W204 C63 Fire Opal Red Project thread.

[andybond]

How have I only just seen this thread?! I'm now watching with interest The exhaust looks great, any extra info on this (inc costs, if that's not too cheeky), would be good to hear.

Nice to "meet" you Andy, I am the poor unfortunate fella who works with Mr Sibley.. I feel like I've known you for yrs through your exploits with Dave on the Renault scene! Oh and thanks for helping Roland too (my friend of over 25yrs.. it's a small world!).

Hi fella !

The manifolds and coilovers were done at the same time , and the guy who owns CGR automotive wanted to do some manifolds for the C63 so I got a bit of a discount. They were reassuringly expensive !

Poor us ! Fancy us both knowing the lankyfleabag !

It certainly is a small world ! Always a pleasure helping people out !

 

[andybond]

Two brand spanking Continental ContiSport 5P MO fitment , fitted.

I left the garage sideways , with an arm full of lock.
I left the T Junction at the end of the garage road with an arm full of lock
I did a u turn with more lock than a very busy locksmiths.

I think I have bedded them in now. They are a vast improvement over the rather knackered MPSS that I had on before.

 

[356speedster]

Any reason you didn't go for a more agressive / wider tyre, Andy?

 

[andybond]

Yes , I had the 265 MPSS on before and I wanted to feel what the car was like on OEM rubber. I like Michelen on some of my previous cars , but I never really "got on" with the MPSS on the C63. I could feel the softside wall deform when pressing on and it didnt present a clear picture of what the **** end was doing.

I honestly prefer the feel already. I appreciate I was running on used vs new tyres but for me the ride is better , and I havent noticed any grip drop yet ..

 

[356speedster]

Interesting comments and having just done a session at Silverstone (National circuit) in the Ultima yesterday (running MPSS), I am now wondering if the soft sidewall comments are to blame for the high speed cornering instability I was feeling..... The grip was fine and the tyres didn't go off as the PZeros used to, but on the high speed corner into the pit straight I had to hold a steady half throttle (4th gear around 110mph), as it was feeling a bit "loose". Same in the high speed 1st corner, where apexing at about 100mph, was all the car would take and it felt like it was again, a bit loose. Now I'm wondering is the sidewalls aren't upto sustained lateral abuse - 245/30/19 front and 305/30/19 rear aren't exactly space hoppers, but it would make sense the sidewalls aren't upto the job.

I'm also considering Mich PS4S or Cup 2 - did you look at sidewall strength on these, as alternatives?

 

[andybond]

Mich PS4S or Cup 2 - did you look at sidewall strength on these, as alternatives?

I did ! Its generally accepted that the PS4S has slightly software sidewall compared to the MPSS and the Cup2 is slightly stiffer.

 

[Jim W]

A good read...keep it coming. Car looks great in red.

 

[andybond]

After further use of the OEM Conti I can confirm that it feels a more grippy tyre in the cold.

I also can confirm I got a bit dun from the Police ( verbal warning ) for overtaking a car. I did hammer past , but my reasoning was I didnt want to be on the wrong side of the road for more than I needed to be.

 

[andybond]

I ordered 1l of PAS fluid ( or transmission fluid as its marked ) from MB along with my rear discs and pads. It never arrived with that package , but ultimately I have it now.

Filled it up and steering is now silky smooth. Its my fault for letting it drop as I had sling at Blyton and didnt check. Silly me , was low , not none existent.


In other news I wanted to drop the **** end around 20mm as I think its on stilts. Got all the kit out ready to measure up and prepare the drop and could I find me spanking new C Spanner ? Could I fudge ..


Ordered a new one. No doubt next weekend it will be raining ...

 

[andybond]

I am a little unhappy with the height or the rear end. I managed to lose my BC Racing C spanners so ordered some more. Ill try some before and after pics when I lower the back end .

I hope it warms up a little over the weekend for me to do this !

 

[andybond]

Today I have been over to Diamond-Performance.co.uk brand spanking new HQ. A very impressive place it is as well.

Paul had done me a carbon version of the air deflector. I am really really appreciative of this and its not just a silly bit of tat that provides aesthetic merit only. It simply works ! 92 deg C constant water temps.

Few pics to have a look at
No deflector - but look - a diamond performance custom bracket to securely fix your deflector

 

[andybond]

ZOMG! Carbon !


Fitting :

 

[andybond]

Fitted



Water temps never go above 92 deg C even when pressing on. Very happy !

 

[AMGeed]

None of the images posted today are showing.
Well, not for me anyway?

If I right click them, I'm taken to the log in screen for Renaults.

 

[andybond]

None of the images posted today are showing.
Well, not for me anyway?

If I right click them, I'm taken to the log in screen for Renaults.

Argh ! Hotlink protection. I put it on my board. One sec.

** edit ** should be good now ?

 

[AMGeed]

Yep all showing now.
Another smart touch

 

[SeeSixty3]

God I love your car!

Maybe I should add manifolds to mine - already have an IPE but feel it’s lost it’s bark at start up!

 

[356speedster]

Hi Andy..... I'm thinking of getting one of these, before I do, question on temps if you don't mind: You say water never goes above 92deg, but what about oil temps? Water temp on my car never gets above 92deg as standard, but the oil temp does sit 100-110 and can climb to as high as 113 when sitting for a long time in traffic. Where are your oil temps?
Thanks, Mark

 

[andybond]

hi Mark,

You might see the water temps rise if you take it on track buddy. Also , its not just the water , but as you state the oil and the killer for me has been the transmittion fluid temps. When really pushing on I noticed the the box will sometimes come out of Manual and goto sport.

For reference : Water max I have seen is 92 deg C , oil 105 deg C. I dont tend to sit in traffic though for ages. Its pretty clear where I am.

Of course the device wont help with stationary traffic only when moving. The oil temps do drop like a stone though when moving !

 

[356speedster]

Thanks Andy. Agree, it was really the oil that raised my eyebrows as I've not had a car that runs so hot on the oil before. I don't (and don't plan to) track the car, but as I sit in Birmingham traffic daily, it would be good to get those temps down a little, once rolling again. No idea about the gearbox's temps (is there a way to "see" them??), but I've never had it drop out of "M" while hooning.

Dave is going to contact the carbon place and ask about a panel for me, so I should get one fitted in due course Thanks!