CL500 - My ULEZ Friend!

[Alex225]

So a couple of things occurred with the CL this week. First of all, the AMG badge had to come off. Yes, it's got a hefty engine and all the AMG kit as standard but it's not a full bore AMG. Out with the heat gun, melt the frost off first!

Peeled off remarkably easy, even the foam did.

Bit of tar remover for the remainder and job done.

Also, the original bolts were looking untidy so some silicone covers will do the job.

And lastly the wheel refurb! I wanted something different but not garish. This style wheel doesn't lend itself to a diamond cut finish anyway so I opted for mercury. It's very subtle silver that is less metallic and slightly more chrome. I'd say it's a mix between the silver of the bodywork and the chrome trims.

I have to conceded the back end does look neater!

So there we are, super pleased with the refurb.

 

[SpikyMikey]

So a couple of things occurred with the CL this week. First of all, the AMG badge had to come off. Yes, it's got a hefty engine and all the AMG kit as standard but it's not a full bore AMG. Out with the heat gun, melt the frost off first!

Peeled off remarkably easy, even the foam did.

Bit of tar remover for the remainder and job done.

Also, the original bolts were looking untidy so some silicone covers will do the job.

And lastly the wheel refurb! I wanted something different but not garish. This style wheel doesn't lend itself to a diamond cut finish anyway so I opted for mercury. It's very subtle silver that is less metallic and slightly more chrome. I'd say it's a mix between the silver of the bodywork and the chrome trims.

I have to conceded the back end does look neater!

So there we are, super pleased with the refurb.

wheels look fabulous. Good choice

 

[Alex225]

Thank you. I used Premier Wheel Repairs in Surrey, same place who did my S and other half's old CLS wheels.

Really helpful in picking a colour and recommendations. They look after the car whilst the wheels are in too.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Car looks great and cracking job on the wheels.

 

[C43AMG]

AMG Badge Gone

 

[Alex225]

AMG Badge Gone

It had to didn't it haha

I CL isn't a car that needs to big itself up despite this being the, 'baby' model and you see so many of these muppets with AMG badges on cars purely because they had some AMG trim added. I can't be part of that club haha

 

[mattk1]

Not a criticism but have you got enough wheel weights on your front rims?
Car & wheels look superb thou, I love a big coupe.

KR Matt

 

[W1ghty]

Not a criticism but have you got enough wheel weights on your front rims?
Car & wheels look superb thou, I love a big coupe.

KR Matt

Because Alex puts so much polish/coatings on everything it’s maybe thrown the wheel out

 

[L80OUS]

Wheels looking spot on, now get them rears on a 12/15mm spacer

 

[Alex225]

It's definitely all the protection I put on them haha

To be honest they were balanced quite similarly before they were refurbished so not sure if it's the wheels or the tyres.

 

[Slartibartfast]

It's definitely all the protection I put on them haha

To be honest they were balanced quite similarly before they were refurbished so not sure if it's the wheels or the tyres.

Looks great! I'm not a fan of silicon wheel nut covers on a prestige car so would have either cleaned and polished the chrome nuts or bought new ones. If keeping the black silicon covers, black style centre caps would match and look better IMO (but I am a little OCD and think that small details can really enhance the overall look. That's just me though and you should do whatever you think.

Your number plate is similar to mine (mine is S60 OCD)

 

[Alex225]

Looks great! I'm not a fan of silicon wheel nut covers on a prestige car so would have either cleaned and polished the chrome nuts or bought new ones. If keeping the black silicon covers, black style centre caps would match and look better IMO (but I am a little OCD and think that small details can really enhance the overall look. That's just me though and you should do whatever you think.

Your number plate is similar to mine (mine is S60 OCD)

Good choice of number plate haha

I would actually like some grey or silver silicon but for £7 on eBay the black will do the job. The OEM ones bolts are these weird star shape and it's like a chrome cap on the top so not sure they'd clean up. I'm not paying the price for OEM bolts!

 

[Slartibartfast]

Good choice of number plate haha

I would actually like some grey or silver silicon but for £7 on eBay the black will do the job. The OEM ones bolts are these weird star shape and it's like a chrome cap on the top so not sure they'd clean up. I'm not paying the price for OEM bolts!

The bolts do clean up nicely with something like Autosol - but need removing (one at a time maybe) to do a good job . All depends on how much time and effort you want to spend on a small detail. I'm retired so it's something I don't mind doing.

 

[Alex225]

The bolts do clean up nicely with something like Autosol - but need removing (one at a time maybe) to do a good job . All depends on how much time and effort you want to spend on a small detail. I'm retired so it's something I don't mind doing.

Unfortunately I'm 40 with three pet chimpanzees, well children but much the same so little time for that level of detail. I get moaned at for spending too long washing my cars anyway! haha

 

[Popell]

Wheels look smashing!

 

[Alex225]

Gave the CL a little scrub yesterday. It'll be booked in for it's MOT next month which could have an additional cost involved. I'm getting an intermittent airbag light which having read the code indicates it could be a fault with an accelerometer. We shall see nearer the time.

For now it's very clean and shiny! haha

Looking forward to getting out and about a bit more in it when the better weather comes. I've been avoiding the nasty winter roads!

 

[S500Matt]

Looks great. Who did the refurb?

 

[Alex225]

I used a firm in Surrey called Premier Wheels. Had my S Class wheels done and the other halfs CLS rims done too. Good place.

 

[pioneercollector]

Very very nice! I was also surprised that my venerable SL500 is allowed into the ULEZ zone! .... Going to London this weekend but obviously taking other form of transport ( Coach ) as am staying right in the centre and parking is £35 per day .....

AMG badge removal, OK i was going to post about this as i have the same offending badge on my SL, The badge is not offensive, but the car is NOT an AMG in any shape or form - So that looks nice and simple ..... Next dry day it shall be gone! Thank you for posting that detail

 

[c16rkc]

Good choice of number plate haha

I would actually like some grey or silver silicon but for £7 on eBay the black will do the job. The OEM ones bolts are these weird star shape and it's like a chrome cap on the top so not sure they'd clean up. I'm not paying the price for OEM bolts!

So I am thinking we are talking abou these bad boys?



If so, I would remove the chrome cap versions and chuck them away; replace them with solid steel bolts. I have done that on 3 cars now, after I was first told about the issue on the Jaguar forum (Jaguars also have these Chrome bolts).

The chrome caps can hide sins underneath, and one day you will find your socket spins on them. Funny enough it's exactly what happened on my current car...

As for wheel centres, it's personal taste of course, but I think that particular style look better with the silver star type of center, which I believe is what came with the car OEM. I think it looks more streamlined.