S63 Facelift kit - do it or not?
02-19-2015, 10:58 AM
#1
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Depends on the weather
S63 Facelift kit - do it or not?
I've been thinking about getting the facelift kit from Gary. Does anyone have pics of their kit installed? I saw the ones from the facelift kit post but I'd like to see any others if possible.
I've been quoted about 2k for paint and install at local shops, plus the price of the kit and grille and tail lights...so with that said, is it worth it to justify 4k+ just to change the look, which I do like, or should I just sell mine/trade it and go buy a 2010+?
Or......... keep it as is and buy another set of rims/tires? Plastidip the car white and leave the roof gloss black? I don't know. Maybe I'm just itching to do something since spring is coming.
I've also thrown around buying an S63 but then I don't think I want the expense of repairs with that because my wife would kill me
Thanks for any input and your opinion!
I've been quoted about 2k for paint and install at local shops, plus the price of the kit and grille and tail lights...so with that said, is it worth it to justify 4k+ just to change the look, which I do like, or should I just sell mine/trade it and go buy a 2010+?
Or......... keep it as is and buy another set of rims/tires? Plastidip the car white and leave the roof gloss black? I don't know. Maybe I'm just itching to do something since spring is coming.
I've also thrown around buying an S63 but then I don't think I want the expense of repairs with that because my wife would kill me
Thanks for any input and your opinion!
02-19-2015, 11:54 AM
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2007 Mercedes S550
I have seen a couple facelift cars in person and they seem to look a little off. I don't know if it was because they didn't have the right wheels or what but that is kind of preventing me from doing it.
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02-19-2015, 05:54 PM
#8
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Maybe I should be more of an enabler here for my fellow W221 owner, but personally I wouldn't do it. I just think in terms of opportunity cost, what else could I do with the money. That and I think it would only hurt resale. With all that considered put me in the move up instead camp.
02-19-2015, 07:30 PM
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09 S550, 08 Charger Srt8, 63 Ford Galaxie 500, 07 GSXR1000
Hell yeah I would do it over. I bought the car in June. And the rear bumper is from a kit from japan. I like the way this bumper and grill look. Looks more aggressive
02-19-2015, 07:32 PM
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02-19-2015, 07:34 PM
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ecu tune; edok tcu tune; BB intakes; dyno tuned
02-19-2015, 09:36 PM
#14
I would definitely get the Gary's kit.
APAC have seen my car with his kit, and they can hook you up with the paint and install!
I would do the kit first, and do lights next.
talk to Derrick, and tell him John Kim referred you!
while you there, have him paint the calipers make that into the package deal!
good luck!
APAC have seen my car with his kit, and they can hook you up with the paint and install!
I would do the kit first, and do lights next.
talk to Derrick, and tell him John Kim referred you!
while you there, have him paint the calipers make that into the package deal!
good luck!
02-19-2015, 10:17 PM
#15
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On black cars like ours, where the contrast between the AMG lower grilles is very subtle, I decided against the front, although in any other color I love the difference. I did do an S63 rear bumper and aftermarket mufflers with quad tips and that did make a difference visually (and audibly) but I deliberately shot the lower diffuser in a color that was several shades lighter than stock, and I used that color to shoot the lower grilles up front as well. That gave me the contrast I felt was lacking up front.
02-20-2015, 05:18 AM
#16
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$2k sounds a bit expensive?
I'd have expected around $1k.
I got it all done for around £1k with a lot of modifications so that it fits SWB and Distronic Plus. A labour charge here is a lot more expensive than the US.
Don't go for plasti-dip though in my opinion. I did the wheels on another car and it looked really cheap. Nothing like a wrap. And getting rid of it was an extreme nightmare.
I'd have expected around $1k.
I got it all done for around £1k with a lot of modifications so that it fits SWB and Distronic Plus. A labour charge here is a lot more expensive than the US.
Don't go for plasti-dip though in my opinion. I did the wheels on another car and it looked really cheap. Nothing like a wrap. And getting rid of it was an extreme nightmare.
02-20-2015, 06:29 AM
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Depends on the weather
I would definitely get the Gary's kit.
APAC have seen my car with his kit, and they can hook you up with the paint and install!
I would do the kit first, and do lights next.
talk to Derrick, and tell him John Kim referred you!
while you there, have him paint the calipers make that into the package deal!
good luck!
APAC have seen my car with his kit, and they can hook you up with the paint and install!
I would do the kit first, and do lights next.
talk to Derrick, and tell him John Kim referred you!
while you there, have him paint the calipers make that into the package deal!
good luck!
I contacted them a few days ago since you did your calipers there and told them I was referred and they quoted me with "starting at 2k"..lol.
02-20-2015, 06:35 AM
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Depends on the weather
On black cars like ours, where the contrast between the AMG lower grilles is very subtle, I decided against the front, although in any other color I love the difference. I did do an S63 rear bumper and aftermarket mufflers with quad tips and that did make a difference visually (and audibly) but I deliberately shot the lower diffuser in a color that was several shades lighter than stock, and I used that color to shoot the lower grilles up front as well. That gave me the contrast I felt was lacking up front.
02-21-2015, 06:56 AM
#19
Yes I would. The kit fit very well with the exception of the rear bumper in the center area on the bottom, we had to fab up a bracket to secure it to the car. Love the way the car looks, many compliments. I was in around $1200 for paint and install, me and a friend did it. I didn't have PDC sensors so we filled the holes but we plastic welded them instead of using epoxy or body filler.
02-21-2015, 07:00 AM
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Depends on the weather
Thanks for everyone's input. I am headed to the Bahamas in a few hours to escape the snow that is apparently headed to the MD/DC area this morning so I will make my decision when I return next week!
Last edited by WHPH28; 02-25-2015 at 01:00 PM.
02-26-2015, 02:19 PM
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Depends on the weather
Another question....
Would a shop paint the parts before putting them on the car or after?
If I installed the kit, would the shop remove it to spray it and re-install it or just spray it while it's on the car and taping off the rest of the car?
Thanks!
Would a shop paint the parts before putting them on the car or after?
If I installed the kit, would the shop remove it to spray it and re-install it or just spray it while it's on the car and taping off the rest of the car?
Thanks!
02-26-2015, 02:52 PM
#25
I think every shop is different. We painted my parts before we installed them. We let them cure that way if we bumped the parts into anything the paint wouldn't scuff up. I think it is best to paint the parts before install due to getting paint all over the surface area.
