2007 e63 AMG estate. Sensible family daily hauler.
Discussion
So a few may have read the e55 thread a while ago. Basically, I do silly things to rubbish old cars.
If you are interested, it's here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
And then this happened.
It's a bit sensible. Well, apart from the engine of course...
I had wanted something with the m156 6.2 litre AMG engine, as everything I'd read and every time one went past... well, I wanted one! w211 e-class estate was the obvious answer. Correct engine with 7 seats and tat-hauling ability. Trouble is they are rather rare.
Apparently 128 were sold in the UK, but that includes the saloon, of which I assume there were many more of then estates.
Anyway, a 6 month search commences. 4 appeared in that time - only 2 with 7 seats. One had been for sale for all of those 6 months (and was silver) and is still for sale now. The other was about £6k overpriced (and silver).
Then in October, an automated email came through from Pistonheads. w211 e63 AMG estate, 7 seats, Designo paint (i.e. not silver) and loads of options that I never knew even existed.
I called, and spoke with the guy for quite a while - it was more him interviewing me as whether I was a suitable buyer than me finding out more about the car. He did answer all my questions with the correct answers, so I arranged to go over and see it.
It was mint. No, really! Apart from some nasty scuffs on one of the special order split rims, it looked like a new car. He went over everything about it, and showed me a fat wad of Mercedes headed paper including one for an expensive "B" service a few weeks previous.
I spent about 5 hours at his estate chatting (mostly about his collection of Ferrari's etc - F40, F50, Enzo, a Countach, more Porsches than anyone could possibly need, a tank and a working jet engine on a trailer!), then paid for the car without even test driving it myself, and set off on the 4 hour drive home.
So, its quite a rare car, it seems... It was originally a Mercedes demonstrator, so has many options for the sake of them being there. The Designo sparkly grey paint is stunning, Designo tan/black interior (whilst not to everyone's taste), I think is wonderful. It has active front seats that puff up when you go into corners, or give a gentle massage on those long journeys. It has distronic (an expensive option in 2007) which I still don't quite trust, but it is entertaining letting the car brake by itself on the autobahn. The split alloys I've never seen before, but they are original order. Oh, and then, that engine. Good Lord, there is no good reason that a 7 seat family car should go or sound like that!
Trouble is, I can't leave cars alone. Within a week I'd ordered and fitted lowering links
Then it went to the fabulous www.bastech.nl for a tweak on the exhaust. Minus 2 cats and the resonator, plus x-pipe and some straight stainless pipe. The devil himself is now unleashed every time I switch the thing on! It's quiet in the cabin when cruising, and gives a lovely popping sound on overrun, but bury your foot, and the noise is just amazing! Especially through the Rhine tunnel that goes under Altstat in Düsseldorf.
I need to get some proper video of the noise, but this was a quick vid we took when the car was still on the ramps:
https://www.instagram.com/p/-oYKETJLSK
Whilst some may not approve of changing the fuel type on an AMG, I started the LPG conversion last weekend. I convert all my cars, as I commute to Germany, and do many motorway miles. At 32p per litre on the continent, this to me is a no brainer...
I'm going for a completely stealth install on this car. I've manage to fit the injectors under the injector rail, and you can't see them at all with the air filters on. Planning on placing the reducers in the void in the bumper in front of the offside wheel - it should work. It's so pretty under that engine bay, and I want it to stay exactly as it looks now.
There is not much to see in the pic below (which I guess is deliberate), but there is a good 10 hours work here!
Hoping to find time to fit more LPG bits over the holiday period. Will update when possible.
If you are interested, it's here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
And then this happened.
It's a bit sensible. Well, apart from the engine of course...
I had wanted something with the m156 6.2 litre AMG engine, as everything I'd read and every time one went past... well, I wanted one! w211 e-class estate was the obvious answer. Correct engine with 7 seats and tat-hauling ability. Trouble is they are rather rare.
Apparently 128 were sold in the UK, but that includes the saloon, of which I assume there were many more of then estates.
Anyway, a 6 month search commences. 4 appeared in that time - only 2 with 7 seats. One had been for sale for all of those 6 months (and was silver) and is still for sale now. The other was about £6k overpriced (and silver).
Then in October, an automated email came through from Pistonheads. w211 e63 AMG estate, 7 seats, Designo paint (i.e. not silver) and loads of options that I never knew even existed.
I called, and spoke with the guy for quite a while - it was more him interviewing me as whether I was a suitable buyer than me finding out more about the car. He did answer all my questions with the correct answers, so I arranged to go over and see it.
It was mint. No, really! Apart from some nasty scuffs on one of the special order split rims, it looked like a new car. He went over everything about it, and showed me a fat wad of Mercedes headed paper including one for an expensive "B" service a few weeks previous.
