MB World Member’s Amazing C-Class Build: Up Close & Personal
No challenge is big enough to derail Drew White’s C-Class build.
A few months ago, we came across an incredibly clean Mercedes C-Class build thread started by MB World member Drew White. Unlike many other similar threads we check out on a daily basis, this one was a little different. Partly because White’s C300 is one of the most tasteful builds we’ve ever seen. And also because his journey with the car has been anything but smooth.
When we profiled White’s C-Class a couple of months ago, progress was stalled due to an issue with some dealer-initiated repairs. But as frustrating as his interactions with that particular dealer were, White never gave up on his car. And his persistence has apparently paid off, because his ride is looking (and running) better than ever!
We caught up with White recently to get more details on his troubles and triumphs, as well as find out what he’s done to his car over the last couple of months.
MB World: We profiled your killer C-Class build a few months ago. But at the time you were running into some issues and we weren’t sure the car was going to make it! How did you manage to get everything worked out?
Drew White: At the time, I was battling with the dealership and Mercedes Warranty department on some issues that cropped up after the wrist pin repair and a few nagging issues that hadn’t been addressed previously. Most notably, there was clearly an issue with the high pressure pump in the first 300 miles after the wrist pin repair. It was excessively noisy and very intermittent.
I know these cars are known for having loud injectors, but this was beyond that. Far beyond and very random. In addition, the wind noise issue, which is well documented, needed to be addressed along with the many rattles from the Burmeister sound system. Lastly, the car was producing a lot of creaks and cracks from the door panels. I assume because they had been removed and replaced so many times attempting to fix the stereo issues.
I went back and forth with the dealership (even being told not to ever bring it back) and ultimately got Mercedes Benz USA involved. The GM at my dealership is a member on the forum (will not name him at his request). He saw my post about the battles with the dealership and called me to resolve them.
In the end, they replaced the high pressure pump, all the glass, and put in brand new door panels at no expense to me. So far this seems to have solved all of the issues except for the rattles from the factory audio system. These plague the car to this day, unfortunately.
We understand the car has changed quite a bit since then, too. What mods have you added recently?
Recently, I have been focused on getting the fitment and little details dialed in. My Avant Garde wheels came in pretty close to where I wanted them. But it was clear after our first show that the overall fitment (offset, tires and suspension) needed a little work to live up to my standards.
I started by getting the car as low as I wanted it, using the H&R VTF setup. We maxed out the drop (and then some), giving me the ride height I was after. Once we did this, it was evident that the original Pilot Sport 4s tires I had were not going to work. They were too meaty for this setup.
As a temporary setup until we could get the offsets dialed in, I had the wheels wrapped in Nankang NS-25s going from 235/40/19 in the front to 225/35/19 and 265/35/19 in the rear to 245/35/19. This allowed me to keep the ride height where I wanted it without rubbing issues.
The last thing we just finished was getting the offsets correct now that I had some flexibility to push the wheels out a bit. I started with an et45 and et53 front to back. Using H&R Trak+ DR hub-centric spacers, I was able to dial in a very flush and clean et33 and et41 front to back.
It gives the car a nice aggressive look without looking stanced. After that, it was finding the right lugs and studs to get the finished look I was after. I am currently running Sickspeed 65mm flat cap black lugs with neochrome flat caps.
Have all these new mods panned out, or have you run into any issues with any of them?
For this car, nothing has been easy (laughs)! I am currently on the 4th set of wheels (large calipers became a nagging issue). It’s my 2nd set of side skirts (the first set came from China where the cars are 3” longer in the wheel base). The 2nd ducktail, too.
There have been quite a few challenges getting parts as well. The aftermarket industry for these cars is limited. All of the development goes to the AMG cars, and for good reason. Working with the manufacturers has been critical and I have been able to make a lot of great connections.
We know you’ve been showing off the car whenever you get a chance. What have the reactions been like so far?
The response to the car has been overwhelming! I choose this platform partly because I have been a part of the Mercedes family for a long time. But also because you never see them at shows or with any kind of modifications. Even the C63 is rare to see at a show or dolled up.
You can go to a show and see two dozen 335s or a dozen M cars. Start looking at the Japanese market or Euro (VW/Audi) cars and it’s crazy. I love being different. Doing something that people appreciate for the uniqueness. I have been told by many people that this is the cleanest W205 they have ever seen and that means a great deal to me.
I have over 300 hours of time into this car and a ton of money. So it’s nice that people appreciate it as much as I do. It’s a privilege to drive this car and it feels special every time I get on the road. It makes it that much better when people slow down (or try to speed up) to give you a thumbs up.
Clearly, this isn’t the kind of project that’s ever really “finished.” What future mods do you currently have planned?
Much to my wife’s chagrin, you are correct! These types of projects continue to evolve until they don’t. That’s just the nature of the beast. The list is getting shorter every week and the remaining items are all the big things.
In reality, I am still looking at a turbo upgrade before the summer is up. A full custom exhaust setup including the downpipe is currently underway. @KCWELDS is a local guy that primarily does high end motorsport applications. The plans we have for the exhaust on this have me the most excited.
All I can say is that it will be a one off. One that, to my knowledge, hasn’t been done on a W205 as far as the style and look and sound/performance. I have an AEM methanol kit ready to go in. Adjustable camber arms from F1 Fabrication are on the way (correcting some camber, not inducing more).
Painting the calipers is high up on the list. And of course, a custom tune once the performance side is complete with the turbo/DP/exhaust. I have already been in touch with AMR in Connecticut who will be doing the tune before the summer is up.
Now that the fitment has been dialed in, I am talking with Avant Garde about making some custom 3-piece wheels to replace the current wheels and spacers. I also want to wrap them in Pilot Sport 4s again. I miss those tires. Other than that, it’s just details and cleanup left on the list.
A big thanks goes out to White for taking the time to discuss his C-Class project with us. Be sure and head over here to catch up on his fascinating saga, as well as stay tuned for future updates!
Photos: Drew White
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