a3i

Hey guys, been on here for about a year now lurking around, might as well share my story.

Bought my 2005 C230 last December with 32 000 miles on it, fully stock


First thing I did was get some HID's. then light tint on windows and blacked out all the chrome trim


Then I picked up some BBS LM replicas in 19 and slapped those on, went with 15mm spacers to start off to clear the brakes, wheels were sticking out wayy too much


While I was ordering new spacers and testing and returning them and etc I blacked out my grill


Finally made the wheels work with 12mm spacers, fronts still stick out a bit but not too much, going to fix that when i lower and roll the fenders, this is my current set up, also have a Magnaflow exhaust but thinking about getting rid of that, dont really like the noise


I have a set of Tein coilovers sitting in my garage, waiting to get those on within the next week or so, been shopping around a bit and seems like everyone wants to rape me to put them on, dealer quoted $1200 and another local shop $500, thats better than 1200 but I feel I could still do a little better than 500 for a coilover install

I have 48 000 miles on it currently, problems I've had so far are -
Snapped the drive belt when my tensioner pulley gave in.
Replaced the transmission plug o-ring as I was leaking transmission oil
Have a check engine light on now for coolant thermostat, fixing that next week
Also noticed some play in the front suspension ever since I bought the car, front doesnt seem to be as stiff as it should be, wandering around a bit and Ive been experiencing some vibration lately

a3i

phister

DIY on the coilovers! Lol

a3i

Lol I wish I had the tools for it , I'll end up having the front spring fly through my roof if I try to do it

ncmudbug

Hey a3i,

It looks like you got a keeper! Looks a lot like mine so I know it's a keeper !

Is it Diamond Black Matallic? Did you get a 6MT or Auto?

I wondered what I was going to do with the grille - I really liked the ones with the large star in in, but I like the hood star ornament and it wouldn't make any sense to have both.

I'm thinking really hard about Bi-X. What kind did you get? How well do you like them?

myW203

Good job with the mods! I cant wait till you post more pictures with the coilovers on

The only thing you are missing is a spoiler, the rear seems a little nude to me. But I like where your car is going!

vdemon311

Come here to central NJ and I will get those teins on your car for.... idk a bottle of vodka and a nice cigar

a3i

Yeah black metallic Auto, I dont have Bi-X though, I'm probably gonna get the DEPO's, you got any pics up of yours?

I knoww about the spoiler! Just trying to get this coilover thing over with, need to put them on and then make sure no rubbing etc so once thats done I'm getting the spoiler and front lip

Lol that sound like a good deal, I got a local guy that is going to do it on Monday but if it doesnt work I'll deff be over with a bottle and a couple of cigars

ncmudbug

No pictures yet (after more than a year??)... well I do have the ones that CarMax took, but those don't really count. I think I'll be getting Depos soon, too. See LILBENZ230's thread on his car's seventh birthday. That may have pushed me over the hump for Bi-X.

I had been planning to get all three of my cars all waxed up and in formation for a good picture, but that's probably a pipe dream. One day I'll post pics... Honest!

a3i

Got my coilovers on the other day, looks awsome, so glad I went with coilovers vs springs. Had my local mechanic put them on, charged me $160, if anyone needs springs or coilovers put on in Upstate NY Hudson Valley area let me know, this guys is awsome. Anyway, just one pic so far, I have about a finger gap in the front and slightly less in the rear

infected

Looks great!

ROLLNNN

very nice!

a3i

Thanks guys! I'll get some better pics up soon, so freakin cold out here today to for a photoshoot

a3i

Peydidy

How are the LM's going for you? I am about to get some next week but I am still trying to decided between going for 18s or 19s because I heard 19s rub on our cars.

a3i

Im getting some rubbing in the rear but im getting my fenders rolled soon, no problems in the front

phister

Looks good man.

a3i

Took a couple of pics today, deff need to go LOWER

BayAreaC32

Are those tein basics? How's the ride quality on those

a3i

Yeah Tein Basics, I would say ride quality is pretty good, a little stiffer than stock AMG suspension but not overly stiff.

LILBENZ230

If the 05 got any stiffer than stock, it would break bones. Hey that tailpipe looks like it sticks out abnormally far?

a3i

Yeah the guy who put it on messed it up, I'm getting rid of the Magnaflow in the near future anyway.

When it comes to stiffness, I've def driven stiffer cars than the 05 suspension, the Volvo's and Saab's from the 80's for example are almost as stiff, if not stiffer than the sport suspension was on my Mercedes.

Anybody got any ideas what color would look good for the brake calipers?

Peydidy

I think reds would look sick on your car because they would match your BBS center caps. I painted my calipers a few weeks ago with the kit they sell at autozone and it came out nicely. Good luck, and Heres a pic:

Peydidy

BTW I love your wheels; did you have to role your front fenders to get them not to stick out?

a3i

Yeah I saw your calipers in another thread, looks really clean. Did you use any clear coat or just the paint?

I was thinking red too but then im worried I might have too much red. Im thinking yellow or metallic silver right now but if anyone has any other ideas, please let me kniw

Surprisingly the tires tucked under the fender nicely, im thunking about rolling since I want to go lower but no rolling needed as of now