zindallas

Post pics of your W or C 140's on this thread. I bet folks would be interested in seeing everyone's cars...I know I would.

When you post tell us a little about the car, year, model (if not obvious from pic), aftermarket upgrades, anything else you think we'd like to know.

Thanks!

Z

zindallas

Ok, I'll start us off.

Mine is a 98 CL 600. Just purchased last Fall, so 5 years old, but new to me. I swapped the standard 16" chrome rims for 18" staggered AMGs and upgraded the stereo to Alpine (new changer, head unit, component speakers, 5-way amp and sub in trunk). That's all the mods so far.

Z

///S320

heres mine!

zindallas

Nice!

An early 90's S320? (guessing from your name and two-tone paint).

Any mods?

Z

///S320

Hi Z,
Its a 96 S320V. Ive had it from few years. Mostly a weekend car. No mods so far except i have the s600 grill in front (not in this pic).

ychachad

Here is my S420. It has modified air intakes, K&N filters, and Bosch platinum +4 so far. 73,000 miles. Waiting for new 18" rims, and new performance chips.

ychachad

hey S320, do you want to sell the black plastic license plate mount that is under your grille?

///S320

Hey Ychachad,
Actually the black thing you see is paint that i used to cover my license plate. I used ms paint! Anyways, i would like to help you out, are you asking about the mount thats part of the bumper or the mount under which you put ure plates in?

///S320

zindallas

ychachad,

Have you noticed a performance difference from your mods? I haven't done anything to mine yet, do you have any recommendations as to where to start?

Z

ychachad

S320,
Thanks for the reply. I am inquiring about the plastic part that is attached to the bumber, the plastic part that I would attach the license plate to. Does that make sense? I am looking for the license plate mount. Thanks.

ychachad

Hello Zindallas,

To be honest, when you have such a big heavy car, little gains in power , if any, translate to big or measurable differences in the response of the machine.

For example, I changed to K&N not for power, but for longevity and long term savings due to a washable filter. It sounds a bit louder, and the horsepower gain is purely psychological, unless you match it with a tuner chip and new exhaust, then trust me it matters. Also be ready for a drop in gas mileage with a complete change. I have seen that in my Infiniti G20.

I changed to Bosch Platinum +4, since the plugs I has were original, or had no record of change. If I were going to remove the stock metal plugs, which wear out every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, why not put Platinum +4 which I know have lasted me 100,000 miles in my Infiniti. The car instantly ran smoother. But the car did not run any smoother than it was supposed to the day it was designed, I just got rid of a worn out plug, and fixed a problem. Again no appreciable gain in HP, or mileage.

I regret modifying the air intakes as posted here on the forums, because in hard rain, it let water into my engine which abruptly caused the car to stall and left me stranded along with wife and kids. I promptly fixed the problem, with a lot of cash and heartache. Made me sick, and scared. I thought the car was dead and would have to be totalled. I cannot afford $35,000 US for a new engine.

I hope that helps. This may not be the answer many people want to hear, but it is the truth. Most gains are ambitious claims from forum members, and not reality. But there is nothing wrong with that. Again you may see 2 HP gains here and there with each modification, but it is the philosophy that matters. I can throw away the floor mats, and it will make my car lighter, but will I feel it? Unless I throw away my floor mats, I won't throw away my rear seats to see the truly big gains. (By the way I did that on my 1987 Toyota Celica GT, eliminated rear seats, floor mats, and inside trim except dash, and truly what a difference) So you see, every bit counts. Unless you get small gains you will not look for big gains. I was crazy 10 years ago. I would not recommend radical changes to a truly classic S420 W140 Big Benz.

Thanks for your time,
Dr. Y. Chachad.

G-baby

This is the only pic i have of the S 500 right now...i will post better pics soon

wmak8

Modifying the air intakes can let water into the engine? Has this happened to anyone else? I am not doubting ychachad but just wondering. I was about to try that mod.

zindallas

G-baby,

Nice collection of German metal!

Definitely would like to see some more shots of the S.

