I'm Back!.... kind of
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
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From: New Zealand
I'm Back!.... kind of
Hey guys, I have been lurking a bit since I sold the C32. I missed it in a way so I have been looking out for a C55. Unfortunately there must only be about 10 in the entire country. The last one up for sale was there for less than a week and that was the only sedan for about 4-5 months.
Then I started looking for E55's but the added expense and fuel sender/airmatic/many other problems put me off. I was about to give up when I found this. The seller needed it sold asap and was getting rubbish offers and swaps so I got it for dealer trade in price, just had service B done.
I had a question about the headlights that maybe someone can help with. I am pretty sure they are supposed to be clear like the C55 but they have turned hazy in places. Would a headlight restoration kit work well or are there better upgrades to look at instead?
Then I started looking for E55's but the added expense and fuel sender/airmatic/many other problems put me off. I was about to give up when I found this. The seller needed it sold asap and was getting rubbish offers and swaps so I got it for dealer trade in price, just had service B done.
I had a question about the headlights that maybe someone can help with. I am pretty sure they are supposed to be clear like the C55 but they have turned hazy in places. Would a headlight restoration kit work well or are there better upgrades to look at instead?
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 168
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From: AZ and Amsterdam
'03 C32 AMG, '07 E92 335i, '85 BMW5 E28
Restore kits are a temporary solution. Looks ok, not great, for a couple of months and then you have to repeat the process. You could look if there are any professional companies that provide a more lasting solution, but I doubt it..
Very nice car, any plans for mods?
Very nice car, any plans for mods?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 288
From: New Zealand
In the mean time I just need to touch up a few things the previous owners didn't take care of very well.
- 4 new wheel centre caps as there are 2 titanium background and 2 white background. Might just ebay these.
- There is very minor damage (can't tell unless you look closely) from parking into something- at some point I need to take the front bumper off realign it, set the left fog dead straight and get a new mesh grill for that side.
- Perhaps get some new headlights if these ones are never going to look great again. Maybe blacked out housings. A lot of these say not suitable for cars with zenon headlights.... not sure why. I could also try the sylvania kit.
Last edited by tw2; May 26, 2013 at 06:37 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 468
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From: Salt Lake City
C32, 911 SC
Welcome back! Sort of... Glad that you decided to stay within the amg family.
Headlight restoration kit would work well if you use DA orbital, instead of arms.
That type of projector typically has a weak, uh projection. I would try retrofitting your oem projectors to the black housing. Or you can microwave your headlights and paint the housing black.
Headlight restoration kit would work well if you use DA orbital, instead of arms.
That type of projector typically has a weak, uh projection. I would try retrofitting your oem projectors to the black housing. Or you can microwave your headlights and paint the housing black.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
Don't put cheap aftermarket projectors onto your car; you have an excellent set of factory headlights. Use a restoration kit; some people say clear coating over the headlights afterward keeps them lasting longer.
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 168
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From: AZ and Amsterdam
'03 C32 AMG, '07 E92 335i, '85 BMW5 E28
I agree, if you can have your headlights polished and then clear coated by a professional I would definetely prefer that over cheap, lower quality, non-OEM headlights.
Good luck with your project and keep us updated!
Good luck with your project and keep us updated!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 28
From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
Good choice of car!
In respect to the headlights, I would use a restoration product or procedure and then cover them with an XPEL, 3M etc stonegaurd film. I would also consider it for the entire front and hood. Just get any chips and scratches fixed first..
In respect to the headlights, I would use a restoration product or procedure and then cover them with an XPEL, 3M etc stonegaurd film. I would also consider it for the entire front and hood. Just get any chips and scratches fixed first..
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: New Zealand
I will have a look at doing it myself. I am not sure I would trust anyone around here. There are 3M, rainX and meguires headlight restoration kits available locally. I will have a look and see which one looks like it will do a good job. I will post some proper pictures of the car once I get a chance to clean/polish it and it stops raining.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 29
From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
I've used the 3M head,ought restoration kit with good success on a couple of cars, and second wawy's comment re: subsequent clear protective film.
Previously on my S2000, there were still some scratches visible after the 3M polishing, but wirh the protective film applied, the scratches were no longer apparent.
Previously on my S2000, there were still some scratches visible after the 3M polishing, but wirh the protective film applied, the scratches were no longer apparent.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 601
Likes: 4
From: I liva at da land down under
Porsche 2004 911
Awwwh -yeah !! 
Nice, very nice. Well done.
Don't forget about the 63 front fender when you start playing the mods. Hang on, you already have started with lights.
Its all down hill from here...
at least it will be very quickly and with an exquisite v8 note and pull,
only the bark of a 63 can make that 55 rumble old.
Congrats mate,
Nice, very nice. Well done.
Don't forget about the 63 front fender when you start playing the mods. Hang on, you already have started with lights.
Its all down hill from here...
at least it will be very quickly and with an exquisite v8 note and pull,
only the bark of a 63 can make that 55 rumble old.
Congrats mate,
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 288
From: New Zealand
I've used the 3M head,ought restoration kit with good success on a couple of cars, and second wawy's comment re: subsequent clear protective film.
Previously on my S2000, there were still some scratches visible after the 3M polishing, but wirh the protective film applied, the scratches were no longer apparent.
Previously on my S2000, there were still some scratches visible after the 3M polishing, but wirh the protective film applied, the scratches were no longer apparent.
Awwwh -yeah !!
Nice, very nice. Well done.
Don't forget about the 63 front fender when you start playing the mods. Hang on, you already have started with lights.
Its all down hill from here...
at least it will be very quickly and with an exquisite v8 note and pull,
only the bark of a 63 can make that 55 rumble old.
Congrats mate,
Nice, very nice. Well done.
Don't forget about the 63 front fender when you start playing the mods. Hang on, you already have started with lights.
Its all down hill from here...
at least it will be very quickly and with an exquisite v8 note and pull,
only the bark of a 63 can make that 55 rumble old.
Congrats mate,
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 288
From: New Zealand
Me too. Honestly the 350z crowd, its almost like Hondatech. Every thread has thousands of flame posts and finding actual info is very difficult. If it was posted in the middle of a 500 post thread in 2004 then you better not ask the same thing again. The benz community couldn't be better.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 288
From: New Zealand
3M worked well. Not quite as crystal clear as I was hoping for but almost perfect. What a mess though. Definitely need to clean the entire car, engine bay and garage afterwards. Puts 2 layers of tape down around the edges to prevent scuffing the paint as it is easy to slide off the lights with the drill. I recommend doing this outside.
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