Alex L

Thought I'd share some pics of my modded 2004 ML55 AMG. Bought her last year bone stock with 52k miles on the clock. Cost a small fortune and almost a year to build! Enjoy.


Inside

- New OEM floor carpet
- Alcantara Headliner and Pillars
- Interior plastic parts colour coded to match alcantara
- OEM AMG Illuminated Door Sills
- BRABUS Aluminium Door Pins
- BRABUS Aluminium Pedal Covers
- BRABUS 5-piece Wood Trim (Instr. Cluster Surround, Cup Holder Covers, Ashtray and Cup Holder Cover at the back)

Outside

- Full respray
- OEM Smoked Tail Lights
- Bosch Aerotwin Rear Wiper

Engine/Power (estimated @ 550 HP)

- KLEEMANN Twin Screw Supercharger
- KLEEMANN Headers and Cat-less Downpipes
- KLEEMANN Sport Camshafts
- KLEEMANN Fuel System
- KLEEMANN De-restricted
- Supersprint Performance Cat Back Exhaust

Suspension/Handling

- H&R Anti-Roll Bars
- BRABUS Sport Suspension
- BRABUS 12-piston Front and 4-piston Rear Brakes
- BRABUS 30mm Wheel Spacers
- BRABUS 22" Monoblock VI Wheels

Videos

Couple of videos from the VMax event:
ML55 v. F430 Scuderia
ML55 v. F430 Scuderia (from inside the ML)
VMax HD

Pictures

AMGTestDriverNJ

Jesus man you put that thing on steroids! W/ all the money you put into it, I have to ask, what made you choose the 163 ML as your platform. I think its great, I'm just curious.

Also, no side runners? Looks great tho, you need to post a few videos of how this thing sounds and looks moving. The Brabus wheel/tire package is gorgeous, but clearly I'm bias haha.

Makes me want to start hunting Brabus/Alcon kits again to modify for the 4Matic. It was enough work to getting custom springs made for it. Is your ML 4Matic?

P.P.S. what pads are you running? I was told by Alcon that the Brabus/Alcon units are only compatible w/a particular type of pad.

Nachtsturm

That is the best looking ML55 I have ever seen. Simply amazing!

Wish I had your nav screen.

SonnyakaPig

Beautiful ML. Very classy.

AKnight55

Sweet.. But with all that money invested I would have gone elsewhere.. Maybe an ML63

Kevwood

Very nice.

discoduck

Those wheels are the best wheels for that truck.

C280 Sport

That is a sweet looking ML. Awsome job. I think this is the only first gen ML I would touch. Its just done right in everyway.

BK63amg

Truck looks great! Call me crazy but I think you could drop that sucker even more!

malahhaor

+1, an inch lower and it would be even better (IMHO)
It looks awesome and i dont even like MLs of those years

Alex L

Thanks for your comments guys.

RE 4Matic. Yes, the W163 ML is a permanent 4 wheel drive.

RE Platform choice. I like the shape of this car. Simple. Not a big fan of 164 ML, besides my wife drives one with quite high spec. I like the new ML W166 though!

RE Suspension. The car is in daily use so lowering further is not an option. Been there done that, slammed ride on W163 ML sucks. Went with something that's been designed, tested and approved for my car (BRABUS suspension that is) and quite happy with it!

55fanatic

I ran my ML55 as bout as low as possible and the ride sucked something awful...

after I sold it I thought about having a set of custom Torsion bars made for it so that it could go lower with out bouncing around

55fanatic

beautiful truck btw! Looks so tall though

JAYCL600

Amazing ML55!!! Did Kleemann give you feedback on the strength of the drive train?

BenzoBoi

Beautifully modded! Must be a beast!

blackbenzz

Wow that's Badass with awd

big dogger

Ive seen this before, but again, Alex, sick truck, never get sick of seeing those pics. I especially love the headliner. I thoroughly agree with your choice of platform. Sure he could have gotten a 63, but his truck is a one of kind due to all the mods he did, and he still hangs with the performance of the 63. I like the 63s too, but his modded 55 is just so much more interesting. I like the w163 body style better too. Plus I know my truck so well, id love to be able to hang on to it and do what you did. IVe done a few things, and Im more then happy with the stock HP, although Id love to add like 30-50hp. The supercharger and all those other mods are way out of my budget right now. Im jealous.

big dogger

Can I ask what the Brabus sport suspension set you back? Im assuming that is for Rear springs and shocks all around correct? Do you fine the front end real bouncy with the torsion bars adjusted lower? Id image you get almost the same ride as going with other springs, as the the front is the same, lowered torsion bar adjustment. Ive been considering lowering mine like 1.5" with Eibachs or H&RS on OEM shocks but IVe heard the front gets real bouncy since the torsion bars are loosened.

AMGJared

The most tastefully done W163 that I've ever seen. Bravo.

big dogger

Do those aluminum door pins install over the stock or do you remove the stock ones? I ask this because the rear ones do not come off or did you only do the front?

Alex L

Sorry big dogger, I've only noticed your messages now. Pls see below.

Brabus suspension was about £1300. Suspension and sway bars was my favourite mod. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the power but how the car handled was outstanding, no bouncing at all.

They screw in instead of the plastic ones. You can only do fronts as rears are the part of the cable and are not removable. Unscrew the front plastic ones, screw the aluminium in.

Gardus

Amazing pictures and great mods...PM for you!

EVOII_Racer

dude you ml55 is f amazing congrats. I didnt have the ***** to kleemanize it... Not only it must be freakin quick it looks sick! How does the ml cope with the hp and torque?

3WD

Simply Amazing!!!!

BryanW203

Beautiful truck, makes me miss my 02 55.