My Build/Maintenance Thread
#1
My Build/Maintenance Thread
Hello all,
I bought the C32 with some engine problems but have since resolved it (see below if interested).
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...ed-engine.html
Along with this, I replaced the Supercharger pulley bearing and spark plugs.
First modification was changing out the wheels with another exact same size AMG because the previous owner's tires were going bad.
Attachment 443965
After that I bought some 18" Brabus wheels, but still wasn't feeling it.
Recently I did transmission flush (I could do a DIY with videos, but saw others have done a flush) and the car runs great.
Nasty old transmission fluid:
New stuff (meets Mercedes Specs and is only 18 dollars a gallon at Walmart )
I realized that the car needed to be lowered and the current wheels weren't cutting it so I picked up a set of VXS910 wheels and a brand new set of BC coilovers.
Wheel specs:
19x9 Front +35 offset
19x10 Rear +47 offset (now 35mm with a spacer)
5x112 Lug Pattern
66.56mm hub bore
Attachment 443969
BC Coilovers:
Going to space out the front by about 10mm and move the 235 rear tires to the front along with purchasing some 255-265 for the rear. Hopefully some more updates to come soon once I get the spacers and clear the perch.
Only picture I took during the install.
I bought the C32 with some engine problems but have since resolved it (see below if interested).
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...ed-engine.html
Along with this, I replaced the Supercharger pulley bearing and spark plugs.
First modification was changing out the wheels with another exact same size AMG because the previous owner's tires were going bad.
Attachment 443965
After that I bought some 18" Brabus wheels, but still wasn't feeling it.
Recently I did transmission flush (I could do a DIY with videos, but saw others have done a flush) and the car runs great.
Nasty old transmission fluid:
New stuff (meets Mercedes Specs and is only 18 dollars a gallon at Walmart )
I realized that the car needed to be lowered and the current wheels weren't cutting it so I picked up a set of VXS910 wheels and a brand new set of BC coilovers.
Wheel specs:
19x9 Front +35 offset
19x10 Rear +47 offset (now 35mm with a spacer)
5x112 Lug Pattern
66.56mm hub bore
Attachment 443969
BC Coilovers:
Going to space out the front by about 10mm and move the 235 rear tires to the front along with purchasing some 255-265 for the rear. Hopefully some more updates to come soon once I get the spacers and clear the perch.
Only picture I took during the install.
Last edited by eb88; 01-04-2016 at 03:47 PM.
#2
I got sick of the damn lug bolt length needing to be accurate within a few threads to make sure I don't overextend into the parking brake assembly (all w203s or just c32?). I purchased some studs and specialty splined nuts to aid with this. Along with it, I picked up spacers for the front.
Specs:
20 - M12 shank studs, 1.5 thread pitch and a total length of 2.25".
20 - Open ended splined nuts
2 - 10mm hubcentric spacers
I'm happy with the outcome but want wider tires (235s moving to front and 255/265 on the rears). BC coilovers front perches at about 25 threads up (until the spring was taught when lifted to clear the wheels) and rears are maxed out to the bottom). Car drives great at 1.75 spins towards harsh from soft on the dampening adjusted.
They stick out just slightly too far but that is needed to clear the perch. I have some 3, 5, & 8mm spacers coming so I can play around, but regardless they stick out past what I want. I may potentially rebuild these with new inner/outer shells, but I'd like to avoid that at this time. Also, I noticed and found support on a few other posts that the passenger sides front protrudes slightly than the driver's side. I'll bypass this by putting a smaller spacer, but it makes me wonder if the Mercedes Engineers were drinking that day or am I missing something.
Driver's:
Passenger:
For reference for people looking (as I didn't find much on C32's varying wheel specs/fitment).
Fronts are 19x9 et35 (et25 shown with a 10mm spacer)
Rears are 19x10 et47 (et35 shown with a 12mm spacer)
Specs:
20 - M12 shank studs, 1.5 thread pitch and a total length of 2.25".
20 - Open ended splined nuts
2 - 10mm hubcentric spacers
I'm happy with the outcome but want wider tires (235s moving to front and 255/265 on the rears). BC coilovers front perches at about 25 threads up (until the spring was taught when lifted to clear the wheels) and rears are maxed out to the bottom). Car drives great at 1.75 spins towards harsh from soft on the dampening adjusted.
They stick out just slightly too far but that is needed to clear the perch. I have some 3, 5, & 8mm spacers coming so I can play around, but regardless they stick out past what I want. I may potentially rebuild these with new inner/outer shells, but I'd like to avoid that at this time. Also, I noticed and found support on a few other posts that the passenger sides front protrudes slightly than the driver's side. I'll bypass this by putting a smaller spacer, but it makes me wonder if the Mercedes Engineers were drinking that day or am I missing something.
