Intrest in upgrades

**DansSlk** · 06-10-2007

Hi guys, gals and Doug,

Wondering if you could answer something for me.

As you know i wanna setup shop in the US but before that i would not mind going on modding trips same sorta thing people like Steve at MBenzNL and the others do just to get a feel of the whole thing.

Basically i am just trying to get a feel of how much interest there is on having parts retrofitted things like adding phone's or the COMAND stuff like that to the cars because i am trying to convince my boss its a good idea to buy some of the tools i would need now, some of them small like torx bit screwdrivers but some while not much bigger carry a large price tag things like the StarDiagnose at $20k purchase plus $7k a year updates and i would need my own one because i cant be taking one of the shops units out since that would put a station out of action and basically i am trying to convince him that buying them sooner will help with the return on investment.

So all of you out there in the US or the EU if there was something you wanted fitting to your car and i was able to do it for you would you be interested? I already know that there are some of you who are but i am looking for a wider picture if possible here.

Cheers,
Dan

Tslick · 06-10-2007

I'd be interested in a shop that knows AMG drive trains, suspensions and the electrics. I don't feel the dealers care about fine tuning AMG's, they look at all MB models the same.

**-1-** · 06-10-2007

GREAT IDEA. I think it would work. Steve from MBenzNL has done west coast trips, but to the best of my knowledge, nothing east coast or mid west. If nothing else, everyone would like to meet you and you could sell autographs. Seriously, if you could provide a list of potential services with parts, I think there would be interest. Give us an idea of what services you could provide.

**webslinger** · 06-10-2007

Sign me up for performance mods. Cram all the SLK "black" goodies in a duffle bag and head over, mate!

V8SLK · 06-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by webslinger

Sign me up for performance mods. Cram all the SLK "black" goodies in a duffle bag and head over, mate!

X2. i am also considering (after my warrantee expires) adding a supercharger and all of its necessary upgades.

**DansSlk** · 06-10-2007

Cool sounds good so far,

Basically once i have a permanent base setup i can do anything a dealer can because i will be able to get lifts installed and all the right tools sorted but until i can sort that mod trips will be kinda limited by what can be done in somebody's drive-way for obvious reasons I'm not going to be able to fit suspension parts or whatever but basically cosmetic mods on the exterior should be fine.

With the interior of the car retrofitting things like COMAND/Audio 50 or upgrading to the HK sound system, adding phones or CD changers, installing TV tuners and NAV or smaller stuff like the interior motion sensors and enabling the tire pressure monitor or adding rain/light sensors, shifter paddle steering wheels just about anything you can think of for the inside of the car.

Once i have a shop i could even install things like the parktronic stuff thats not available in the US from factory.

**Cruzer 8** · 06-11-2007

Dan:
I like the idea and that eventually a complete shop would happen.
AS to trips to do minor tuning and installs as you mentioned this would probably work -- is tuning the engine setting up the trans shift points and input sensors etc something that you could do in the driveway. I think there are enough of us out here that would like to have a shop that we could have confidence in.
Thing is time --- takes time to build the rep -- I know we would all help in that regard -- but still could be a couple of lean years before a large enough client base could be estabilshed -- if you can get through that time The west coast is full of the right type of cars and car nuts with money to support a company like you are talking about.
I know that I would drive a couple hundred miles to get my car tuned up right --- but I can't speak for anybody else

**etyu** · 06-11-2007

It's a good idea. Perhaps one trip to the left coast (a la 412driver or west coast) lasting 7-10 days and another on the right coast (east coast) for the same duration, maybe every 6-12 months or as demand permits.

I wonder how one can measure the demand? Perhaps some posting also in other forums and not limited to any specific model but perhaps the more popular models whose owners fit the profile of Mod enthusiasts - like the different AMG's, e.g., CLK, SL, etc.

**webslinger** · 06-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

Once i have a shop i could even install things like the parktronic stuff thats not available in the US from factory.

Oh, I think I'd have that for the wife as well.

**DansSlk** · 06-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer 7

Dan:
I like the idea and that eventually a complete shop would happen.
AS to trips to do minor tuning and installs as you mentioned this would probably work -- is tuning the engine setting up the trans shift points and input sensors etc something that you could do in the driveway. I think there are enough of us out here that would like to have a shop that we could have confidence in.
Thing is time --- takes time to build the rep -- I know we would all help in that regard -- but still could be a couple of lean years before a large enough client base could be estabilshed -- if you can get through that time The west coast is full of the right type of cars and car nuts with money to support a company like you are talking about.
I know that I would drive a couple hundred miles to get my car tuned up right --- but I can't speak for anybody else

Yeah certainly calibrating shifter points and to a certain extent the engine mapping is possible without any special tools other then the DAS.

As you correctly point out i wont be stepping into a gold mine from day one and the people who own my current shop would be its owners so they would be able to support it while its growing so the quiet time thats bound to happen would not be a problem.

**DansSlk** · 06-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

It's a good idea. Perhaps one trip to the left coast (a la 412driver or west coast) lasting 7-10 days and another on the right coast (east coast) for the same duration, maybe every 6-12 months or as demand permits.

I wonder how one can measure the demand? Perhaps some posting also in other forums and not limited to any specific model but perhaps the more popular models whose owners fit the profile of Mod enthusiasts - like the different AMG's, e.g., CLK, SL, etc.

Yeah your right about speaking to a wider audience and i would post up in more places but i guess i get the feeling from reading posts on the other sites that every other poster is nothing short of a rocket scientist or so they think and i would not be given the time of day.

