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To start this thread I would like to thank Joshinator99 for providing his experience and insight from his perpetually improving ML63. I purchased an Iridium Silver ML63 with gray interior off BAT a month ago. The vehicle has 51K, Florida car, and overall is in unsurprising condition. I say unsurprising because I assumed there would be plenty of potential work or gremlins to sort out. My assumptions were correct and this is the golden opportunity for a local independent Mercedes shop to earn a new client for the long term. So far I have asked them to change ALL of the fluids and troubleshoot a stumble during idle. Also, I asked them to assess overall condition of the vehicle knowing it likely needed suspension work. Lots of bushings, both upper control arms, etc. are being replaced. Water pump was leaking, so replacing it and thermostat. Misfire on a couple of coil packs, so I'm replacing all of them along with new plugs. Head bolts were an unknown, so getting upgraded if old style. Installing the 63 Motorsports cam phaser street kit and replacing the cam followers with the M159 Black spec. The magnesium intake manifold shows minor corrosion so I will clean it up and apply Bonderite M-CR Magnesium Aero Chromate Conversion Coating to protect the magnesium from further oxidation. After we reset to a fresh baseline, will address wheels and tires, and replace the disgusting lug bolts with ECS titanium's. Several areas on the wheels will need to be cleaned up and probably sent for refinishing before installing fresh rubber. Overall, the paint is pretty good. There are a couple of areas that will need to be professionally resprayed, then will have XPEL clear bra applied. If everything continues to improve will probably install the Supersprint cat back system w/resonators like Joshinator99's. One interesting note is the steering wheel adjustment works fine up/down, but not in/out. I can hear the motor driving, just no action. Will dig into that at a later date.
Originally Posted by TheWichitaKid;[url=tel:9054176
9054176[/url]]To start this thread I would like to thank Joshinator99 for providing his experience and insight from his perpetually improving ML63. I purchased an Iridium Silver ML63 with gray interior off BAT a month ago. The vehicle has 51K, Florida car, and overall is in unsurprising condition. I say unsurprising because I assumed there would be plenty of potential work or gremlins to sort out. My assumptions were correct and this is the golden opportunity for a local independent Mercedes shop to earn a new client for the long term. So far I have asked them to change ALL of the fluids and troubleshoot a stumble during idle. Also, I asked them to assess overall condition of the vehicle knowing it likely needed suspension work. Lots of bushings, both upper control arms, etc. are being replaced. Water pump was leaking, so replacing it and thermostat. Misfire on a couple of coil packs, so I'm replacing all of them along with new plugs. Head bolts were an unknown, so getting upgraded if old style. Installing the 63 Motorsports cam phaser street kit and replacing the cam followers with the M159 Black spec. The magnesium intake manifold shows minor corrosion so I will clean it up and apply Bonderite M-CR Magnesium Aero Chromate Conversion Coating to protect the magnesium from further oxidation. After we reset to a fresh baseline, will address wheels and tires, and replace the disgusting lug bolts with ECS titanium's. Several areas on the wheels will need to be cleaned up and probably sent for refinishing before installing fresh rubber. Overall, the paint is pretty good. There are a couple of areas that will need to be professionally resprayed, then will have XPEL clear bra applied. If everything continues to improve will probably install the Supersprint cat back system w/resonators like Joshinator99's. One interesting note is the steering wheel adjustment works fine up/down, but not in/out. I can hear the motor driving, just no action. Will dig into that at a later date.
Nice, glad to see another well-loved M156 ML63! You’re off to a great start and looking forward to learning from some of the challenges you overcome as you bring this beauty up to speed. Good luck and keep posting updates! 👍
Here is an update on my ML63. It's officially getting serious with this one, and the engine is out for access. I ordered the 63 Motorsport cam phaser kits to get out ahead of any issues at a later date and their products are absolutely top notch! I knew I probably had suspect head bolts and they were just that. During the replacement with new parts using the 1:1 in/out technique the third one snapped. It is obvious that salt air/humidity from Florida life were unkind to metal components. The magnesium intake manifold is literally turning to dust in several areas, particularly from dissimilar metal corrosion. Luckily, I was able to buy a NOS AMG replacement. Engine had a slight misfire due to a couple of weak coil packs, so new coils, plugs going in. Fuel injectors replaced as were showing evidence of leaking duty cycles, and a lot of carbon build up in the intake/inlet runners/valve seats. Since all the cams were out we'll replace the followers with the Black Series M159 units which are supposed to be less sticky. Driver side motor mount was leaking fluid so both getting replaced. Lots of new hoses, seals, etc. getting replaced for age concerns. New OEM water pump and coolant tank too. Several suspension bushings and control arms are being replaced with OEM Lemforder pieces. The alignment is suspect with some heavy wear on the outer edge of the driver front tire. After the dust settles with this maintenance event I will get it to the Benzo dealer for an alignment and 4 new tires. Vehicle came with one key so will have them program a new replacement as well.
Wow…that got super serious really quick! Kudos to you for doing it right…definitely dropping some serious cash on this but should be running like a champ when done.
I picked up the ML63 from my new independent shop yesterday and am very pleased. There was a lot of work accomplished there and everything seems to be working as expected. With all the cylinder head work that was done, including the M159 cam followers, I will take it easy for 1100 miles to allow everything to break in. After I can run some speed, will run some carbon cleaning treatments through. I dropped it off at the AMG dealer this morning for new tires and a 4 wheel alignment post all the suspension bushes and arms being replaced. Radio only plays CD's, so need to figure out why no radio function. Steering wheel telescoping doesn't work, but Up/Down does. Lots of little things to sort out.
I was able to have the vehicle aligned and four new Michelin Latitude HP's installed and balanced. What an improvement! Interestingly, my new, dealer provided key does not seem to be recognized by the keyless go function. The dealership told me that replacement keys sometimes don't work with it. Did not seem like a very helpful explanation, particularly with the cost of a original key. I will do some research on this, and welcome any input.
Originally Posted by TheWichitaKid;[url=tel:9073847
9073847[/url]]I was able to have the vehicle aligned and four new Michelin Latitude HP's installed and balanced. What an improvement! Interestingly, my new, dealer provided key does not seem to be recognized by the keyless go function. The dealership told me that replacement keys sometimes don't work with it. Did not seem like a very helpful explanation, particularly with the cost of a original key. I will do some research on this, and welcome any input.
I believe that the Keyless Go versions of our fobs are no longer available. If memory serves I believe I bought one of the last ones available when I bought my second key last year (2023). Maybe @C43 Fun Haver can comment since he ordered it for me.
Got the Super Sprint exhaust fitted the other day. I used the same resonated vs. non-resonated package Joshinator used. I'm very pleased with the quality, fitment, sound, and appearance! The old girl even got a first bath in the hangar. Wheel wells and other nooks were pretty gross with old decayed leaves and junk. We normally have a very clean floor and what you see in the pictures is after I had already rinsed once. Yuck. I used the opportunity to start refreshing the black exterior trim and seals - lots of fading and dry rubber. Headliner fabric will need to be replaced soon - sagging and stained. Received my new tail light seals and will get them changed in case old are leakers. Wheels need to get refinished and headlights need to be polished. We've had lousy weather so will hold off on having the paint work done until the shops clear out the damage work flooding in from the usual winter wrecks.
Stock wheels are going to be sent out for refinishing with Megan at Midwest Wheel & Tire in Auburn Hills, Michigan. I will post pictures after I get them back and get new TPMS sensors installed. These are the current condition. Not bad, but definitely not good!
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
