MB World Forum Member’s AMG E55 Is One Handsome Drifter
One of the coolest builds we’ve seen in some time, this California-based 2003 W211 ‘Dapper Drift’ car rips.
When most people think of drift cars, they think of a rolling shell with a welded differential and a whole lot of torque. They don’t think of a Mercedes-Benz, and they certainly don’t think of an E55 AMG. But that’s what MB World forum member Jumph4x is doing with his 2003 W211. And the results are stunning.
Because he hasn’t bought a clapped-out AMG and left it for dead. This car is a driver. What’s more, just about everything functions as it did when it left the factory. Only now, it’s lower, wider, meaner, and absolutely shreds tires. Under a thread titled “4,000lb Sideways” (which we love), we see the clean Mercedes get transformed into the “Dapper Drift” car over the course of a year and some change.
What amazes us is how quickly Oakland-based jumph4x (real name Denis) jumps into uncharted territory. Within the first month of the build (in summer 2017), he’s revising the suspension, updating the interior, and installing one serious-looking e-brake. Thanks to his partnership with FCP Euro, his adventures are highlighted in a series of beautiful-looking videos. But on the forum, we get to witness the incredible highs and demoralizing lows that go into such a big undertaking. It all makes for one great read.
Ton of work
The build thread is incredibly detailed as Denis machines much of the parts himself. There are highlights, like when the Dapper Drift car gets a write-up on Jalopnik, and lows like a number of electrical gremlins threaten to sideline the car before a big event. As always, the forum members are always there to offer advice or helpful links to things like wiring diagrams. We won’t get into the nitty-gritty here (it’s a long thread), but here’s his rundown of all the work done in 2017 alone:
“2017 summary:
– throw out Airmatic, Put in KW Variant (2?)
– machine solid billet steering wheel adapter for Momo Mod 7, shift button buckets
– design, machine, route, plumb the hydraulic rear box finally settling on dual 0.5″ master cylinders
– split plumbing, upgrade pump and FMHE for the supercharger
– 83mm pulley, ECU and TCU tunes with gear-hold in M
– Android H/U, 4ch amp and DVC subwoofer upgrade
– subframe bolt reinforcement
– Hella horn upgrade and custom momentary button
– shift knob upgrade, Keyless-Go relocation
– welded differential
– resonator elimination
– EBC Yellow pads all around
– TSW Vale 18×8.5″ fitmentGot some more interesting stuff coming in 2018! Y’all going to like this.
Something fresh and not commonly seen on W211.“
Big plans for AMG E55
So far, 2018 hasn’t been any less hectic. In the first eight months of the year, the big AMG E-Class has gotten anew intercooler wider wheels and spacers, massive fender flares, and a whole new look.
And since a project car is never done, this story is far from over. We salute Denis and his incredible build, and we can’t wait to see where it takes him next. What’s more, we love seeing forum members from all over the world pitch in and help a fellow Benz fan’s dream come true. This is one thread you don’t want to miss.
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