Peydidy

So about 2 months ago I bought my first car, a Pewter 2005 C230. I love this car already, but I am addicted to making it better. I have spent the past few days on mbworld looking at different w203 trying to get ideas for mods. So far I have put new HID's on my car, blue interior lighting, A 12 inch sub and amp, and tomorrow I am going to put in the AUX adapter. I want to tint my windows, Get some black rims, and maybe a CF wing too. I am looking more to do cosmetic modifications rather then making the car fasting because I think its plenty fast but I am open to all ideas. Appreciate any Ideas and help! Also any tips on wheel and tire sizes that will work with this car? I am trying to get some Black 18s or 19s. Thanks in advanced

giannidy

My favorite pewter w203s on here belong to users hcalvarez and pawe. Just look up some pictures of their cars.

sammydragon3

how many miles?

phister

If you haven't done so or the previous owner hasnt, I'd replace the CPS magnets, the are prone to leak. They're about 20 a piece from rmeuropean, you'll need 4. I'd do maintainence work first to make it running good for awhile, change fluids, plugs, check brake pads, etc.

Cosmetics - Hit up Gary@suvneer on here, got all my cf parts from him and my euro impact strips. Great guy and quick shipping.

Wheels - i'd go with 18s, looks good and still have a comfy ride.
Fronts most go with 18x8.5 ~+28-38 offset (since you have a SS model, I'd go with +28-+32 to clear the calipers)
Rears 18x9.5 ~+28-+38 offset.

Tires- Fronts - the widest you can go with is 235 or you'll start rubbing the struts and fender
If you want a low profile look go with 225/40/18 or a beefier look go with 235/40/18

Rears - you cant go more than 265 in rears, 275 will work but it's pushing it. Most go with 255/35/18 or 265/35/18 for rear sizes.

Peydidy

I looked up there cars and there dope, got a lot of ideas off them, thanks for the recommendation.

Peydidy

About 62,000

sammydragon3

your car has about 3 recalls and 1 extended warranty for the air bags

when was the last time the car was at the dealership?

Peydidy

Wow you have no clue how much time you just saved me on tire and wheel sizes! Thank you so much! I spend hours trying to figure out what tire and wheel sizes my car will work with. Also I will defiantly look into the CPS magnets, are they hard to do? I know what you main about spending time on maintenance work first, I had to spend 1,000 within the first month of getting this car getting new rotters and brake pads, which sucks especially considering how I bought the car from a Mercedes benz used dealership I would expect them to make sure the brakes are decent before selling a car.

Peydidy

Car was at the dealership last month for new rotters and brakes. What are the recalls?

sammydragon3

1 is the cam magnets that leak oil and destroy the entire car

2 is their is a vacuum hose under the airbox that leaks

3 the trans pilot bushing breaks off in the transmission

the extended warranty is for the drivers side airbag harness

anymore questions im very familar with my c230

always glad to help

sammydragon3

u could have spent about 300 TOTAL on parts and labor for rotors and pads

phister

CPS magnets are easy to do. John posted a DIY on doing it. Too bad Cale isnt a member on here anymore, I love his pewter C350, thing is a beast, he did a lot of research on what parts other mb engines can fit into ours.

Heres his car

Peydidy

Thanks for the help, Ill got to the dealership tomorrow and see if the recalls have been done by the previous owner or not. Quick question, do you know what kind of paint I should use to paint my grill, Bottom part of the bumper, and Mercedes emblem all black? Thanks



That cars sick, I especially like how the inside of the lights are painted black, I kinda want to do that but will that effect the brightness of my after market HIDs? Also I was going to order new wheels but i was wondering if the bolt pattern matters?
thanks

anonymousmoose

Why would you mod it? Looks wonderful the way it is.

Peydidy

Because I can make it look even more wonderful

phister

our bolt pattern is 5x112 & 66.6 hub size

Peydidy

I was thinking about ordering these rims: http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Mercedes-...ht_4325wt_1189

Opinions?

sammydragon3

u need to be careful when buying anything on this car

the bolt patterns are different on these 18 wheels and are for 2008 and up

LILBENZ230

Nothing says Mercedes like a CF wing... lol

BTW Phister - When did you last talk to Cale? He just randomly disappeared in August after I talked to him almost daily.

Javvy

Make sure the off set of the wheel matchs yours or else you will have a lot of trouble with spacers and the correct size bolts........do a lot of research beforing pulling the trigger on rims.......best would be to buy and set up from some one alreday on the forum so you save yourself and lot of trouble test fitting and trouble shooting.......welcome to the forum ...

javvy

Charlesmiller

I also agree with you.

phister

Haven't talked to him since october or so. He's been crazy busy with school lately. I'll probably give him a text since the semesters almost over.

Peydidy

I looked into it, your right, I guess I will keep looking, and every time I find a wheel I like doesn't fit my car.

phister

When your search just type in 5x112 then look to see if the hub fits

tommy

One thing I have to respect is your consistency.

Tirerack's always a good place to start for rims. Remember what the trade offs are on a rim selection and know what you're getting. Even with the proper bolt pattern, those look to me like damn heavy rims. You don't have the proper engine to afford getting heavier rims, imho (especially if you're contemplating 19's - oh and look at tire prices on 19" tires before buying the rims).