Hi guys,

Recently bought a 2005 CLS 500 with only 58k miles for a pretty good deal. Needs some mods for me to be 100% happy with it. I'm pretty indecisive so any feedback would be welcome. Just as an FYI, I'm trying to do everything on a budget - baby on the way!

List of jobs:
1) Doesn't have AMG Kit on, I'm going to either replace the front bumper with an AMG bumper or put the Prior Design Kit on it. Do people just change the front bumper for an AMG without the full kit? AMG kits are so expensive I couldn't justify doing front back and sides.
2) Needs new Wheels. Looking at 20" ones as I put 19" on my SL and I always felt I could have gone bigger. Choice between the CL63 replicas which I had on my SL or replicas of these 20" Vossens
3) I'm not happy with the lack of exhaust note. Original idea was resonator delete with straight pipes - would welcome feedback on this as it seems like there are mixed results.
4) I also only have single exit exhaust pipes and want the twin. Have noticed when looking there are 2 sets of twin tips available online - http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-10-Mercedes-Benz-W219-Sedan-CL-Class-AMG-Type-Dual-Exhaust-Tips-Pipes-/261260764060?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cd45ae39c&vxp=mtr and http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-S-E-CLS-W212-W221-C219-C207-C63-Style-Quad-Exhaust-Tips-AMG-/231037648744?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACLS500&hash=item35caeabf68&vxp=mtr. Which would be easiest to fit in the correct space? i.e a direct fitment.
5) Boot lid spoiler - Needs one. Has anyone tried these cheap ebay sellers from taiwan that sell painted boot spoliers like this?

That pretty much covers it for the moment. Will keep this updated (I hope). In the meantime, any feedback on my suggested MODS or anything else I should be looking at would be much appreciated.

 

I'm also going to get a Single Fin Grill. I've noticed some peopel are having differing experiences with fitment. Are there any in particular that are easy to fit and also, ones I should avoid?

 

What color? I think I just saw someone post a black AMG front bumper for sale.

 

Its in Silver.

 

New bumpers is a must on these car if they are non-sport
Remember replicas tend to be heavier than stock
Resonator delete with straight pipe is
That cheap lip spoiler is actually smaller than the actual real one, pony up some $$$$ brotha

 

Ok,

Thought I'd update. Loving this car. Jobs done:

1) Resonator delete - this is possibly the best thing I have ever done to a car!

Here is how it sounds.... (i might even start a new thread i'm so happy with it)

2) Single Fin grill added. Bought from Ebay from a seller in Taiwan - it arrived in 5 days! ( http://www.ebay.ie/itm/161091054472?...84.m1497.l2649 )

3) Rear spoiler added - another purchase from Taiwan. I bought it fully painted and paid a little extra for one that looked IMO more OEM. ( http://www.ebay.ie/itm/321226037350?...84.m1497.l2649 )

4) Today the car is in the spray shop getting the original bumper re-sprayed. I decided against the body kit or the AMG front bumper due to the fact I don't think I would ever get that money back at re-sale.

5) I ordered 20" Axe EX15 wheels with a staggered set up and had a terrible experience with a company in the UK who took my money saying they had them in stock and then after receiving my money, told me that they didn't have in stock and I would have to wait 6 weeks. I'm now struggling to get all my funds back from them.

 

You will have to modify (cut) the rear bumper to use either of those exhaust tip setups.

 

Did you do straight pipes or x-pipe?

I did a delete as well on my cls550 but with x-pipe and i was disappointed in the sound gain. Yours sounds MUCH better.

 

Thanks! I'm really happy with it. Just a shame I do most of my driving in the city and rarely get a chance to hear it!

Thanks to the good folks of MBWORLD, I went with the straight pipes. Job only took about 50 mins. Its loud enough that I know its there when I'm idling but not too loud to be obnoxious and a big smile crosses my face whenever I slip it into Sport and wack the foot down!

 

Whay not x pipe? I assume you didn't touch the cats or mufflers?

 

I had read quite a few threads on modding the exhaust on here and other forums and the general consensus was that straight pipes gave the best result. There was no other method to the madness

Didn't touch anything else.

 

Thanks. Sounds nice! (Especially if it can save me 3k on a new meisterschaft system &#128077

 

Indeed! Cost me €130!

I'm trying to do as much as I can on a budget. Wheels and lowering left to do....

 

What I don't get is people wasting money after buying a car to make it look like another model. Just buy that model!

 

Usually that's not an option. So we make the best out of what we have/can afford. A cls550 + 300 exhaust mod is MUCH cheaper than an AMG right. (Even if you add lowering/wheels)

 

Who said getting AMG? Get AMG package...people switch out bumpers/exhaust and all that jazz.

 

You're right. Haha. I hear what youre saying. But maybe the op got a great deal on his to where even investing in a partial kit, he is still under the cost of one with a kit .

 

I live in Ireland where big engined cars are being taxed out of existence. Anything over a 3 litre engine has an annual road tax of €2k. That means the pool to buy from is very limited. Ie at time of purchase there were only 2 AMGs in the whole country and only 1 350 with an AMG kit on but it had over 110k miles on the clock. I had an SL 350 and wanted the 5litre V8 this time around.

If been looking for nearly 4 months and the deal I got on this car was too good to turn down.

 

That sound is beautiful. I'd go w/ the CL63 replicas so that you'll at least retain the mercedes wheel style

 

Sure, get those replica wheels

 

Holy ****!
Proof u get what u pay for. Lol

 

I've had 3 sets of replicas in the last 5 years and never had issues and the Irish roads are terrible! I've had 2x mv2s for BMWs and 1 set of CL63 replicas for my SL. Until now I'd question why anyone would be crazy enough to pay full price?! It's an investment you'll never get back.

 

welcome to all car mods my friend....dont think of modding as an investment (this is coming from an accountant lol)

 

This is the truth. Most of the time, modding your car will actually decrease retail value..

 

This your choice, your car and your life.
Do what makes you happy