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After weeks of international transit and customs clearance delays, I finally have all the parts I need to retrofit all the missing options to my Mexican import S450.
The disassembly and reassembly process will commence tomorror morning, and I will update as the project goes along.
For now, I thought some of you might be interested in seeing a shot detailing all the part pieces.
Gotta admit, the AMG exterior styling package (all the way to the left) contains way more pieces than I initially expected
1. AMG exterior styling
2. AMG 3-spoke steering wheel
3. Rear external wireless charger
4. Rear folding tables
5. Digital lights
6. Fanned walnut trims
7. Burmester 4D (upgrade from 3D)
8. Central computer swap (from Mexican to Chinese)
9. 21-inch bi-colour multi-spoke rims + PS4S tires (shout out to Baloo588 for recommending this specification and saving me from the hellfire of 10,000 blown-tires)
10. 3D instrument cluster
11. AR HUD projector
12. AMG floor mats
13. AMG metal pedals
14. Fridge
15. Rear armrest tablet (my car did not come with this due to chip shortage at initial delivery)
Got everything arranged with a local (well, not exactly local, I had to drive 1,000+ miles across China yesterday for this) specialist shop. They claim to have private sourcing agreements with certain MB parts suppliers in Europe.
Of course the exact details are their trade secrets, and I cannot really verify its validity. But it's a pretty well established shop, with many years of MB retrofitting experiences (they have retrofit project videos dating back 2 years), and have apparently conducted upwards of 100 similar operations. So I feel they are unlikely to pull a quick one on me, risking their reputation and future revenue streams, just for a little extra profit.
And as far as I know, non-OE parts are pretty easy to identify. They tend to cause unexplained noises in the cabin, due to misalignment, and often have functional defects. For example, non-OE 4D burmester tweeters don't actually respond properly to the mute button, and non-OE active ambient lighting bars tend to have colour uniformity issues.
You sir are a brave man. And resourceful, I might add! Hope it turns out.
Thanks Crabman, I actually needed that I've done all the research and precaution possible, but there's still a chance that the project will turn out a failure and my new car a $$$$$ disaster. Fingers crossed.
It was not you but the shop runner who took the video, right?
Ask him to take the next and future videos in higher resolution. 480p is too low to do justification to the beauty of the car as well as his conversion work. Afterall, these videos are for his marketing and promotion.
It was not you but the shop runner who took the video, right?
Ask him to take the next and future videos in higher resolution. 480p is too low to do justification to the beauty of the car as well as his conversion work. Afterall, these videos are for his marketing and promotion.
Yes Bishop, you can probably tell, what with the shop owner's obvious Cantonese accent, right?
I'll let him know about the resolution. 480 is indeed just too low in this day and age.
Thanks guys, upon reconsideration, I think I will edit out the content you mentioned, just to be on the safe side.
I'm pretty sure there is nothing criminal involved, but I feel raising too much public awareness of this topic probably isn't in the best interest of myself, the shop owner, and everyone after me who may wish to avail them of similar services.
I would be grateful if you could also help edit out your comments on these content much obliged!
What is the fate of all the switched out parts?
I imagine, you can keep the 19'' wheels as spare? But, the pair of headlights should be of no use to you. The retrofit shop takes those in and resell for you?
On 2nd thought, after fitting in the rear seat fridge, the boot will be so tiny that the 4 wheels are not likely to fit in. Sell them to the shop?
What is the fate of all the switched out parts?
I imagine, you can keep the 19'' wheels as spare? But, the pair of headlights should be of no use to you. The retrofit shop takes those in and resell for you?
On 2nd thought, after fitting in the rear seat fridge, the boot will be so tiny that the 4 wheels are not likely to fit in. Sell them to the shop?
Not keeping the 19s - I really don't like the look of those, despite their obviously superior comfort and stability.
I'm hoping that the swap from stock P-zeros to PS4S tires will help minimise the inevitable degradation in ride quality. I'm okay with sacrificing a little bit of comfort, for much improved exterior visuals.
And if that doesn't work out, and the ride degradation is just too drastic, I'm already psychologically preprared to order a set of 20s
Reagrding boot space, yes you are absolutely right, the fridge, combined with 4D subwoofer, limits boot capcacity to pretty much 'cabin-only' levels.
All parts will go to local parts vendors, of which there are many. Apparently Guangzhou is the prime location in China for car mods, and there's a very vibrant industry here for these things.
Don't know what kind of discounts will be placed on my swapped-out parts, but my expectations are low. It will just be too much hassle to mail them all back and sell them slowly on Ebay myself.
I'm hoping that the swap from stock P-zeros to PS4S tires will help minimise the inevitable degradation in ride quality. I'm okay with sacrificing a little bit of comfort, for much improved exterior visuals.
You think PS4S will be more comfortable than P-zeros?
You think PS4S will be more comfortable than P-zeros?
Fellow forum member Baloo588 reported better ride comfort and noise level after he swapped out to PS4S. He also reportedly already cracked a few thounsand miles on these tires with no issues. So I really have high hopes for these Michelins.
At the request of Bishop, I took a few high-res shots of the parts stockpile, when I dropped the shop by this morning.
They were just beginning to strip the car down. I expect to see the car in bare-metals, when I drop by again tomorrow. The additional wirings needed by Burmester 4D will require the removal of pretty much every single panel, everywhere.
All parts appear to be in prstine condition, haven't discovered any obvious visual defects in my brief inspection. Shop owner claims they are imported genuine OE parts, and I largely believe him, because a lot of these parts are either scarcely seen or outright unavailable in the Chinese market, so the 'imported' part must be true. And since all of these parts are visually and functionally identical to their factory optioned counterparts, I tend to believe they really do come from legitimate OE sources.
I mean, take this 3D driver's display and AR-enabled HUD projector. Is someone really going to successfully turn a profit, by counterfeiting these things in the aftermarket? It's bad business, if you ask me.
Decorative trims, sure - I know for a fact that some companies in China have made good profits counterfeiting trim elements of previous S classses, and they are 100% going to do it again with W223. But even then, I expect their executions to carry imperfections that will eventually betray their origin. And this shop is a very well-established one, with hard-earned reputation in the local industry. So I don't expect nasty dealings there.
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Let the retrofitting begin!
I've done all the research and precaution possible, but there's still a chance that the project will turn out a failure and my new car a $$$$$ disaster. Fingers crossed.
much obliged!
