SerbNerd

All right guys, I'm on these forums every so often and decided to ask the right people about what I should do with my 115k E430.

I used to have a 2002 CLK430 which I sold about half a year ago and after the sale I bought my dad's 2001 E430 due to the size, color, better condition, etc.

Now I loved my CLK430 like crazy, maybe because it was my first car but regardless it was a very fun coupe and had plenty power for fun. I would like to get some of those fun aspects in my E430.

Driving the E430 is a pleasure, its nice and quiet and is a pure cruiser BUT I'd like a little sportier feel.

Current ideas:
- Exhaust work: I'd like to have a little beefier sound out back but maintain the quiet ride until WOT. CLK had a nice tone to it stock. Currently the car has magnaflow mid cats because the OEM start to rattle. Any good ideas on making a nice V8 sound?

- Wheels: I like the stock E430 wheels and I will continue to use them BUT would also like to have a "summer" pair which would fill the wheel well a bit more. So 18" 19" max. I like the look of the AMG monoblocks used on the w210 E55 but don't want to get Poser Rep for having AMG rims but not an AMG car...then again CLK had AMG's but you guys know what I mean. Any ideas on some nice rims or just go AMG monos?

- Ride height: The car sits up pretty high and deserves an inch off the ride height. This would be the first change on the car, H&R springs I heard are using Brabus' design so they're the way to go?

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...1&autoModClar=

Would stock front shocks need to be changed for these springs as the car had front shocks changed at 10k ago.

- Tinting: Living in illinois, the tint laws are rediculous but I'm currently at Purdue University and Indiana has little law on window tinting. Should I do tints or leave them stock blue tint? Maybe continue with blue tint but more %? Ideas?

- Headlights: Go with clear lens or just keep the Halogen headlights? I don't really have a preference.

- Others: If anyone has any idea what would be awesome please comment!

Overall, the goal is to make this car look a little more modern. I love the lines and the tank like feel...just want more sound out back and a couple updates. Some of my suggestions may be dumb and feel free to tell me so.

Thank you to all and please tell me anything you want!

Julian

Here's a nice example: https://mbworld.org/forums/members/j...nn-55k-s8.html (Props to owner!)

Maybe do Bumpers and Skirts as well?

230TErry

I have mono blocks on mine and the previous owner lowered it a bit and fitted xenons.

Tint laws in N Ireland are rubbish. I had tint all round bit had to remove the driver and passenger side and it looks a bit ***** now to be honest.

SerbNerd

Yea I like the clean look of the monoblocks so I think I'll go in that direction.

Went to a shop today and they quoted my $250 for resonator delete and x-pipe fabrication/install out the door. Is this a good price?

SerbNerd

Anyone willing to provide some input? hah

Figuero

Seems a bit high but that's probably going rate....... For comparison, a friend of mine just had a complete Stainless Pulput fabracated and installed on his 36' sailboat for about $600. Probably 4 - 5hrs labor and way more expensive material.... But that was in a small town in Michigan.

As far as deep tinting driver and passenger side windows.... A ball peen hammer should be used on them in my opinion. You do understand how dangerous they are right.....?

I like the monoblocks but find most every other type of custom wheel on a w210 looks in a word....tacky. I don't know what it is but I feel the same way about almost any Benz. For some reason BMWs can carry of a nice set of custom wheels but the same look on a Benz looks very aftermarket at best.

The W210 is a hard car to improve and still be cost effective.

SerbNerd

Just need money and time hah

I do agree with the custom wheels...was thinking about the group buy rims that are going on but just doesn't seem right.

I'm currently cleaning up my car as I've been driving and not been doing much pampering. Winter is a coming and the car needs to be in tip top shape!

I've fixed the cluster and dead pixels BUT now half the cluster is working at half brightness same with the multifunction display. Any tips???

bought new motor mounts which should arrive this Friday if you look at the pics, you can see that one failed and causes some mess. I'm also getting some oil accumilating on the transmition...any ideas.

will be replacing both front and rear flex discs

X pipe and exhaust has been put on a short hold as I'm waiting for a friend to open a shop where it'll be easier to work. Thinking of getting an AMG rear bumper and AMG muffler...later the side skirts and front bumper but baby steps as usual.

Going to visit a stealership and see what they say has to be done...then i will do that and save

I'm going to upload some pictures of what I found under the car. As always comment and help out if you wish.

SerbNerd

Pictures

desired_speeds

you have a cluster bulb out thats why its half lit.

SerbNerd

ahh jeez, also half the cluster is light then the other half decides to join in later then dies again. Any idea? Lose contact or something like that?

Autohausaz here i come...again

shakeel.bhatia

Ive pretty much made my car sportier.... no doubt the x pipe/resonator delete was nice... but for some reason it wasn't enough for me... i went ahead and changed the whole exhaust, and im not disappointed at all. There is very little drone, however that could be reduced if i put the resonator back on(im pretty sure it would) I got the parts for my x pipe around 60 bucks and had a shop do it for 60.... 120 total. 2 2.25" 45 degree bends and a 2.5" x pipe to sleeve(if i remember correctly...) I made the whole car a bit more modern, led tail lights, hid projectors... that type of deal. looks great if you ask me.




I do need to work on the finish of that exhaust cut.... the guy had no idea what he was doing

fatchance

Glad to see there is still some love out there for the W210.

We've had our since new in 1998. Picked it up in Germany as part of the euro delivery option. Highly recommended.

I went a similar route with making the E430 a bit more sporty. All the mods on the car have been on it for about 10 years now so haven't really touched it other than maintenance. The car is at 95K and it sure drives so very nice, it's hard to imagine it's a 14 year old car.

