C63 507 Model Register

[carlysimon]

The Wavetrac is very similar to the Quaife as they are both working on the same principle of helical gears.

One of the issues with the Quaife is that under no or little grip on one wheel there is very little torque transfer to the wheel with grip and power can still spin away.

With the Wavetrac there is a wavy 'gear' in the middle which still allows some torque to be transferred across the axle under low load conditions, such as turning out of a T-junction and going over the crest in the road. It also has carbon fibre bias plates to allow consistent friction over its lifetime whereas the Quaife can polish its housing with the end of the gears leading to less friction making it less effective.

The Quaife on my Z4 was virtually undetectable most of the time but did work nicely when needed. However, I can feel the Wavetrac locking up more aggressively and sooner. It works well off the line and in corners.

In terms of price they are similar but the Quaife is more widely available so sometimes on offer. You can get a Wavetrac fitted for £1,600 at Regal Autosport in Southampton who are the UK distributors.

That's really helpful, Many thanks, Simon.

 

[IbanezDan51]

Hello Phil
Are you able to send me the specification details on my car? No worries if you can't. Also why are the black 19" wheels harder to refurb than others - is it something to do the diamond cut? Thanks Simon.

Hey Simon,

When did you get your car? Where was it from?

The 19inch black wheels are harder to refurbish as the AMG and polished insert are recessed into the lip of the wheel. Most just get refurbished fully black.

Dan

 

[carlysimon]

Hey Simon,

When did you get your car? Where was it from?

The 19inch black wheels are harder to refurbish as the AMG and polished insert are recessed into the lip of the wheel. Most just get refurbished fully black.

Dan

Hi Dan bought the car from a small family owned garage (Brian Downie) not far from Aberdeen. One owner with 28k miles, it had been off the road for well over a year - it's owner was working abroad and then emigrated. Brian Downie new the owner well as they both lived in the village and the owner asked Brian to sell both of his MB's. The car is pretty good but not completely mint, probably better that way or I would be paranoid about using it!
Yes I guessed that would be the problem with the wheels although I have heard some refurbers have the special lathing tool to recut to the original design - not sure what it is called or who does it yet.
Cracking photo of your car, maybe I should have gone for white - I love the black but it is a pain to look after. Cheers Simon.

 

[IbanezDan51]

Hi Dan bought the car from a small family owned garage (Brian Downie) not far from Aberdeen. One owner with 28k miles, it had been off the road for well over a year - it's owner was working abroad and then emigrated. Brian Downie new the owner well as they both lived in the village and the owner asked Brian to sell both of his MB's. The car is pretty good but not completely mint, probably better that way or I would be paranoid about using it!
Yes I guessed that would be the problem with the wheels although I have heard some refurbers have the special lathing tool to recut to the original design - not sure what it is called or who does it yet.
Cracking photo of your car, maybe I should have gone for white - I love the black but it is a pain to look after. Cheers Simon.

I know how you feel, my last one was much more useable because it wasn't perfect but now I am paranoid with this one.

I love black too just fancied a change from my last one. Get some pictures of yours up!

Phil did tell me that someone called Pristine Wheels can do them but I think they manually do the inset part so it doesn't look perfectly OEM but its as close as possible.

Dan

 

[carlysimon]

Hi Dan
The car is pretty good overall - it's straight and there is no damage other than some stone chips however, it is 5 years old so inevitable really. I will need to set up an album, will do it tonight after I get back from my first MB Club meet. I will look into the wheel refurb and Pristine and put up a post of anything I learn or hear. Thanks Simon.

 

[AndyRC]

Hello Phil
Are you able to send me the specification details on my car? No worries if you can't. Also why are the black 19" wheels harder to refurb than others - is it something to do the diamond cut? Thanks Simon.

Simon

The black 507 alloys are not diamond cut , the silver outline and AMG logo is cut into the rim using a 5 Axis milling machine during manufacturing. Have a close look and you will see the milling mark from the cutting tool. To date I don’t think anyone has found a U.K. company that can machine cut the OEM finish. I think Phil had his hand finished. I’ve asked several “well known” companies and so far no one says they can offer OEM. Watch those kerbs

The Himalaya Grey 507 alloys are a diamond cut finish and in theory easier to refurbish.

Andy

 

[carlysimon]

Hi Andy, I am learning every day... that's a bit of a pity, not sure I would want to lose any originality - these sort of details matter to me (oh dear).

Phil - were you happy with the hand finish and did it cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks Simon.

 

[AndyRC]

Hi Andy, I am learning every day... that's a bit of a pity, not sure I would want to lose any originality - these sort of details matter to me (oh dear).

Phil - were you happy with the hand finish and did it cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks Simon.

With the age of the 507s unless you’ve had the car wrapped in cotton wool and it’s never been used after 5/6 years the alloys will be starting to show some age.

Mine are in very good condition , no rim damage or cracks but they have a few small stone chips in the paint when you get up close. I’d have them refurbished if I could get an OEM finish as losing the silver outline is not an option for me.

There are engineering companies out there with 5 axis milling machines. It would seem to be a case of trying to find a wheel refurbishment company who are willing to work with an engineering company with the right kit to get the OEM finish.

Anyone in the engineering business out there ?

 

[AMGeed]

Hello Phil
Are you able to send me the specification details on my car? No worries if you can't. Also why are the black 19" wheels harder to refurb than others - is it something to do the diamond cut? Thanks Simon.

