ND-Photo.nl's 2005 CLS55 Build thread
07-28-2023, 03:10 PM
#451
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2012 CLS63
07-28-2023, 05:12 PM
#452
Well after doing the math, I think I am going to move forward with the Airmatic to coil conversion.
The cost of the entire kit for the coil conversion is the same as one OEM airbag.
Here is my current dilemma.
There is a $500 difference in price between the kit that has the sensor that supposedly defeats the suspension warning light.
Spending $500 to defeat a dash light is a bit high.
But I hate dash lights and I do not know how long I will keep this thing.
My mechanic says he may be able to disable that light with his computer, but no guarantees.
Certainly one of those "damned if I do, damned if I don't situations"
Anybody with any type of experience with this please speak up.
The cost of the entire kit for the coil conversion is the same as one OEM airbag.
Here is my current dilemma.
There is a $500 difference in price between the kit that has the sensor that supposedly defeats the suspension warning light.
Spending $500 to defeat a dash light is a bit high.
But I hate dash lights and I do not know how long I will keep this thing.
My mechanic says he may be able to disable that light with his computer, but no guarantees.
Certainly one of those "damned if I do, damned if I don't situations"
Anybody with any type of experience with this please speak up.
07-28-2023, 08:27 PM
#455
What was the math and how did it work out? I was able to shave thousands off parts going with mostly OEM or OEM supplier parts to refresh the entire airmatic system and retain all the suspension settings. Check out RockAuto for the parts I have all the part numbers in my build thread.
I am replacing the entire system for the cost of one rear (OEM) airbag, and it needed 2.
And might as well do the front because everyone knows what happens when you don't do them all.
07-31-2023, 10:59 AM
#457
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'99 and '05 E55 AMG
While the waterpump is off is the time to pull the alternator and replace the voltage regulator. By now the brushes on the old regulator would be quite worn.
With the water pump off you can work the alternator out by pulling straight forward. Don't forget to disconnect the battery!
With the water pump off you can work the alternator out by pulling straight forward. Don't forget to disconnect the battery!
07-31-2023, 01:53 PM
#460
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2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
@MB Moneypit Nope I don't. I keep all the invoices etc but I don't analyse the costs on a yearly basis or something. For me it's not only a car, it's also my hobby.
The second I drive this car, I forget everything and just enjoy and appreciate the car/experience. The amount of smiles per gallon are huge so to speak
We should swap usernames
Some more insights: it's my daily but I don't need it daily. I use my car about 3 times a week (when I go to the office and pleasure rides). My commute (when I go to the office) is a 10 minute drive, about 10km. When I work from home, I don't need a car. and I can always fall back to the car of my girlfriend.
The second I drive this car, I forget everything and just enjoy and appreciate the car/experience. The amount of smiles per gallon are huge so to speak
We should swap usernames
Some more insights: it's my daily but I don't need it daily. I use my car about 3 times a week (when I go to the office and pleasure rides). My commute (when I go to the office) is a 10 minute drive, about 10km. When I work from home, I don't need a car. and I can always fall back to the car of my girlfriend.
Last edited by nd-photo.nl; 07-31-2023 at 01:58 PM.
07-31-2023, 09:31 PM
#463
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Thanx for the reminder. Being a DD I kind of take it for granted but it's true......the CLS is such a rad AF car!
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08-01-2023, 04:22 AM
#464
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2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
In about 2 hours, I was able to:
- Drain the coolant from the radiator and radiator hoses
- Remove the thermostat + housing
- Remove the CTS sensor
- Remove the waterpump
Tonight I will mount that stuff back (needs a good clean first!) and then onto removing the condensor (my AC circuit should be empty because of condensor leaks) & AC pulley
- Drain the coolant from the radiator and radiator hoses
- Remove the thermostat + housing
- Remove the CTS sensor
- Remove the waterpump
Tonight I will mount that stuff back (needs a good clean first!) and then onto removing the condensor (my AC circuit should be empty because of condensor leaks) & AC pulley
08-02-2023, 05:51 PM
#467
Saw that you sucessfully adjusted your windows pretty early in the thread. I’m having a slight wind noise problem from my passenger side window and always see one or two drops of water entering the front towards the mirror after pressure washing the car. If I slacken the nut(s) on both of the adjusters in the bottom of the door, can I tilt the window a bit in to create a better seal against the gasket or will those just adjust the up and down hight of the window? 
Edit: or is it the one at the top of the door which makes it tilt?
Edit: or is it the one at the top of the door which makes it tilt?
08-02-2023, 11:11 PM
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08-03-2023, 04:53 AM
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Saw that you sucessfully adjusted your windows pretty early in the thread. I’m having a slight wind noise problem from my passenger side window and always see one or two drops of water entering the front towards the mirror after pressure washing the car. If I slacken the nut(s) on both of the adjusters in the bottom of the door, can I tilt the window a bit in to create a better seal against the gasket or will those just adjust the up and down hight of the window?
Edit: or is it the one at the top of the door which makes it tilt?
Edit: or is it the one at the top of the door which makes it tilt?
The bolt is straight behind the round rubber grommet
08-03-2023, 04:57 AM
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2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
Started this week with the waterpump / coolant sensor / thermostat+housing and AC pulley replacement
Work in progress on day 1 (I worked on it, in spare hours)
Original stuff waiting to go in!
Old thermostat+housing vs the brand new one
Work in progress on day 1 (I worked on it, in spare hours)
Original stuff waiting to go in!
Old thermostat+housing vs the brand new one
08-03-2023, 06:04 AM
#471
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Old stuff out
The bolt pattern template, as the waterpump holds a lot of bolts
A lot of accumulated dirt on topside which also made its way into the gap for the gasket? I cleaned that as best as I could before mounting the new one. Also the 3 wires on the left sit behind the waterpump in corrogated tube, but that desintegrated when I touched it I used silicone hose (spliced) with the gold heat reflective tape, to hold it together.
The CTS (Coolant Temperature Sensor) broke in half when I tried to disconnect the electrical connector. Also heavy discoloration visible as you can see. The new one is made by Continental, the old one by Siemens VDO
The bolt pattern template, as the waterpump holds a lot of bolts
A lot of accumulated dirt on topside which also made its way into the gap for the gasket? I cleaned that as best as I could before mounting the new one. Also the 3 wires on the left sit behind the waterpump in corrogated tube, but that desintegrated when I touched it
I used silicone hose (spliced) with the gold heat reflective tape, to hold it together.The CTS (Coolant Temperature Sensor) broke in half when I tried to disconnect the electrical connector. Also heavy discoloration visible as you can see. The new one is made by Continental, the old one by Siemens VDO
08-03-2023, 06:10 AM
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Replaced the AC pulley, quite tedious work. Removing and fitting the C-clip took the most time I think. Bought the special tool to remove the top cover (already removed in picture)
OE Denso on the left, aftermarket on the right
Worn bearing and dampers. The top cover for the Denso was easily removed. The new one sits snug between the rubber dampers. The Denso started making sound, which isnt weird after 18 years and almost 200k in kilometers
"Pulley Fest 2023" complete
OE Denso on the left, aftermarket on the right
Worn bearing and dampers. The top cover for the Denso was easily removed. The new one sits snug between the rubber dampers. The Denso started making sound, which isnt weird after 18 years and almost 200k in kilometers
"Pulley Fest 2023" complete
08-03-2023, 07:33 PM
#475
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Nope, both belts are from october 2022 and I don't drive that much
Swapped the condensor today. Tomorrow will be a shakedown for the cooling system
Swapped the condensor today. Tomorrow will be a shakedown for the cooling system
