AMG3.2's Mod Journal
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Thanks everyone. Here's another one.
I also want to update on springs now that I've had a lot more seat time.
9k,11k right now at mid -damper stiffness is the most comfortable and compliant I've ever felt this car. Stock (P30), with H&R springs, and now with Mullers. It is extremely comfortable. The shocks do a great job of mitigating any vibrations or reducing any sharp impacts which otherwise might have been very jarring in the cabin with P30 suspension.
Mind you, I'm also on very hard Hankook RS3 tires. I can imagine one I install something softer like a Michelin PS4S or new Continental Extreme Contact Sport, the ride will be silky smooth, but I admit, might not be the best from a pure performance standpoint.
Given the seat time now, I would opt for 10k front, 14k rear springs.
I also want to update on springs now that I've had a lot more seat time.
9k,11k right now at mid -damper stiffness is the most comfortable and compliant I've ever felt this car. Stock (P30), with H&R springs, and now with Mullers. It is extremely comfortable. The shocks do a great job of mitigating any vibrations or reducing any sharp impacts which otherwise might have been very jarring in the cabin with P30 suspension.
Mind you, I'm also on very hard Hankook RS3 tires. I can imagine one I install something softer like a Michelin PS4S or new Continental Extreme Contact Sport, the ride will be silky smooth, but I admit, might not be the best from a pure performance standpoint.
Given the seat time now, I would opt for 10k front, 14k rear springs.
Last edited by AMG3.2; Jul 17, 2017 at 02:43 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
As can be seen in my earlier posts, did a muffler delete a while back, but the drone was starting to kill me.
Finally had enough and decided to research ways to mitigate it and came about something called a J-pipe which effectively cancels the drone sound waves if the j-pipe is fitted at the perfect length. Read up online if interested -- someone can explain the above more elegantly.
Since I didn't actually know the length I needed to cancel out the sound waves, I had a muffler shop create an adjustable j-pipe with a clamp that I could fine tune on my own time once I had more seat time. The initial length was set at 27 inches. Right off the bat, my drone was reduced 85%. A hugely dramatic difference.
I used these pipes to start off with since I wanted a mandrel bend:
Clamps:
It did quiet the exhaust down a little though, but I no longer have that annoying bass type noise neither in the cabin, nor outside.
The real difference with this exhaust as opposed to basically any that I have heard with the factory mufflers is the "flappyness". For some reason, the C63 mufflers give the exhaust note this sort of strange flappyness noise that I've never found to be too attractive. I've always been fond of BMW's S85 engine and the note from, and have always wanted my C63 to pur a bit more as opposed to sound flappy.
The beauty of this though is that this exhaust still barks, a lot.
My current setup is factory cats to straight pipes all the way back to muffler tips with j-pipes where the factory mufflers were.
I swear I'll get a sound clip in a few weeks (travelling).
Finally had enough and decided to research ways to mitigate it and came about something called a J-pipe which effectively cancels the drone sound waves if the j-pipe is fitted at the perfect length. Read up online if interested -- someone can explain the above more elegantly.
Since I didn't actually know the length I needed to cancel out the sound waves, I had a muffler shop create an adjustable j-pipe with a clamp that I could fine tune on my own time once I had more seat time. The initial length was set at 27 inches. Right off the bat, my drone was reduced 85%. A hugely dramatic difference.
I used these pipes to start off with since I wanted a mandrel bend:
Clamps:
It did quiet the exhaust down a little though, but I no longer have that annoying bass type noise neither in the cabin, nor outside.
The real difference with this exhaust as opposed to basically any that I have heard with the factory mufflers is the "flappyness". For some reason, the C63 mufflers give the exhaust note this sort of strange flappyness noise that I've never found to be too attractive. I've always been fond of BMW's S85 engine and the note from, and have always wanted my C63 to pur a bit more as opposed to sound flappy.
The beauty of this though is that this exhaust still barks, a lot.
My current setup is factory cats to straight pipes all the way back to muffler tips with j-pipes where the factory mufflers were.
