C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Picking up a c32 on Friday. Woot.

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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 04:05 PM
  #1  
Panzerknacker's Avatar
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From: Where the Army sends me.
GL 350 Bluetec
Picking up a c32 on Friday. Woot.

Assuming everything goes as planned I will be the owner of a 2002 c32 with 70k miles on Friday. My other car is a Subaru Legacy GT spec B. I am into modifying and a DIY'er so hopefully Ill be having some fun with the car.

Looks like a pulley and ECU tune are the place to start for the c32 for power. It already has KW springs. Any other suggestions or recommendations? Intercooler pump worth doing for reliability?
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 04:46 PM
  #2  
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02 C32 AMG
Originally Posted by Panzerknacker
Assuming everything goes as planned I will be the owner of a 2002 c32 with 70k miles on Friday. My other car is a Subaru Legacy GT spec B. I am into modifying and a DIY'er so hopefully Ill be having some fun with the car.

Looks like a pulley and ECU tune are the place to start for the c32 for power. It already has KW springs. Any other suggestions or recommendations? Intercooler pump worth doing for reliability?
congrats on getting a C32 (on friday)....make sure you poast pics then

being that it is an 02, make sure that before you buy it, you ask about the history of the radiator, if it has ever been replaced, and if there has ever been glycol contamination from coolant leaking. also see if both front seat modules have been replaced, as this tends to be an issue with all c32s (if i remember correctly) that will lead to an eventual dead battery.

you could ask about IC pump and if it has ever been replaced. i think it goes out about every 25-50k miles. mine went out at 50k. if it is fine now (and you will know if it is or if it isnt) then just keep it until it goes out again. then replace it with the CM30. i honestly wouldnt upgrade the IC pump without upgrading the heat exchanger, which i would strongly recommend getting, depending on what setup you would like to run and your location. I recommend the Eurocharged heat exchanger. helps keeps your temps down and helps prevent heat soak.

pulley and tune sound great. i would recommend the Eurocharged 185mm Pulley Kit and the LET tune.

other suggestions? not sure what kind of money you want to invest into mods, but other ideas would be an intake, colder plugs if you run high boost with the 185 kit, race wires, maybe headers.

oh, and 100%, one of the best mods, the resonator delete. makes the exhaust sound what it should have from the factor. a little bit of weight savings (maybe 10lbs) and only like 1hp if any, but the sound is nice, and if you ever go to headers, you will see more gain from the headers by deleting the resonator b/c of better flow. i replaced my resonator with a 3' SS pipe
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 04:52 PM
  #3  
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From: Ogden, Utah.
C32 ///AMG
Originally Posted by Panzerknacker
Assuming everything goes as planned I will be the owner of a 2002 c32 with 70k miles on Friday. My other car is a Subaru Legacy GT spec B. I am into modifying and a DIY'er so hopefully Ill be having some fun with the car.

Looks like a pulley and ECU tune are the place to start for the c32 for power. It already has KW springs. Any other suggestions or recommendations? Intercooler pump worth doing for reliability?
Congrats and Welcome!

Yep, if the I/C pump has never been changed, it will go out. It's just a matter of time. Most people are upgrading to the Johnson CM30.

Another common mod is to remove the resonator. No power gains but it will sound a lot better. And it doesn't cost much. $50-$80 or so.

::edit:: Crap Jturkel beat me to it. Anyhow, Welcome!

Last edited by Chazz; Apr 22, 2009 at 04:54 PM.
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 04:56 PM
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03 C32 gone, 06 CLS55, 16 Tesla X
Congratulation on your very near future C32!

So you'll pick it up on Friday, It will probably a woh, impressive power.
Saturday: it's fun time to enjoy the car.
Sunday: ...It's lack of power. Time to mod badly
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 05:18 PM
  #5  
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GL 350 Bluetec
Im going to do the resonator delete. Looks like an easy job for any decent muffler shop. Honestly I dont see many aftermarket exhaust systems out there.

Jturkel is that your STI? You on Nasioc?
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 05:55 PM
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From: Keesler AFB, Gulfport, MS
C32 AMG
Originally Posted by Panzerknacker
Im going to do the resonator delete. Looks like an easy job for any decent muffler shop. Honestly I dont see many aftermarket exhaust systems out there.

Jturkel is that your STI? You on Nasioc?
There are a few aftermarket muffler setups but none that are worth the premium in my book. You will notice a big difference in tuning parts for the AMG vs. standard tuning cars. We refer to this as the benz tax and it sucks. Prices have come a long way though recently thanks in large part to LET and Code 3 Performance.
Congrats on the new ride and happy modding!
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 06:11 PM
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02 C32 AMG
Originally Posted by Panzerknacker
Im going to do the resonator delete. Looks like an easy job for any decent muffler shop. Honestly I dont see many aftermarket exhaust systems out there.

