BU308

Hi everyone,

Finally have time to seat down and do a proper thread about myself and my 00 S500. I have been a long time member of this forum but never really posted, so shame on me!

Been around MBs all my life, there is always at least one MB in the family so I am no stranger to the brand. My first MB was a 00 w220 S320 in 2007, the car was owned by a big MB indy shop owner so the car was well taken care of, had 260,000KM when I got it, having heard of all these horror stories about the reliablility of the W220, I was considered insane by many to get a car with that mileage. But I was really lucky, during my 2 year of ownership, I only changed the 4 airmatic struts, a fuel pump and the driver door DCM, apart from these, the car was flawless, sold it with 300,000KM. And the W220 became my favorite MB eversince.



In 2009, as I didn't need to do anymore travelling between Hong Kong and China, I didn't need the space and comfort of the W220. I got a 05 SLK350 instead, got some wheels and bodykit for it.




In 2010, life took another turn and I got a job and moved to Macau, and my story with my S500 begins.

BU308

The S500 was my boss' ride from new, however, as time goes by and my boss got more new toys, the car was slowly turned into a company car. It was used by the chauffeurs to drive company executives and guest. It was neglected to say the least. I had many seat time in the car and drive it occasionally, so I know the car quite well, during the past 3 years, we changed the steering rack, and the 4 airmatic struts. However, there was always a misfiring problem but we never get to the bottom of it.

Then came April this year, my boss placed an order for the W222, and at the same time, the airmatic pump died on the W220, with the car being out of service again, he wanted to get rid of the car.



By getting rid of it, my boss didn't mean selling it, he wanted to junk the car With the car having only 60,000KM on the clock, I couldn't let that happen, so I offered to take the car instead of junking it. And that's how this project begins:p

I then spent the next couple of days reading up all the MB forums non stop learning as much as I can before setting out to get parts to get the car up and running again. I got:

New airmatic pump
New improved pump relay
MAF
spark plugs, filters, rotors, pads and change the engine and transmission fluid.

And the car was running perfect, no more misfiring:beerchugr: The next step is to clean up the filthy interior.

BU308

After changing the MAF and the maintance stuff on the engine and trans, the car was running smooth and great, I switch my attention to the interior, I let the pictures do the talking





After many nights and elbow grease, I was able to get most of the dirt out of the leather, I haven't clean the carpets yet, will get a professional steam cleaning when I am done with paint






The cd changer also stopped working a long time ago, so I bought a MP40 player from mercedesplayer and now I have music!!

BU308

Then I started the second phase of refreshing the mechanical side of the car:

Radiator fan unit (motor was making noise)
front lower suspension arms
Drive shaft bushings

I then started my journey of modding the car. First thing was lowering links, the installation was straight forward and easy, love the lowered stance




I didn't lower the back because I was waiting for my wheels to come. I ordered MRR HR3 20 x 8.5/9.5 35 offset with 245/35 and 275/30 Falken 453 tires. I got the knowledge online that the rear won't clear the brakes and needed spacers, but my vendor insisted that they would fit without. And of course I needed spacers when I tried the wheels on





Got my tire shop to custom made some 8mm spacers, they are not hubcentric but I have limited resources in Macau.

BU308

With the wheels finally on, the car is starting to look nice, but with 8mm non-hubcentric spacers, a 27 offset and 275 tires, I opened a big can of worms. The tires are sticking out of the fenders and I am rubbing like crazy!! Plus I can never go to sleep at night because I have non hubcentric spacers!




I also realized that the right side wheel is sticking out more than the left side wheel, I suspect my rear suspension arms are probably bend or worn on one side thus the different camber. So I bought all 4 of them on both sides and will have them installed in the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime, to rectify the offset problem, I did many reading on the net and found out that the 03+ floating rear brake calipers are much thinner than the 2 pot fixed calipers I have on the 00. I bought a set of used 03+ rear calipers from evil bay and I am currently waiting for them to arrive. From my research, it should be a straight bolt on, only the dust sheild need a little trimming. Can anyone confirm this?

This is currently where I stand with the project. I will update everyone how the brake calipers go and do a write up on my bodykit and lorinser exhaust when I get it done next month.

vmystikilv

Those wheels are great, another s back from the dead , awesome job

I was planning on some slight mods but it took me 3 months to bring mines back from the dead. After I was finished I had worked so hard to make it perfect i decided to leave it like it was when it rolled off factory . Not a day goes by I don't think about adding wheels though, lol

BU308

Thanks for the compliments! I fell in love with those wheels the first time I saw it on the net. Paid crazy shipping cost to have them shipped from the US. Lol.

ibeforreal

Outstanding job and lots of hard work but the car looks great and with only 60km.

Ricky Lay

Great project man, good luck with it.. I'm starting a 2001 W220 myself. I'll be following..

tusabes

So with the thinner 03 calipers will you be able to take out the spacers ??

BU308

I still have my 03 calipers sitting in the trunk, never really put the effort to installed them. I really like the +27 offset look, so I rolled and pulled my fenders instead. However, the thinner 03 calipers will clear my wheels for sure.

Car will be ready soon, so excited

BU308

After taking forever, the car is almost finished, still have some cleaning work to do. Things I have done since my original post:

1. Lorinser sportline bodykit
2. Lorinser trunk and roof spoiler
3. Lorinser exhaust
4. face lift front and rear lights
5. rolled and pulled rear fenders
6. Repainted the whole car
7. 245/35/20 tires for the rear. Am tired of dealing with the tire rubbing.

vmystikilv

Beautiful

desired_speeds

looks great! I think some tinted windows would be a nice finishing touch!