I got to back up Car Nutz too. Joel is a real good guy! I used to go to him as a kid when I had hondas... he never ripped me off but could have if he wanted. I haven't been there in awhile.., but I wouldn't hesitate using them again. From what I remember, they are pretty known for crazy air bag suspensions, etc... so a lowering module is nothing but cake for them.

But yeah, I also have used Cantrell Motorsports.. great guys and Colin is a stand up dude. MaxRPM in Bremerton is great too... Alex not only knows his cars.. but he can recommend what protien is best too. Last event I saw that guy at.. he was yoked!

 

I'm going with Kevin at Benchmark. Labor is $75/hour and they say it will take 1-2 hours, so I don't mind paying $150 bucks for them to do it while I'm working during the day. If I did it, it would probably take me 4-5 hours during the weekend. I value good weather weekends!

I spoke with Phil Smart, Benchmark and CarNuts. How it all went down:

Kevin initially quoted me $1,400 and about 3 hours of work, but that was for the v2 Renntech module. He didn't tell me about the v3 (which is an improvement). We were talking on the phone, and I could hear him asking questions to some other guy about the Rentech and its capabilities (didn't instill confidence). The quote process went ok, but when I told him I would shop around, he went into heavy sales pitch mode, bashed CarNuts, blah blah. That actually turned me off (as a lawyer in a highly competitive legal market, I still don't rely on "bashing the competition" to get business). I told him that I received quotes from other shops, and he BEGGED me to tell him how much they quoted. I told him that I'm not going to negotiate against myself, and that he should just give me the best price he can. At one point he said, "I need to make money on this deal..." LOL.

I called Phil Smart, and frankly, was surprised that the guy I spoke with didn't know what I was talking about. He said he never heard of a "module" and was talking about adjusting the spring manually. I told him to call me back after he got more info. He did, and low and behold, a module exists! Then the fun part -he quoted me like $2400 for the Rentech park and said labor would be about $300 bucks. The conversation ended soon thereafter.

I called CarNuts and was impressed with Joel and his knowledge. He instantly knew what I was talking about, and explained the differences between the v2 and v3 modules. I brought up Benchmark, and he didn't bash them at all or put on the heavy sales pitch. He quoted me $1395 plus 1-2 hours of labor ($95/hour). He was professional and answered all my questions.

Though I was impressed with my conversation with CarNuts, I ended up going with Kevin at Benchmark because I've used them already for 2 major stereo upgrades for different cars and I was happy with the work (not so happy with the price, but it is what it is). Also, there is some "chatter" around CarNuts (poor service). Finally, I've walked through both shops, and the Benchmark Shop seems cleaner, more professional, etc. So Benchmark it is. Going with the known commodity.

Pics hopefully coming in 2 weeks or so. Black 20's and slammed E63! Yum Yum!

 

^^ Nice. Post up pics when its done.

 

Car Nuts has done good work for a friend of mine. I would go to them for custom/artistic stuff. My friend had some special painting done to the lights and then some custom striping and wrapping. He was very happy with the results.

If you are looking for "looks" Car Nutz has a good sense of that sort of thing. For utility in terms of chassis setup, I'd go elsewhere.

Cantrell has a great rep but given how lean the shop is, they can be hard to get a hold of before you have a car in the shop. Calling or stopping by in person is best in my experience with them.

 

Now you just need to come to a ERTC.... Had 4 E55's there last week. 3 of us are from mbworld.org

Looking forward to seeing it.

 

I hated my E63. I wonder if it was just mine -- do you find that the tranny is harsh (esp when rolling slowly up to a stop sign). Having the traction-control start an argument with the tires at 70mph when using kick-down didn't give me the "warm fuzzies" either ...

 

mhh i only have an E55 and find it really smooth. I heard the first E63's had some issues not sure how soon after they came out you bought it.

I do hate the conti tires that came on it. I have zero grip so now i don't care and just slide spin them out everywhere.

 

I think the E55 is a much more fun car to drive. Partially because they have zero grip.

 

I nearly bought an E63 love the body tweaks they did. But I also love the E55 engine and how you can get parts to make it have a scary amount of power for a 4 door sedan.

Work needs force me to have a 4 door sedan so it was a logical choice that and they pay for gas so who cares about 11mpg

 

Hahahaha... I know what you mean.

 

I love my E63. No problems. I bought it the second year of production (first model was 07), as I try to avoid first run of cars (they usually have some issues). If I want to drive it like a stole it, I just turn off the traction control.

Unless I want to get divorced, I need to keep this car for awhile, he he. Next car will be a p-car no doubt though!

 

They make cars with that many doors?

 

Fwiw the owner of Speedware has an e63 wagon with renntech lowering module

 

Phil Smart in Seattle. They do a great job and further, they know how to program the car... They also install the Kleeman units, among others. Why mess around? As for the "lowering of the sensors" you have a really messed up ride when you simply lower the car since the CG is then also lower. Different suspension dynamics all around. Would recommend NOT doing that "moving the sensors" job or if done, spend the $2K on the module plus install and have all of the settings correct.

 

Guys, it sounds like he's already found a place to do it for him.