w221 S550 to S65 conversion
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,338
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From: Germantown, MD
S550, R350, GL550, ML63 AMG
w221 S550 to S65 conversion
Just converted my S550 to S65!
OEM bodykit, OEM S65 exhaust. Wheels are next...
Has anyone with a 550 put the S65 exhaust on? I did the entire exhaust which removed the S550 resonator but it's really really loud! It sounds like a 65!
I might have the resonator added back on, louder than I expected.
I'll post youtube clips before I change it back.
OEM bodykit, OEM S65 exhaust. Wheels are next...
Has anyone with a 550 put the S65 exhaust on? I did the entire exhaust which removed the S550 resonator but it's really really loud! It sounds like a 65!
I might have the resonator added back on, louder than I expected.I'll post youtube clips before I change it back.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 365
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From: San Jose
CL65 AMG , white S550 Sport w/ white Giovanna 22s, wild custom chopper
Great! Let's see some more pictures of the car! Did you go with Mercedes parts or aftermarket?
How much was the exhaust? Looks really good.
How much was the exhaust? Looks really good.
Just converted my S550 to S65!
OEM bodykit, OEM S65 exhaust. Wheels are next...
Has anyone with a 550 put the S65 exhaust on? I did the entire exhaust which removed the S550 resonator but it's really really loud! It sounds like a 65! I might have the resonator added back on, louder than I expected.
I'll post youtube clips before I change it back.
OEM bodykit, OEM S65 exhaust. Wheels are next...
Has anyone with a 550 put the S65 exhaust on? I did the entire exhaust which removed the S550 resonator but it's really really loud! It sounds like a 65!
I might have the resonator added back on, louder than I expected.I'll post youtube clips before I change it back.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
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From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
Wow that looks really cool. If you don't mind me asking, how much were the 65 tips/ did you get those from the dealer?
Just curious, why didn't you get the 2010 65 bumper(s)?
Just curious, why didn't you get the 2010 65 bumper(s)?
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From: Burbank, CA
2022 S500
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 365
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From: San Jose
CL65 AMG , white S550 Sport w/ white Giovanna 22s, wild custom chopper
One option here is to do what I did - fill in the body line in the old bumpers with a resin flexible compound and repaint. Looks very similar to the new bumper. See the picture attached.
Does anyone know if the 2010 lower valance would work with the older bumper?
Does anyone know if the 2010 lower valance would work with the older bumper?
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 365
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From: San Jose
CL65 AMG , white S550 Sport w/ white Giovanna 22s, wild custom chopper
Those are some cheap Gianelle Tropez 22" single piece cast wheels. Gianelle, Giovanna and GfG wheels are made by WTW Corp - the Gianelle line is their low end line, I think the front wheels were something like $375 a piece :-)
http://modifidea.files.wordpress.com...ez-chrome1.jpg
Had the chrome stripped off, welded the Gianelle logo to remove it, then a diamond cut pattern on the faces of the wheels and then powder coated the rest of the wheel to match the car.
Rear is 22 x 11 wide, front is 22 by 9.
Probably the cheapest wheels I ever owned, but looks nice.
http://modifidea.files.wordpress.com...ez-chrome1.jpg
Had the chrome stripped off, welded the Gianelle logo to remove it, then a diamond cut pattern on the faces of the wheels and then powder coated the rest of the wheel to match the car.
Rear is 22 x 11 wide, front is 22 by 9.
Probably the cheapest wheels I ever owned, but looks nice.
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Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 102
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From: Central US of A
Barolo S550, 2010 E, 1966 SL & others.
Man, I am getting a little weirded-out on how similar two S-Class owners can be. I find it hard to believe that we both weld up stuff, and ride bikes, drive s-classes and tune on our cars with superchargers (extreme stuff) & the like.
Sorta rare on an S-Class board. Damn cool though.
The wheels look great. I am undecided on what I am going to do - but will have something lined up like yours come spring.
Sorta rare on an S-Class board. Damn cool though.
The wheels look great. I am undecided on what I am going to do - but will have something lined up like yours come spring.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,338
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From: Germantown, MD
S550, R350, GL550, ML63 AMG
Bought the full exhaust new from the dealer, retail is about 1500 per side. I paid a little less with a wholesale account. All parts are OEM, bought the bumpers off ebay for a really good price, that's why I did the 07-09 S65 look. Side skirts from a Lorinser tuner shop that had AMG parts sitting around, they gave me a good deal, got the OEM fog lights from them too.
