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Bought this car with 3 bad ABC hoses, a cracked radiator, a split expansion tank, and rusty brakes and rotors at 4 corners. Replaced/fixed everything, she runs like new now, and looks like new. Nobody believed it was 13 years old, paint is immaculate. Taken it to the dealer would've cost at least $10K for everything...I did all the work myself.

Next up in mods, SL65 front bumper and SL63 rear bumper with diffuser, and a taller deck spoiler...then wrap in pearl white.

Bahnstormer

Stunning car and beautiful photographs.

cjennjr

Congratulations!! Beautiful car! I tried the chrome bumper strips on my Red '05 SL500 but it didn't look right. I guess it depends on
the color of the car...

Rudeney

Very nice!

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Thanks again for your assistance in finding the part numbers for me, couldn't have done it without the help! i've put 500 miles on her since the repair and so far so good. Drove it 200 miles today up and down the mountain, hit a few nasty bridge expansion joints, bone jarring but didn't get any ABC messages.

ozc204

Why cant I see the pics ??

Rudeney

I can see them. It looks like they are hosted on Flickr, so maybe it's an "international" thing?

57staff

Love those wheels. Are they AMGs or Repos?

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moretech

So sharp!! Congrats!! Nice job

moretech

ozc204

aaaaw c'mon post a pic so we can all see..!!

ItalianJoe1

They are really fun cars when all sorted. My CL has taken quite a bit of investment on my part to get it all working, ABC was just part of the battle, wait until you have to remove the engine or subframe to do the mounts/turbo seals lol.

When it's all working though, it's a hell of a car. The V12 is really something special.

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Weird, everyone outside of the USA cannot see my pics, i hosted it on flickr, i have pics in this thread. Let me try IMGUR

Does this work for you? pic attached

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You are absolutely correct, though i'm no stranger to speed, last car was a 1000hp Supra, this car is just so fun to drive. I can't believe it depreciated so much that i can finally afford it. I have every reason to believe this car will go to 200K without any engine issues, however there are a lot of loose ends that i have to tie up. Suddenly my vario roof takes long to open, sometimes don't even open when it's cold. Pump make noises but it doesn't lower.

dRockSL55

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Yes, after i fixed the ABC hoses, and the radiator and expansion tank i took the car on a torture test. Had Waze up and basically drove the car like a Dbag all the way to shenandoah, then went the entire length of skyline drive, popped out on 340 then headed back to DC. Drove almost 300 miles total, didn't let the car rest except for a few pics. I wanted to see if the radiator will hold up to extreme heat, and it did. I bought a no name rad on ebay for $60 so i was expecting it to blow lol.

I wasn't aware the AMG sideskirts are different than what i have now? Looks the same.

Rudeney

They have a more aggressive looking lip on the bottom edge. And the lip is full across the entire horizontal length, instead of having an "offset" in the middle like yours.

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Oh i see it now, it's very subtle, i didn't even notice. With that being said, i don't think i'll get it. Bumpers are a must, i want a diffuser look.

dRockSL55

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After i get the AMG bumpers we can be twins heh. I like your wheels, what size are they? I'm thinking of going back to 19s, the 20s look good but ride a little rough, esp when i have it on the lowest suspension setting. I just got this car and is my first Benz, so still have lots to learn.

kbob999

If the ride is rougher or bouncy on lowest setting, you are probably on the bump stops. Adjust your links a couple turns and it will be a lot better, but not look as slammed. I did this on mine...low, but not too low.

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Yeah when i got the links, i only lowered it 1" all around, the picture you see is on its lowest setting. I usually have it on high, or medium around town but on smooth highway i'll have it on low.

bentonmike

Nosmo SL55

I've had no problems viewing the pics in Google Chrome.

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I'm also looking into doing a cheap widebody route, instead of doing the full SL63 headlight one, i can pick up this kit and reuse my headlights.







What do you guys think? I plan on re-using my stock hood, and i already have the spoiler so i just need the front bumper, fenders, and sideskirts. I have experience in autobody as well so if it fits like crap, i'll make it fit like less crap. This kit looks clean from what i can see.