Driver's:
Passenger:
For reference for people looking (as I didn't find much on C32's varying wheel specs/fitment).
Fronts are 19x9 et35 (et25 shown with a 10mm spacer)
Rears are 19x10 et47 (et35 shown with a 12mm spacer)
Last edited by eb88; 01-05-2016 at 11:01 AM.
#4
I'm not sure on a spoiler or grill, I've never looked into either with this platform. Feel free to post or message me some links so I could see some prime examples.
Wife came home and saw the car, think she was pleased.
Last edited by eb88; 01-05-2016 at 10:56 AM.
#6
Thanks much!
I see you too own a C32, what do you think of stage II? I went stage II with my mkv vw (downpipe and tune) and it was great. Much more power derived from it?
Have a good evening!
BTW I just noticed a lowered Benz is behind me in the picture (pointed out by a buddy on IG).
I see you too own a C32, what do you think of stage II? I went stage II with my mkv vw (downpipe and tune) and it was great. Much more power derived from it?
Have a good evening!
BTW I just noticed a lowered Benz is behind me in the picture (pointed out by a buddy on IG).
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#9
For you w203 owners with front suspension creaks and pops/bumps I would check your front stabilizer bushings. I removed the whole bar, but you can get away with removing the four bolts holding the two bushings. My bushings were in great shape, but the bar was able to move as seen here:
I applied graphite lube to the bushings and properly re-torqued the four bolts holding the two brackets. No more pops/creaks/squeaks!
Clearance is close to the perch, but I got absolutely no rubbing on the fenders or splash shielding on this morning. Car does make a noise if the wheel is turned fully (tire touching the spring).
Crappy photo early this morning at work.
I applied graphite lube to the bushings and properly re-torqued the four bolts holding the two brackets. No more pops/creaks/squeaks!
Clearance is close to the perch, but I got absolutely no rubbing on the fenders or splash shielding on this morning. Car does make a noise if the wheel is turned fully (tire touching the spring).
Crappy photo early this morning at work.
Last edited by eb88; 01-05-2016 at 11:02 AM.
#10
Flushing the trans... I realized I bumped a vacuum line off the pump which made the first video so loud!
Remove passenger intake box and ducting to reveal the top tranmission cooler line. Unclip and attach tubing to it routed through the front air dam and into a catch container.
Hose clamp applied to ensure it doesn't pop off again.
After about 7-8 times of running the engine then turning it off to replenish, I began to see clear red fluid.
Car now drives smoothly and shifts are 10 times better.
Remove passenger intake box and ducting to reveal the top tranmission cooler line. Unclip and attach tubing to it routed through the front air dam and into a catch container.
Hose clamp applied to ensure it doesn't pop off again.
After about 7-8 times of running the engine then turning it off to replenish, I began to see clear red fluid.
Car now drives smoothly and shifts are 10 times better.
Last edited by eb88; 01-05-2016 at 11:00 AM.
#12
If you or others have specific questions or need clarification on anything please let me know.
#13
Moderator Alumni
Awesome to see you on here - great work on the car!
W/ your front wheels seeming to poke out more on the passenger side vs the driver side - What are your alignment numbers like? Maybe the front subframe shifted or something of the sort? Its not something that seems "common" for the w203 platform.
W/ your front wheels seeming to poke out more on the passenger side vs the driver side - What are your alignment numbers like? Maybe the front subframe shifted or something of the sort? Its not something that seems "common" for the w203 platform.
#14
Awesome to see you on here - great work on the car!
W/ your front wheels seeming to poke out more on the passenger side vs the driver side - What are your alignment numbers like? Maybe the front subframe shifted or something of the sort? Its not something that seems "common" for the w203 platform.
W/ your front wheels seeming to poke out more on the passenger side vs the driver side - What are your alignment numbers like? Maybe the front subframe shifted or something of the sort? Its not something that seems "common" for the w203 platform.
#16
Thanks much! It still has a slight tick (especially at start up) but from what I gathered that isn't entirely unique. It may be the purge control valve but with this darn rain and my garage filled with other cars I can't isolate it at the moment.
#18
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9" and 235 and 10" and 255/265. I will never understand doing so much to achieve so little. I won't call that combo stretched, but that's still mediocre size matching at best.
#19
#21
Senior Member
Thanks much!
I see you too own a C32, what do you think of stage II? I went stage II with my mkv vw (downpipe and tune) and it was great. Much more power derived from it?
Have a good evening!
BTW I just noticed a lowered Benz is behind me in the picture (pointed out by a buddy on IG).
I see you too own a C32, what do you think of stage II? I went stage II with my mkv vw (downpipe and tune) and it was great. Much more power derived from it?
Have a good evening!
BTW I just noticed a lowered Benz is behind me in the picture (pointed out by a buddy on IG).
#25