E55 Rocket

Hi all. I got some quotes from a local Mercedes modifier in Santa Cruz, CA, and the prices he quoted seemed pretty outrageous. For example:

1. To lower the car 1 inch (as AMG does for the Eurpoean Version E55's, which are all 1 inch lower than US spec cars), he was asking $3,500.

2. For the limited slip differential mod and the pulley and ECU mapping, he wanted an additional $12,000.

Is this crazy, or is he in the ballpark?

A.

Jakpro1

Not sure about the lowering, but here is what I paid at Kleemann.

Stage 2 which is headers ECU and pulleys 6795

LSD was 4500...

Labor usually runs you about 500 from Klee (that may be where this dealer is hitting you hardest)

That's around 12000$ and I got the headers too. I just can't say enough about the headers.....when you let this Beast breathe....she sings.

I would shop around or even consider taking a trip to SoCal or something....I bet EVO could put a Kleemann or their own system in cheaper than that.

I bet Vadim will chime in...he'll know.

Here are the Kleemann dealers in your area...sure you already knew this

Canepa Design
1191 Walter Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Tel: 831.423.5704
Fax: 831.423.2239
Email: canepa98@aol.com
Web: www.canepa.com

medici78

Those prices are outrageous. Steve's US base is out of Northern California. Just have him lower it for you. Much, much, much cheaper than $3500. I would also bet that its through the same method. You really should shop around. I have to admit it really bugs me when shops take advantage of M-B owners, thinking we don't care about how we spend our money.

BMWEATR

there jak'n you on the lowering mod it only takes 1-2 hrs w/ alignment.

paul928

Take a look at the Kleemann Site (Kleemann.dk) and look for dealers in Northern California. In addition to the one you mentioned, (which is Bruce Canepa Motors), there is one in Oakland which seems, I am, to told, to be quite reliable. Call Cory in Colorado (the US distributor for Kleemann) to get pricing information, which is cheaper then Renntech, but quite reliable.
If you want to keep your car "smogable" in California, you might look at Keemann TS-6 Wheels, the Limited slip dfferential and the stage 1 upgrade for the AMG engine. I have done the first two (in So Calif.) and will be doing the stage 1 in October , through the Oakland dealer. I also upgraded the sound system with all new speakers (three-way in front, two-way in back and mono subwoofers) and all new amplifiers (3), smoked the tail lights, painted the satellite antenna to match the car color (black opal), installed a blue tooth enabled voice activited aftermarket phone system, which runs through the sound system, and rests in a custom made cradle in the box between the seats, and installed a new leather and wood matching steering wheel (with paddles), a k-40 radar system, and ceramic-based tinting (all in So Cal).
Good luck and and happy modifying

JamE55

Which dealer is this you got a quote from? Is this a reputable dealer? And is this all custom stuff (no name brand limited slip, pulley and ecu?)

gmdebruyn

I called the same dealer. I got him off Kleemann's website. They are completely overpriced. Go to Kleemann directly or try the one in Burlingame.

E55 Rocket

gmdebruyn,

Thank you for the advise! I was really shocked when he began quoting prices!

Is the Burlingame dealer reputable?

Thanks,

Allen

gmdebruyn

yea, more reputable than the santa cruz one. i knew it was just bad when the santa cruz salesman tried to convince me that my E55 had springs in my car.

according to kleemann, the burlingame one is good.

JamE55

Sounds like they knew what they were talking about. :p

E55 Rocket

Unbelievable that the Santa Cruz dealer is so clueless! I really appreciate your assistance Gmdebruyn; your input has been extremely valuable!

Allen