got racecar?

Kleemann headers - gotta love the sound, such unexpected noise on the Merc :)

Don't worry, it's all sealed up now but I had to capture the raw sound...

and now for something yummy...

Mountek nGroove Snap Magnetic Vehicle Mount - awesome!

Like most people, I like to use my phone for various things in the car (texting isn't one of them!).  But I often struggled with where to put my phone while driving.

In the spot next to the 12v port?  nope - phone is too long

On the console next to the shifter?  nope - slides all around

On the passenger seat?  yah, follow the GPS when it's on the seat

So I searched for the solution and this was recommended by a friend - the Mountek nGroove Snap Magnetic Vehicle Mount for Mobile Devices with Yellow Safety Sticker  for less than $30!

Ok - yes, I know, it has the HANDS FREE sticker - but that's fine with me!  It's been a law here in California for 2.5 years, and everyday I see people texting/calling, etc on their phones.  So this is a GREAT solution!

What's pretty neat about this setup is the big yellow sticker has a magnet underneath!  And a few metallic plates come with the mount and you slip those plates inside your smartphone case - and it allows the magnet to hold your phone - almost 'levitating' in the air using your CD slot.  

At first when I mounted it, it was way too low and covered much of my radio/GPS screen in the E55.  But the mount rotates 360 degrees, and I flipped it 180 and it sits pretty much in between the heater controls and I can still see the screen below.  I have the Google Maps app running (so much more accurate than the built in GPS) - but I could also use my Dash Command to monitor the vehicle metrics while driving as well! 

Overall, highly recommended!  If you're looking for a nice mount that can hold your phone/tablet - this is it!

Mountek nGroove Snap Magnetic Vehicle Mount for Mobile Devices with Yellow Safety Sticker 

< $30!

P0456 - Evaporative emission system leak detected (very small leak)

Check Engine Lights (CEL) suck - but some are easy to fix.  The P0456 can be as simple as a loose/leaking gas cap - or in my case, failing fuel senders (pretty common on Mercedes unfortunately).

When we saw the CEL come on - I grabbed my Kiwi WiFi scanner (love this thing!)

Since the car is under warranty - we took it to the dealer to have it evaluated.  Needless to say the fuel senders need replaced!  I looked up the parts list, and OMG my jaw hit the ground...

Mercedes e55 cls55 Fuel Pump assy Level Sender RT OEM gas with sensor unit  $527

211 470 17 94 Genuine FUEL PUMP $555

Needless to say, these parts aren't cheap - and neither is the labor to install them!  Pulling the rear seat, dropping the tank, replacing the pumps - ick!  Fingers crossed this gets repaired under warranty.

There's a recall from Mercedes on this issue, but seems to be a recurring issue even after the recall.

EA13-003 – Engineering Analysis to Investigate Allegations of Fuel Leaks at or Near

the Top of the Fuel Tank Assembly in MY 2003-2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Vehicles

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM446946/INRL-EA13003-58167P.pdf

A short video of my current exhaust with resonator removed...

Some folks have been asking what my car sounds like since I have the resonator removed - so here you go!

Shop Amazon Automotive - Save 25 or More on Car Care Kits

One thing that all this torque necessitates - new motor mounts, and E55 Kleeman Headers!

It's time to get my motor and transmission mounts replaced - the car has about 77k miles and over time the engine mounts start to lose their 'oomph' when you have over 500 ft-lbs of force from that engine.

Obviously if you go through the MB dealer be prepared to spend some serious $$$, I was quoted $1,400 just for the two engine mounts alone!!! But - I found 2 new engine mounts and a new transmission mount for $120 shipped on Amazon!

M423 2202400617 2202400218 00-09 Mercedes Benz Set 3PCS Engine Motor Transmission Mount Mounts 
Also, while we're at it - going to add some more fun since you need to do the mounts to get to these anyways...

Yup, just when I thought I was finished - Kleeman mid-length headers... 

can you say 30 more HP to the wheels? (just what it needs) LOL

Installed the new Gates Fleetrunner Supercharger Belt - Hulk Green!

Last night I finally got around to replacing (upgrading) my supercharger serpentine belt with a new Fleetrunner Gates K080505HD V-Belt  belt.  It's about 1/2" shorter than the stock belt to better match up with the smaller supercharger pulley.  Took all of 5 minutes by using the 17mm wrench, loosening the belt tensioner, and swapping the belt.  I can't believe the garage charges $120 to do this!

Here's a quick little video of my new HULK colored belt ;)

If you get this belt on Amazon - it's over 1/2 price of what most stores sell it locally for.  Unbelievable!

Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax 32 oz is 10% off

On sale right now - only $13.90 + $5.95 shipping PLUS it's 10% off

only $18.46 shipped!  That's only $1.70 per car wash/wax!

Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax 32 oz

• Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax is water-soluble, biodegradable, and meets all water usage laws established by the federal Clean Water Act and the Environmental Protection Agency
• Wash and wax your vehicle - with one product
• The latest innovation from Optimum Polymer Technologies promises to deliver the convenience of a rinseless car wash with the cutting-edge protection of advanced UV inhibitors and high-grade carnauba wax.

This is some of the best stuff you can use and makes washing your car a total breeze.  I also recommend some microfiber towels to keep the car nice and shiny!

Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber Cloths (Pack of 3) $7.53