So I finally ponied up and got some new wheels and tires. Went with the CL65 replicas in 19" with Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta's. Ride is nice, and it corners/launches much better than on my Nitto 555's.





I also finally split my I/C circuit... which was somewhat of an ordeal. First, for those of you who have done this you know how tight an area we are talking about and how akward it is to get the proper tools along with your mits in that area. I can't tell you how many time I dropped a tool and then followed by dropping the f-bomb. Second, I could not cut off the oem clamps at the coolant/IC circuit "T" for the life of me. I finally had to simply cut the hose... which left me about 1/2" short to properly join and clamp the coupling. I had to go to Lowe's and buy a 6 inch length of 3/4" heater hose, another coupler and more clamps. By this time it is dark so I grab my trusty work halogen. I finally get everything clamped together, fill it (2007 5 series p/s reservoir) with water and it leaks like a freakin sieve.... there goes another bottle of water wetter on the garage floor. Looks like I will be scrubbing the garage floor later. I pull it all back apart, put it back together, and as I am re-tightening the clamps back I smell smoke. I look over through my sweat filled and blurred vision (100+ degrees in the garage even with the fans) and my halogen has tipped forward and its cage is now resting on the return brake line.. and it is smoking like like Tommy Chong. I take a closer look... awesome, its melted right through the brake line which now has a nice hole in it. After cleaning up the brake fluid off my garage floor, re-splicing my brake line and re-assembling the I/C and coolant circuits for the second time I fill'er up... NO LEAKS! A smooth and quick 7 hours after I should have been finished, I finally get to take few hot laps and IAT's average +11 over ambient and peaked at +37 over ambient on my fourth 0-80 run. It was 96F ambient at the time. I guess it is working.

 

when am i going to get to see this beast in action??? it's looking and performing better every time i check the board!

 

Nice!! Not a fan of the grille though... Everything else..

 

Once it cools off man, once it cools off. October? November? Maybe we can get Jim to come down for the weekend and have a small west coast AMG event for those who can't/won't make the trip to MIR. Besides, I am still sore fome the a$$ whoopin you gave me last time head to head... need time to heal brotha!

Chris was supposed to split the circuit a few weeks back, but he called when I was 10 minutes away and had to cancel with some type of family issue. I was hoping to be able to have some type of reservoir within a reservoir. I could then pack the gap with shaved ice. I had a nice little drain line idea to keep the melt off from wetting the belts and everyting. Not near as cool as the trunk mounted system, bu still pretty damn nifty if you ask me.

 

C'mon man, stay off the $119 eBay special!

 

 

Supre...looking sweet!!!! How's the weight on those new shoes? It's ok...I like the grill...but then again I drank the same Ebay kool-aid...

 

where did you get the wheels from and how much? Im looking to get a set myself.

 

looks sweet !! i have the same wheels in silver and 20's !!

 

They were 24 lbs front and 26 lbs rear IIRC. I thought the stockers were 30+.

I got them from Wheelsnext dot com.

 

I have been thinking about getting the same wheels, but in the 19" replicas. Are these lighter then the stock ones that come with the car? Someone has been trying to talk me out of them telling me the replicas might be heavier then the stock AMG wheels that came with my car. I really like the CL65 wheels and am thinking about doing it but want to make sure the rim itself is either the same weight or LESS???
Any input is appreciated regarding the rim weight.

 

I've done that job a few times, it can be real tight. Glad to see it turned out good, enjoy the newfound lower IATs and the new shoes!

Nick

 

Looks pretty sweet. What size tires did you get?

How much of a difference is the split IC making? I've thought about doing that, maybe before next summer. I know Chris is shutting his shop down too but I'm hoping to stay in contact with him for these type of jobs (read: I don't wanna clean up my garage floor! LOL!).

 

My favorite rims by far. If I ever make the jump up to 19's, THOSE are the ones!!!

Very nice.

Sorry bout the garage snags. Been there and done that.

 

looks good

 

The new ones weighed in at 24 and 26 lbs front and rear respectively if I remember correctly. Not sure what the E63 stockers weigh. The 55's feel like boat anchors.

 

Can Anyone chime in on how much the stock e63 wheels weigh? Front and Rear? Hoping to know for sure before making the jump to something like this as I dont want to add any additional weight.

 

Those wheels look great on your car.
I dont mind the star on the grill, its the thick black slats that look a bit out of place. I wonder what white slats would look like with the chrome and star?????