JJCTHE1

also switched from M, love my E63 and I have had it since August

keyserS

Hopefully it's an ashtray that US ****** out on putting in car. Or can fill with dip, and keep spittoon in cup holder.

335X-ray

So the white death descended on Cincinnati this afternoon prior to my drive home from work and I thought I would update you guys on the performance of the Michelin Alpin PA4s and the AMG tuned 4matic.

I had absolutely not issues on the way home with very hilly roads that had a mix of ice covered in ~ 4" of fresh snow. There were multiple cars and pickups spinning out and getting stuck all around me going up several hills. I just slowly moved around people and clawed by without any drama or wheel spin. I put the car tranny in C mode to stat off in 2nd gear and then used the paddles to help slow me down. Worked awesome.

A few iPhone pics.







X

kart125

I' glad you found the PA4's competent! Nice pictures of the beast covered in snow!

ShocDoc79

Amazing update X. What an unbelievable machine. Supercar type performer that can be driven without worry in the snow. Mercedes has knocked it out of the park with the new E63.

vdubpower

r those 20's

335X-ray

Nah, 19", stock size, 9" front and 9.5" rears. 255/35 19 tires all around. X

Addendum: fronts are actually 8.5" and rears are 9.5". Tires square 255/35 19

otakki

Wow, an all-season car the E63 has become!

AnotherSL

Hey! I grew up there. Thanks for reminding me of the 'good' old days.

drjimrd

I will second the positive feedback on the PA4's. It has been below zero in Denver with lots of snow and ice. Tires have done very well. There is a slightly different feel, as expected, with the E63 vs my former RS4 and RS6. Massive torque and the rearward bias of the the AMG 4matic requires a little more finesse on really slick roads, but once you get used to it, no issues at all. PA4's are very good starting and stopping on ice, and hold as well as anything else while cornering. Injudicious application of the pedal on the right yields predictable results, but that has nothing to do with the tires.....
All in all, very happy with the square PA4 setup.
Jim

Chocofishez

Do the PA4s put the power down from a standing start in the dry? That concern, coupled with tire wear with such a small width at the back saw me stick with OEM sizing and the Pirelli sottozeros.

drjimrd

They seem to do just fine in the dry putting the power down. Granted, I have not really done any "race start" action - that will have to wait for springtime.
Jim

335X-ray

My thoughts exactly (especially since I am under 1000 miles right now). No issues the few times I have given it the partial business.

X

gmeup

Nice review mate, very good valid pro's and con points were raised but in a world where nothing is perfect I still think the E63 AMG is the best car in its class, as much as the M5 interior/exterior looks and design are near perfect the actual drive and feel of it is not like an E63 and the sound of the M5 is just not there.

BenzoBoi

Car looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

335X-ray

Thanks guys! I have a few more mods I just finished. I will post a few pics later this week.

X

335X-ray

Ok, sun was out this weekend so got the beast washed so I decided to take a few quick picks. Over the last couple of weeks I did a few new mods I thought I would document as well.

First, my birthday was earlier this month. I convinced wife to get me the Beltronics STiR Plus radar installed radar detector and the Laser Interceptor laser jammer system installed in the beast as my birthday gift.

I had all the controls and display mounted in the ashtray area for maximal stealth. The on and off switch for the Laser Interceptor (LI) is along the back wall of the ashtray area. After you get an alert that someone is lasing you, you get down to speed limit and then turn off the jammer. The display for the STiR is along the top and the control panel for it is just below. When I park, I just close the lid and no one is the wiser.

I also picked up the rear trunk tray from my local dealer so when I put random dirty crap in the trunk, it is well protected and has a nice lip in case of liquid spills. Cost was about $110.

Enjoy and hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year!

X

zibby43

Wow, I absolutely covet those wheels.

I'm sorry if it was mentioned somewhere else in the thread, but what are those again?

Love the way the entire beast looks. Trunk mat looks great; wonder if they make one for the C63 (W204) . . .

What made you go with the Beltronics radar detector (as opposed to Escort 9500 or V1)?

Enjoy in good health.

335X-ray

Thanks Z,

The wheels are TSW Panorama wheels in Matte Black. 19"

I went with the Bel and Laser interceptor combo after reading many reviews (especially over on M5Post) and after discussion with the escort/Beltronics folks. (Luckily the company is in Cincinnati and I could go to the store/factory)

The Bel STiR plus is a better radar detector than the escort 9500ci installed unit and the Laser interceptor is a much better laser jammer than the one that comes with the escort unit so the Bel/Laser Interceptor is a win win. I had a V1 several years ago but it falses so often I never listened to it. In Ohio they still use X band so you can't just turn it off. The Bel and Escort GPS lock out feature makes the detectors nearly silent so when I DO hear it go off, I always respond and slow down.

X

zibby43

My pleasure.

And thanks for the wheel information! Greatly appreciate it.

I personally think you made a great decision with the Beltronics detector. I've never had a ticket when using either Beltronics or Escort radar detection systems. I've always read great things about both companies.

I agree with your assessment of the V1. I used it for less than a week; wasn't happy with its performance (or looks).

Keep enjoying your beast of a car and stay safe out there!

kart125

Nice setup for radar detector... And i agree that these wheels look better than stock! Wow!

Chocofishez

Very nice looking install! How much tear down of the dash / drilling etc is required for the laser / radar? I am considering the same set up.

Do the parking sensors screw with the radar at all? What about adaptive cruise on other vehicles setting off falses? I have an old V1 which is always being set off by one thing or another so it's time for a new system with this car.

335X-ray

Choco,

I had a shop do the install. It took them ~ 7 hours to do it with front laser jammers only. No rear jammers. The only hole is in the ashtray. They mounted the USB port along the passenger side far back beneath/behind the glove box so you have to lay on your back in the foot well to see it. It is easy to get to but you would never know it is there without specifically looking in that location.

No issues with parking sensors setting it off and have only used cruise once with it with no issues. I will keep you updated to any issues with built in MB radar systems.

X

vdubpower

whats the silver thing behind the brake disc on the secnd to last pic

335X-ray

Don't have a name for it but it is for the AWD system. It is why you can't put 18"s on the 2014.