The mods. Eibach Pro-System dampers and springs. New spring pads 4 dots front, 2 dots rear. Lowered car about 1.5 inches. Rides like a sport sedan in luxury mode. It's no BMW, so don't expect it to be. Rides firm, but not too firm. Eats up the miles.

Wheels are 18X8.5 Brabus with 235 fronts and 265 rears. Hankook V12s. Great tire. Super quiet and handles nicely.

Brakes. A long time ago this was the mod to do. AMG C32 brakes. Calipers and rotors. Makes a BIG difference in the bite compared to the wimpy factory stuff. The rears are factory, except for the cross drilled rotors.

Didn't touch the exhaust or anything else. It's still a luxury car so didn't want to mess with that aspect. Put in a new stereo so I wanted to make sure I could hear it. Yes, I ripped out the Bose long ago. Pioneer DEH-80PRS head unit with Focal component speakers, and Soundstream subs. Way way way better than factory. This was the single biggest weak point when we first got the car.

Hope that helps with some ideas on what to do with making your car better.

cheers,

SerbNerd

Wow fatchance, you got your ride nicely configured from what i can imagine. Do you mind posting some pictures for us to see?

If i do go down the route of changing lots of stuff I want to make sure my car is running perfect before i do any more work.

I'm going to be doing a compression test as I'm losing oil somewhere...hopefully I figure out what it is and get that sorted quick. Also my rear main seal is going as well but only accumulation of oil which is ok for now...as long as its not dripping.

I'm interested in how those C32 brakes look on the car...was it basically a swap and done? All holes line up and so on?

Audio i'm somewhat hessitant on but might go with a new HU for the ipod connection...hate the dumb tape player adapter. Fatchance, did you keep the bose amp?

illest

Re the brakes they look kinda like what I am doing in this thread. C32 brakes take a 345mm rotor and the calipers have //AMG on them, they bolt right up without any mods. I think the smallest wheel you can run with them is a 17.

SerbNerd

Sorry for not being active lately guys, busy with school :/

So fatchance, I think I'm going to be doing dampers and springs in the spring. Do you know what a reasonable price for this would be?

I'd love to get some brabus rims but they're quite a bit of money...one day perhaps.

One thing i still need to get to the bottom of is losing oil, about 2 quarts for 7k miles. Dealer says its the rear main seal but dont believe that too much.

Also has anyone done exhaust cut outs? I'd like to keep to noise down like fatchance said, tis a luxury car, BUT there are times that the V8 needs to be heard clearly. Cut outs maybe then? just an idea still.

Alright guys,
thanks again for all input!

fatchance

Hey Guys,

Sorry, haven't checked the forums a bit.

Yeah, I can take some pics. Probably by the weekend.

As for oil leaks, definitely take care of that. Valve covers leak, the oil filler neck gasket should be replaced. The rear main seal also is known to leak as well, fairly common. Mine drips a little from the rear main seal, but nothing too bad. I hear it's a 1.5 - 2K fix. Transmission needs to be dropped.

As for the C32/C55 caliper clearance, it's pretty tight with the 18s. I don't think you can run anything less than an 18.

Up to you on the need to hear the v8, it makes great noises, but you're right, it is tough to hear.

As for audio, yeah, everything has been replaced including the amps.

Iain430

AMG monoblock alway look good

SerbNerd

All right guys, got me a AMG muffler, resonator delete and x-pipe installed. Posted some pics for everyone to see.

Next jobs are going to be suspension bits + valve cover seals.

A little more about the exhaust. I was initially scared to make the car louder but after installing the new setup...loved it. The sound is obviously deeper but isn't loud. Cruising the car sounds normal like before but when you step on it, just a deep growl. Personally the best sound is between 2k and 3k. I'll post a video maybe later sometimes

Now ideas for suspension! What company and how much lowering?! The H&R spring set looks good but would that be a tad too much? Not sure how much a 1.4 inch would look.

Post ideas!

and AMG monoblocks seem to be the way to go...and body kit hah. Or just get an E55, whatever.

Thanks guys

LuPayE430

K-Sport kontrol pro coilover are good and have a built in camber kit I ordered mine 1200 installed... http://ksportusa.com/products/coilovers/kontrol-pro/

SerbNerd

LuPayE430 can you describe the kit. $1200 is quite a bit to drop

LuPayE430

http://ksportusa.com/products/coilovers/kontrol-pro/

SerbNerd

I'm asking for your description and experience with these coil overs...already read the link. Does it ride hard, soft, etc?

Thanks

LuPayE430

Mines are on the way, so I don't have experience with them but my shop recommended them cuz of the built in camber kit. I read a thread of someone who loved them on his w210 and said the 36 setting damper still gives it a smooth ride or you can stiffen up the ride. Once I install mine I can give you a more personal experience... But either way you lower it you'll need a camber kit, this has I built in and you get the exact height you want. I have read about others not to happy about the results of lowering springs so with all that in mind I figure it's worth it to get it right the first time

LuPayE430

Read this... https://mbworld.org/forums/w210-amg/357523-k-sport-coilovers-installed-pics.html

SerbNerd

Oh man, that E55 is heaven. I'm not sure about the ksport coilovers...I'm interested in seeing what you'll do!



Another idea, what about these brabus monoblock IV's?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300841690497...84.m1423.l2649

Reminds me of the stock E430 rims but for those who know whats what, these are great...and from Brabus. siopaolover has these on an E320 I believe.



BTW: Awesome that there's still people with W210 love....and tons of people willing to help out. Thanks to all!

-Julian

SerbNerd

Guys! Got a nice pair of Monoblock II wooo! 18" 8in and 9in

Also changed the front and rear flex discs as well as the tranny mount and shifting seems to be the same

Anyways, pictures! Sorry for large size...I'll work on that