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You're probably not going to like this.
I was a snotty 18 year old browsing Craigslist back in 2009 when I came across my coupe. It was in some shanty-ass town near Albany, NY so my father and I took a trip on a whim with cash in hand from western MA. 8 hours later (and too many cycles through Cudi's Man on the Moon), I returned home with the lukewarm hatch, a 2002 C230 Kompressor Sport Coupe.
For those who are unfamiliar with these cars, I really can't blame you. They're the cheapest production Benz ever to reach this side of the pond, and god damn they are hard on the eyes. However, they are supercharged, rear wheel drive, and available with a third pedal.
The 2002 was the only year of the w203 coupe that came equipped with the M111K 2.3l 4cyl. as the 2003 and later models had the M271K(?) 1.8l 4cyl. The '02s are often referred to as "rougher around the edges", but universally accepted as the more powerful of the two.
Anywho, I got a killer deal on the thing. Had 59k on the clock, pulled hard enough to make me giggle, and got good mileage. So far, so good.
This is where the story really begins.
I was driving back from class one day on the highway, and I started hearing a funky noise whenever I let off the gas that sounded like an exhaust leak. Had no idea what it was, and the car was behaving normally so I thought nothing of it.
Until it started getting louder the longer it went on. Welp, turns out thats what a diff sounds like before it explodes. Duly noted. Sourced a new diff with the help of a long-time mechanic friend and had it back on the road the next week. What I didn't know, was that he had sourced a diff out of a 2003 coupe, which, paired with the more powerful M111K, was a LOT more lively. 10/10 recommended.
Then I got a call from a buddy of mine who used to work at a Mercedes Stealership in CT who said a customer had bought a new set of OEM wheels and left behind some beat AMG reps. 45 minutes and $100 later I had some wheels. 17x7.5 et38 square IIRC.
Got tires mounted, some w203 sedan H&R springs (cut to even ride height) , and rattlecanned the wheels Tiffany Blue because I saw it on the internet (lol). I was "that guy".
They came out awful. I mean, really bad. So the next logical step was to make them worse.
Then I found some more garbage wheels on Craigslist, Beyern Mesh LM reps in 17x8 etIDK and 5x120. Stupid. So I spent more money on custom 19mm 5x112-120 adapters. Also got hungry for more low and found some higher rate springs. And cut those too. Stupid strikes again. End result was, however, better. Made the trip to H2Oi for my first time as well.
A close friend of mine had been sitting on a set of Z3M Roadstars for a while, and one day we decided to do a test fit just for fun. Fronts fit great, even after adapters. Rears... not so much. 17x9 et-11 after adapters. The test fit was comical to say the least, and I was flat broke, but I still had total heart-eyes for the Roadstars.
Then we got to drinking, and thinking.
A few weeks go by, and I come across a set of eBay fiberglass flares on Craigslist meant for an e28. The guy was close, and I ended up coming home with them. Did a mock-up the next day, bought myself an angle grinder and some cutting wheels, and started measuring. My car was a hot mess for a long while, going through trimless stages, mismatched wheels, and various repairs. Finally I was able to scrounge up enough money for the Roadstars and by a miracle of sorts, our measurements allowed them to pretty much fit.
This is about where the good stuff stopped. I got all fucky and did more stupid.
Also, I no longer own this car. It's somewhere in Vermont looking like the victim of domestic abuse.
Before the question is inevitably asked, I've been working on getting my long-term project, '84 190e back on the road after some downtime. Recently moved to NH which has slowed progress a fair amount.
For those who are unfamiliar with these cars, I really can't blame you. They're the cheapest production Benz ever to reach this side of the pond, and god damn they are hard on the eyes. However, they are supercharged, rear wheel drive, and available with a third pedal.
The 2002 was the only year of the w203 coupe that came equipped with the M111K 2.3l 4cyl. as the 2003 and later models had the M271K(?) 1.8l 4cyl. The '02s are often referred to as "rougher around the edges", but universally accepted as the more powerful of the two.
Anywho, I got a killer deal on the thing. Had 59k on the clock, pulled hard enough to make me giggle, and got good mileage. So far, so good.
This is where the story really begins.
I was driving back from class one day on the highway, and I started hearing a funky noise whenever I let off the gas that sounded like an exhaust leak. Had no idea what it was, and the car was behaving normally so I thought nothing of it.
Until it started getting louder the longer it went on. Welp, turns out thats what a diff sounds like before it explodes. Duly noted. Sourced a new diff with the help of a long-time mechanic friend and had it back on the road the next week. What I didn't know, was that he had sourced a diff out of a 2003 coupe, which, paired with the more powerful M111K, was a LOT more lively. 10/10 recommended.
Then I got a call from a buddy of mine who used to work at a Mercedes Stealership in CT who said a customer had bought a new set of OEM wheels and left behind some beat AMG reps. 45 minutes and $100 later I had some wheels. 17x7.5 et38 square IIRC.
Got tires mounted, some w203 sedan H&R springs (cut to even ride height) , and rattlecanned the wheels Tiffany Blue because I saw it on the internet (lol). I was "that guy".
They came out awful. I mean, really bad. So the next logical step was to make them worse.
Then I found some more garbage wheels on Craigslist, Beyern Mesh LM reps in 17x8 etIDK and 5x120. Stupid. So I spent more money on custom 19mm 5x112-120 adapters. Also got hungry for more low and found some higher rate springs. And cut those too. Stupid strikes again. End result was, however, better. Made the trip to H2Oi for my first time as well.
A close friend of mine had been sitting on a set of Z3M Roadstars for a while, and one day we decided to do a test fit just for fun. Fronts fit great, even after adapters. Rears... not so much. 17x9 et-11 after adapters. The test fit was comical to say the least, and I was flat broke, but I still had total heart-eyes for the Roadstars.
Then we got to drinking, and thinking.
A few weeks go by, and I come across a set of eBay fiberglass flares on Craigslist meant for an e28. The guy was close, and I ended up coming home with them. Did a mock-up the next day, bought myself an angle grinder and some cutting wheels, and started measuring. My car was a hot mess for a long while, going through trimless stages, mismatched wheels, and various repairs. Finally I was able to scrounge up enough money for the Roadstars and by a miracle of sorts, our measurements allowed them to pretty much fit.
This is about where the good stuff stopped. I got all fucky and did more stupid.
Also, I no longer own this car. It's somewhere in Vermont looking like the victim of domestic abuse.
Before the question is inevitably asked, I've been working on getting my long-term project, '84 190e back on the road after some downtime. Recently moved to NH which has slowed progress a fair amount.
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