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sounds pretty cool. do you hear it much while driving?
good run against the clk. i somehow haven't had a single person try to race me in my nearly year of ownership....kinda disappointed :/
Don't really hear it in normal driving. If you rev out a gear to 4k+ while shifting yourself, then let it decelerate, there will be some pops. You can kind of hear it in the first video. I think it's more for high RPM pops and parking lot revving for Instagram lol.
For the CLK, we were really just playing around, no real lining up. The thing about the E55 is if it looks completely stock, people aren't going to "bother" you until you seem to be driving aggressively and they realize it's the AMG.
Before my tune, a couple weeks ago on the way to work on the Autobahn I was playing with an F90 M3 with a pretty loud exhaust, again unsure if modified or not. It was a beautiful frozen grey (satin) color. He was cruising in the right lane until I flew past, then he came out to play. Once I slowed down and he caught up I think he was looking for a roll but my exit was coming up so I just put my turn signal on and gave him a thumbs up...
Fortunately if I leave for/from work at the right time, part of my commute is a generally empty 2 lane highway with lovely sweeping curves and some nice straights in the wooded backroads - it gives me an opportunity to test the car out very well & sometimes I run into other car guys.....
Last edited by jbaker1121; Sep 13, 2019 at 10:41 AM.
well, it was bound to happen at some point. Luckily it was overnight at home and not on a weekend trip to the Adirondacks...
time to go under the knife!
new Arnott front struts going in this weekend, along with valve cover gaskets, motul oil change, new NGK LFR7AIX (spark plugs a degree colder).
well, it was bound to happen at some point. Luckily it was overnight at home and not on a weekend trip to the Adirondacks...
time to go under the knife!
new Arnott front struts going in this weekend, along with valve cover gaskets, motul oil change, new NGK LFR7AIX (spark plugs a degree colder).
Before you go and order those Arnott front struts read what I ended up doing here: https://mbworld.org/forums/w219/7351...ml#post7856779 and why. Long story short, unless you don't care about keeping the ADS functionality then the Arnott front struts are probably not the way to go. It was also recommended to me to replace the airmatic valve block as well since they can be prone to failure as well.
Before you go and order those Arnott front struts read what I ended up doing here: https://mbworld.org/forums/w219/7351...ml#post7856779 and why. Long story short, unless you don't care about keeping the ADS functionality then the Arnott front struts are probably not the way to go. It was also recommended to me to replace the airmatic valve block as well since they can be prone to failure as well.
Thank you. I had no idea that the ADS system was not supported with the Arnott struts as I thought it was a separate computer and most of the threads that pop up do not mention this.
To be clear disabling the ADS means I cannot switch from comfort to Sport 1 or Sport two modes, but I can still raise the car, correct?
How do the aftermarket struts ride compared to factory in a sport one setting? That’s the setting use most of the time...
Was not jumping to replace the fronts with oem but if I could just buy one corner it’ll be about the same price as buying two aftermarket ones.
Thank you. I had no idea that the ADS system was not supported with the Arnott struts as I thought it was a separate computer and most of the threads that pop up do not mention this.
To be clear disabling the ADS means I cannot switch from comfort to Sport 1 or Sport two modes, but I can still raise the car, correct?
How do the aftermarket struts ride compared to factory in a sport one setting? That’s the setting use most of the time...
Was not jumping to replace the fronts with oem but if I could just buy one corner it’ll be about the same price as buying two aftermarket ones.
ADS is the Active Dampening System. You can still switch between the settings but from what I read on here was that with the Arnotts it felt like a split between comfort and Sport 1. The Bilsteins are OEM replacements and when ordering from Rock Auto about 50% less than ordering from a dealer. It is recommended to replace them in pairs and the guys at Eurocharged also recommended replacing the airmatic valve block as well since that can either cause leaks or worse, over inflate a new bag and pop it.
At the end of the day it is up to you but since I daily drive my car and take it on long road trips I just bit the bullet and replaced everything to have peace of mind that I shouldn't get stranded somewhere with a broken suspension. I think I paid around $2500 in parts (both front Bilstein struts, Bilstein rear struts, Arnott rear bags) shipped from Rock Auto and $1600 in labor + valve block + tax for install. Pricey yes, but like I said I'm trying to keep this car on the road.
Thank you. I had no idea that the ADS system was not supported with the Arnott struts as I thought it was a separate computer and most of the threads that pop up do not mention this.
To be clear disabling the ADS means I cannot switch from comfort to Sport 1 or Sport two modes, but I can still raise the car, correct?
How do the aftermarket struts ride compared to factory in a sport one setting? That’s the setting use most of the time...
Was not jumping to replace the fronts with oem but if I could just buy one corner it’ll be about the same price as buying two aftermarket ones.
New Arnott units do not have ADS, but the remanufactured ones do. So a remanned Arnott strut will be the same as an OEM Bilstein, function wise. If you go with a new Arnott, the car should still raise and lower between all modes (raised, comfort, S1 and S2) but it won't stiffen up the car, as the new units are "custom valved." I'm not sure how noticeable the car drives without ADS, as I got the remanned units myself, but some say you don't really feel a difference.
New Arnott units do not have ADS, but the remanufactured ones do. So a remanned Arnott strut will be the same as an OEM Bilstein, function wise. If you go with a new Arnott, the car should still raise and lower between all modes (raised, comfort, S1 and S2) but it won't stiffen up the car, as the new units are "custom valved." I'm not sure how noticeable the car drives without ADS, as I got the remanned units myself, but some say you don't really feel a difference.
Thanks. I ordered from FCP Euro and it says they are “remanufactured” - so does this mean I will retain the ADS and be able to raise the car? I don’t mind losing the sport vs comfort but the raising is useful.
is there a way to confirm they are the remanufactured ones? I guess I should check the box...
