tommy

Even though I've been here well over 8 years (though only one avatar, as was recently pointed out to me), I've never had a cetral repository for my car's progress. So, this will now serve as a record of my car's ups, downs, and I'm sure some interesting feedback.

Looking through my Picturetrail account, I'll see how far back in the car's history I can go.

OK, here's the oldest pic I have in my gallery:

It's got: Mark Cummings' starless grille, the stock C7 rims powdercoated gloss black, the stock frosties (ugh), and that's about it at this point.

Next:
My car was the gineau pig for Renntech's 3-piece rear spoiler, back in the days before they switched to a one-piece (though I guess they now don't make either)

It's also sporting the rear tails that I had smoked. And shows off my poor little Penn State licence plate (damn Matt McGloin and his 5 interceptions on Saturday!).
Couple of pics of the install of my V1 (I have since updated to the new unit with Pop which is about half the thickness in the pic):



Pic of the euro mirrors; you can see the convex portion right at the far end of it. They've saved my bacon from nasty Joisey drivers a couple of times.

tommy

Continuing...

My Supersprint headers, which were hotcoated a smurf blue, of course (retains heat better than without):

A fairly recent pic, showing my Carlsson front lip (got almost broken in two coming out of the local Trader Joe's, so had them reinforce it with Line-Ex bed lining - going on I think 5 years now this way) Also shows advans' clear coupe headlights and the updated led turnsignals.


Updated the front brakes to C32 calipers with Racing Brake 2-piece rotors about a year and a half ago. This also shows off my OZ 18" rims; $300 each, and 18.6 lbs, not bad! I had them powdercoated gunmetal.


Interior shot from about 9 months ago - includes: Classic soft trim 2-tone leather interior, Recaro seat, updated armrest that was recovered in alcantara, a Sparco Racing shift knob (about the 8th different knob I've had on there), Sirius radio receiver with still-stock head unit (need my Howard Stern in the morning), grey alcantara shift boot with silver thread, Simoni gated shift surround (I removed the stock boot so many times that I broke it at some point, this was the only thing I could think of), a Scangauge II OBDII reader/gauge in the ashtray, and a Designo Mystic Blue trim package that I got from Steve.

tommy

Next...
Had my two babies side-by-side in a parking garage, so had to snap a pic (with the iphone, unfortunately):

There are some surprising similarities, though I'll never get rid of the CRX; have had it since 1994; now has a zc engine, cams, i/h/e, rollbar, and is a fun little autox car. Hard to get into at this point with the fixed back seat; appreciate the entry/exit ease of the ccoupe the older I get.

Recent engine pic - have had the K&N in the car for about 4 months now with no codes, after replacing the MAF (old Green filter totally fell apart on me):

Recent head-on pic:

Used eurolite to put on a blue tint, which is very subtle in full sunlight. It's easily removable; had bought it a couple of years ago, and added it for sh*ts and giggles.
Recent side pic. Had the stock C7s re-powdercoated in a matte bronze color.



Couple of pics of my most recent mod - had the Brabus steering wheel redone with blue carbon fiber on the top, replaced the perforated side leather, and kept the bottom leather with Brabus embossed on it (had to keep that!):


The pics don't reall do it justice; I'll have to try to get better shots of it.

tommy

Eisenmann Exhaust (74mm race - way too loud), and don't forget the mudflaps:



That's the final shot for now. I need to do an actual photoshoot when it warms up here, and the car's clean and shiny.

Other mods not pictured here:
mods4cars module (programmable open/close for windows and sunroof)
Brabus door pins (yes, the real ones) with formymercedes surrounds, powdercoated blue
Eibach Pro-kit (struts, springs, and swaybars)
It's almost midnight; I'll remember more and edit as necessary.

C230Brit

Thanks Tommy - nice to see how other coupes are progressing over time. Looking forward to seeing some more photo's when you get a chance.