You can find your own datacard by inputting your Vin# into this site
Mercedes-Benz VIN Decoder

 

[carlysimon]

You can find your own datacard by inputting your Vin# into this site
Mercedes-Benz VIN Decoder

Got it, thank you Phil.

 

[AndyRC]

As a bit of a long shot I emailed MB U.K. customer service regarding any advice on who could refurbish the 507 alloys to an OEM finish. To be fair they did get back within 24 hours. I did say that mine were not damaged



“Thank you for contacting Mercedes-Benz Customer Service. I am writing in response to your enquiry regarding having the satin black alloy wheels fitted on your Mercedes-Benz AMG C63, Edition 507, refurbished.

We, as Mercedes-Benz, do not recommend any refurbishment of alloy wheels, either on standard Mercedes-Benz models or on a Mercedes-AMG. If the rim were damaged, we would always recommend having it replaced.

I understand that these rims were unique to this model, and hence may not be in general stock, however the Parts Department at your local Mercedes-Benz Retailer will be able to search for them on your behalf and advise the time scale and cost of new ones. To help you find and contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz Retailer I have attached a link below to our Retailer Locator webpage:

https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/passengercars/mercedes-benz-cars/dealer-locator.html

I understand you have said you have enquired with some Retailers in order to have your current rims refurbished, however this would be a Retailers discretion to offer an individual solution. As such we do not hold a list of Retailers who have the facilities to refurbished them or would be willing to so.

Should you have any further requirements please do not hesitate to contact us.



Yours sincerely

(Name Deleted)

Customer Service UK”

 

[carlysimon]

As a bit of a long shot I emailed MB U.K. customer service regarding any advice on who could refurbish the 507 alloys to an OEM finish. To be fair they did get back within 24 hours. I did say that mine were not damaged



“Thank you for contacting Mercedes-Benz Customer Service. I am writing in response to your enquiry regarding having the satin black alloy wheels fitted on your Mercedes-Benz AMG C63, Edition 507, refurbished.

We, as Mercedes-Benz, do not recommend any refurbishment of alloy wheels, either on standard Mercedes-Benz models or on a Mercedes-AMG. If the rim were damaged, we would always recommend having it replaced.

I understand that these rims were unique to this model, and hence may not be in general stock, however the Parts Department at your local Mercedes-Benz Retailer will be able to search for them on your behalf and advise the time scale and cost of new ones. To help you find and contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz Retailer I have attached a link below to our Retailer Locator webpage:

https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/passengercars/mercedes-benz-cars/dealer-locator.html

I understand you have said you have enquired with some Retailers in order to have your current rims refurbished, however this would be a Retailers discretion to offer an individual solution. As such we do not hold a list of Retailers who have the facilities to refurbished them or would be willing to so.

Should you have any further requirements please do not hesitate to contact us.



Yours sincerely

(Name Deleted)

Customer Service UK”

Thanks for your efforts Andy - appreciated. Good first visit to the NW Region Club last night - great bunch of people and some very cars. Cheers Simon.

 

[IbanezDan51]

That’s interesting, so why do they send their wheels off for refurbishment prior to a car going out for sale...

 

[AndyRC]

Thanks for your efforts Andy - appreciated. Good first visit to the NW Region Club last night - great bunch of people and some very cars. Cheers Simon.

Hi Simon

I’ve not given up yet, just keep hitting a brick wall, which I need to find a way around , over or under

The M-B club have a club area at the Castle Howard Car Show on 16 June which should be a good event

Andy

 

[AndyRC]

That’s interesting, so why do they send their wheels off for refurbishment prior to a car going out for sale...

If you read the bottom half it’s basically MB distancing themselves from the dealers. If the dealer does a refurbishment it down to them. I doubt any MB dealer would weld a cracked alloy but will do “cosmetic” refurbishment.

 

[carlysimon]

Good point on refurb on MB approved cars, I bet they do it. I did ask the Club leader last night and he said he would ask a couple of people.

As an aside - does anyone know where to source OEM black badges for these cars or is it MB parts? Thanks.

 

[AndyRC]

Good point on refurb on MB approved cars, I bet they do it. I did ask the Club leader last night and he said he would ask a couple of people.

As an aside - does anyone know where to source OEM black badges for these cars or is it MB parts? Thanks.

Simon

Which badges are you referring to , the 6.3 wing badges?

 

[carlysimon]

Hi Andy
I personally think the wing and boot badges would look better in black + the chrome trims around windows/boot/front grill too. However, I need to check whether any of this was available as options and where it might be possible to purchase OEM parts. Cheers Simon.

 

[AndyRC]

Hi Andy
I personally think the wing and boot badges would look better in black + the chrome trims around windows/boot/front grill too. However, I need to check whether any of this was available as options and where it might be possible to purchase OEM parts. Cheers Simon.

Simon

Badges and trim were only chrome on the W204 C63. Black badges can be sourced , EBAY usually has some but beware there is a lot of TAT about, cheap usually (but not always) equals nasty. Most folk tend to get the chrome bits wrapped to get the black MB “Night Pack” look of the current models, it has the benefit of being “reversible” quite easily.

Andy

 

[carlysimon]

Hi Andy was just checking the options list when your reply came in - I will go with the wrap option, as you say it's reversible.

View media item 8475
Just noticed this, have you come across this before. Not sure if the boot lid has been chafing against the bumper or it's been slammed down too hard over the years. I opened up the adjusters on the underside of the bootlid to raise it slightly (might be better done on the lock catch) - unfortunately I can now see the line/mark. Will need to get this repaired. Hum dum.....

Cheers Simon.