I checked Rock Auto and it’s only another $115 per strut to get the OEM Bilstein over Arnott. Other sites were much more... maybe if the Arnott I got are new I will return and get the Bilstein for the extra $230...
Thanks. I ordered from FCP Euro and it says they are “remanufactured” - so does this mean I will retain the ADS and be able to raise the car? I don’t mind losing the sport vs comfort but the raising is useful.
is there a way to confirm they are the remanufactured ones? I guess I should check the box...
I checked Rock Auto and it’s only another $115 per strut to get the OEM Bilstein over Arnott. Other sites were much more... maybe if the Arnott I got are new I will return and get the Bilstein for the extra $230...
New or remanned you'll still be able to raise the car. If it says remanned you should have ADS. Check Arnott's site for the part numbers to co firm.
An additional $115 is pretty good for an OEM strut. But keep in mind Arnott has their own lifetime warranty. The OEM strut from Rock Auto won't, unless you buy from FCP, but of course it'll be more than $115 extra per side
New or remanned you'll still be able to raise the car. If it says remanned you should have ADS. Check Arnott's site for the part numbers to co firm.
An additional $115 is pretty good for an OEM strut. But keep in mind Arnott has their own lifetime warranty. The OEM strut from Rock Auto won't, unless you buy from FCP, but of course it'll be more than $115 extra per side
The Bilstein from Rock Auto should still have Bilstein's warranty on the party. Just not FCP's warranty.
Even though the Bilstein struts are new and OE equipment, they are not perfect. I just had one blow after about a year and 10k miles. I was not happy to spend another $500 getting the warrantied part installed...
I've ready plenty of threads on failing Arnott struts too. I guess the ultimate message is that neither may be as reliable as the OE MB part.
These are the two that I got - both say “remanufactured” in a few different places.
I reached out to Arnott to confirm. Hoping they are the ones that work but if not, not a huge deal as I’d be able to keep the “lift” anyway. The ride and handling of these leave something to be desired anyway so even if I’m stuck in a sort-of-sporty ride quality I’m sure it can’t be much worse.
the ~$230 saved can go towards the labor costs....
I am dropping the car off at the shop tomorrow - Keane’s Autoworks in Bedford, NY upon a recommendation by the above mentioned C63 AMG Black Series driver I met. I’ve heard great things about the shop so hoping it works out.
after the valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, oil change, (and possibly also the RMS) hopefully doesn’t need anything big and I can just enjoy the car. Have put 4500 miles on it since Aug 1!
Last edited by jbaker1121; Oct 10, 2019 at 09:19 PM.
Even though the Bilstein struts are new and OE equipment, they are not perfect. I just had one blow after about a year and 10k miles. I was not happy to spend another $500 getting the warrantied part installed...
I've ready plenty of threads on failing Arnott struts too. I guess the ultimate message is that neither may be as reliable as the OE MB part.
Did you happen to replace the airmatic valve block as well?
well it was an adventure getting car to the shop... needed wood to fit it on the trailer and even then it barely had clearance! Definitely lucky it happened at home and not upstate somewhere hours away....
Heard from the shop and Great news, my RMS is completely fine. The valve cover gaskets were shot and were dripping oil down the back of the motor, and the dealer thought it was the RMS.
Should be picking up the car in the next few days - been missing it the last 2 weeks.
With fresh spark plugs, oil, valve cover gaskets, and of course front struts, looking forward to driving it again!
Last edited by jbaker1121; Oct 24, 2019 at 03:36 PM.
Car is back, the new air struts feel great. Unfortunately the weather has been terrible so although I drove it home, it's sitting. Soon enough it will be time for the winter tires!
This car hauls... drove to a cars & coffee yesterday with my buddy who was on his Triumph Street Triple R.
Bikes are twitchy off the line but once that kompressor kicked in....
Also -- these (basically brand new) Michelin Pilot Sport 4S are hilarious in 40deg weather when they aren't warmed up. Lighting up that traction control like a christmas tree...
So the weather here has suddenly dropped to high 20s - 30's at night and my Michelin Pilot Sport 4S do not like that weather... so I've ordered some Michlin Pilot Alpin PA4 in 235/40R18 F and 265/35R18 rear.
I had to order them from Germany (from a shop near the Michelin factory) because nobody in the US had the rear size without a month or more wait. Plus, it was still about 20% cheaper, shipped internationally, to my door than buying from a US-based place....
Time for some winter driving fun
Last edited by jbaker1121; Nov 15, 2019 at 12:20 PM.
Yesterday was mild mid-40s so felt comfortable enough taking the E55 for a day trip.
On the way, ran into a 2017 body Audi S8 on the highway - These have a 4.0L V8 twin turbo and are reported to have 605hp and 533lb tq and AWD from the factory.
We did some spirited fun driving, and finally found an open, straight stretch of highway in Mexico.
Rolling at about 55mph, we went for it - he pulled ahead for about 2 sec before the ol' Kompressor woke up and the E55 pulled ahead, lengthening the gap before we let off.
For a E55 with 145k miles that is stock with only a RaceIQ tune, not too shabby!
oh yeh it's prime e55 weather up north. nice and cool with no snow yet. that's an impressive run considering those are supposed to run mid 11s in the quarter.
oh yeh it's prime e55 weather up north. nice and cool with no snow yet. that's an impressive run considering those are supposed to run mid 11s in the quarter.
Definitely prime weather for the engine, not as much the summer tires...
As for the run, a quick pull not a 3-honk official lineup so who knows. It's possible it was a 2015 MY S8 which only has 520hp and 481tq now that I look it up - I guess that would make more sense. In 2016 the power was bumped up for the S8+. However, we can pretend it was a 2016+
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
& sometimes I run into other car guys.....