I swear I'll get a sound clip in a few weeks (travelling).
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
New FL steering wheel being consrtucted by LedermanZ (highly regarded in the BMW community) in Latvia. Can't wait to get this thing on. Still to come is white cross stitching, the trim piece in gloss black, Brabus paddles and an OE leather stitched airbag.
His work is amazing, his prices are reasonable, and his communication is top-notch; he's constantly checking in to make sure he's building everything to spec via Whatsapp.
His ebay store is here: http://www.ebay.com/usr/ledermanz?_t...38.m2547.l7859
Edit:
The finished product.
His work is amazing, his prices are reasonable, and his communication is top-notch; he's constantly checking in to make sure he's building everything to spec via Whatsapp.
His ebay store is here: http://www.ebay.com/usr/ledermanz?_t...38.m2547.l7859
Edit:
The finished product.
Last edited by AMG3.2; Jul 28, 2017 at 05:09 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Wheel is in.
Had to swap my chip from my old PFL wheel though... Was a huge pain but the DIY helped out a ton.
The Brabus paddles looking good... They feel much easier to pull on, but engage much sooner than the old ones. It's tricky to describe, but the paddles engage at the top of the press as opposed to the bottom.
Had to swap my chip from my old PFL wheel though... Was a huge pain but the DIY helped out a ton.
The Brabus paddles looking good... They feel much easier to pull on, but engage much sooner than the old ones. It's tricky to describe, but the paddles engage at the top of the press as opposed to the bottom.
Last edited by AMG3.2; Aug 6, 2017 at 05:15 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 41
From: DFW Texas
C63 AMG Black Series
Wheel looks fantastic! Did you decide not to do the trim in gloss black anymore?
I was debating if I wanted to get the stock paddle shifters covered in carbon fiber or opt for the Brabus ones.. These pics and your comment regarding the paddle engagement are making me lean towards Brabus when I order a new CF wheel.
I was debating if I wanted to get the stock paddle shifters covered in carbon fiber or opt for the Brabus ones.. These pics and your comment regarding the paddle engagement are making me lean towards Brabus when I order a new CF wheel.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Thanks.
I'm hoping now
I would love gloss black trim, but I can't wrap it well enough. I tried, but the little indentations where the silver buttons are on the FL are super hard to wrap over.
I'm hoping now
Wheel looks fantastic! Did you decide not to do the trim in gloss black anymore?
I was debating if I wanted to get the stock paddle shifters covered in carbon fiber or opt for the Brabus ones.. These pics and your comment regarding the paddle engagement are making me lean towards Brabus when I order a new CF wheel.
I was debating if I wanted to get the stock paddle shifters covered in carbon fiber or opt for the Brabus ones.. These pics and your comment regarding the paddle engagement are making me lean towards Brabus when I order a new CF wheel.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 2,869
From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Before I got my carbon trim - which you should really look into anyway - I took off that trim and painted it satin black with spray paint. It came out way better than expected, and was down to the surface prep and many light mists. I'd look into doing it that way, it looked flawless on mine and was surprisingly durable.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Before I got my carbon trim - which you should really look into anyway - I took off that trim and painted it satin black with spray paint. It came out way better than expected, and was down to the surface prep and many light mists. I'd look into doing it that way, it looked flawless on mine and was surprisingly durable.
Your exact trim is hard to find (where it says AMG at the bottom). I found a seller in the UK, but they want $500 for it... A bit steep for trim.
I might think about doing the satin spray. I think it would look better than the current silver.
Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 541
Likes: 151
From: England - UK
C63 AMG Saloon
I saw pictures of your trim somewhere on here and it looks amazing. The problem is, the only 2x2 weave I can find is a stick on, looks somewhat mediocre, and costs $275 from China.
Your exact trim is hard to find (where it says AMG at the bottom). I found a seller in the UK, but they want $500 for it... A bit steep for trim.
I might think about doing the satin spray. I think it would look better than the current silver.
