C32 AMG Build Thread

[electricalbox]

Hello all,

My other project (1.8t MK1) is on the backburner because this C32 has stolen my heart.

http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73188

I bought the C32 with some engine problems but have since resolved it (see below if interested).

http://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/608491-new-c32-amg-owner-question-about-rebuild-used-engine.html

Along with this, I replaced the Supercharger pulley bearing and spark plugs.

First modification was changing out the wheels with another exact same size AMG because the previous owner's tires were going bad. :rolf:


After that I bought some 18" Brabus wheels, but still wasn't feeling it.


Recently I did transmission flush (I could do a DIY with videos, but saw others have done a flush) and the car runs great.

Nasty old transmission fluid:

New stuff (meets Mercedes Specs and is only 18 dollars a gallon at Walmart :bow


I realized that the car needed to be lowered and the current wheels weren't cutting it so I picked up a set of VXS910 wheels and a brand new set of BC coilovers.

Wheel specs:
19x9 Front +35 offset
19x10 Rear +47 offset (now 35mm with a spacer)
5x112 Lug Pattern
66.56mm hub bore


BC Coilovers:


Going to space out the front by about 10mm and move the 235 rear tires to the front along with purchasing some 255-265 for the rear. Hopefully some more updates to come soon once I get the spacers and clear the perch.

Only picture I took during the install.

[trm-]

In for more progress. Did you have more issues with it? Pondering to get one next year.

[electricalbox]

In for more progress. Did you have more issues with it? Pondering to get one next year.

The 02's have issues with their cams so I would recommend 2003-2004 models. From my experience its a solid car if maintained well. Lots of power for fairly cheap.

[SD202]

in to see those wheels mounted up and the coils dialed in

[electricalbox]

in to see those wheels mounted up and the coils dialed in

I wouldn't say dialed in, but here is the result at this point (check next post).

[electricalbox]

I got sick of the damn lug bolt length needing to be accurate within a few threads to make sure I don't overextend into the parking brake assembly (all w203s or just c32?). I purchased some studs and specialty splined nuts to aid with this. Along with it, I picked up spacers for the front.

Specs:
20 - M12 shank studs, 1.5 thread pitch and a total length of 2.25".
20 - Open ended splined nuts
2 - 10mm hubcentric spacers



I'm happy with the outcome but want wider tires (235s moving to front and 255/265 on the rears). BC coilovers front perches at about 25 threads up (until the spring was taught when lifted to clear the wheels) and rears are maxed out to the bottom). Car drives great at 1.75 spins towards harsh from soft on the dampening adjusted.



They stick out just slightly too far but that is needed to clear the perch. I have some 3, 5, & 8mm spacers coming so I can play around, but regardless they stick out past what I want. I may potentially rebuild these with new inner/outer shells, but I'd like to avoid that at this time. Also, I noticed and found support on a few other posts that the passenger sides front protrudes slightly than the driver's side. I'll bypass this by putting a smaller spacer, but it makes me wonder if the Mercedes Engineers were drinking that day or am I missing something.

Driver's:


Passenger:


For reference for people looking (as I didn't find much on C32's varying wheel specs/fitment).

Fronts are 19x9 et35 (et25 shown with a 10mm spacer)
Rears are 19x10 et47 (et35 shown with a 12mm spacer)

[kevvy_dawg]

Sub'd. Glad you got the motor sorted

[Kinghorn]

Looking good. wheels would look so much cooler if they were silver or atleast color matched! but these C32's sound so amazing, older brother has one and was able to daily it for a few weeks and had some fun with it the sound is enough to make a person want one.

[mtm_motors]

Car looks great, I've always liked these!

I had the same issue with lug bolts hitting the parking brake on my W202 C36 when I put on different rims... I think it is just how MB designed the rear hubs.

[electricalbox]

Sub'd. Glad you got the motor sorted

Thank you sir!

Looking good. wheels would look so much cooler if they were silver or atleast color matched! but these C32's sound so amazing, older brother has one and was able to daily it for a few weeks and had some fun with it the sound is enough to make a person want one.

I agree on both points. Unfortunately I bought the wheels used so I didn't select the color. I would have went with them slightly thinner (8" front, 9" rear) with a much lower offset/wider lips. I may rebarrel them at some point, but I'll probably just get different wheels. The car sounds great, thinking a new pulley and exhaust may be in the future.

Car looks great, I've always liked these!

I had the same issue with lug bolts hitting the parking brake on my W202 C36 when I put on different rims... I think it is just how MB designed the rear hubs.

Thanks much and after seeing some other posts I agree it doesn't seem specific to W203 rear hubs. The studs worked perfectly on my drive to work today.

[electricalbox]

For you w203 owners with front suspension creaks and pops/bumps I would check your front stabilizer bushings. I removed the whole bar, but you can get away with removing the four bolts holding the two bushings. My bushings were in great shape, but the bar was able to move as seen here:



I applied graphite lube to the bushings and properly re-torqued the four bolts holding the two brackets. No more pops/creaks/squeaks!

Clearance is close to the perch, but I got absolutely no rubbing on the fenders or splash shielding on this morning. Car does make a noise if the wheel is turned fully (tire touching the spring).



Crappy photo early this morning at work.

[electricalbox]

Flushing the trans... I realized I bumped a vacuum line off the pump which made the first video so loud!

Remove passenger intake box and ducting to reveal the top tranmission cooler line. Unclip and attach tubing to it routed through the front air dam and into a catch container.




Hose clamp applied to ensure it doesn't pop off again.

After about 7-8 times of running the engine then turning it off to replenish, I began to see clear red fluid.





Car now drives smoothly and shifts are 10 times better.

[FAneek]

c32 looks great! and the wheels

[electricalbox]

c32 looks great! and the wheels

Thanks much! Hope to see you around if I drive out your way.

Local Benz owners.

[TruTaing]

I always see you posting on the MBWorld classifieds w/ wheels and what nots. I always wondered what car you had too!

Glad to see you've got the c32 all sorted out and the wheels/drop looks great!