of any kind) became “better”. The car is stickier, firmer and faster in and out of turns. The car squats harder, holds turns harder and is a lot more difficult to spin out than stock. Also, noticed it is quieter when going over bumps or riding on bumpy road.

Will be ordering these again shortly, highly recommend spending the extra money and getting the quality tires to anyone for a performance car. I regret not getting them sooner.

Wavetrac LSD –

I understand that the real benefit of a “zero-slip” is limited on the street, but after driving an open slip for over 2 years of ownership, the difference is substantial. The car is tighter on the ground and the launches are a LOT more controlled. I chose this over the competing Quaife due to the increased assistance when a wear is lifted off the ground.

I ordered bearings as well and the install was relatively smooth. Broke it in for a few hundred miles and then took it to my “test” drift spot. Did some donuts and and a few figure 8s after installing to “break in” after a soft-break in. Did som test launches and the car spins a LOT less and is a LOT firmer into the ground.

Turns a LOT more fun. I guess a good way to describe the LSD is something builds your confidence with the car, knowing that if you really needed to use it you could.

I will be pushing it hard at the track soon, and that is where I think I will notice the real benefit.

solekeeper

dude, hit me up when you hit the track. we'll gather up the clan.


who's your contact for warranty work? i pm'd another member as he knows someone in CCMB, which is really close to my house. where do you take your car?

OlegKouz

Will do. I am actually going this Saturday for 'Street Racing Made Safe' roll racing event at PBIR 6pm-12am (great for some 40 and 60 rolls). I get serviced at an indy shop that has a top tier Mercedes specialist who knows someone somewhere Will PM you info

solekeeper

crap, i work till 830 sat night. i'll see if i can sneak out a half hour early. because it still takes some time to get up there. have you been to an event like this before?


and thanks!

johnny--2k

is there any benefit to upgrading to a wavetrac vs the OEM/PP limited slip?

akmatic63

great list of mods/reviews. Im planning on a LSD sometime over the summer so its good to know! Are you going to the meet at west palm raceway this weekend?

OlegKouz

Hey bro, I did not have the OEM/PP limited slip, that is why the gains are substantial. I have heard that the gains are noticeable even upgrading from OEM, but I am not sure if worth it after cost of part + labor install.

OlegKouz

Yeah I have gone to a few, I am friends with the guy who runs the event so I can just have him set aside a pass for when you arrive!

They have a wide range of cars and I have been able to get 4-5 runs the previous times that I went.

You pre-arrange a dig,20,40,60 roll and get in the designated lane and run the car. Fun event! I go out there with a nice group of 6-10 exotic/high-end cars.

OlegKouz

Hey bro, thanks! Yeah I would definitely recommend it. Yes, I am am going to Palm Beach International Raceway (if that is the one that you are talking about) on Saturday around 6pm for their 'Street Racing Made Safe' event.

johnny--2k

Thanks! Yeah, I knew for you it was a huge improvement, but I have the OEM in mine, so just curious if it was worth the $$$ to upgrade. Seems like that's a no though!

OlegKouz

My first time running at PBIR last Wednesday was able to get a best time of 12.29 at 114ish. Have room to improve, want to get to high 11's before looking into getting some more performance tires and getting a set of tires