motorkas

Hello Everyone,

For those who don't like the stories - here's the questions:

1) will a stage 1 or 2 compromise everyday drivability and where the max torque lies in the rev range
2) what OEM 18's and 19's will work to increase the footprint in the front and back
3) Anybody in the DC area have any recommendations for:
a)mod friendly competent dealers
b) the name of a good SA in the area
c) any shops that could install a Laser interceptor and hard wire a 9500
d) a good spot to get the calipers painted
e) the name of a good shrink for my wife

For those who want to know why I'm asking said questions:

Just had my "new" 04 blk/blk E55 delivered to the house today. Best part - house is in the DC metro area and I'm currently in Boston for work which meant wifey conducted the last part of the transaction .
Me - "take her for a spin"
Her - "I don't want to"
Me - "do it"
Her - "I'm afraid - can't you just wait until you get home"
Me - "need to know if she runs right"
Her - "Ok - but I have to eat first" . . . Car starts,
Her "Ok I'm going"
Me "floor it"
Her "why?"
Me "need to know"
Her "need to know what?"
Me "Can you PLEASE just floor it - nothing bad is going to happen"
Her" OK..........................................HOLY S*&% . . . . . . . . . . ." heavy breathing. . . . . . . . "that was NOT funny"
Me "sorry - needed to know if it was a real AMG. . . good thing you ate before you drove it."

After that conversation - I finally understood why VW brought back the beetle ("you're so right honey. . . it is a really cute car - just looking at it makes me smile".)

Now to the fun part - what to do. After the process of getting insurance (which vaguely resembled what I imagine a colonoscopy must be like) it has been deemed necessary that my non tax dollars are about to be used to right the egregious wrong that my tax dollars are currently being spent to suppress my German given right to get from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time possible. Heeeellllloooo Laser interceptor and Passport 9500. Since the goal is now stealth my mods must be subtle.
Here's the plan:
Internal - CM30 for now - everthing else stays stock - I'm going to drive her for six months and then it's stage 1 and 2 time.
External
1)wheels - Has to stay OEM - looking for a wider foot print up front - and if possible the same size all the way around. Debating on whether to move up to 19's or keep the 18's.
2) CF front lip and diffuser
3) Front side light delete
4) Smoked mirror turn signals
5) painted calipers
6) Maybe debadge

The car is a weekender that's meant for enjoying the drive to Philly and CT (to visit my parents and my brother) and also EMBARRASSING those, who after carefull consideration, have been deemed unworthy of feeling good about themselves or their cars. Also, the 55 was specifically choosen over the 63 for the torque down low (and the ridiculous pricing) so my questions are these:

1) will a stage 1 or 2 compromise everyday drivability and where the max torque lies in the rev range
2) what OEM 18's and 19's will work to increase the footprint in the front and back
3) Anybody in the DC area have any recommendations for:
a)mod friendly competent dealers
b) the name of a good SA in the area
c) any shops that could install a Laser interceptor and hard wire a 9500
d) a good spot to get the calipers painted
e) the name of a good shrink for my wife

Thanks,
BT

Jakpro1

Absolutely NOT, in fact with a good tune like LET's, you will actually increase mileage per gallon.

I am on the upper scale of the modding spectrum and my wife still can drive the car around no problem. She also knows FOR REAL that punching it on corners/off ramps/intersection turns will mean certain death or injury so long as the wifey understands that, you're cool.

The Godfather

Welcome to the W211 55! Why do you want a wider front footprint? You should about the rears first, especially if you're gonna go stage 1 or 2 I dont have any power mods, but I can't see how it would be a problem for everyday driveability. I say go for it!

As for wheels, I'd say 19's are a good compromise between peformance and looks. I went 20's, because I could give less of a damn about power. There's still plenty of juice.

But if you want something that's OEM looking, I'd look at some Monarch wheels.

Max.H

Why? Need to know what? Can you PLEASE just floor it.


Congrats and welcome home.

Yacht Master

Why not the passport SRX or 9500ic

https://www.escortradar.com/store/passport-srx.html

https://www.escortradar.com/store/passport-9500ci.html

motorkas

"Absolutely NOT, in fact with a good tune like LET's, you will actually increase mileage per gallon."

- I had no idea - great news - wifey won't even let me ask for bags from the grocery store so this is a guaranteed way to get her on board with this sooner rather than later. This is something I'll definitely run a search on. Thanks. When we test drove a 55 my MPG was averaging right around 11 - when we switched driving it immediately started creeping back up until we arrived back at the dealership she had gotten it back up to 16.

"Why do you want a wider front footprint?"

While I knew what I was getting into by choosing the 55 over a M5 in terms of straight line/ highway performance v. backroad prowess, I still would like to tighten up the corning capablites a little bit and I figured increasing the front footprint would help in that endeavor. Also, riding aggressive motorcylces has taught me the value of good tires (and how quickly said tires go - avg about 1500 - 2000 miles) and I was hoping that by making the sizes uniform all around I could squeeze a little extra life out of them. If there are good reasons to keep the staggered set-up - I wouldn't think twice about doing it because I've also learned that sometimes savings = less enjoyment, but if it's feasible . . .

"Congrats and welcome home".

Oooooohhhhhh does it feel sooooo good to be home!!!!!!!

"Why not the passport SRX or 9500ic"

I need (want) the 9500 for the red light camera and speed camera database (they're all over the DC metro area) and from the independent tests http://www.guysoflidar.com/july-2008...mmer-test.html it looks like the laser interceptor came out on top over the fully integrated escort system - I was trying to get the best of both worlds - is there something I'm missing?

Everyone, thanks for the input so far - this board has been an incredible source of info and I'm really looking forward to delving even deeper.

Thanks again,

BT

Hotrod-Realtor

Hi BT,
Your initial post was very funny and I like your sense of humor. I have nothing to offer you in regards to your questions. I just wanted to say welcome and congratulations.
Warren

Mantooth

I know this is an MB forum, but please post pics of your bike.

thx.

Welcome to the E55 family!

motorkas

Thanks for the welcomes - I'll definitely be posting pics as soon as I get home. If you couldn't tell . . . I'm a BIG BELIEVER in torque down low for the street.

BT

OXOJE55

Wecome and congrats

JoelE55

Welcome to forum....and Congrats..

Max.H

Take some pics when you get back home!