I spent about 5 hours at his estate chatting (mostly about his collection of Ferrari's etc - F40, F50, Enzo, a Countach, more Porsches than anyone could possibly need, a tank and a working jet engine on a trailer!), then paid for the car without even test driving it myself, and set off on the 4 hour drive home.
So, its quite a rare car, it seems... It was originally a Mercedes demonstrator, so has many options for the sake of them being there. The Designo sparkly grey paint is stunning, Designo tan/black interior (whilst not to everyone's taste), I think is wonderful. It has active front seats that puff up when you go into corners, or give a gentle massage on those long journeys. It has distronic (an expensive option in 2007) which I still don't quite trust, but it is entertaining letting the car brake by itself on the autobahn. The split alloys I've never seen before, but they are original order. Oh, and then, that engine. Good Lord, there is no good reason that a 7 seat family car should go or sound like that!
Trouble is, I can't leave cars alone. Within a week I'd ordered and fitted lowering links
Then it went to the fabulous www.bastech.nl for a tweak on the exhaust. Minus 2 cats and the resonator, plus x-pipe and some straight stainless pipe. The devil himself is now unleashed every time I switch the thing on! It's quiet in the cabin when cruising, and gives a lovely popping sound on overrun, but bury your foot, and the noise is just amazing! Especially through the Rhine tunnel that goes under Altstat in Düsseldorf.
I need to get some proper video of the noise, but this was a quick vid we took when the car was still on the ramps:
https://www.instagram.com/p/-oYKETJLSK
Whilst some may not approve of changing the fuel type on an AMG, I started the LPG conversion last weekend. I convert all my cars, as I commute to Germany, and do many motorway miles. At 32p per litre on the continent, this to me is a no brainer...
I'm going for a completely stealth install on this car. I've manage to fit the injectors under the injector rail, and you can't see them at all with the air filters on. Planning on placing the reducers in the void in the bumper in front of the offside wheel - it should work. It's so pretty under that engine bay, and I want it to stay exactly as it looks now.
There is not much to see in the pic below (which I guess is deliberate), but there is a good 10 hours work here!
Hoping to find time to fit more LPG bits over the holiday period. Will update when possible.
Edited by Utterpiffle on Wednesday 16th December 12:34
Edited by Utterpiffle on Wednesday 16th December 14:48
bobski1 said:
That is 
sweeet!
Really love that shape in AMG, the rims look very nice too.
What are your plans?
Just LPG for now. Dare I say it, the car is otherwise perfect! sweeet!Really love that shape in AMG, the rims look very nice too.
What are your plans?
Scuba_steve said:
Lovely car! (The lowering links let this down a bit for me, the standard ride height looked low enough - however it's your car )
Love the wheels, they're awesome. Any chance of a video after the exhaust changes?
There is a small video link on the first post, but I need to get something a little sillier... )Love the wheels, they're awesome. Any chance of a video after the exhaust changes?
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Excellent! I shall look out for this one on the local Mways - I never managed to spot the previous one, much to my chagrin.
..... I think the link for the exhaust place is wrong - can you confirm? Im looking for an exhaust shop in NL, as hopefully from January there will be some V8 in my life too, which will need fettling.
Ta muchly!
Ah, hello, Sir ..... I think the link for the exhaust place is wrong - can you confirm? Im looking for an exhaust shop in NL, as hopefully from January there will be some V8 in my life too, which will need fettling.
Ta muchly!
Yes, the link was wrong... a 't' missing. Corrected now, but it's www.bastech.nl. You want to speak directly to Bas. Tell him I sent you
Really very highly recommended! Charged me half what I paid last time in the UK. His work is exemplary. He even polished all his welds! Workshop is near Tilburg.Tell me more about the pending v8...
AyBee said:
Love your work Sir 
Not sure I'd have dropped it that low though
That's in sport mode (-15mm from comfort mode). Press a button, it pops up a bit. Press another button and it comes up another 30mm or so. I've not scraped it on anything yet...Not sure I'd have dropped it that low though
Air suspension is briliant!
Edited by Utterpiffle on Wednesday 16th December 14:57
Spoof said:
Good cars. If you're doing mileage, keep an eye on the belt tensioners. I've been left stranded because one failed and I don't think its uncommon.
Your ride heights just looks like you've had a compressor fail, sorry.
Ha, folk not liking the ride height then Your ride heights just looks like you've had a compressor fail, sorry.
It looks pretty imposing like that in the flesh, but understand it's not to everyones taste. I was expecting more of a flaming for the LPG conversion to be honest Yeah, I already discovered the belt problem. It threw the belt in France on my first trip to Germany. Bloody nuisance getting the car back. Easy enough to fit the new parts though.
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Thanks for the link. Will investigate when needed.
As for the V8. This exact car:
https://home.mobile.de/AUTOSALON-AM-PARK#des_20183...
or, perhaps a Mustang V8 on order. Will decide after test drives. Im off to MG on Friday to try the Camaro.
