Hi guys,

Newbie here. Never owned a MB before. Owned several GS and LS lexuses and a couple of Range Rovers. Will need to adjust to the shifter being on the side like it’s a soccer-mom van
Been lurking around the forums for months just browsing while shopping for the right S550 to buy. Finally found one and bought it. Pickup date is next week. Will post pics once I have it in my possession . I am looking to build it up nicely so I might as well consider this my “progressional build-up thread”. Plan to do a facelift, illuminated sills, led interior, drop, lots of cool stuff and changes to system settings since a mechanic buddie of mine has the Star computer tool I hear you guys talk about so much on here ….etc. Nice and classy is the goal.

I have gathered a lot of info by just browsing but still have a few for you gurus.

-Am looking to stay close to oem as possible and have spotted some oem 2010+ bumpers on ebay. They look fine. But I want to know if they should be coming with any other parts. (one seller mentioned , they don’t come with brackets). Don’t know if he was referring to other parts needed for the facelift or to actual brackets that every bumper should have.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/320941757994?...ht_2624wt_1445
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/261023377767?...8#ht_500wt_859

-I know am going to need a new grill also for the facelift and I see some on ebay. But they are all made of ABS plastic . Is the oem 2010+ S550 grill made of plastic? Anyone have any experience with these?

-If I want the 2010 s550 rectangular exhaust, do I just need to change the diffuser since I already my car has oem AMG sport bodykit already? How about if I want the S63 double exhaust? Just the diffuser?

- Also, anybody know where I can get the lower mesh grill and the led daytime running lights that fit into the oem bumper? I have searched ebay and found nothing at all. Don’t want to purchase the bumper only to realise that the oem led fogs are 10times the price of the bumper and whatnot. So, I Went to the local MB stealer today to find out prices for parts needed for the facelift. The lower mesh is about 100dollars, the 2 mesh brackets that the daytime running leds on the left and right sit in are $22 each, the chrome trims that the actual led sits in are $80 each (shocking…just for a piece of chromed metal), and the actual LED are $326 each (shocking again…for simple LEDS). I don’t mind paying for the lower mesh, and the 2 mesh brackets but $160 for 2 chrome trims and $650 for LEDs are simply extortive. I found some LEDs on ebay (links below). They claim they can be used as replacement for the LEDs of the s550. And they seem (from the picture) to already have the chrome trim. BeforeI go speand money on these, does anyone know if they are direct replacements for the LEDs on the 2010+ s550?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ...#ht_1074wt_859
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ...#ht_1074wt_859


-Also, aside from the bumper, I know I need the fender liners for the facelift. And I also read that the bumper reinforcement is needed. Is that what its called ? “bumper reinforcement”? Is it 1 whole piece or in multiple pieces? Don’t want to disassemble front end only to realise I need other parts. Also, what other bumper pieces will I need to replace for facelift to work. I apologize if the question is rhetorical but when I browse through the thread of those that have done the facelift, none of them does a good job at outlining a total list of parts they changed. Gets me lost and confused.

-While at the MB dealer today, asked about the Telematics update. This service adviser looked lost and tried to convince me it was impossible despite my several attempts to convince him a million and one forum members have done it successfully. I had to walk away shaking my head in disgust. Has any Canadian owner done this update successfully? Where please? And how much?

-Will be looking to update the nav in the car soon as I pick it up next week. I have read I will need the nav disc. Is this update independent of the Telematics update? Can I do one before or after the order without concern? Anybody has a copy they want to rent me? PM details and cost please.

-Phone puck needed for Bluetooth is missing. Any direction towards a replacement? Searched eBay and found several use a blackberry and doubt I will be changing devices anytime soon.

- Will be looking at changing the rims to 20s or 21s max (staggered or non-staggered…doesn’t matter to me). What specs in these rim sizes can give me a nice flush look with the most tire rubber that wont require additional processes like fender rolling, camber kits or spacers to fit?


I appreciate all inputs or links to threads that answer my questions.
Thanks alot

 

Where are you located, if you can wait unit August I'll sell you the bumpers I'm taking off my S550. I'm doing a 2010-2011 S63/S65 conversion.

 

Not sure if you are mistaken about what am looking for but I am looking to do a 2010-2011 conversion myself. My car looks identical to yours as of now....except for the rims.

 

Yeah, I must be. I was assuming by looking at the links you had from ebay that you were looking at regular sports package bumpers.

If you're looking for OEM S63/S65 bumpers, be ready to fork out some cash.

 

Congrats on the S550. Looks forward to the pics. Just so you know those linkr are NOT the S63/65 kit. Just the sport pakcage kit. BIG DIFFERENCE. Dont buy OEM..The other as as good as OEMs. Waste of money if you ask me. Guess you have seen my project thread that contains the S65 kit.

I could ansrwe ALL your questions here but man that would take me time...So you have most answers in my project thread. The grill on ebay are the exact smae materials as OEM. Rember though if you have distronic that grill dont work without buying the OEM plate and on and on...

 

thanks chris
i have followed your thread and love the build-up of your car. i love the s65/63 bumper but they are hard to find on ebay. I keep finding only the regular sport package kit which am fine with. prices are moderately fair compared to the aftermarket conversion kit most people on here use for the facelift. To be honest reason why i want to go with the used oem bumper is cause i hate the 2 vents on each side that the aftermarket conversion kit has. doesn't sit well with me AND I want the orange side marker also which the aftermarket kit doesn't have also.
I have sourced everything at reasonable prices from the dealer and ebay except the actual LED. And just need to know if the LEDs i posted in the thread will fit the oem bumper without modification. The oem led fits into the chrome strip which then fits into a mesh bracket/small grill. if the aftermarket led i posted can fit snug in this manner, no need for me to buy them from dealer at ridiculous prices. but if they don't fit, entire plan is off.And i might have to settle for the aftermarket bodykit.So the LED are my dilemma....so to speak.Please advise...

thanks

 

The mesh is identical to OEM so dont know what you mean there??? OEM is also without the sidemarker hole. That is cut out. OEM also have the sidevents. They are identical. Why hate that??? Thats whats look cool... Remeber you need ALL mesh,DRLs and ALL inside parts for it to fit...Often they are empty inside when sold on used on ebay.

 

Congratz with your W221!

Looking forward to this thread.

I have attached a list of officially Mercedes-Benz approved(in German) wheel and tire-sizes for the W221.

 

Nice attachment but the 550 don't excist in Germany

 

Good point,they do have it but ,its called S500 L(Long),but does not appear in this list..

 

No...S500 and S550 is a identical car. Just gave them different names. S500 in europe and S550 in US.

 

Very interesting I just researched a little bit,
the S500(L) was build in Germany till 2011 with the 5.5 engine and 388HP
then replaced 2011 as S500 Blue Efficiency (L) with a Bi-turbo 4.6L engine and 435HP