The 2010 look has got to be very expensive and I'm not a fan of the LED's although they might grow on me in the future. And I know SAM reprogramming is needed.
Added back in the stock resonator this afternoon. Sounds way better now. Still very unique deep sound.
Here's more pix...
wheels and lowering will come next. Gotta de-badge it next too.
The 2010 look has got to be very expensive and I'm not a fan of the LED's although they might grow on me in the future. And I know SAM reprogramming is needed.
Added back in the stock resonator this afternoon. Sounds way better now. Still very unique deep sound.
Here's more pix...
wheels and lowering will come next. Gotta de-badge it next too.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,338
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From: Germantown, MD
S550, R350, GL550, ML63 AMG
Thanks QuadBenz!
If i can get a set of CL65/S65 20" split spoke staggard OEM set I might go for that... Otherwise going for forged Modular Society wheels or something else. Still looking for something that will fit my style. 20's with a nice drop should be very nice.
If i can get a set of CL65/S65 20" split spoke staggard OEM set I might go for that... Otherwise going for forged Modular Society wheels or something else. Still looking for something that will fit my style. 20's with a nice drop should be very nice.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 365
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From: San Jose
CL65 AMG , white S550 Sport w/ white Giovanna 22s, wild custom chopper
Bensitto - the front end looks awesome!!! You did a great job on a full conversion. When the front end went on, was there a lot of other parts needed other than the S65 bumper cover, fogs and grills? Any structural stuff like brackets?
MikeB: Few shots of my bike for you from the American Cycle Mag this September:
MikeB: Few shots of my bike for you from the American Cycle Mag this September:
Man, I am getting a little weirded-out on how similar two S-Class owners can be. I find it hard to believe that we both weld up stuff, and ride bikes, drive s-classes and tune on our cars with superchargers (extreme stuff) & the like.
Sorta rare on an S-Class board. Damn cool though.
The wheels look great. I am undecided on what I am going to do - but will have something lined up like yours come spring.
Sorta rare on an S-Class board. Damn cool though.
The wheels look great. I am undecided on what I am going to do - but will have something lined up like yours come spring.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
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From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
Thank you for NOT putting an AMG badge on the back! But I would leave it badged as is, IMHO. I just don't like it when people debadge their cars (especially when they're the "entry" level model, even though an S550 is far from entry)
Sounds like a good deal though, since you got the parts wholesale/ from shops that don't want them.
Why didn't you get rid of the US spec side marker on the front bumper since I assume the bumper was painted in your special Designo color?
Sounds like a good deal though, since you got the parts wholesale/ from shops that don't want them.
Why didn't you get rid of the US spec side marker on the front bumper since I assume the bumper was painted in your special Designo color?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,338
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From: Germantown, MD
S550, R350, GL550, ML63 AMG
Only side markers, side marker bracket, side vents, fog light mesh, center mesh, special torx screws, and the fog lights. The oem foam impact support was universal. Nothing else needed. Grills get quite expensive.
Definitely not rebadging the car as a 65, but going to leave it debadged.
I didn't even think about getting the markers patched up like euro model. Stil looks good w the clear markers.
Definitely not rebadging the car as a 65, but going to leave it debadged.
I didn't even think about getting the markers patched up like euro model. Stil looks good w the clear markers.
Last edited by bensitto; Dec 15, 2009 at 01:44 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 205
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From: Los Angeles
07 S550, 08 Escalade, 08 H2
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 34
From: Germantown, MD
S550, R350, GL550, ML63 AMG
I have lots of exhaust clips before resonator delete and after. It's seriously like a v12 monster without the resonator! I'll try posting them soon.
With the resonator is sounds smoother, less raspy but still low deep tone. I love it with the resonator.
Glad to be part of the "club"
Anyone selling a stock set of S65/ CL65 wheels? split spoke OEM...
With the resonator is sounds smoother, less raspy but still low deep tone. I love it with the resonator.
Glad to be part of the "club"
Anyone selling a stock set of S65/ CL65 wheels? split spoke OEM...
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 26
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From: Vienna, VA
'08 C300 4Matic, '91 300E and '88 190E 2.3,
I don't blame you. I wouldn't want to spend that much on gas a week. BTW, I am temporary living in Vienna, VA. Do you have a recommendation for a paint/body shop in the area.