Woah! Bloody hell, that looks ace! OK, we need to meet in the new year - you have to take me for a spin in that! Oh, and you'll need a new username As for the V8. This exact car:
https://home.mobile.de/AUTOSALON-AM-PARK#des_20183...
or, perhaps a Mustang V8 on order. Will decide after test drives. Im off to MG on Friday to try the Camaro.
Utterpiffle said:
Ha, folk not liking the ride height then It looks pretty imposing like that in the flesh, but understand it's not to everyones taste. I was expecting more of a flaming for the LPG conversion to be honest
[/img]
Hey, I like the ride height It looks pretty imposing like that in the flesh, but understand it's not to everyones taste. I was expecting more of a flaming for the LPG conversion to be honest [/img]
Another super-barge owner with LPG here. Like what you have done with the exhaust, look forward to your progress.
giblet said:
Any updates on the LPG conversion! What kit are you using?
Only a little update. Yesterday, I managed to mount the reducers in the bumper behind the wheels arch liner. I haven't plumbed anything to them yet, but they fit well. They are mounted at an angle deliberately allowing easy access to all the connectors and pipes etc. I don't think it will cause too much air-flow disruption to the AC radiator, and at least any extra heat generated is behind the rad. The rad also has a fan on the front of it, so I hope it will be OK in traffic.
Really not had much chance to do anything else though. Christmas plus a small person does not allow much free time unfortunately...
Kit is basically everything I pulled off the e55, which was everything I pulled off the e430, which was everything I pulled off the S320 that I paid 400 quid for....
It's a late model Romano ECU (RISN?), which has basic mapping - enough for me to play with. Reducers are Magic 3, injectors are Magic Jet with 2.8mm nozzles - should be big enough. The general consensus in the LPG community seems to be that the Magic kit is "OK". I really rate it though. It's very compact, and has been absolutely trouble free for me for the last 3 years / 50000 miles.
As seen in the previous post, I've used risers rather than drill into the inlet manifold. I've bought a new Irene tank - small 51 litre one this time to fit under the 3rd row of seats. Think that's just about it.
Wanted to get it done before the new year. New target - end of Jan... Maybe.
Edited by Utterpiffle on Wednesday 30th December 12:11
Utterpiffle said:
Only a little update. Yesterday, I managed to mount the reducers in the bumper behind the wheels arch liner. I haven't plumbed anything to them yet, but they fit well. They are mounted at an angle deliberately allowing easy access to all the connectors and pipes etc. I don't think it will cause too much air-flow disruption to the AC radiator, and at least any extra heat generated is behind the rad. The rad also has a fan on the front of it, so I hope it will be OK in traffic.
Really not had much chance to do anything else though. Christmas plus a small person does not allow much free time unfortunately...
Kit is basically everything I pulled off the e55, which was everything I pulled off the e430, which was everything I pulled off the S320 that I paid 400 quid for....
It's a late model Romano ECU (RISN?), which has basic mapping - enough for me to play with. Reducers are Magic 3, injectors are Magic Jet with 2.8mm nozzles - should be big enough. The general consensus in the LPG community seems to be that the Magic kit is "OK". I really rate it though. It's very compact, and has been absolutely trouble free for me for the last 3 years / 50000 miles.
As seen in the previous post, I've used risers rather than drill into the inlet manifold. I've bought a new Irene tank - small 51 litre one this time to fit under the 3rd row of seats. Think that's just about it.
Wanted to get it done before the new year. New target - end of Jan... Maybe.
Looks like a clean install so far. You seem to have lucked out with the kit! I had a LPGTech kit fitted to my car with a 60 litre tank in the boot well around a year and a half ago and it has been trouble free. I've been looking at getting a C63 and having it converted to keep as a long term car. Highly tempting!Really not had much chance to do anything else though. Christmas plus a small person does not allow much free time unfortunately...
Kit is basically everything I pulled off the e55, which was everything I pulled off the e430, which was everything I pulled off the S320 that I paid 400 quid for....
It's a late model Romano ECU (RISN?), which has basic mapping - enough for me to play with. Reducers are Magic 3, injectors are Magic Jet with 2.8mm nozzles - should be big enough. The general consensus in the LPG community seems to be that the Magic kit is "OK". I really rate it though. It's very compact, and has been absolutely trouble free for me for the last 3 years / 50000 miles.
As seen in the previous post, I've used risers rather than drill into the inlet manifold. I've bought a new Irene tank - small 51 litre one this time to fit under the 3rd row of seats. Think that's just about it.
Wanted to get it done before the new year. New target - end of Jan... Maybe.
hadenough! said:
Bet the fella who sold it to you wouldn't if he'd known you'd lower and lpg if. Shame to do that to such a special and rare car.
I really don't understand why people seem to have such a hatred towards converted vehicles. It allows you to drop the running costs whilst still being able to enjoy a thunderous V8!Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff