I love the Forgestar F14 they look amazing and I really like your black setup on that car, I completely agree they are forged and great for the price without having to spend 15k on a set of wheels like HRE or apparently the no-longer ****ty ADV.1 camp

 

I dislike the rear height because its such a pain to readjust. Btw, I have BC coilovers.

 

Any other options other then led because I have a reverse cam installed

 

Busted my knuckles changing my transfer case fluid.. Oh yea installed a reverse cam to

 

Yes, please. I need to tackle mine.

 

Where is your camera connected to, command?

 

Yes, I have ntg2.5, I retrofitted the comand over the summer myself with help from a few members on the forum.

 

Ok, I will work on writing it up and will have it posted in the next few days.

Robert

 

We need pics and a write up!

 

On the camera or the comand retrofit?

 

I replaced the passenger side mirror indicator light. Wasn't easy either. The youtube videos didn't seem to have electric folding mirrors. Mine does and there was a plastic cover, which had to be removed when the mirror was folded in. Only then, could I dislodge the clip and remove the cover to replace the indicator.

I also changed a license plate bulb no more malfunction.

 

Both please. Should be a sticky thread.

 

Replaced OE high beams with Philips CrystalVision Ultra H7 bulbs. WOW!!!! So much more light. Amazing improvement. Got them from Amazon for $22.23 the pair (and paid a couple of bucks more than a Marketplace vendor so I could be sure they were authentic buying direct from Amazon). Completely worth it. They aren't as white as the HID Cystalvision Ultra D2S bulbs in the low beams, but they are about as white as I imagine incandescent bulbs can be, and more importantly they really illuminate everything, unlike the HIDs, unfortunately, which look a lot cooler than they actually perform.

Replaced the parking/city light bulbs in the high-beam housing with Sylvania LeDriving 2825 bulb. Nice and white, but occasionally tripped the CANbus and gave me bulb out warnings. Also flickered very bright -- like i wish it would stay, then went to a dim mode probably equivalent to how the incandescent bulbs are lit -- dimly. "Plug and play" says Sylvania -- well, kinda, but really not working as I would wish. People might start pulling over in front of me thinking I had police strobes in there. So out they came, to be replaced with Sylvania 2825 Silverstars. These are a lot whiter than the OE bulbs, but they are not "white". At least they work properly and are white enough (maybe 3200K) that they don't detract from the appearance of the other bulbs.

Finally, replaced the factory fog light bulbs. Initially bought Crystalvision Ultra 9006's. This is what Sylvania's chart, Amazon, everyone, frankly, say is the right bulb for the 2004 E500. WRONG. Apparently yes for the AMG, but not for we civilians. The correct fitment is in fact the H11, which I discovered when the 9006s wouldn't fit and I examined the writing on the almost-identical-looking bulb I pulled out of the bumper. OOPS. It was an H11. So much for the "authoritative" Sylvania chart. I didn't want to wait for Amazon to send me CrystalVision Ultra H11s, so I went over to Advance and bought the Silverstar Ultra H11s. They said the the zXe H11s (which weren't in stock) were whiter (4200K vs 4000K), but that these had more light output. They're appreciably-whiter than the OE fog lights, but again not as white as the HIDs. And while they have decent light output, they aren't SUPER-bright. They should be comparable to the CrystalVision ones, so I guess they are as good as I'm going to get.

So to recap, she is now sporting CrystalVision Ultra high-beams, which are AWESOME, Silverstar parking lights, which are necessary and look nice (but may get replaced with expensive flicker-free LEDs down the road), and SilverStar Ultra H11 fogs, which were a nice-enough upgrade.

And I have the scratches on my hands to prove my love for this car.

Oh, and she has had a lot of work since early December:

New IGNITER for left HID headlight (part from dealer -- ugh -- like $260, installed cheap by Pep Boys).
New Crystalvision Ultra 5000K HID D2S bulbs on both sides. (140.64 the pair at Amazon)
Remanufactured ProStart from Pep Boys ALTERNATOR with lifetime warranty ($146+1 hr labor) (runs great!)(Bosch core, claim Bosch-remanufactured)
New Fuji MAP SENSOR (in an Intermotor box from Pep Boys) (about $60; I know, too much)
New Intermotor EGR VALVE from Pep Boys ($133 -- could have bought the Pierburg OEM one from PartsGeek for $20 less, or the Intermotor from them for $30 less, but I was in a hurry...)
4-Step Fuel System Cleaning ($100-ish at Pep Boys)
New Engine Air Filters (OEM ones from Pep Boys for $88 w/free install since I complained b/c the Mann ones are way less at Amazon)
Oil Change -- $110 at Pep Boys using my Hengst Fleece Filter ($11-ish at Amazon) and their Mobil 1 Euro 0W-40
4-wheel Alignment ($89 at Pep Boys)
New Serpentine Belt (free belt and install at Pep Boys because I complained about the prices on the Map Sensor and EGR Valve)
State Inspection (at Pep Boys)
New Cabin Air Charcoal Filter ($21.38 at Amazon, installed myself)
Check car stem-to-stern and neaten up Pep Boys' work by reinsulating and wire-tying certain wires (my fabulous local Indy, Michael Singh at Cove Tire, Glen Cove, LI)
Replace 2 sway bar links and bent bushings on stab bar (squeaking bushings on all)($100 each OE MB parts on ebay from my NYC dealer incognito plus two FEBEST stabilizer bar bushings ($40) plus $315 to my Indy for labor)
Brake Fluid Flush and Exchange ($200 at MB Dealer using Valvoline Professional Extra-Dry DOT4)
Transfer Case Flush and Replace Fluid ($400 labor at MB Dealer plus $68 for two bottles of MB Transfer Case Fluid): Totally eliminated chattering in transfer case that had been going on for 8 years and other dealer called normal
Straighten ($85) and Refinish ($50) all four bent wheels on car, and free Road Force Balance tires. (Al's Hubcap, Mineola, LI -- awesome workmanship)

The new wheels look great and don't vibrate at all, the new sway bar links make a huge difference in handling (which was great to begin with), and the transfer case repair is a relief after years of annoying chattering. It's like a brand-new car, and I am so happy, despite the hit to the pocketbook. I can't imagine what the dealer would have charged to do all this...

