Strigoi

i registered awhile ago when i first started looking for E55's and i finally picked one up a few days ago (have wanted one for years). all i have to say is that i am in love with this car now. it's a 2001 with 91,000 on it and it runs/drives great. it needs some maintenance stuff taken care of but nothing major. a friend of mine has worked at an indie MB/BMW shop for 13 years (the almost free labor perk is nice) and thought it was a good one for the price. it drives great, feels solid and is f'ing fast. i spent the last 9 years driving an '02 Dodge Durango so this is a bit of a step up. i had a '98 Z28 before that and it feels nice to be in something fast again.

here's a crappy cell phone pic of it. it's dirty in that one and needs an exterior detail which will be getting done pretty soon.



i do have one question though. does it look like it's lowered to you guys? there's one that's always parked by the MB dealer next to my work (guessing the guy works there) and it sits noticeably higher than mine.

it also came with a set of 19" Brabus Monoblock V wheels that need tires. as of now i don't think i'm going to run them (don't want to buy tires) so they will probably be up for sale soon. they have some curb rash/dings on the lips but look decent. i was thinking about getting them powder coated black but then it would cost me around $1,300 (minimum) to get them on the car with tires. i have other stuff i'd rather spend that money on (mainly a VW Baja project). if you're local (i won't ship them) PM me if you're interested. i'm not actively selling them now but if someone makes a reasonable offer i'll probably let them go. they're just taking up space in the living room right now.

mfletch69

Love the color.

measure from the ground to the top of your wheel arch oppenings and let us know how many inches for front and back.

Schweinhund

Congrats! Nice purchase. Height looks OEM to me.

TeutonicAg

Yes, congratulations! Looks to be the same stock height as mine.

snooozie

Congras on your new ride....like the color. Same as mine good choice.

Strigoi

it's sitting at 27" so it looks like it's got the stock springs in it after checking out some other threads.



as for the wheels, i've had several PMs about them. i'm not looking to ship them right now but will consider it if no one local wants them. i'll make a thread in the classifieds in probably a couple of weeks if no one local gets them.

desired_speeds

looks good, you picked that one up on craigslist I see.

Strigoi

yep, the one in Discovery Bay.

i took it to my friend's shop today and he gave it a good once over and didn't find anything bad. he's going to do the control arm bushings/ball joints (they don't need replacing but are starting to wear a bit), engine mounts (one is leaking) and the valve cover gaskets (passenger side has a leak). other than those things it looks good. i'll probably have to do the front rotors/pads in the next 8-10 months.

we also stuck a set of 19" Carlsson wheels on it that they had around. they need tires but i can get them for very cheap so i may pick them up for the hell of it. they're heavy and i'm not sure if i really like them that much.

Richie999

Always loved the bubble eye Benz. Great looking car - now lower it and tint it!

Strigoi

it's definitely getting tinted but i'm undecided on if i want to lower it or not. i've had lowered cars and while i think they look good, i prefer the stock ride.

MBFLO

if u lower on just pads i think it should change the stock ride as much

snooozie

Thats what I think I'll do to mine....change the #3 to #1 and keep the springs OEM, unless I find a set of euro springs for a good price

Richie999

BTW-- if the chrome wheels are an option, I'd say go with the stocks and then consider an AMG type 5 spoke wheel.

The "hammers" - Lorinzer style wheels are (insert valley girl) sooooooooooooo 80's

I think Crocket or Tubs still rolls 'em

Strigoi

just thought i'd update since i mentioned selling the Brabus wheels. i bought tires for them last night and figured i'd see how i like them. the tires on the stock 18's need replacing soon so i decided to go for it. the difference between the two wasn't that much and i think the Brabus wheels look better (haven't really seen them mounted on the car yet though).

the tires should be here Wed and i'm hoping to have the wheels on the car by next weekend. i'll post pics once i get them on.

btw, if anyone local is interested in those Carlssons i posted you can have them for $350 (all the tires are junk). i would be making a little bit off them, but that's just how it is.

edit: just to clarify, i need to double check that my friend still has them (he hasn't mentioned selling them to me).

xlr8tin

Congrats, btw. Great choice

armaniE55

Congrats and welcome to the club

You would be surprised how the car will handle with new shocks let alone lowering springs /combo

I would at least replace the shocks and swap out the pads / cheaper and it will lower it just enough

Enjoy the Ride!

Armani

MBFLO

yea if you want that sport feel I can take this turn at 100mph swap out the suspension or keep it stock and switch pads will still feel like a benz. LoL
I live in detroit potholes galore and the car mod scene isnt as big as west coast ppl think my ride lowered like couple inches when really only like half inch . Man love the grey color !!!
if was local would grip those wheels and slap some silver or black paint after gettin ..them dechromed. All good deals are local Cali wtff... Cant wait to see it

SleepersRock

Good pick up. My second choice as far as color goes. I usually don't get out past tri-valley area in the East Bay, but I'm gonna be up in the Concord to Fairfield area a few weekends from now. Hopefully I'll see you cruising around.