Installed the new "updated" Bosch pump and went with the ZZPerformance HX. I had to drill into the front bumper to mount it and tie wrapped the oil cooler just under/behind it. The HX also had 2 tabs at the top I had to cut as it bumped into the radiator at the back. Finished it off with a AMG stencil I made and spray painted it on the face.

This HX is really wide and was a real tight fit. The pump to the HX input was super tight. I had to cut about a 2" section of hose, mount the hose to the pump, and then push the whole thing onto the barbed fitting. The pump output damn near touches the HX input barb. The HX output wasn't too bad, the OEM hose was flexible enough to finagle in a good position.

After install, used a 5/16" ID clear tube I bought from Home Depot to purge the lines at the nipple to the left of SC pulley.

 

Looking excellent. Where might I be able to find one?

 

ZZPerformance has a website. They don't make an E55 specific kit. I ordered the Cobalt SS kit. Came with 3/4 hose, fittings, and clamps. This is a quality piece for just over $200. Slight modification required to fit it.....

 

Yeah I found the website, but it wasn't obvious which kit this was. Cheers mate.

 

They also sell on eBay. They have a couple of different versions but the Cobalt SS is the one you want.

 

Do you mind writing up some bumper removal steps or it it pretty simple? Anything to be aware of, any gotchas?

 

No problemo.

hx kit:

https://zzperformance.com/ecotec/zzp-lsj-s3-cobalt-heat-exchanger.html


w211 bumper removal:

https://youtu.be/ijEvESoVIE8



The HX is a tight fight as it's slightly wider and has more depth.
i highly recommend self tapping machine screws to mount it to the bumper.

2 tabs on the back of the HX need to be cut as they hit and won't allow you to push the HX far enough under the bumper.

The output to the pump almost faces the barbed fitting directly. I cut about a 2" section of hose and mounted it to the pump, then pushed it onto the HX barbed fitting. Vaseline is your friend here to get the hoses on.

The oil cooler has two nuts on the left side that will lower the bracket it's attached to on the stock HX . Once that is off, the oil cooler can be slid off the to the left out of the right bracket that's riveted in.
Tie wrap the oil cooler under the new HX.

I have the e63 bumper so the oil cooler at the bottom isn't a big deal. From other threads I've read the oil cooler may hit the stock e55 bumper cover and may need to be trimmed a little.

I'm glad to help if you have any questions.

 

Very helpful.

 

Nice and clean install ,those he are very good and for the money ,it's unbeatable

 

will this fit under a stock 55 bumper without too much cutting ?

 

I think the issue is the oil cooler and how far it hangs down when it's mounted below the new HX. Mine bumps up against the lower under carriage cover but I have the e63 front bumper.

 

This why I liked the plm ,plus it's one of the best h.e on the markhet beint tub and fin style

 

For $200 new, I figured it was worth a shot and more than delivered. I'm comfortable with modifying components but for those that aren't, definitely look elsewhere.

 

I just installed the same HX. Thanks for the inspiration!

I just bent the rear tabs a bit. Home depot 1/2 by 3/4 barbed sprinkler fittings fit great instead of the 90 degree elbows with the kit. $1.40 each.

 

Sweet! Glad to help! Did you take any pics?

 

Pics of it installed?

 

New intercooler.

As good as I can get!

 

I do wish it were 3-4 inches wider!

 

Did you mount the oil cooler at the bottom just behind the HX? That's where I ended up mounting mine...

 

Mounted it right below.

 

Would painting the entire thing be bad form for cooling properties? Not that paint on aluminum would last that long, but given people and companies put stencils on these anyways, it got me to thinking...

 

Radiator shops will paint entire radiators. Black painted radiators are supposedly more efficient.
Just don't glob up the fins and you'll be fine. Eastwood sells an expensive radiator specific paint, but your standard BBQ grill black is more than sufficient.

 

Very minor plastic cutting on my 2003 bumper, totally doable. Check thread in the signature if interested.

 

Had the plastic fitting fail on mine. As already mentioned in this thread they are 1/2" NPT to 3/4" ID barb. Ordering aluminum chrome plated replacements.

 

Here are my notes on VRP vs ZZP and how mine failed, just got done fixing: https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7398338