New ML owner (loving it) PIC HEAVY

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dpbayly

Active Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2012
Messages
123
Location
Royston, Herts
Car
2005 E320cdi
Hi all i picked my ML430 (lpg) 4 weeks ago i brought it fairly cheap for what it is especially with the LPG fitted, i was originally looking for a CDI but after looking for weeks and not finding the spec i wanted i started looking else where and stumbled across my ML430 and after doing the math it worked out more economical to run than the diesel so happy days.

Here's a little journey of what ive done to it so far since buying it.

Here's how it looked when i picked it up:

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A couple of issues i had with it as i brought cheap are a couple of rust scabs drivers front wing where it meets the bumper, middle of drivers door, under the front grill was a bit scabby and drivers side back door next to window, then there were a few other little things such as someone fitting the wrong size grill badge (to small), scuffs on the corners of the bumpers, missing tow eye cover on back bumper and most annoying one was due to the last owner upsetting someone to the point where he kindly broke few of the windows and the replacements not being tinted, out of the 7 back windows tinted only 3 had tint left.

First things i had to do was to sort out the cosmetics (sorry no pics of this bit), im a mechanic by trade and im lucky enough to have a spray shop at work so the rust was sorted for free and a new grill badge and tow eye cover was ordered and fitted.

I then had one mechanical issue which i resolved by replacing the prop centre support bearing, i was expecting it to be a nightmare after what i read but from driving in to driving out finished took me 35mins job done.

Then i spruced up the interior (im not a fan of walnut):

before:
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after:
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i then picked up an 8 piece arch extension kit for £150 and to my surprise it made of plastic as a pose to rubbish glass fibre:

in spry both:
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fitted:
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this presented another problem where my wheels now looked lost under the new arches a problem i would soon sort out.

next thing i did was to mess about with the grill to spruce it up:

before:
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after:
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this was done by spraying it gloss black and body coloured silver

next mod was to fit a second hand set of wheels i went for 20's over 22's as i was put off after road testing an ml on 22's when looking at buying the ml and i was far from impressed with comfort and road handling (could have been down to other factors too but i wasnt going to spend £££ on 22's to find it was)

wheels fitted and windows all re-tinted:
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These fill my arches far better IMO but to be sure my brother-in-law (owns his own engineering firm) is making me some hub centric spacers 20mm rears and 15mm fronts which will be fitted next week hopefully.

I then went on to smoke out the rear lights, this is done by the bodyshop and is done by adding a small amount of standard black to normal car lacquer this gives the lights a black glossy look but still remain translucent:

preped for sprayshop:
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fitted back to car:
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rear lights on in daylight:
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Pic to show that the reflector still functions in the dark fine:
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My next mod was to spruce up my tired brembo brakes:

before:
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after:
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next came my new headlights to give the front end an up to date look:

one new one old:
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My final mod to date was to fit a 8K HID kit and to fit some 360 degree LED side light bulbs as the front facing led side light bulbs i was using didn't look right as they didn't reflect off the backing:

new LED's
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8k HID's:
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Well that's it, that's what ive done so far in the 4 weeks ive owned the ML not bad going IMO gone from an untidy stock to tidy and beefed up and how i think it should have left the factory looking like obviously that's only my opinion one im sure others wont share as everyone's opinions differ, but i welcome and comments good or bad.
 
Looks incredible. Well Done.

Welcome to the forum.

What is the next mod - After you have had a rest of course.
 
Looking good & welcome. New here myself.

May I ask where you got the carbon interior bits from, where they mental money?
 
Great work

Well done looks great
 
Nice Job looks Superb :thumb:

Welcome to the Forum
 
Looks good. I like all the mods so far.
I've got some carbon fibre knocking about and was a bit hesitant bout doin it to mine but after seein yours I think I'll give it a go.
Ps where did you get the arch and bumper mods from?
 
Looks incredible. Well Done.

Welcome to the forum.

What is the next mod - After you have had a rest of course.

Thanks,

next i was considering getting the chrome A bar, side rails and rear wheel carrier powder coated black to match my black and silver thing ive got going on and also thinking of fitting either fog lights or some sort of DRL in the holes at the bottom of the front bumper
 
Looks good. I like all the mods so far.
I've got some carbon fibre knocking about and was a bit hesitant bout doin it to mine but after seein yours I think I'll give it a go.
Ps where did you get the arch and bumper mods from?

Thanks,

This is where i brought the arch extensions from:

Mercedes Ml Mk1 8 Piece Wheel Arches Body Kit - Formula4

when i ordered them i phone through to double check stock before ordering and they confirmed they were in stock so went to place my order there and then and was shocked to find that because i was phoning the order through they were £210 so needless to say i hung up and ordered online for £154 and they arrived the next morning.
 
Are you tempted to upgrade any body parts to the facelift 163? Seeing as you have a bodyshop...
 
Are you tempted to upgrade any body parts to the facelift 163? Seeing as you have a bodyshop...

Not too fussed on the bumpers as i dont think my arch extension kit will fit the face lift bumpers but i would like to fit the newer mirrors:)
 
Hello & Welcome To The Forum

Like what you have done to your ML - Shows what you can do to give a stock car a little bit of an edge! :thumb:
 
Hi & welcome to the forum,thats some transformation in 4 weeks-congrats!:thumb:
 
Looks great. Particularly like the vinyl wrap on the walnut, very effective.

Won't the tinting of the rear lights fall foul of the new MOT regs though?

Thanks for taking time to post your work.
 
I like it :)

I had a ML350 for over 3 yrs great car (3.7 v6)

Still miss it but not the fuel

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Hi and welcome to the forum!

MLs aren't my cup of tea either, but I can appreciate the work you have put into it! That CF trim looks to have gone on really well too - very effective.

Won't the tinting of the rear lights fall foul of the new MOT regs though?

The HIDs are another area of concern with regard to this.

Have a read of this thread.
 
It would look nice with gloss black vinyl wrap on roof!!
 

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