04Boxster Build Thread


(mind the crappy pics in the middle of this thread, keep scrolling down to see higher quality ones)

Wheels are Avant Garde Bespoke M510
Front: 19x8.5" +35 w/Accelera Phi 225/35/19
Rear: 19x9.5" +40 w/Accelera Phi 255/30/19

Well I figured before I get too involved with this build I might as well make a thread about it. To give you some history on myself, I'm 28 and to this date have owned upwards of 30 different cars. I started off in the Honda game where I've owned hatches, coupes, accords, integras, rsx and 2 different S2000's and after 20+/- or so builds I decided to move over to the Euro game about 5-6 years ago.

I went through 4 different BMW's, one with a set of HRE's, and even 2 Porsche Boxsters (986 and 987S). Somewhere in the middle I bought my first Mercedes (W203) about 3-4 years ago. I always wanted to test ownership of one and after I sold it I still had the internal itch to own another one. After trading in my 05 Boxster S for something a bit more "practical" my 2011 Infiniti G25 left me wanting more and within a few months I was ready to buy something a bit more exciting.

During November 2013, I actually drove to a local exotic car store, where I now work, here in North Atlanta and was dead set on purchasing a Lotus Evora they had for under $60k. I pulled up to the dealership on an early Saturday morning, got out of my vehicle and began to look at the vehicle. As I'm sipping my coffee, I then realize, "Man, I have been out here for a while now."

I then grew tiresome, and drove down to the local Benz Dealer, RBM of Atlanta, worked a deal on a CPO C63 but couldn't get the deal where I wanted it and spotted an AMG Dynamic Sport Package equipped C250 Sedan. Didn't even drive it until I drove it home to the garage and absolutely love the car!

When I first got her..bone stock










Even though I told my girlfriend as well as myself that this car didn't need a thing and I was happy to own a brand new Mercedes, I somehow justified a set of 19" CLS550 AMG wheels from parts. They came with 255/285 pirelli tires which obviously were too big but they were within days.






Then I fitted the wheels with tires at a more appropriate size...






I was happier with the look but something was still off. I couldn't quite wrap my head around it at first and then it dawned on me, the car's stance was not dialed in. I then debated on coilovers or springs and ended up going with the H&R Supersports. Now this particular car came with the AMG sport suspension from the factory, and I don't know if it's me but it seems like the perches on the shocks may be a bit higher than a non-DSP W204? Had I done the 5mm pads on the rear it would have thrown the look off, thank God I decided against them...







I also went ahead and bought the BMS Intake and I can tell a noticeable difference in power/tq and the sound is incredible. This is a must buy for any C250 owner, you will not regret it!

I then got a wild hair about a month ago thinking I wanted to get a boat and attempted to try and trade the car for an Escalade for towing purposes but couldn't quite make the deal happen. I'm glad it didn't because of what happened next...

I ended up selling the CLS wheels to someone here on the forum and went to order the Rohana RC5 in the Machine/Blk in low offsets. Everything was good to go and then the guy calls me back and says they're out of stock and have to build them. I had a show coming up and didn't want to miss the wheel install so I opted for the Avant Garde M510 which everyone tells me was a better choice. Thanks to Paul at Need4Speed Motorsports in Orange County, CA!! I'd have to agree...







At my buddy's shop in Gainsville getting a paint correction done from months of automatic car washes. If you are in the Atlanta area and need this done, visit Tom Sharp of Sharp Reflections. I've been friends with Tom for nearly a decade and he is not only a good friend but does wonders for paint in desperate need of TLC. Amazing work!


Got tired at looking at the amber corner lights...


My favorite shot of the car

I also recently installed the JB+Tune from Burger Tuning and all I can say is WOW! With the combination of the intake and the box, this is how this car should have felt from the factory. Faster than a 330i and a bit slower than a 335i. Next is Roof Spoiler, Xenons, Carbon Fiber rear diffuser and quad exits!

How she sits now...






By the way, any other Benz drivers in the GA/Atlanta area? I'd like to set up a small meet possibly.

 

pretty amazing looking for just having wheels and side marker blackout.

can you give the specs on the wheels (including offset, and if you added any additional spacers) and the tires please?

also....i'm assuming thats the gloss black powdercoat finish on the wheels?

thanks!

 

Car looks good, but Please stop taking HDR pics or throwing filters on the pic...You are just making it look worse man.

 

looks good as all ways keep up that good work.

 

19x8.5" (+35) front, 19x9.5" (+40) rear, tires are Acellera Phi 225/35/19 and 255/30/19 rear. I bought the wheels the day they converted the matte black to a standard finish. It used to be a $300 bespoke option. They're actually more "satin" than matte. Thanks!

 

do you rub at all with a full load? (or people in the car)

 

Only on big dips. 95% of the time, no rub.

 

Your wheel fitment looks perfect! I wonder if I could get away with similar specs in my C300 4MATIC

 

you convinced me. I'm going to go 18x8 et 45 + 10 mm spacer and 18x9 et 48 + 10 mm spacer. i'll be 4 mm less in the rear and 1/2 inch less in the front! stock height too.

 

Thanks man, it really is to the max with comfort in mind. Any more and you would rub a lot more frequently without a fender roll. I'd say if you rolled all the way around you could do a -5 addition on all four corners and have the same outcome. Couldn't be happier with the setup.

 

Do you know if there's a difference for the 4MATICs as far as suspension component inner clearance? I've scoured the wheel and offset thread and it seems like et40 front and 45 rear is the max I've seen posted by 4MATIC posters...
But gah! your wheel fitment is what I'm going for, And if you rarely have any issues I might try pushing similar specs.

 

Looks awesome! I really like those rims, I'm looking for a new set anyways

 

The wheels I want is not as wide as everybody else's. They usually run 8.5 and 9.5 that's why u can run a lower offset.

 

since i'm on stock suspension and you're lowered. I hope I will rub less (if at all)

 

bump for an update

 

How is this the first time I'm seeing your build thread.

 

Lol I kind of let it die for a while and got bored so I bumped it and added some more content.

 

Is it me or your tail lights turn signal/reverse is lightly smoked?

 

Yeah I totally forgot to add that. It's a 35% smoke just like the window tint!

 

Did you wrap the silver fins on your grille in gloss black? Can you explain how you removed the individuals fins if this is what you did?
I really want to do this, and getting an aftermarket grille isn't really an option because I have a illuminated star.

 

Look up the black c coupe oem grill. Oem grills do come in black......duh

 

I don't want a coupe grille. I know the coupe grilles come in black with the sport package. Thanks.

 

nice build and the wheels blend with the whole car, can I ask you where did you get the black lug bolts and what size are they. thank you

 

Looks as bad as any car you might find in the dirty streets of Albania. What a shame and its a good car

 

Thanks everyone, the lugs came with the wheels when I ordered them from Paul at Need4Speed Motorsports. 👌