Upgrade Dilemma '07 non-AMG, retrofit to 2010+ facelift or standard AMG?
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S550
Upgrade Dilemma '07 non-AMG, retrofit to 2010+ facelift or standard AMG?
I have a late 2007 S550 without the sport package, and I've been meaning to upgrade it for a while now. In the meantime, the facelifted 2010 with LEDs caught my eye.
Instead of getting the standard 07-09 AMG body upgrade components, I thought that since I was going through the effort to do it, I might as well do the 2010 upgrades. However, the high price and the fact that there are no confirmed full-functioning retrofits makes me reluctant to go that route. If it's really $2000 just for the control modules, that's almost as much as the new LED lights themselves. I just don't think it's worth at least $10k to me when there's no guarantee of error-free operation and a new body style is maybe a couple years away.
So then that leaves upgrading to regular AMG package parts....but how much less involved is it to do that even? I know I'd need new bumpers, side skirts, tips, and grilles, but what about needing new fog lamps, reinforcements, brackets, fasteners, and such? Its been difficult to find clear technical information about just what else I'd need, as well as sourcing the most reputable places to perform the work.
Instead of getting the standard 07-09 AMG body upgrade components, I thought that since I was going through the effort to do it, I might as well do the 2010 upgrades. However, the high price and the fact that there are no confirmed full-functioning retrofits makes me reluctant to go that route. If it's really $2000 just for the control modules, that's almost as much as the new LED lights themselves. I just don't think it's worth at least $10k to me when there's no guarantee of error-free operation and a new body style is maybe a couple years away.
So then that leaves upgrading to regular AMG package parts....but how much less involved is it to do that even? I know I'd need new bumpers, side skirts, tips, and grilles, but what about needing new fog lamps, reinforcements, brackets, fasteners, and such? Its been difficult to find clear technical information about just what else I'd need, as well as sourcing the most reputable places to perform the work.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Naples, FL
S550 4matic, ML350
The pre 2010 AMG body kit upgrades are cheaper and less difficult for sure. I would suggest looking into other body kit upgrades as well and compare prices. Talk to some bodyshops in your area familiar with Mercedes and see what they say. Some body kits are cheap some are high quality. In any case you will have to prime/paint to match so finding a reputable bodyshop in your area would be step one. Yes, you will need new fogs and inserts, grills, etc for the bumpercovers... Dont forget you might need some exhaust work done to match the rear covers too! The tailpipes will probably have to be redone to fit...
Then on to the AMG wheels.....
After considering all of this I did some MINOR upgrades instead ('10+ LED taillights, lighted door sills, wood wheel, IWC Amg clock, grill mounted integrated radar, aftermarket LED bulbs, clear sidemarkers).. That way I have some "newness" without the big cost and bodyshop trip...
Then on to the AMG wheels.....
After considering all of this I did some MINOR upgrades instead ('10+ LED taillights, lighted door sills, wood wheel, IWC Amg clock, grill mounted integrated radar, aftermarket LED bulbs, clear sidemarkers).. That way I have some "newness" without the big cost and bodyshop trip...
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From: Boston
S-class
I would just do the 2010+ side skirts,rear bumper,and stick with the 09' S65 front bumper? That way you don't have to go to the hassle of getting the led's to function properly. You can even put aftermarket led's now since they make replicas,just like the oem's.
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'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
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S550
I don't think I'd be in the market for another S until the W222, so this would be to tide me over until then. I would have just gotten one with the AMG package from the start, but it was too good a deal and nicely optioned a car to pass up (pretty much all options except for rear seat package, Alcantara headliner, premium leather/designo, and AMG. Plus it was one of the last off the line for '07. Still in factory warranty even!). I'd most likely stay OEM for a body kit, though I'm not against buying used on Ebay in good condition (just hard to tell what's really in good shape and not a welded mess).
Actually, I've had a new 2011 C300 loaner since my car is in the shop (2nd time for the seat, first it was a leaking bladder, and now the massage no longer works, I think it was related to whatever they did the first time), and I've really gotten to like the LED DRLs! They really stand out in the light and it's a good look....If it was only a couple thousand extra to do the '10 look versus '07-'09, I'd do it, but I don't think the benefits outweigh the additional cost.
If you have any tips to find aftermarket LEDs and how to mount them, let me know, that's pretty much all I'd need from the facelift anyway! Also, if you know of good body shops in Philadelphia suburbs/KOP area, that'd be appreciated.
Actually, I've had a new 2011 C300 loaner since my car is in the shop (2nd time for the seat, first it was a leaking bladder, and now the massage no longer works, I think it was related to whatever they did the first time), and I've really gotten to like the LED DRLs! They really stand out in the light and it's a good look....If it was only a couple thousand extra to do the '10 look versus '07-'09, I'd do it, but I don't think the benefits outweigh the additional cost.
If you have any tips to find aftermarket LEDs and how to mount them, let me know, that's pretty much all I'd need from the facelift anyway! Also, if you know of good body shops in Philadelphia suburbs/KOP area, that'd be appreciated.
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04 CL55 (sold), 2012 CLS550 (sold), 2014 S550 (sold), 2015 ES300H (DAILY)
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S550
So it looks like I can use the 07-09 rear bumper with 2010 + diffuser and exhaust tips....is this true? I heard that that I wouldn't need new stiffeners, reinforcement, impact foam and the like if I got the 07 rear bumpers, but I will if I moved to 2010. Same goes for the front?
Exhaust tips: The 07-09 AMG tips always look like they have a pipe attached to it that needs welding, while the 2010 tips do not..if I got the 2010 tips, are they just fit into the diffusers and connected over the exhaust pipe like it seems in the E-class without welding?
I've gone on parts.com for some these and it can be confusing since some are named differently and the diagrams show dozens of parts without explanation of what needs to be changed and what can be reused. Also, they list a lot of parts as "07-10" !
Exhaust tips: The 07-09 AMG tips always look like they have a pipe attached to it that needs welding, while the 2010 tips do not..if I got the 2010 tips, are they just fit into the diffusers and connected over the exhaust pipe like it seems in the E-class without welding?
I've gone on parts.com for some these and it can be confusing since some are named differently and the diagrams show dozens of parts without explanation of what needs to be changed and what can be reused. Also, they list a lot of parts as "07-10" !
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From: Bay Area, CA
'07 S550 Sil/Gry with 2012 S65 Facelight
My friend did the 2010 conversion on his 07 550. The front bumper with grill and LEDs was about 2000-2200 (without headlights). The rear bumper was 2200 for the complete parts before paint, labor, and exhaust tips. The headlights are abut $5k with everything working...
