nawlinstornado

I've been chatting with the folks at Quaife Engineering and getting details for a limited production run of their Automatic Torque Biasing (ATB) Helical Limited Slip Differentials in an application for the E550 (not currently available). I don't have all the details yet but will post once I have a little more.

The design will be a direct replacement for the factory unit and (based on available information) not require any other changes to the car.

The key to this opportunity is the minimum order of 10 units. I don't have pricing information yet, but believe they will be somewhere between $1300 and $2000.

If you are serious about getting an LSD in your E-class, please let me know by posting in this thread. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Dueclaws

Pending the details, etc., I'm serious about purchasing a Quaife LSD.
Thanks for continuing to follow-up with them.
DC

nawlinstornado

Great! Two down, eight to go...

nawlinstornado

Anyone know if the E550C unit is the same as the sedan or other 550 models? If so, I can list this opportunity in other forums.

nawlinstornado

A little more information. Quaife requires a factory diff to ensure fitment. I'm prepared to buy one from Mercedes and ship it to them for development - surely someone in the US will need a replacement and I can get most of my money back. Once they receive the unit, development and manufacturing will take 14 to 16 weeks. Currently, they are refusing to provide price information until they evaluate the factory unit. However, their diffs sell for around $1200, so I imagine the final cost for a custom run of 10 will be in the neighborhood of $1500/unit.

Dueclaws

I believe the sedan and cls use a differential that is different than the '12+ coupe or cab 550. Quaife said the differentail from a C63 will fit, but is the incorrect ratio.

nawlinstornado

Quaife or Bird's?

waxking1

Anything ever happen on this?

Dueclaws

Sorry: I just now saw this question.
Quaife sent me to Bird's for everything and said he is their best installer.

The info about using the C63 pumpkin came from Birds and the details are in an earlier post of mine.

Quaife-MB

There may have been some miss-information with respect to what's required here.
The 207 model E 550 CGI requires a new Quaife version. It's scheduled to be produced in July 2013, and we're already onto it. No need for anyone to send a Mercedes core to Quaife, as we have arranged to purchase one direct from Mercedes. Likely retail cost in UK will be gbp931, which makes it about $1500 landed and import duty paid in the USA.
We would be prepared to do a MBWorld Forum offer, whereby we allocate 5 units of the first production at an introductory discount of 15%.

If anyone is interested, please PM the VIN of your car or respond on our contact form here.
http://www.birdsauto.com/parts/39705.

Regards, Kevin Bird.

Dueclaws

Kevin-
This is good news.
Thanks for your time and effort to bring this to market.
PM sent.

John

venom_55

Sorry for newb question... but once this is purchased, how much effort and $ would it take to install this? Just trying to sort out the total cost.

Quaife-MB

Assuming your car requires this new version, we need you to PM the vin so we can check it), then the cost of the Quaife kit will be around gbp 931. Including shipping and US import duty, that will be about $1,500.
These kits generally take six hours to install by a technician who has done the job a few times, so safe to say 8 hours for the first install. There's nothing tricky about the installation process, and there's no machining work to do, nor is there any gear shimming or adjustment.
We've already been asked about installers in the USA, but we haven't built any relationships yet. I fully expect that we will have competent installers registered by the time this version comes into stock (expected July)

Regards, and thanks for your interest,

Kevin.

nawlinstornado

WOO HOO!!! I was getting really frustrated and had given up hope. I'm PM'ing the VIN now. I'm definitely in for the upgrade.

Quaife-MB

PM received. Will be back to you shortly.

Quaife-MB

New data now live on the Quaife website.
http://www.quaife.co.uk/shop/search/...taxonomy%3A267

Also, their corporate video is worth watching here.

Regards, Kevin.

nawlinstornado

So.... I've just ordered my Quaife diff from Birds! Thanks to Kevin for his assistance in this endeavor. Now, if only I can find a shop to do the install....

I have been looking all over the Washington DC area and can't find anyone I feel comfortable with. Too bad Kleemann is in Colorado. I have even considered shipping my car there for the install but I can't live without it that long.

If anyone has a shop they recommend in the DC Metro area, I'd sure appreciate a referral.

hillcreative

Is Wilmington Delaware to far out for you? About 2 hours drive from DC. I have a shop in mind that could probably do it: MTech

nawlinstornado

2 hours is fine. I can always be at there door when they open and find something to do while they work on the car.

I'll do some research and give them a call. Thanks for the info.

hillcreative

Mtec is at 2517 West 6th street, Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 472-6813 Ask for John or Omid the owner. Omid speaks german and is a very respected tech in the area specializing in BMW's and Mercs.

nawlinstornado

I talked to John at MTech today. Seems like a nice guy and his quote lines up with what both Kleemann and Quaife have been saying. We discussed his experience, etc. and I wish he had more Quaife units under his belt, but I'm willing to give his shop a chance based on reviews of the shop. As soon as the unit arrives, I'll be making an appointment for the swap. I'll keep you guys posted.

Just out of curiosity, what's your experience with these guys? They seem more BMW-focused (pretty common, actually), but have you used them personally?

hillcreative

I have used them personally and I have unsolicited recommendations from two different car experts I respect, including the local MB dealer!

nawlinstornado

Quaife diff has arrived! I'll be calling tomorrow to schedule the install.

Many thanks to Kevin Bird for getting this done.

Kevin,
Have you had many other orders? Reviews?

Caker

Awesome! Let us know how it goes, this car needs an LSD pretty badly. Looks a bit different from the OS Giken unit

hillcreative

Nawlinstornado,

Let me know if you make an appointment at Mtec.... I'd love to come over and see the new kit... I'm a few minutes away.