RVAE34

After more time paying attention to the noise, it's definitely suspension related. I found a thread here with the service bulletin for adding epoxy to the outside of the sway bar bushings. My local dealer had one tube of the 2 part left. I will try that first and if that doesn't work, it seems like it's most likely the upper suspension mount. Other than that minor issue, I absolutely love the car.

I ordered the MB bluetooth puck thinking that would allow me to use my phone with Pandora but seems that device only allows me to use the phone for calls. Picked up a 3.5mm cable from Walmart for the Aux port in the glove box for now. I read a thread where some people talk about the GROM but nothing on anyone actually using it. I had one in my BMW 740 and loved it.

Just ordered clear projector lenses and Osram Xenarc CBI D2S bulbs from theretrofitsource. Have those in my other cars and love them.

RVAE34

Removed the front bumper and headlights. As of now, I intend to paint the entire chrome housing of the low beam gunmetal leaving only the projector shroud and turn signal housing chrome. I would do the same thing to just the outer housing of the high beam, leaving the fluted reflective bowl chrome. And with the clear lenses, spacers and new bulbs, should be super crisp lighting with a razor sharp plasma blue cutoff. I think the gunmetal will make the car look more sporty/aggressive. Along with all the chrome on the grill and trim (which I plan to have wrapped).

nicobaires

Congrats on the car! I was looking at the car, very clean!

RVAE34

Thanks!!


Ordered EVO-XR projectors and scheduled a guy to come wrap all the exterior chrome trim with matte gunmetal vinyl. Also have an appt to drop the car off at MB for the gas tank leak recall. Noticed the smell of gas after a full tank and seems they will fix it for free at unlimited mileage. And since I realized how much of a PITA is it to get at the sway bar bushings to epoxy in the housing, I will let the dealer handle that as well (or to see if the clicking is caused by something else in the suspension)

RVAE34

Got the lights apart. Baked them at 210 degrees for about 6 minutes. I am absolutely torn on whether to paint the chrome housing gunmetal. And by gunmetal, I mean a really dark silver. More of a titanium than dark gray. Part of me hates all the chrome and part of me likes the classy look. I suppose worst case scenario if I don't like it, I can buy lights off ebay with broken tabs etc and remove the chrome housings to bring back to stock. Remember, if I do go gunmetal, it would only be the high beam outer chrome ring (not the reflector bucket/bowl) and only the low beam chrome housing (not the projector shroud or turn signal reflector bowl).

2000UZJ

IMHO, blacked out housings in the E class look pretty garbage. I haven't seen them in titanium. I would assume they would look better. I think a matte bright silver finish would killer, knock down on the chrome but retain a near factory finish.

RVAE34

I also hate black out housings. Right now, I am leaning towards cast iron engine paint (to withstand the heat). It's a dark silver. Similar to the colors I used for my wife's V70R headlight retrofit and IPD grill.

e34nication

I installed this in my car wired through aux-in, works well.

https://navtv.com/products/NTV-KIT510/streamblue.html

RVAE34

I would probably go with the GROM over that for a little less money.

I tried to mask off the front line section of the housing but masking immediately removes the chrome finish So I had to do the whole thing. Which still looks good. I ordered lights with broken tabs to get the stock chrome housings out of if I ever want to go back.

You can see how similar the color is to the Volvo. Please excuse the dirty cars and crappy cell pics

animal_63518

im liking it

2000UZJ

Love the color. I can't wait to see it all buttoned up!

nicobaires

like it, I hate chrome

RVAE34

I finally got the vinyl samples for the wrap that will be done on all the chrome trim. Unfortunately, the color closest to the lights is still a few shades off. However, my second choice paint color has an identical match in vinyl so I may go a shade lighter. That spray color was engine paint in cast iron. My second choice was engine paint in cast aluminum. The vinyl that identically matches the cast aluminum is called matte gunmetal gray and the color that is a reasonably close match to the painted housings above is actually called satin chrome black.

