Rejuvenating the stock E55

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Oct 29, 2025 | 02:26 PM
  #1  
I bought this car 8 years ago, second owner (always a KY car) and have put on 30K miles since then.
the car currently has 90K and though it's in pretty good shape (original paint and absolute no rust), it could still need a little refreshing.
I don't drive it much and have thought about selling it but any time I take it out for a spin, I get a change of heart.

So here are few questions:

The suspension is stock ... I get no rattles or creeks and the roads are smooth ---- do i still refresh the suspension --- where & what do i order?
Headliner is sagging in the back --- I got a great local shop to replace it but he doesn't have the OEM fabric. Where do i source the fabric from?
The bottom speedometer cluster has few dead Pixels --- Who do i send the cluster to for brighter illumination?
I already have bought a mint low mileage front seats not that the current ones are worn out
The current Monoblock's needs restored --- any shop that knows how to do them the right way?
I have also sourced a mint stock Monoblock's with polished lips --- Do they make Monoblock's in wider widths in 18" before I mount tires on these?

Thanks for your help

I broke my camera lens, so bear with the pictures










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Oct 30, 2025 | 04:07 PM
  #2  
Quote: I bought this car 8 years ago, second owner (always a KY car) and have put on 30K miles since then.
the car currently has 90K and though it's in pretty good shape (original paint and absolute no rust), it could still need a little refreshing.
I don't drive it much and have thought about selling it but any time I take it out for a spin, I get a change of heart.

So here are few questions:

The suspension is stock ... I get no rattles or creeks and the roads are smooth ---- do i still refresh the suspension --- where & what do i order?
Headliner is sagging in the back --- I got a great local shop to replace it but he doesn't have the OEM fabric. Where do i source the fabric from?
The bottom speedometer cluster has few dead Pixels --- Who do i send the cluster to for brighter illumination?
I already have bought a mint low mileage front seats not that the current ones are worn out
The current Monoblock's needs restored --- any shop that knows how to do them the right way?
I have also sourced a mint stock Monoblock's with polished lips --- Do they make Monoblock's in wider widths in 18" before I mount tires on these?

Thanks for your help

I broke my camera lens, so bear with the pictures
Pelican Parts. Great tech section for "how to DIY".
-Front lower control arm bushings or just replace both front lower control arms. Tie-rod ends. Ball joints. Sway Bar end links. Replace all links in rear multi-link suspension. Full kits available. Front sway bar bushings where the sway bar mounts to the body.
-headliner, find closest matching fabric you can. Thinnest foam backing you can find. Do the A, B, and C pillars at the same time. See if you can get the plastic handle and vents for the sun roof shade. They will probably break when you attempt to remove for the new headliner. Color coded to your VIN. If no longer available, get closest color match you can.
-instrument cluster needs new flexible connectors. Those are available. Finding a shop to replace is much more difficult. Doable by the owner but scary the first time. Replace all bulbs via Pelican Parts kit. They also provide the IC puller tools (2 hooks). Lower and extend steering wheel to remove IC. See the tech section.
- if you ever need seat leather, GAHH in California. Not cheap but high quality.
-Wheel refinishing is available locally with internet search. $150 to $200 per wheel.
-Cannot address wheel width.
-see this for recommended spares to keep on the shelf.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...what-am-i.html
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Oct 30, 2025 | 05:58 PM
  #3  
That's very helpful
What about Shocks/springs?
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Oct 30, 2025 | 09:59 PM
  #4  
Springs should be good. I installed Bilstein shocks and not happy with them. Rebound response far too loose; feels like front suspension is just free falling over large dips. Literally a "thunk!" as the suspension drops. Looking to install adjustable Konis in the front to prevent the "free fall" of the Bilsteins.

Still my favorite car for 8 hour road trips
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Nov 1, 2025 | 09:23 PM
  #5  
Cluster pixel repair diy. Did it on my 55 when I first got it, was not too hard.
Re: Rims - I used to run a square set of rear monoblocks, because of the front suspension setup I was not able to run anything wider than a 245 in the front with out rubbing.
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Nov 6, 2025 | 04:31 PM
  #6  
The fabric for the headliner just came in at the store, dropping it off early next week.
Headlights refurbishing, cluster Pixel repair and the suspension be the winter project.
Spring will install MPSS on newer Monoblock's

How could you not love this car.
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Nov 7, 2025 | 06:25 PM
  #7  
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1RUPQNhehj/
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