02Drunkenup

I own a 2002 S430, in white, that I inherited from my father. The first few drives I was very satisfied with the car, but recently I've felt it needs some kind of revival. It currently does not have the AMG body kit, and has the generally depressing 16" wheels. I've put away some cash for this and what I've posted here for is to see what you guys would get I'd you wanted to add a good 50-100 horses to it. I only want to do engine upgrades and I'm aiming at a max of 3k USD to spend.

So what I have in mind is a pair of K&N air filters, Kleeman high flow headers and a Kleeman upgraded ECU. That should be giving me in excess of 40 more hp, at about 2.5 grand. I'm aiming at about 400 peak horsepowers, so if anyone can suggest a alternative approach to this for less, please help.

nenad16

hate to burst your bubble, but 50-100hp for under $3K is wishful thinking. only way you can achieve that would be a supercharger, kleemann one costs around $10K and can add up to 100hp. depending on your location, you can always find a turbo/sc shop that has experience with benzes, and have them custom fit and tune a centrifugal supercharger, that may cost you less than kleemann, and the hp gains may vary.

tusabes

Forget the headers and ECU.

Here is a proven combination that will SOUND AND FEEL like 100 extra HP (though youll be lucky to see 20 extra) and cost less than $500 total-

Sprint Booster, KN and resonator delete.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sjlsMykBPc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmtIOiUj1XQ

02Drunkenup

Yeah I'm really interested in the KN filters, but I did consider deleting the resonators, but I keep hearing people say that the overall quality goes down, even though it brings out a throaty sound, you get tons of other nuances like the droning sound when the highway and what not. I'm still looking for a mid-50hp upgrade, trying to get S500 numbers out of. Right now I'm considering a supercharger on the cheap, but if theres another way I get can get a good 350-400 hp out of it, that would be satisfying.

i_am_amused

Isn't the S500 rated at 302HP?

Also, why not sell the 430 and buy a 500? The 3K in your mod budget could make up the difference. Unless the 430 has sentimental value, which I would certainly understand.

02Drunkenup

Well far before I found out the M113 series engine didn't really have alot of options in it to upgrade to, I was aiming at S55-like performance, low-5 second 0-60s, that AMG touch. So now, I'm considering trading the 430 and buying a post-facelift 55 with alot of miles in it. The problem with that might be the fact that its a 430 (duh), its a 02', and its third owner. The upside is, it only has about 78k miles on it, so I'm aiming at a S55 with about 100k+ miles on it.

Quadcammer

even with the low mileage, the value is very depressed. The S55 will be cheap as well, but you're looking at a delta of at least $10k I'd say, if not a little more.

I'd personally shoot for a sport package S600

classyS

inherit?? sentimental or not.. in the end, dad would want u to just be happy, the money u saved up around 3-4k - sell the 02' s430 and together with money saved you could own a s600 sport or s55 amg =)

malahhaor

the guys are right, getting 50 HPs will be hard w/o forced induction.
You will need headers and entire exhaust done, intake (filters and CF box), possibly throttle body as well, ECU, pulleys. That all may, just may get you 30, but will cost about 5K if not more.
If you are ok with selling the car, get a 500 and do an intake and ECU, should not run you more than 1K. that will get you 315HPs (on a good day with tail wind). Not 350-400 but that's the best solution to stay in small budget.

tusabes

Let me ask you WHY DO YOU CARE ABOUT NUMBERS? Numbers are meaningless and only suitable for bragging rights and online posts.

Its experiencing an actual Upgraded changed feel/performance that is noticeable when you drive.

Instead of dismissing my recommendation (which is a PROVEN combination to dramatically change the feel, sound and performance of your car for under $500) why not try it out. See if it makes you happy.

If it doesnt, you can have the resonators welded back in by the muffler shop for $50 and sell the Sprint Booster on ebay. Your total cost to "test" these upgrades would probably be under $100. Its foolish to dismiss them without even trying.