Your exact trim is hard to find (where it says AMG at the bottom). I found a seller in the UK, but they want $500 for it... A bit steep for trim.
I might think about doing the satin spray. I think it would look better than the current silver.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-AMG...53.m2763.l2649
The price is just ludicrous.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 2,869
From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
I saw pictures of your trim somewhere on here and it looks amazing. The problem is, the only 2x2 weave I can find is a stick on, looks somewhat mediocre, and costs $275 from China.
Your exact trim is hard to find (where it says AMG at the bottom). I found a seller in the UK, but they want $500 for it... A bit steep for trim.
I might think about doing the satin spray. I think it would look better than the current silver.
Your exact trim is hard to find (where it says AMG at the bottom). I found a seller in the UK, but they want $500 for it... A bit steep for trim.
I might think about doing the satin spray. I think it would look better than the current silver.
I might have my old painted trim piece lying around somewhere. If I find it, I'll send it to you so you can either use it like that or refinish it to your liking. I remember wrapping it up in bubble wrap before our move last Fall, but don't remember seeing it since. Give me a few days to track it down...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Yeah, I don't even want to admit how much I paid (it was around that). Just a stupid carbon trim piece, but for some irrational reason it just makes me feel happier behind the wheel. The leather airbag cover is a great touch too.
I might have my old painted trim piece lying around somewhere. If I find it, I'll send it to you so you can either use it like that or refinish it to your liking. I remember wrapping it up in bubble wrap before our move last Fall, but don't remember seeing it since. Give me a few days to track it down...
I might have my old painted trim piece lying around somewhere. If I find it, I'll send it to you so you can either use it like that or refinish it to your liking. I remember wrapping it up in bubble wrap before our move last Fall, but don't remember seeing it since. Give me a few days to track it down...
Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 541
Likes: 151
From: England - UK
C63 AMG Saloon
It's this one though, not the regular SL silver trim.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-AMG...53.m2763.l2649
The price is just ludicrous.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-AMG...53.m2763.l2649
The price is just ludicrous.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-fiber...1Y6Htz&vxp=mtr
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 541
Likes: 151
From: England - UK
C63 AMG Saloon
Nice. I wonder how much he'd charge? You can guy the stick on ones for like $275, so not sure it'd be worth him doing it no?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-fiber...1Y6Htz&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-fiber...1Y6Htz&vxp=mtr
http://www.mcarbonparts.com/www.montanamg.ro
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Also, new Work wheel caps to replace the uglies I had on there.
Last edited by AMG3.2; Aug 15, 2017 at 05:17 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Updates to the benz.
Finally got sick of looking at my rusty and dirty rotors so cleaned, prepped, and painted them.
Also, finally got my custom rear control arms in with plates and universal perches bolted in so I can swap any off the shelf Swift or Hyperco spring in. My current 11k spring rate is just too soft for the rear so I'm jumping up to 14k.
Finally got sick of looking at my rusty and dirty rotors so cleaned, prepped, and painted them.
Also, finally got my custom rear control arms in with plates and universal perches bolted in so I can swap any off the shelf Swift or Hyperco spring in. My current 11k spring rate is just too soft for the rear so I'm jumping up to 14k.
Last edited by AMG3.2; Oct 8, 2017 at 02:47 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 49
From: Bay Area, CA
2009 C63 AMG
Updates to the benz.
Finally got sick of looking at my rusty and dirty rotors so cleaned, prepped, and painted them.
Also, finally got my custom rear control arms in with plates and universal perches bolted in so I can swap any off the shelf Swift or Hyperco spring in. My current 11k spring rate is just too soft for the rear so I'm jumping up to 14k.
Finally got sick of looking at my rusty and dirty rotors so cleaned, prepped, and painted them.
Also, finally got my custom rear control arms in with plates and universal perches bolted in so I can swap any off the shelf Swift or Hyperco spring in. My current 11k spring rate is just too soft for the rear so I'm jumping up to 14k.
Last edited by CPD SLK; Oct 8, 2017 at 09:34 PM.
