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I've been meaning to type up my build thread for a short while now! and seeing as the car is now up for sale it gives me even more reason to!
Base car - 2011 (Facelift) Mercedes C180 CGI BlueEfficiency. 4 Door Automatic in Obsidian Black.
Firstly, I am well aware that many people are not big on replica builds. And my message to you - It's my car!
Right where to start...
Purchased from Park Royal in Wembley at a great price with 29,000 on the clock as of April 2014.
Parts needed:
Front Bumper
Side Skirts
Rear Bumper
Alloy Wheels
Exhaust
And some various other bits and bobs
First move was the wheels, Couldn't bare to have the standard ones anymore! Decided on multispoke 19" C63 Style Alloys with low profiles. 8.5j's so 2.5" wider than the standard 6j's.
They have the same rolling radius as the standard 16" Rims so there won't be any affect to the geometry.
You can clearly see the new wheels extra width.
Looking much more appealing with the wheels on!
Next step whilst I waited for the body panels to arrive was the interior trim! I still need to tackle to door strips. Very easy to remove the dash and gear shifter trims (I took plenty of photos during the removal so if anyone would like a detailed walkthrough drop me a message).
Carbon Vinyl was the plan; Excuse the photo quality - My iPhone was having a bad day.
Seats and Steering wheel were on the agenda, However now that the car is up for sale I think they'll be left standard!
Waited 3 weeks for the body panels to arrive - Purchased from a European based tuning company - Haggled the price down by a few hundred which was a bonus - The main issue was the primer quality (all of the panels had to be re primered).
Here's some photos before we sent the car to the bodyshop!
Off to the bodyshop we go, booked the car in for 3 days work. Total Paint Works based in Lyminster, West Sussex. Visited a few various local bodyshops and this guy seemed to have the most experience working on Mercedes. He also came with a reccommendation from a friend of mine which is always re-assuring! Great service, always there to help and couldn't of asked for more. Even gave an extra day's labour on the car (3 men!) to re-polish and finish some outstanding jobs all for the original quoted price.
Had to give the guys a quick visit mid work to see how things were going, old primer being removed - Slow process!
Rear Bumper Removed
Front Bumper Removed
Side View
A few days later and I was back - Bumpers on, all painted and looking fresh! They did a great job matching the colour! Only issues we had were the DRL Casings, couldn't get the to remain cliped into the bumper! The car was booked into the Exhaust Garage the day after so some duct tape had to do untill I could bring it back!
Looked very weird without the exhaust tips...
And weird with the bonnet star still in place! - Soon to be removed...
The following day... Off to North London to EMP Performance Exhaust Specialists...
Wasn't completely sure of the set up untill I arrived. Spent a good amount of time talking to the owner - Extemely Helpful Guy.
Sound was my main concern - I didn't want anything crazy, too loud, boy racer style. so the first step was to remove the rear muffler - started her up and she sounded slightly sportier, but not deep enough.
Next came the middle resonator box. Started her up and the sound was much deeper! It wasn't too loud either! I chose not to remove the cat for MOT reasons so we straight piped from there into twin oval tips.
Before we started...
Half way there...
All done!
When you put your foot down she grunts and pops on gear changes.
Fuel efficiency went out the window on the drive home and it was all about the smiles per mile
The finished product...
Exactly how I wanted it to turn out...
I am well aware that it isn't an EXACT replica, the bonnet for example, brakes, interior etc. but for me, it looks good enough!
After owning it for a good few months we're now on 42,000 miles and she's up for sale!
I may decide to re-map before I sell as I'm looking for more power....
Most of the old parts are still available if anyone is looking for something.
Wow! Nice work, looks quality and the new body parts look to be a good fit. ANd yea, a lot of folks aren't into replicas. I personally wouldn't have put the AMG emblem on but I can respect the work!
Wow! Nice work, looks quality and the new body parts look to be a good fit. ANd yea, a lot of folks aren't into replicas. I personally wouldn't have put the AMG emblem on but I can respect the work!
Looks good. It would look better with some H$R springs. I would have left off the AMG emblem
get a trunk spoiler + depo projector headlights (when they become available) and you'll be good. if you want to go even bolder, get vented fenders and a c63 black style hood (like paleface and my next mod). good luck
I would remove the AMG badge too and give it a good drop too
Can you post some youtube of your new sound of the C180? I have the same car and thinking of doing the same.. just worried it might be too loud.. Im not 18 anymore ;-)
Last edited by janusgrimnitz; Sep 29, 2014 at 12:53 AM.
It's a lot less work if you start out with a "sport" base model C. I don't even think you can get any other body style in Canada for 2012-2014.
All you need is an AMG diffuser and clips - $200, quad pipes are around $200 for a set, AMG front bumper is $600 + paint from the forums, single slat grille is $230 or something.
Real 19" multispoke will run you 2-3k, 18" 5 spoke will run $1500-$2k.
It looks like that cost in the $10k range...
Don't get me wrong, it looks good, but with that much invested, you probably could have straight up bought a 63 right off the bat.
Firstly I knew I'd be getting comments on the badge! I am also not a big fan of badging replicas. It has been left off untill a few weeks back when it was put up for sale as I feel it will be more appealing to the potential buyer.
Secondly, no peformance upgrades bar the exhaust. It will be re-mapped within the next few weeks to around 185 / 190 bhp but this will be the only engine modification before it goes.
Thirdly, I chose not to purchase a c63 for two reasons,
1. I'm 20 and the insurance quotes I recieved weren't realistic at the time (I turn 21 in a few months and my insurance is soon due to be renewed hence I'm now looking to get an SL500)
2. I had been doing lots of mileage with work and c63 fuel consumption isn't the best as I'm sure you're all aware. I live within 5 miles of work now so fuel consumption isn't an issue anymore
Finally,
Total build cost
Car £14,000 down from £15,495
Wheels £1000 haggled down to £600 ( replicas )
Bumpers £600 haggled down from £1,200
Exhaust £550
Bodywork £550 haggled down from a quote of £700
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good luck