Z

zindallas

Dr. Y,

Thanks for your reply. I've limited myself to cosmetic mods so far and would like to explore performance centered ones. Sounds like the basic low$ quick fixes have added little in your experience.

I'd be interested in hearing your (or anyone else's) experience with performance chips. On the surface at least seems like a good bang for the buck early mod.

Z

Mark Pedersen

I tried the performance chips on my late 95 S600 Coupe. Turns out from late 95 on the computer system is different and the chips won't work. I am going to investigate exhaust mods for horsepower after I do the same on my 560SEC.

Stefano

My buddy at work is one of those import racers guys who keeps telling me to change my intake, but I never believed that it would do much for my S . So one day we went out to the Parking lot for lunch, and he took his intake off his Toyota and forced the filter on to the end of my airflow meter. And we took the car out for a spin.” Holy ****” what a difference I would have to say at least 10 to 15 HP difference. Yea It was much throatier sounding but there was obvious Horse Power going on here. It actually spun the rear tires out of the drive way and chirped them in 2nd..I was never able to do that from a dead stop on a dry road from the same drive way.. I have 255 z rated in the rear too. I never had a problem with Water on the intake but Its not modified as a cold air intake so its high up on the engine.. I did tried bosch platinum + 4 prongs despite what the tuners say, and I would have to agree with them. I took them out and put the Oem plugs that are suppose to go in the car, and it seems to Feel better to me. My next goal is to get a chip. I m hesitant due to the reliability factor and that’s straight from the manufactures mouth. But I may chance it.

ychachad

Zindalas,

In the good old days, I purchased a chip in Japan for my Nissan Primera AKA Infiniti G20. Did it feel better? well yes, when you get a claimed 15 HP on a small engine, I could feel the difference. So I measured it. The difference was about 1 second. I revved the engine, popped the clutch, etc, etc, all the things you do if you want to destroy the car. Never tried it again. I tell you my fuel mileage dropped. Hence it has to make more power. Is it worth it? You have to decide. But it made ME feel better. I don't hot-rod race my S420 (it is in mint condition), and I would be reluctant to put a chip in there that has no proven benefits, but could cause several things to "burn out" or malfunction. Again, not worth the risk. In retrospect, better fuel economy translates to better performance. Do you want the 10HP or so from a chip that you cannot feel on a heavy car, and do you want a drop in your gas mileage, that you can feel everytime you pump up? Think about it. I suggest you change brakes pads. You can get better lap times from better brakes, than you can get from 10 HP with a new chip. I have Brembo pads, what a diff. Change your wheels, I have not, yet, but waiting for the $$$. BTW, how much did you guys pay for your rides? I paid $19K for my 1995 S420w/70 K miles, mint condition, one original owner who was 70 years old. He kept it in mint condition and dealer maintained.

I would not recommend a new chip in an S-class, although I said earlier I wanted one. I spent a little time thinking in the last couple of days that made me change my mind.

Y. Chachad

Zindalas wrote:

Thanks for your reply. I've limited myself to cosmetic mods so far and would like to explore performance centered ones. Sounds like the basic low$ quick fixes have added little in your experience.

I'd be interested in hearing your (or anyone else's) experience with performance chips. On the surface at least seems like a good bang for the buck early mod.

wmak8

Here's mine

cjharris98

Here is a shot of my S420 with bilstein shocks and 18" AMGs wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE050.

ychachad

CJHARRIS,
those AMG wheels make the car look absolutely superb!!!
Y. Chachad

cjharris98

Thanks. They came off a friends new CL500.

Mercedescl600

Heres the only pic of mine i got right now. Ill have Plenty more in a few months.

ychachad

CL600,
That is one meeeeeean looking Benz. Mean looking Supra too, although I am not a Supra looks fan, but I thoroughly admire its performance. For sheer looks, I believe the final episode Mazda RX-7 was the baddest car ever to come out of Japan.
Y. Chachad

cjharris98

Agreed, that coupe looks killer with the SL side cladding and those wheels.

I've seen Supras like yours at the Pomona street legal drag racing running in the 11's with few modifications. Nice cars!