New and looking for a C55 saloon

[edc]

Stainless sports manifolds, 100 cell cats, modified rear box, suspension refresh, adjustable rear toe links, modified top mount slot for more camber, poly gearbox mounts, custom geo, low temp stat, 4" underdrive pulley, there's probably more. It's a factory 550 Anniversary so already comes with most of the factory good bits. It's had an overhaul of most of the wear and tear parts, basically a new car underneath!

 

[Starky]

What kind of power is it putting down.

 

[edc]

Way less than the C55! It's nudging 280bhp. It can make full use of it on the road though but for Europe trips could do with 330ish bhp.

 

[Starky]

Sounds like fun. I bet its a laugh on the track.

 

[edc]

Just got back home from picking it up. About to head out again in it. Seems good except oil overfilled at pre-delivery service. Will go to Kwik Fit or whatever tomorrow and ask them to drop the filter to drain a bit out. Brakes are tired. Already checked out prices and seem quite reasonable.

 

[Lenny63]

Where mortimers good to deal with and sis they work with you on price ?

Good job overall though , HTD

 

[edc]

The overfill warning hasn't returned this afternoon so will see what's up with it tomorrow morning.

The parking sensors perhaps have some dirt or water in them as they go off randomly every now and again.

Front brakes are quite well done but replacements look cheap enough for OE kit.

I found the fuel filler neck awkward as you have to get it just right for the pump to go in properly. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

The ride/handling balance seems spot on to me. I didn't want a focussed handling road car but nor a wallowy limo.

I like the way the gearbox hangs on to the gear when you are going for it and the throttle off. It doesn't then go up through to the highest gear but hangs on in case you want to go again.

Steering weight is quite firm. Makes a nice change to the finger light modern Audis and more akin to the BMWs I have been used to driving which for me is a good thing.
The basic Comand stuff seems reasonably intuitive. The settings sub menus need a bit of manual reading I think !

The boot lid is surprisingly light and the bonnet needs a good click either side as it has to catches.

 

[edc]

Mortimers seemed fine to deal with. The owner knew I wasn't a novice or naive car buyer. I had a fresh MOT and a B service before collection and negotiated a discount on the sticker price. The prep seemed decent enough but I will clean it in and out myself anyway as that's just my new to me car routine.

Not much of a hand over. I wasnt shown any of the controls. Taxed for a year in his office and just a courtesy reminder for me to send off the V5.

No hard sell on a warranty. In fact no sell attempted until I was walking out the door. He's good on the verbal reassurance that he will stand by the car but I hopefully won't test the proof in the pudding.

I got 2 keys the book pack and manual a couple of old MOTS and the current one and a print off of the options/spec.

I got the experience I kind of expected from that type of dealer if a little hurried at the collection.

 

[Lenny63]

could brakes be sub standard due to sitting for a while ? Maybe let them get some use ?

 

[Blue Moon]

I've just replaced my front discs and pads using ATE branded kit from ECP. Just over £130 all in as I recall. Drift pins were a bugger to get out but very easy to do really.

Does your tailgate 'fly up' ? Have to hold mine down when I open it

 

[Lenny63]

I've just replaced my front discs and pads using ATE branded kit from ECP. Just over £130 all in as I recall. Drift pins were a bugger to get out but very easy to do really.

Does your tailgate 'fly up' ? Have to hold mine down when I open it

if it's like the older merc's , if you pull back the boot carpet around the hinges you will be able to adjust the tension on the spring by placing the hook in different slots - really easy to do - just be careful as there is a lot of tension

 

[edc]

Brakes were a bit grumbly, possibly from little use, their is a fair lip on the disc too, but I've done a couple of high speed stops to clean them up and it's a little better. The pedal is a little long but Ive admittedly got no other C55 to compare to.

The boot doesn't fly up on the remote but it's a lot lighter than you might expect!

The overfill light did come back so expect this works like most obd codes and look for a repeat within 3 ignition cycles.

I've got the lower digital cluster reading in km/h which I can't seem to change ... I've been through the menus and read the handbook and it says for UK cars you can't change this?!

 

[C240Sport97]

I've got the lower digital cluster reading in km/h which I can't seem to change ... I've been through the menus and read the handbook and it says for UK cars you can't change this?!

some one with STAR can.

COMAND ON LINE 'unlocked' it for me so I can have Temp displayed

 

[edc]

Thanks. That's handy as they are just down the road from me in Lightwater. I wonder how much a full post code map update is too ... anything else worth getting while I am visiting?

 

[C240Sport97]

there is no full postcode update available

new maps are available .. new DVDs .. again available from COL

 

[edc]

Just clicked who you are

 

[edc]

I've just replaced my front discs and pads using ATE branded kit from ECP. Just over £130 all in as I recall. Drift pins were a bugger to get out but very easy to do really.

Does your tailgate 'fly up' ? Have to hold mine down when I open it

Thanks. I did check ECP prices as well and they seem reasonable.

I find that their carparts4less operation on ebay offers even cheaper prices.

 

[Blue Moon]

Thanks. I did check ECP prices as well and they seem reasonable.

I find that their carparts4less operation on ebay offers even cheaper prices.

I've seen that on their website. Cleverly set up a competing firm, so the group still get the business. I thought the website looked familiar, even if the colours were different...................

 

[C240Sport97]

I had pagid non OEM pads and discs fitted at the front previously.

Recently had the front discs and pads replaced with OEM parts .. the MB discs had the usual grey coating (non OEM did not), MB pads had arrows on them and looked different/better made, pagid pads no arrows and not as well finished.

Am much happier with OEM pads and discs .. was never happy with non OEM from the start, braking was 'grabbier' and was less progressive.

 

[edc]

Having spoken to Olly at PCS he advised me that I can't just drop the filter as it is on the top, novice mistake there, so I bought a 1.5 litre oil extractor from eBay to make it easier to do myself. Also makes a home interim oil change easier to do.