First polish and excuse to post pics.

[Matt's Dad]

If you do sort out some exhausts let me know - my car is the same as yours - same AMG bumpers, same wheels, same age, except in silver - i'd love to get either the sport exhausts or amg quads but not having much luck figuring out what to do with the back bumper!

Will do! It wont be a for a while though! still got a few other jobs first.

I haven't looked properly, but I was thinking of cutting the rear bumper where the line already is, then curving it off, like on the AMG bumpers with the quads, then working from there, getting the tail pipes angled and in line, then connecting up. (sounds easier than it will be though!)

 

[ca-uk]

Will do! It wont be a for a while though! still got a few other jobs first.

I haven't looked properly, but I was thinking of cutting the rear bumper where the line already is, then curving it off, like on the AMG bumpers with the quads, then working from there, getting the tail pipes angled and in line, then connecting up. (sounds easier than it will be though!)

i did mention it to the guys at gama at the weekend - they said they cut chop the pipe coming out of the back boxes and weld some pipes on, but they weren't keen on cutting the bumper.

this car's on autotrader right now, it has the amg front bumper so not sure if the back bumper is the same as the OP's

semi-on topic on the tints - perhaps the fronts were tinted to make them blackish rather than blue? or are they blackish already on a sport

and on topic - my car will never, ever look that sparkly! congrats!

 

[Matt's Dad]

i did mention it to the guys at gama at the weekend - they said they cut chop the pipe coming out of the back boxes and weld some pipes on, but they weren't keen on cutting the bumper.

this car's on autotrader right now, it has the amg front bumper so not sure if the back bumper is the same as the OP's

semi-on topic on the tints - perhaps the fronts were tinted to make them blackish rather than blue? or are they blackish already on a sport

and on topic - my car will never, ever look that sparkly! congrats!

Yes, his car looks really good next time I think of giving mine a healf hearted wax, I'll have to come in and look at this thread first!


I was going to ask Gama at the weekend, but forgot I might be cheeky, and go and measure the gap on an E55, and E63 at my local delaer one Sunday - and take some thin card to make a template I think if I get the bumper done, the guys at Gama will be more than capable of the pipework.

 

[Palmball]

OP - great result on your E Class. I can confirm that a claybar will 100% give you that glass-like smooth finish you're after. The results are worthwhile and if you've never clayed a car before, just make sure you:

- Use lots of lubrication!
- Do not use any pressure on the bodywork - just lightly rub the clay!

All I have been doing recently is wash using the two bucket method, dry and wax a couple of times a year. Most people I know think I'm crazy using the two bucket method, so many people tell me "it's easier to use the hand car wash place down the road".

I actually enjoy washing my own cars

I know the feeling - I look forward to a good 1/2 day (or more ) detailing my car. It get's a fresh cleaner polish and wax every month or so and a weekly wash, hoover and detail!

My neighbours think I'm off my rocker, a 'special' sort of person lol!

 

[A-AvantGarde]

I know the feeling - I look forward to a good 1/2 day (or more ) detailing my car. It get's a fresh cleaner polish and wax every month or so and a weekly wash, hoover and detail!

My neighbours think I'm off my rocker, a 'special' sort of person lol!

Yeah, people ask why have you got two buckets? - sometimes I think I shouldn't tell them the truth and just say it's a bucket for each side as it makes it easier / quicker to wash!

 

[FF99]

Amazing looking finish !

Out of interest, how much would people reckon to pay for this sort of treatment ? I would love to have my C280 looking like this, but don't have the time or energy to put in all that elbow grease. I guess there must be people who do this either where the car is kept or in a workshop ? Any recommendations for NW London ?

 

[N4D5]

Thanks for the all the feedback guys,

Weird thing is i wasn't even trying that hard, imagine if i went all out....

I have used meguiars clay bar on the Alfa 156 which i still have so im pretty use to claying, when i get a chance will dig up some pics, had that resprayed. The Africa gray looks amazing when clean.

FF99- Mate i recon you could find people who charge 50-100 to do a simple polish but to be honest mate there is nothing like doing your own, the satisfaction you get is sweet every time you slip inside her

I use to take my car to a local valeting place the fookers put a few scratches in it, never again.

On another note:

What is the best option for cleaning the tires to give them a nice dark black clean finish. Looking for a cheap option that i can apply or use regularly.

Also next stage is the dash and interior, do not want to lose the matt finish, do you think warm water and clean leather chamois will do that job.


Nad

 

[jimmymidnight]

Looks fantastic, a "like new" finish! Really good work there! I gave my W210 E320 CDi a going over last month with the same products as you along with maguiars clay and 3m polish (and a few other bits) There's nothing better than a freshly polished (Obsidian) black mercedes! All these nice W211's are making me want to upgrade though!

 

[A1GSS]

Car looks superb, great result. How can that reg number (N4D) be right? Never seen one like that before.

 

[A140driver]

As regards a tyre dressing, Meguiars endurance tyre gel is fantastic. It's £7.99 for a bottle usually but it lasts for ages and gives a very nice finish. I sometimes just use Autoglym instant tyre dressing if it's just a quick job but it isn't as durable.

 

[chunkster]

As regards a tyre dressing, Meguiars endurance tyre gel is fantastic. It's £7.99 for a bottle usually but it lasts for ages and gives a very nice finish. I sometimes just use Autoglym instant tyre dressing if it's just a quick job but it isn't as durable.

i was going to suggest the autoglym but i might give the meguiars a go now on mine to see the difference

 

[Alps]

tyre dressing;- turtle wax extreme tyre gel, apply with sponge, lasts ages! and smells nice, i think £5.99 or 3 for 2 from halfords

 

[kusanku]

Polishing makes such a difference, it is ssssooooo worth the effort.

I have the Meguiars tyre gel at the moment. It does bring the tyres up well, although I am not sure it is better than the Meguiars spray, which is considerably less effort to apply. With regards to the alloy wheels, I have given up using the "special" wheel waxes, and just use the same Meguiars tech wax as on the rest of the car. Brings them up just as well as, if not better than any of the wheel waxes.