RVAE34

I forgot to add that E55 and E63 projectors are completely different. Therefore the EVO-XR projectors are not a direct bolt in. Seems the W211 E63 projectors are quite good other than the fresno lenses. And they are D1S not D2S. This was news to TRS so they refunded me on my previous stuff and sent out different clear lenses to swap in and Osram Xenarc CBI D1S bulbs. Everything will be here tomorrow. I can't wait to get it all installed and get the car back together. Vinyl guy should be at my house on Sunday morning too.

RVAE34

Here is the lighter color which almost perfectly matches the matte gunmetal vinyl. I think I like this better. And the projector shroud doesn't stand out so much.









I feel like it almost matches the colors on this F01 7 series that I love as well.

RVAE34

RVAE34

Pano roof got stuck yesterday. Luckily I was able to close it manually using the crank tool. I was considering fixing it myself but after all the threads I have read on the issue, I decided to let the dealer handle it and therefore provide me with a future warranty on it since they were already going to be fixing the fuel tank issue under extended warranty. They are also going to pull the headliner and make sure all of it is 100%. Not cheap but I guess that's what I get for buying an AMG.


On the fuel tank issue, they decided to replace the whole tank and actually had one in stock!

HykakanAMG

I have a 2008 E63 around 70k miles. I don't think I have had to change anything fuel tank oriented. What was the symptoms? Smell? Were the headbolts/cam lifters changed?

RVAE34

Yeah, the issue is when you fill the tank. You get a strong fuel smell. I found the sticky on it here. MB will fit it with unlimited mileage. For a while, the tanks were on back order. Now they seem to be readily available.


No, my head bolts were not replaced. From everything I have read, I shouldn't have the problem at 34k miles. And even then, what is the actual failure rate? I would be willing to bet it's less than 10-15%. Otherwise, there would be an extended warranty on that issue as well.

HykakanAMG

I have an aftermarket warranty. They have been pretty good to me. Easycare is the company. Does mb replace the fuel tank if u go in? Recall?

RVAE34

Yeah I almost got a warranty but had already spent too much. In hindsight, I still should have even if I put it on the CC. I may give them a call though.


Yes, they will repair the fuel tank free of charge regardless of mileage or warranty. Check out the sticky thread at the top of the W211 section. That is how I found out about it.

HykakanAMG

Are you going to mod the car? I'm going to get Longtubes soon. Bought my 2008 at 58,150 for 29k. So you got a steal for 29,500. With aftermarket warranty + tax, I came to about 35k. Ugh.

RVAE34

I don't plan on doing anything but basic mods. Resonator delete, some subtle exterior stuff and maybe add a sub.

HykakanAMG

I've done a resonator delete on my car. Amazing sound difference. Go to a reputable muffler shop and they'll do it under $100.

RVAE34

I am having a friend do it. I have lots of friends with awesome shops or tools I am a long time car nut. Just happens to be my first MB.

Here are some past projects. Only the most notable though. My whole list is probably at 30 now. I just can't stop lol.

In order from oldest to newest. 1995 Silvia conversion. My first real car project built in 2003.

Then a 1992 BMW E34 525 which I did an M52/S52 cam swap and a turbo setup. Wilwood brakes and lots of other mods.

1972 Datsun 510. I bought it as a rough runner. Then transformed it into a beast. Rebello Frankenstein L20 2.3L with twin Mikuni 44's, Nismo headers, Roadster close ratio 5 speed, 280x brakes with Troy Ermish coilovers, Panasports etc. I did the engine bay paint and painted the windows. Wet sanded and buffed the whole car.

2004 Volvo V70R (current wifey mobile), custom stereo, retrofit headlights with FXR projectors, IPD grill, Viva chassis brace. Full wetland and buff.

1985 VW Cabriolet (wifey's gift which we sold after our son was born). I did all the work myself other than the motor build. Stripped it, painted it, all new rubber, new suspension etc. Motor was built by a friend while it was in storage as a surprise Xmas gift.

2003 BMW M5 I refreshed and then a 2001 BMW 740i I lowered, added ACS wheels too and did some other minor mods.