ND-Photo.nl's 2005 CLS55 Build thread
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 3,916
From: on my way
2012 CLS63
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 335
Likes: 54
CLS55 AMG
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.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 499
From: The Netherlands
2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
CLS63 AMG
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 1,315
From: Republic of Texas
'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!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 499
From: The Netherlands
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; Jul 31, 2023 at 01:58 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 499
From: The Netherlands
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
Newbie
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
CLS55 AMG
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?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 499
From: The Netherlands
2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
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
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 499
From: The Netherlands
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
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 499
From: The Netherlands
2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
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
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 499
From: The Netherlands
2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
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
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 499
From: The Netherlands
2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
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