Jturkel is that your STI? You on Nasioc?
do resonator delete. pipe cost me $30 and labor was $50.

no aftermarket exhaust system has shown any gains for our car. it isnt worth it. if you want to mess with the exhaust, do the resonator delete, then headers, and then if you want it a little better free flowing and a little louder, delete the secondary cats.

i have heard the muffler is a little restrictive, but i dont know for sure. some people have claimed that the eisenmann muffler has seen gains, though it is VERY pricey.

no it is not my STI. it was my roommates before he totaled it. i would like one though (new or old style). i just love the sound of the boxer motor.
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 09:05 PM
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2003 C32 AMG
Congrats on your soon to be purchase. I just recently picked a C32 myself. Since we talking about performance mods the question I have is, without getting off-topic, how much can the stock motors take? Fuel and power capacity-wise with the stock internals and block?
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Old Apr 22, 2009 | 10:55 PM
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02 C32 AMG
Originally Posted by TBM1
Congrats on your soon to be purchase. I just recently picked a C32 myself. Since we talking about performance mods the question I have is, without getting off-topic, how much can the stock motors take? Fuel and power capacity-wise with the stock internals and block?
a lot of power. not sure if anyone knows outside of Eurocharged/LET.....forged inernals are nice . Fuel wise, i think that 185 pulley, tune, intake, headers (basically everything), we are at the peak of the stock fuel system
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 08:05 PM
  #10  
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GL 350 Bluetec
Picked up the car today. Very nice piece. Can't help but post pics everywhere.







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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 08:28 PM
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Nice car and nice area too. Time to enjoy
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 09:14 PM
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LET C32 2002
Originally Posted by jturkel
congrats on getting a C32 (on friday)....make sure you poast pics then

being that it is an 02, make sure that before you buy it, you ask about the history of the radiator, if it has ever been replaced, and if there has ever been glycol contamination from coolant leaking. also see if both front seat modules have been replaced, as this tends to be an issue with all c32s (if i remember correctly) that will lead to an eventual dead battery.

you could ask about IC pump and if it has ever been replaced. i think it goes out about every 25-50k miles. mine went out at 50k. if it is fine now (and you will know if it is or if it isnt) then just keep it until it goes out again. then replace it with the CM30. i honestly wouldnt upgrade the IC pump without upgrading the heat exchanger, which i would strongly recommend getting, depending on what setup you would like to run and your location. I recommend the Eurocharged heat exchanger. helps keeps your temps down and helps prevent heat soak.

pulley and tune sound great. i would recommend the Eurocharged 185mm Pulley Kit and the LET tune.

other suggestions? not sure what kind of money you want to invest into mods, but other ideas would be an intake, colder plugs if you run high boost with the 185 kit, race wires, maybe headers.

oh, and 100%, one of the best mods, the resonator delete. makes the exhaust sound what it should have from the factor. a little bit of weight savings (maybe 10lbs) and only like 1hp if any, but the sound is nice, and if you ever go to headers, you will see more gain from the headers by deleting the resonator b/c of better flow. i replaced my resonator with a 3' SS pipe
+1
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 09:17 PM
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LET C32 2002
Originally Posted by Panzerknacker
Picked up the car today. Very nice piece. Can't help but post pics everywhere.







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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 09:40 PM
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03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
very nice...welcome to the forums.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 12:49 AM
  #15  
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From: FT POLK LOUISIANA
1992 Toyota Corolla, 1994 Chevy C1500, 2002 C32, 2012 Prius, 2013 Toyota Sienna
Nice ride. Looks like it has been lowered. Springs maybe....Welcome
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 01:17 AM
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congrats on the car, looks like the previous owner already did a few mods for you. the bi-xenon and the lower springs.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 01:19 AM
  #17  
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looks sweet... enjoy!
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 01:40 AM
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02 C32 AMG
Originally Posted by FrankW
looks like the previous owner already did a few mods for you. the bi-xenon and the lower springs.
+1
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 02:32 AM
  #19  
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Welcome. Looks clean! Sharp ride height, too.

Wish my lawn was as green and plush as yours. =)
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 09:30 AM
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a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Panzer, great looking car. I am jealous of the bi-xenons. They really update the front end.

Welcome to the family.

Originally Posted by splinter
Welcome. Looks clean! Sharp ride height, too.

Wish my lawn was as green and plush as yours. =)
John, your lawn just needs more dog poo fertilizer. That'll green it right up.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 10:33 AM
  #21  
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From: Where the Army sends me.
GL 350 Bluetec
It has been lowered with KW springs. HIDs were a factory option I believe.

Its my parents house not mine lol, I live on a various assortment of army bases, although Ft. Knox where I am now is a vary clean post with a lot of trees and grass. The car was located in Cincinnati where my family lives so I took the picture in front of their house after I bought it.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 11:10 AM
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CLS55 Designo 030
Congrats on the car. Welcome to the forum.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 11:49 AM
  #23  
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a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Originally Posted by Panzerknacker
It has been lowered with KW springs. HIDs were a factory option I believe.
Actually, HID's are usually halogens. In 2002, the only upgrades were the "frosty" xenons (low beam only). Mine came with those. I believe that the 2004 offered bi-xenons (clear lens, xenon high and low beam). It is a boat load of money to upgrade from xenons to bi-xenons (OEM that is). Consider yourself blessed to have them already.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 02:00 PM
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Really nice ride Welcome to MB world. We're not as NASIOC,but we're still anice comunity.

In 2003 Bix became an option, however all the 04's i have seen have them already.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 04:05 PM
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2002 C32 ///AMG
Whoever owned it prior to you treated her very nicely - she looks real clean!
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