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I've been on the C207 (and W212) forums a fair bit, since trading in my '03 C230 Coupe (6-speed manual) last May. I figured it was about time I posted some pictures of my car...
I've not really done a whole lot of modifications and generally like to keep things close to the stock look. I've spent a fair amount of time getting the car fully serviced. This past weekend I just finished a three-step paint 'restoration'.
Changes:
Had the stock 18" AMG rims refinished by RimPro (thoroughly recommend them).
New tires for the rears.
20mm H&R spacers on the back. I've noticed this makes the wheels look bigger overall (obviously just a perception).
Updated the front grill to the single slate from 55Tech.
Updated the rim inserts to black AMG inserts.
I am expecting to order the OE Tuning upgrade today or tomorrow.
Overall, I love the car, in particular the pillar-less window design and the sheer pick-up. At the moment, since my commute is a low amount of miles, I pretty much enjoy driving the car in 'Sport' mode all the time (pity it can't be programmed to 'on').
As I say, I've had the car just over a year - People still remark to me about how great the paint work looks and how much they like the design. Even when I took the car for a service recently, the SA said they didn't want to clean it for fear of getting it dirty!
Not sure if I will do much more after the OE Tune. Possibly any number of the following:
Clean-up (or change) the front grill due stone chips. I'd settle for a re-spray.
Update the satellite navigation to latest version.
Install 19's
Thanks for reading. Comments & suggestions welcome.
Last edited by C230Brit; Sep 17, 2014 at 12:26 PM.
Anttribb - my coupe does not have distronic. I believe 55Tech does have the same grill for distronic. If I am not mistaken, it has a flat MBenz badge on the front vs '3D type' you see on non-distronic cars.
OE Tuning 'tune' installed on the car now too...
Still 'experimenting' with it to see how it performs.
Onto the next project...I ordered the 2014 Sat Nav update last week. Expecting that to arrive mid-week. I'm interested to see how the installation goes (and hopefully they have updated the ridiculous route to get the street I live on!).
OE Tuning 'tune' installed on the car now too...
Still 'experimenting' with it to see how it performs.
Onto the next project...I ordered the 2014 Sat Nav update last week. Expecting that to arrive mid-week. I'm interested to see how the installation goes (and hopefully they have updated the ridiculous route to get the street I live on!).
I'm thinking about getting a tune too, not sure if it's worth it on NA engine. Whats's your experience so far?
Here are my thoughts on the OE Tune for the NA 550 Coupe:
- Upgrade process with the flash loader is easy (once software is installed).
- OE Tuning were always very responsive (good!) when contacted.
- Tune is probably more noticeable on cars that are used on roads with 50+ mph speed limits.
- My regular/daily commute is ~7 miles on 30mph roads, so I do not benefit regularly from the higher speed tune improvements.
- I do notice good improvements in the acceleration from a standing stop.
- I always drive in sport mode (with or without OE Tune), unless it is snowing
Some other notes:
- On the times I have driven on the highway, I have definitely noticed the gear changing occurring later in the RPM than before the tune, which made the car feel like it could accelerate a lot more.
- Maybe it is my perception only, but the car seems to have a slightly more throaty engine note. Possibly due to the higher RPM's?
- There is no jolting that I have noticed from acceleration (or 'launch' as I like to call it).
- No notable difference in fuel economy yet, but then I am not really 'considerate' of that as part of the reason for purchasing the OE Tune. I drive in 'sport' mode FFS
The clearly notable change for me has been the acceleration off the line - it is definitely quicker than no tune and really gives me a lot enjoyment putting my foot down. I have not has any issue with wheel spin as reported by other members - possibly because I have recently installed new rear tires.
I would definitely buy this tune again and consider it for whatever my next car might be.
The only negative I have at this point is that it would be nice if OE Tuning could supply some better label's / badges than the 'window sticker' one. I wanted to put an "OE Tuning" badge either on the bottom front grill or in between the grill slates on the front.
Hope that helps. Happy to answer any other questions you might have.
Here are my thoughts on the OE Tune for the NA 550 Coupe:
- Upgrade process with the flash loader is easy (once software is installed).
- OE Tuning were always very responsive (good!) when contacted.
- Tune is probably more noticeable on cars that are used on roads with 50+ mph speed limits.
- My regular/daily commute is ~7 miles on 30mph roads, so I do not benefit regularly from the higher speed tune improvements.
- I do notice good improvements in the acceleration from a standing stop.
- I always drive in sport mode (with or without OE Tune), unless it is snowing
Some other notes:
- On the times I have driven on the highway, I have definitely noticed the gear changing occurring later in the RPM than before the tune, which made the car feel like it could accelerate a lot more.
- Maybe it is my perception only, but the car seems to have a slightly more throaty engine note. Possibly due to the higher RPM's?
- There is no jolting that I have noticed from acceleration (or 'launch' as I like to call it).
- No notable difference in fuel economy yet, but then I am not really 'considerate' of that as part of the reason for purchasing the OE Tune. I drive in 'sport' mode FFS
The clearly notable change for me has been the acceleration off the line - it is definitely quicker than no tune and really gives me a lot enjoyment putting my foot down. I have not has any issue with wheel spin as reported by other members - possibly because I have recently installed new rear tires.
I would definitely buy this tune again and consider it for whatever my next car might be.
The only negative I have at this point is that it would be nice if OE Tuning could supply some better label's / badges than the 'window sticker' one. I wanted to put an "OE Tuning" badge either on the bottom front grill or in between the grill slates on the front.
Hope that helps. Happy to answer any other questions you might have.
Here are rims installed, after a detail (Q-Car Care)
The back rims are concave.
Rims-
Front:
19" x 8.5 Black Di Forza (BM-10), brushed silver.
245-35-19 Nexan NFera SU1
Back:
19" x 9.5 Black Di Forza (BM-10), brushed silver, concave.
275-30-19 Nexan NFera SU1
Other minor updates:
- Clear side markers.
- Painted the brake calipers black (all round).
- Custom OE Tuning badge for front grill and rear. Will get better pictures and details.
- Replaced the hood badge with same one, just new (mine had some notable blemishes). Part number A2078170316.
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