Curious about the mods4cars module - sounds almost like the feature already built into the key remote, no? Have to google that one...

glocati

Nice Coupe Tommy. Nice job. Love the gold C32 brakes and OZ's.. Do you run the C7's for winter?

infected

About time Tommy.
BTW, want to trade exhausts for a Remus???

tommy

Brit - it's similar, yes. Unless I have them criss-crossed, the mods4cars module receives RF instead of IR (the "normal" feature uses IR, and mine was going, so I was going to lose the stock feature anyway).

It's slightly different than how it comes from the factory. To do the feature from the factory, you have to hold down the unlock button to get the windows open. To use the M4M, you would click the unlock button three times in succession, which tilts the sunroof, then once more, and the windows and sunroof all fully open. Then click the lock button twice, and everything closes up. It's also got much more range than the stock feature - it's great on a hot day; I can leave work and have the windows and sunroof open well before I get to my car. I love it.

glocati -yes, exactly. I realized that I hadn't specified that when I started this thread and was wondering if anyone would pick that up.

Glyn M Ruck

Engine compartment looks cleaner than any other part of the car

You need a full detail!!!! Then post some new pics.

Like the Designo Mystic Blue trim package

Midnight Koop

finally!

the blue paint, aggressive wheels, and gold calipers makes me think of a subaru (in a good way)...

i like the 3-piece renntech spoiler better than the 1-piece. also, the euro-convex mirrors are so subtle, but one of my favorite mods for fast lane changes.

looking good...

MW_ATL

Great! We finally get to see. I agree, the gold on the calipers and the wheels make me think of the WRX/STI's - in a good way.

And that 3 piece spoiler is great.

CoupeCrazy03

Whats the overall diameter of your front rotors in inches?

TaxEsq

I wouldn't exactly call this "awe inspiring" but to each their own...glad you are happy and enjoying it.

tommy

Per Racing Brake's website, it's 340mm, or 13.4" (wish that Carter had gotten us on metric when we had the chance). http://www.racingbrake.com/C32_AMG_F...p/2118-381.htm

Think I may have to get new rings this summer; may go to the slotted/dimpled version instead of the open slotted ones.

infected - no way, jose! What's wrong with your Remus?

tommy

That was a joke, and yes, you're right. I expect to get some jeers from people as well. I certainly have given them out over the years.

TaxEsq

It's not my thing, but as long as you are happy (and not hurting anyone) it's all good.

LILBENZ230

Tommy, you must understand that certain types of people from a certain opposite-of-left demographic rarely (if ever) understand the concept of humor. They are typically far too concerned with who's marrying who, padding the pockets of the top 2%, and preparing for "the next life" to be enjoying this one and mustn't be bothered by trivial things like jokes, decency, compassion, etc.

How many miles is your coupe at? I'm not even sure what to make of it.

tommy

I'm at 140,100, and looking forward to my 155k grille mileage badge from Mercedes in 2012.

I understand what you're saying - when I was doing my posts last night (while trying to keep up with Top Chef at the same time - I'm an awful mutitasker; had to watch the repeat of the episode at 11 to see what I missed), I kept saying to myself, "damn, what a weird hodgepodge of sh*it my car is." Oh well, as you said, life's too serious; the mods were fun, it's only money, and I wouldn't want to have a non-modded car of any marque.

I have no issue with people posting up their opinions of my car, as long as they are at least semi-respectful about them. I took plenty of potshots from people when I posted up my pics of my A pillar gauges, and lived to tell about it.

TaxEsq

I enjoy my life in the, dare I say it , far right demographic and being in that 2%.

You are right about one thing, I do have "a thing" for Kate Middleton.

LILBENZ230

A pillar gauges? Oh no.. say it ain't so!

FrankW

nice

i need to wrap my center armrest too.

tommy

You try to drive a manual transmission-equipped car with a tach the size of a quarter which is blocked by your left arm when you're shifting with your right.

And a boost gauge is never a dumb idea. Your 1 has one, no?

dynomite05

Looking good Tommy. I was by Harry's a few days ago and could have sworn I saw your car on the lift.

tommy

It definitely was; they fixed a scary amount of rust on my rear quarter panel and did some PDR from I'm sure an a-hole in an RX330 who dinged me.

dynomite05

Nice! I had them do some PDR a couple months ago and it came out awesome.