(PS I would have had Michael do all the work Pep Boys did, but I was stuck in NYC and didn't need the car and Pep Boys was right over the bridge and a State Inspection was days away with the check engine light on, so they got the work. And they did a decent job at a decent price, but I always give it to Michael when I can because he does amazing work at a fair price, is scrupulously-honest, and, unlike Pep Boys, gets it done when he says it will be done and gives the car and me personal attention.)

 

Did the service last weekend, changed the oil and got a list of other items. Today saw new air filters, cabin air filters, and a new serp. belt. Basic maintenance on these cars is actually not so bad. I changed the belt on my ML the same day, and there is a lot less room to work on the front of that motor.

 

Last weekend gave it a good cleaning and today had the AC serviced due to it being noisy (turns out it only had 635 gr of coolant instead of 950 gr like it's supposed to).

Best regards,

Vigoras

 

Just one quick detailing....



Just one quick detailing....

 

Good freaking job dude! That looks beautiful!

 

Can I use these bolts to adjust the front too?

 

pretty sure camber bolts only work on the front or the rear.. can't remember which

they do however offer after market camber arms? a little pricey though

 

Which Pep Boys location and who's the best guy there? I live in FH Queens. Thanks

 

I took it to the Long Island City one, which is in a new location. Eric is the service manager and he's a outgoing, gregarious guy and a bit of a hustler (in sort of a good way, wanting to get stuff in and out). They do a lot of stuff at that location that other Pep Boys don't seem to do (like change whole engines for corporate customers' work vans, fix transmissions on stuff like Kias, etc.). They have some good mechanics, who are there primarily on the morning-to-afternoon shift on weekdays. There are a couple of good service advisors, too, Lee, Oliver and Kim, who are very helpful, but they seem to schedule them randomly. One thing to be sure to do: look at all parts prices online, and then object when they try to mark them up 50-percent on the service side over what they charge at their own parts window. Actually don't object in a mean way. They will always detail every part and every labor charge in writing before they start work, so just say, "Okay, I'm not paying that for that part. I'll go get it from your parts window." When they try to say that they don't sell it in the store for the online price, again call BS on that, because it isn't true. Or just stand there and order it online and walk 10 feet to pick it up. They charge for labor, so it's totally bull that they mark the parts up 50%, especially given that they will happily install parts that you bring to them. So if they have the part in stock, check the price they quote against the online price, then request the online price. You may or may not get it, but all Pep Boys managers are paranoid about customer complaints, because the chain takes them very seriously, and also takes very seriously its pledge to always beat everyone else on price by at least 5 percent. They are immune to people screaming at them, because it's LICity, but they do respond to a nice but firm discussion as to price. In fact, I seem to be treated especially well there because I am unfailingly polite to them, but politely stand my ground. this particular location is brand new, replacing one that was across the street about a block away, & I guess now will be developed into something else. They have 8 spots for cars, and they're always very busy, but the place is clean, they have free coffee and a brand new TV in the waiting room, and you can look through the windows and watch them work on your car, which can be fun.

Of course, to avoid all this, you can get on the LIE and drive to Exit 39, and go to Cove Tire in Sea Cliff, and get Michael Singh to look at it (or call ahead and talk to him). He is an excellent, talented mechanic and service advisor, and you'll get personal service, a $105/hr labor rate, and a guy who never ever tries to sell you more than you need (i.e. I have to ASK him to replace both left and right light bulbs, or put two new tires on instead of one,, because he's not going to put the pair in if the other one is still okay). If you tell him that you want to use very good parts but not necessarily dealer parts, he will understand and get you excellent stuff at excellent prices. He really works to find reliable, affordable sources of quality parts. For example, when he did a rear brake job on my E500, I told him that I wanted OE-quality, but I didn't see the need to use MB dealer parts. He used Textar brake rotors and pads (which are OE on BMW and Porsche), in a nice yellow box from Germany, that are coated so they don't rust like the MB ones, and did the whole job for less than Pep Boys wanted for their ProStop brakes. You can't beat that.

PS if you do you get your oil changed at Pep Boys, they do not carry the Mann fleece filter, but they do carry the Purolator Classic L25277, which is a Mann fleece filter in a Purolator Classic box, which makes sense since Mann owns Purolator. Specify that and you'll get a great filter at a good price. They do carry Mobil 1 0W-40 Euro.

 

Took my dear 2006 W211 for annual maintenance yesterday. Nothing surprise me anymore on this engineering marvel. After a 2 hours review by the mechanic, his report. Oil change, oil filter , Air filter, ..... then turns out the oil leak on the gasket are due to cam cover deformation which according to the mechanic is common with the W211 so replaced them both with new one plus gasket kit. My SBC had a few incident of locking by itself recently and after a computer diagnosis a new SBC unit replacement is recommended. Total bill US$3500.

 

^Sorry to hear that, never known that to be a W211 issue - do you have an E320 or E500? Welcome to the forums.

 

Washed and detailed her this weekend.

 

Brushed 6" of snow off of it .