Also if you think of things like changing cars, that has a substantial transaction cost (esp considering sales tax etc).

Quadcammer

The modifications you suggest are simply a poor attempt to fool you into thinking the car is faster.

The K&N offers exactly ZERO performance advantage and may end up damaging the MAF.

The sprint booster effect can be duplicated by simply pushing the pedal down farther. Again, ZERO performance advantage.

The resonator delete is for sound only. It may add a negligible amount of hp, but nothing that could be dyno verified.

Therefore, you're now out $500, your vehicle isn't any faster, and now you get a wonderful drone at 2000rpm without resonators.

This guy obviously wants the actual performance increase. His best method here is to get a 55k or 600.

02Drunkenup

Yep thats right, I've given up on modding the 430, I'm on the search for a well priced 55k, and If I feel lucky, a S600.

classyS

02Drunkenup - ive waited a good 7 months to cherry pick my w220 and from the start ive saved and saved, u know when its the right one (after youve test driving 10+ or more different ones) and make sure youre familiar with your local mb dealership/dealer service hours to schedule a ppi (pre purchase inspection) or perhaps a (pre-purchase-inspection-yeah-the-car-is-a-beauty-go-ahead-and-buy-it) to ensure the car is healthy, then count that cash, pay in full and drive away as if you took off in a private jet, ears popped from cabin pressure =)

Das Geld 2

+1

Also, I don't see how posting of a video of an E55 and or S430 with AMG exhaust. Will get the OP his desirable sound or speed. The E55 has a whole different sound to it and that video the S-Class has the AMG exhaust on it, not the stock exhaust.

i_am_amused

that is a great suggestion. From what I have read, the interior is nicer/quieter than an S55, and the 600 still has ridiculous power for "passing"

does the sport package include a brake upgrade?

Fraser

Nope, the Sport/AMG packages on non-AMG vehicles was purely cosmetic.

The 600 interior is a very nice upgrade IMO; alcantara roof lining and pillars, leather dash/centre console/rear AC unit and rear deck, wood hold handles and vanity mirrors.

tusabes

I love the s600 interior...but if you park outside, the leather on the dash tends to shrink.

Quadcammer

You base this on what? My designo leather dashed S500 has sat outside every day in the sun for 2 years, and the dash leather looks perfect. It was also a texas car prior to my ownership.

tusabes

Your car is 5 years old.

ive owned 2 leather dash MBs that have shrunk at the edges due to the sun. Ive seen numerous others. They range from 8-17 years old. Mark my words, your dash wrap will shrink if you continue to leave it outside.

Leather dash Porsches are even worse.

Theres nothing you can do about it and no amount of maintenance /feeding will stop it.

Quadcammer

amazingly the leather dash on my 15 year old Porsche hasn't shrunk either.

I must just be lucky.

i_am_amused

in that case I would have to throw on a good brake upgrade for peace of mind. I know for certain the brakes on my S55 have saved me from severe damage at least once, which I nearly caused by fully exercising the throttle in a (foolish...) passing maneuver that ran out of room when the driver I was passing changed lanes in front of me, then panicked and changed back just as I changed back. It would haven't been so bad, but he also slammed on his brakes.

Of course, if you drive a 600 no faster than a 430, the brakes are probably fine, but who the hell can drive a 600 that slow?

tusabes

Or its garaged instead of parked outside. parked inside they wont shrink.

The key to the shrinkage is the sun damage from time being parked outside

Fraser

For the money you'd spend making the 430 faster you might as well just buy a 500. The difference in price these days is minimal, plus you'd get a better equipped car for starters. The 430s are a bit bare bones...

Supergenius40

I know I might get beat down for this but...what about a rear mounted turbo kit on a S430 or S500? Just saw a posting of a CLK with this mode. Based on everything I've seen on the web/youtube it makes for good dyno numbers. Has anyone done this on a S-Class? Would it be a good move if you like and want to keep your S430 or S500 but want to increase your straight line power.

Das Geld 2

Why when its cheaper to get a 55/600