komp55

Last week it was snagging a ML63 factory exhaust off of Craigslist. Yesterday, I took delivery of my new ML63 lower rear bumper trim panel with larger exhaust openings to accomodate the beautiful quad tip exhaust. Over the weekend, I spent some time cleaning up the exhausts, including polishing the tips.

Here's a couple of shots of the parts:






Next step is to haul the trim panel off to the paint shop for painting to match the color. I can't wait to do the install.

AMGC60-3

You will need to post some before and after shots, please.

GateKeeper

I think the tips need a little bit more polishing......

just kidding, looks good, keep us posted as the project goes along

Chris The Swede

Update? Pics?

komp55

Yes. Over the weekend, I had an oppotunity to mount and balance the new tires that arrived from Tire Rack on the 20" AMG wheels I found on eBay awhile back. Washed the ML and took a few shots showing the finished project consisting of converting the ML550's exhaust to the ML63 quad tip exhaust, and mounting the 20" rims which are fitted with 295/40/20 tires. I could not be happier with the result. The exhaust adds power to an already strong engine due to a huge reduction in backpressure, and the ride is improved on the larger tires - just feels more stable. IMHO, the ML550 configured this way is just about PERFECT!!!!!

The exhaust sounds perfect, and the 20" AMG rims are a huge improvement over the rather bland appearing 19" rims the ML came from the factory with. Share my joy:

Chris The Swede

Very nice....

BruNo

now all you need are Fender Flares.

are you selling the stock amg rear panel?

komp55

I looked into the flares, but it doesn't need them IMO.

Yes, the stock rear lower panel is for sale. $125 plus shipping.

jon2002

That looks awesome. Makes me want the Ml63 wheels even more. I think it looks perfectly fine without fender flares.

Do you have a picture from the front or rear to display the width of those tires?

komp55

Not yet, but give me a few days and I'll shoot some for you. Tires are Continental Extreme Contact DWS in 295/40/20. They definitely stuff the wheel wells without looking silly.

C-rod

Very nice my friend....................I miss my "modding days".......May l ask the price of the lower bumper piece.................I would consider this............Would I be able to get away with just removing the dual tips and replacing it with the quad set-up and then adding the lower 63 bumper ???????

komp55

I don't know for sure about the 2011 model year, but assuming it uses the same exhaust set-up as the '08 - '10 ML550's, then you have two ways to go. Under either option, unless you're willing to hack the rear bumper lower trim piece to make enough of an opening to fit the quad tips, you should substitute the equivalent piece from the same model year ML63 and have it painted to match your vehicle. Installing the lower trim piece is a rather simple DIY project for those so inclined. The lower panel for mine was about $375 plus painting.

As for the quad exhaust, there is an accessory set of very pricey AMG quad exhaust tips you can purchase and substitute for the existing single tip on the R & L side exhausts. The advantage of this approach is its simplicity, but the downside is that the ML550 exhaust system is very restrictive, with significant areas of crimped pipes, as well as having smaller diameter exhaust piping and no exhaust note to speak of, so all you gain is the appearance of the quad tips. The more optimal approach, IMO, is to replace the rear exhaust pieces with the ML63 mufflers. Larger pipe diameters, mandrel bent tubing (no crimps), and better sound. I got lucky and found a used ML63 exhaust that I installed. The better flowing exhaust was immediately evident the first time on stomped on the big M273's throttle after finishing the install. And it sounds just right - not too loud, but enough to satisfy auditory types like myself. Go for it; you will not be disappointed!

C-rod

For your advice..............the lower bumper piece seems reasonable, but finding the ML63 exhaust system would be difficult. That was quite a find for you...........congratulations........it is a wonder up-grade !!!!!!!!!!!

komp55

Yeah, it was lucky finding a take-off used ML63 exhaust set. If you decide to do the "tip" upgrade approach, you can get AMG quad ML tips, MB accessory part number B66030870 through your local MB dealer. I'm planning to own my ML for quite some while, so the enjoyment factor of the two mods I did, versus the cost, made it well worth doing the mods for me. I've wasted a lot more $$$$ on other mods on other vehicles in the past and not been nearly as happy with the results of doing these two easy, simple mods on the ML550.

komp55

Finally took some pics.

Front:



Rear:



The wider tires give the vehicle a muscular stance without being silly.

jon2002

Looks good. Honestly the 20" AMG wheels (same wheels oem on the R63) on my ML550 look nearly identical to those ML63 wheels, except those ML63 wheels have better offset and width. Probably similar enough that my wife wouldnt even notice if i were to change them.

You mentioned you bought them off ebay, were they brand new take offs, or a remanufactured set? I'm having a difficult time finding anything but remanufactued sets.

Do you have any vibrations/shimmy at high speeds? 75-95mph?

Thanks!

komp55

Fortunately my wife highly endorsed my getting the better rims / tires for the ML.

They are genuine MB accessory wheels, part no. B66031084. I was very lucky finding these since the eBay seller had upgraded to the 21" version of this same style on his ML63.

I mounted tires and ForceMatched them, which is an advanced Hunter GSP9700 procedure that matches the individual tires to the individual rims to achieve the overall lowest road force variation, on the entire set. The wheels, even in their used condition, had virtually no run-out issues, and I was able to achieve overall force variation results on each assembly well below the normal spec for even passenger cars. These ride like the ML is on glass.

betrezra

Looks GREAT!

My trusty old 07ml500 could use an upgrade, but I keep holding back. It does have a renntake intake, but that's it right now.

Again great final product! You have an eye for style that is correct, and NOT over the top.

AMGC60-3

Wow, that looks fantastic, your mods look great and make sense, really nice job.

AMGC60-3

I just noticed that your tires are the same that I want, are you happy with them? And are your wheels 20x10?

komp55

Wheels are AMG 20x10s, and yes, so far very happy with the Continental DWS's.

DHI

Time for oem amg fender flares for the full muscular effect.
Subtle but effective.

Great job!!

Kman3966

Hey Komp55
Do your front tires stick out past the upper fender (needing fender flairs) or is it flush.
Looks Great!

komp55

They're pretty much flush. I considered the factory fender flares, but it doesn't need them and IMO, looks better without them.

V12toHybrid

looks great. very nice mod. you are so lucky to have found one on craigslists.