Kleemann: Would you supercharge an E500?
 

I've been thinking the past few days about supercharging my E500, specifically with the Kleemann K1 Kit (thanks Benz-O-Rama :smash:). I've been in contact with an authorized dealer and the cost breakdown is as follows: 7995 for kit, 4700 labour + few hundred for shop supplies.

The price of the kit is good though the 4700 beans for labour is a bit tough to swallow (approx 40 hrs labour?). Does this seem about right?

The kit is good for:
455 HP
433 TQ
1 Year Limited Warranty

I also have a full E63 exhaust (headers back) and a VRP HEM on order so these numbers should be slightly north of that.

Now... I do understand completely that upgrading to an AMG would be the ideal. There's two issues in particular that deter me from upgrading:

A) Prices for AMG's are significantly higher in Canada than the USA - I don't want the hassle of importing or selling my car

B) My Dad bought the E500 new and it's been serviced at the dealer since day one. It has very low mileage (20k miles), well equipped (pano sunroof, premium sound) and I added a host of other upgrades at my local dealer since I took ownership (full OEM E63 body kit, 07+ tails, trunk finisher, exhaust, 19" AMG wheels etc.). This car was $90k CAD brand new.

At this point I'll be hanging onto this car for a while regardless if I do the kit or not.

I'm looking specifically for feedback from those with experience with Kleemann products or better yet, installed a S/C into their car. Here are a few pics of a W210 with the S/C installed. Clean job!

Here's a few Kleemann vids for those that don't know :naughty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlU11uuw3XM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WXKGstatJY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6zvdlGVoos

TIA :y

13K and you still wont beat a stock E55? :crazy: Save your money and use your E500 as a toy for now, and when whenever your ready drop that 13K on a bigger toy.

Ah what he said above +2.

Save the mnoey and buy a used E55. Besides the fact they are RIPPING you off on labor charges. To put that much in a car, and end up on the slow side, is completely foolish, IMHO.

See yeah:zoom:

Just buy a E55. You're going to spend all that $$$ and time in "customizing" a car that at the end, will still lose to a E55. The reliability of a "supped up" E500 may also be in question.

I agree

no offence but sell you car Add the funds you wanted to spend and just get an E55

The new E is right around the corner now and is soon to be released, expect the E to drop in price soem more

end of it

you get a faster car
a much nicer and updated car
a car with much more modding room to play with :y

Thanks for the reply, gents. Upgrading to an E55 isn't an option (as stated above)...

I think Akademiks said it best:
I'd love to get a 997... Anyway, I'll keep an open mind for now.
Anyone else? :nix:

for 13k you can find a used e55 engine and swap it....????

Since you ABSOLUTELY will not sell and buy an E55. Use your car for what it is a 302 hp (has some balls) with a sick body kit, and what not. Save that $13k (put it into a CD) and then ina year from now or 2 years, when you sell the E500. Put that $13k + interest toward your next purchase (E63, CL63, 997, etc).


PS. Post some pics of your ride man :)

buy NOS.... call it a day.

No body should spend $13k on their car with this economy.

Save the $

No way, those numbers are inflated too. You won't see those numbers at the crank or tires. Save your dough. 4700 is ridiuculous for labor. Buy a e55 instead or even e63.

I used to have a supercharged 2000 e430, it was awesome, but looking back I wish I had saved the money and bought an e55 earlier

I'd wait a few more months and buy an E55. They're already in the 20s. By the time you sell your car, they'll even be lower.

The Kleemann supercharger kit is definitely impressive. You should talk to Ahmed (blackbenz), as he a Kleemann supercharger kit on his CLK55 with great results. But honestly, I'd definitely try to get an E55 instead of supercharging your E500.

It's no surprise of the overwhelming responses tilted towards the E55. Financially, of course it makes sense to sell yours and buy the E55. But, there's something to be said for the exclusivity and just complete bad assness of an E50K.

The price of the blower is excellent. The price of labor is absolutely out of control. How much would Cory charge to install it himself? It'd probably be cheaper to drive it to him and take a mini vacation.

As some of you know, I've been toying with the idea and, as stated, I was the one who nudged him in Cory's direction. But with 2 keeeeds, a wife, and a live-in nanny to support, I just have a hard time dropping that much cash on my car in this economy. I could go from the penthouse to the outhouse in the blink of an eye.

If you see a "Save Benz-O-Rama thread", please be generous.

It's not worth all the trouble of getting an aftermarket SC. Save your money and get a W211 E55/E63. Beside i doubt it you will get 455hp, more realistic is about 400 or less. I paid $4000 for labor on my Kleemann which is total to about $16,000. Not worth the power and problem i'm getting.

Good luck!

Please elaborate about the problems.

I've had (2) different aftermarket superchargers installed (1) on my past 99 Suburban the other on past 2001 S430....Trust me when I tell you RUN don't walk!! they're trying to rob you blind! $4700 for install is RAPE!

No way it should cost more than $2500 including belts/pulleys/fluids OUT THE DOOR...God :bs: like this makes me furious (approx 40 hrs labour?):rolf: shouldn't take more than 2-3 full days IE 16-24 total hours:rolleyes:

Save your money as others have said like me, you'll NEVER get anywhere close to stock E55 211 power levels you'll thank us all later if you just sell your 500 & upgrade:y

I agree with you. I had a 1995 Mustang GT with a paxton SC installed. labor was about $700. Just because it a Mercedes that doesn't give them the right to rap us! :crazy:

rape** :D

Basically in a nut shell is I only gain 50-60 whp:crazy:
Transmission cut off when it hit redline, not limp mode
low speed surge, car rock back and forward at spd about 5mph, drive me crazy in bumper to bumper traffic and parking lot. :mad:

$16,000 for 50-60whp is :crazy::crazy:

that is my car in your pictures....

Kleemann s/c is fun, but overpriced... if you have money to burn, go for it! :naughty: :zoom:

You also run the risk of breaking things.... I broke a piston and just replaced it.

Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, you could buy one of these and place it in all snuggly and warm

http://www.mercedesenginesdirect.com/wapcat/View_EngineInfo.asp?rd_eng=1434366~Call+Now%23U960 3ME5501NZ

+1...

I agree with everything but this

+1

putting in an M113K is probably going to be cheaper than the Kleemann S/C set-up and you'll have more potential for power.

W/ONLY the basic Kleemann blower on an E500 model? remember were not talking about adding this blower to W210 E55, unless he went crazy & added every single aftermarket Kleemann part to his E500 IE Longtube Headers/Cams/Meth/X-pipe/hi-flo or no cats/race gas/etc...

No way NO how will an E500 w/ONLY Kleemann blower put down anything close to Stock E55 W211 #'s 400-420 rwhp 450-470 rwto:nix:

I understand you have a heavily tweaked CLK55 w/Kleemann, totally un-comparable..:y

Yea I agree with just blower he isnt gonna make anywhere near the W211 E55 power. Just do the engine swap if it fits. I would love to have that engine in my car, or even better a V12TT :bow: