dcfsf

Got a great deal on this car and now that I have my first round of mods done and am enjoying it immensely.

Suspension:
Thanks to Simon and the guys at EVOSPORT – they installed H&R Sport Springs and Bilstein Sport Struts. I had them use thick pads as I didn’t want my car to look too low. But did want the benefit of the sportier handling.

Comand with Aux, Phone and XM:

Parts:
Got the Sprint V60x phone from a board member and got the Comand from a Junk Yard! The wood panel was only available from the Stealer and ran me $350 (discounted 20%!)

Installation:
Was done by Joe Eyerman from http://www.customizedvehicles.com/ He does the a/v installs and upgrades at Fletcher Jones in Newport Beach and other local high-end dealers. He provided the new cradle and PSE for the Phone. And installed everything. He only charges $350 to retrofit/install a Comand when you provide the parts. Also at my request he installed the terk XM commander in the ashtray and ran a cable up to the (new) aux jack in the glove box so if desired I can unplug it and plug in an I-Pod or whatever else.

Basically he did a ton of work and supplied the needed MBZ parts (other than the Comand and cell phone) and has no problem working with parts that you provide. There is a little querk that we are having with the cell phone reception but Joe is very willing to try different solutions.

Joe isn’t the greatest corresponder in the world so it’s best to call/page him on the number found on his website.

Steve Krabbenborg from www.MBenzNL.com did the Comand in my last car and that was great and reasonably priced as well.

Wheels: - mine were trashed!
Though my Stealer I found this Guy Michael Tompson at NEWPORT WHEEL & REFINISHING http://mbzwheel.com/ PH 949.645.0066
He redid my wheels beautifully – painted, lipped and clear coated – just like the factory – in fact on of my wheels was broken and I had to get a new on and it was virtually indistinguishable from the one that he redid.

Tires:
Thanks again to Luke at the tirerack and his same day shipping. My second set of Good Year GS-D3’s from him. You Michelin guys should give these a try sometime the are great!

I can whole heartedly endorse Simon at Evosport, Joe at customizedvehicles.com, Michael at Newport Wheel and Luke’s Good Year Tires.

Thanks!

dcfsf

more

JohnCL

Looks awesome, nice job. Now get some gas in that beast!

dcfsf

I knew that would come up - I want to get some gas but I have no Money left!

JohnCL

I know what you mean.

A COMAND in a junkyard is a pretty rare find I would guess. Did you get a decent price on it?

newton22

Now I want to see some pics of the tach needle at redline.

aintME

looks good! congrats

Torquey55

That is probably the worst place to mount the V1... Otherwise, Nice!

dcfsf

THANKS!

JamE55

Looks nice bro. Were you on Glendale this past saturday? Think i saw you.

dcfsf

nope - stricly sticking to the OC lately.

Thanks for your reccomendation to Simon (I think it was you) if not oh well.

I am still hunting for some euro bumber strips.

Any Ideas?

JamE55

No problem. Glad everything worked out with Evosport. As far as the euro bumper strips go back to Steve. Think he has them.

dcfsf

Steve can get them but can not pomise that they will be silver - I really want to find them used from a european junk yard - got any contacts?

here is a pic that someone from UK e-bay sent me - will these work? The sad part is that he doesn't get back to me.

If Steve could promise me Silver, I work Paypal him right now!

t-boy

Where did you get the flat AMG hood badge?
T-boy

dcfsf

From a great Board Member

Mario
415-518-0900
mdonati@interserv.com

t-boy

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know of someone in the Chicago or midwest that can install and retrofit my 01 E55 with a Comand navigation system. It seems that there should be someone out there. I don't really want to drive to California if I don't have to.
Thanks

t-boy

Also what do you mean when you say "Stealer". Just starting to learn the talk.

The Godfather

Yeah I was gonna say too, that's a really bad placement for the V1. Use a concealed display if that was your concern but dont leave it here, you're probably knocking its performance by 50% doing that.

dcfsf

Stealer = Dealer


Ok Ok Ok I will change the placement - where should I put it? - I will check out the thread on this subject.

t-boy

With your integrated phone what can you do that you can't do with a cell phone? Is the phone you have one that can be taken out when you want and use it like a regular cell? I am thinking of getting a retrofit Comand and don't know if I should get the phone also.

dcfsf

The phone kit is not the most up-to-date technology but is really cool - if you have a 2000+ car - you can scroll through the address book in the instrument cluster and us the buttons on the steering wheel and/or Comand to make calls.

I have the most updated Sprint phone - which happens to be a v60x - but there are newer phones available for other carriers.

MARK CUMMINS

I Would Contact Wanda@www.MBENZNL.com re the front Euro Bumper Inserts
They can get them in Silver...They are ordered by color code...yours is 744?
I Have bought several sets of Euro Bumper Inserts from Mbenznl and have NEVER had any problems

dcfsf

Wanda and Steve will/can not promise 744.

t-boy

Please tell me more about the phone. I have contacted Steve from MercedesNL and I have my name on the list for when he comes back to Chicago. I am unsure about getting the phone installed. My car is set up basically for it but not completely. Will any phone work? Do you need a seperate phone plan and where do you get that at? Can you use any phone carrier?

Kev04C320

T-Boy, check your PM