I guess the plan would be wait until enough requests stack up and then go for a trip

**Cruzer 8** · 06-11-2007

Would you be bring one of your cars that SLK of yours showing up at a couple track events and some of the multi-car show and tells around the state might do wonders for word of mouth and let the right crowd see what you can do there are a couple of people that track their cars if it got know that you tweaked them and I think the steering on the "other side" ( of your car)would certainly add to your rep. and mystic
remember good showmanship is right up there in the promotion department

VitaminT · 06-11-2007

Interesting concept. I wouldn't mind getting just about all of that done to my car but don't know that I could afford any of it.

**Cruzer 8** · 06-11-2007

Dan --- you do work on more than MB is this correct --- I also go to euro-car meets are other brand of cars a possibilty?

Banned · 06-11-2007

Hi Dan,

good idea. There are still some "holes" in the possibilty of upgrading the SLK.

Comand/APS50 - update/upgrades of "flashing boxes", linguatronic, TV
steering wheel - new paddles to old wheels
vmax - opening for 280/350/55 without higher torque
speedometer - design change
comfort seats - the new SLK does not move the seats back automaticly
lights - LED daylights
camera - a fixation for it to make films
antenna - a simple short version

412driver · 06-11-2007

Sounds like a great adventure. Should be enough work and as word spreads and your rep grows, who knows, you may open the "DAN'SAMGWORLD" forum just for appointments.

((((((wonder ifn that boy knows tractors an Chebys an uther such toys)))))

N4PWJ · 06-11-2007

sounds good Dan.
however it is a brave risk your taking, will you set up permanently in the US?
the cost effectiveness might not be great to start, but as already stated after a good few years of hard graft and relation building, you could acquire a good rep and get a good customer base.
we all know that it is very clear that you know exactly what your talking about when it comes to MB's, but the general public in US might take a wheil to appreciate your expertise.
whatever you choose to do, im sure it is a well thought out decision, and good luck to you! i 100% respect entrepreneurship and this is a great example of it!

**DansSlk** · 06-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer 7

Would you be bring one of your cars that SLK of yours showing up at a couple track events and some of the multi-car show and tells around the state might do wonders for word of mouth and let the right crowd see what you can do there are a couple of people that track their cars if it got know that you tweaked them and I think the steering on the "other side" ( of your car)would certainly add to your rep. and mystic
remember good showmanship is right up there in the promotion department

Certainly if i where to be based in the US for most of the year i would bring the SLK over there is no way i could live without it so it would be going in a big ass box and taking a little trip.

**DansSlk** · 06-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer 7

Dan --- you do work on more than MB is this correct --- I also go to euro-car meets are other brand of cars a possibilty?

Other brands are a possibility yeah i work with BMW, Porsche and Aston Martin.

I would consider maybe adding BMW M to the list of cars if i opened a shop but i don't know if i would be able to justify the cost of the BMW stuff for things like mod trips.

**DansSlk** · 06-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by N4PWJ

sounds good Dan.
however it is a brave risk your taking, will you set up permanently in the US?
the cost effectiveness might not be great to start, but as already stated after a good few years of hard graft and relation building, you could acquire a good rep and get a good customer base.
we all know that it is very clear that you know exactly what your

06-10-2007	#1 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,797 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 227 Times in 179 Posts	Intrest in upgrades Hi guys, gals and Doug, Wondering if you could answer something for me. As you know i wanna setup shop in the US but before that i would not mind going on modding trips same sorta thing people like Steve at MBenzNL and the others do just to get a feel of the whole thing. Basically i am just trying to get a feel of how much interest there is on having parts retrofitted things like adding phone's or the COMAND stuff like that to the cars because i am trying to convince my boss its a good idea to buy some of the tools i would need now, some of them small like torx bit screwdrivers but some while not much bigger carry a large price tag things like the StarDiagnose at $20k purchase plus $7k a year updates and i would need my own one because i cant be taking one of the shops units out since that would put a station out of action and basically i am trying to convince him that buying them sooner will help with the return on investment. So all of you out there in the US or the EU if there was something you wanted fitting to your car and i was able to do it for you would you be interested? I already know that there are some of you who are but i am looking for a wider picture if possible here. Cheers, Dan __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

06-10-2007	#3 (permalink)
-1- Don Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 2,231 Country: Thanks: 54 Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts	GREAT IDEA. I think it would work. Steve from MBenzNL has done west coast trips, but to the best of my knowledge, nothing east coast or mid west. If nothing else, everyone would like to meet you and you could sell autographs. Seriously, if you could provide a list of potential services with parts, I think there would be interest. Give us an idea of what services you could provide. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *----------------1-----------------* --------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

06-10-2007	#6 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,797 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 227 Times in 179 Posts	Cool sounds good so far, Basically once i have a permanent base setup i can do anything a dealer can because i will be able to get lifts installed and all the right tools sorted but until i can sort that mod trips will be kinda limited by what can be done in somebody's drive-way for obvious reasons I'm not going to be able to fit suspension parts or whatever but basically cosmetic mods on the exterior should be fine. With the interior of the car retrofitting things like COMAND/Audio 50 or upgrading to the HK sound system, adding phones or CD changers, installing TV tuners and NAV or smaller stuff like the interior motion sensors and enabling the tire pressure monitor or adding rain/light sensors, shifter paddle steering wheels just about anything you can think of for the inside of the car. Once i have a shop i could even install things like the parktronic stuff thats not available in the US from factory. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

06-11-2007	#7 (permalink)
Cruzer 8 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Vehicle: 07 SL 550 Mars Red Posts: 579 Country: Thanks: 32 Thanked 58 Times in 28 Posts	Dan: I like the idea and that eventually a complete shop would happen. AS to trips to do minor tuning and installs as you mentioned this would probably work -- is tuning the engine setting up the trans shift points and input sensors etc something that you could do in the driveway. I think there are enough of us out here that would like to have a shop that we could have confidence in. Thing is time --- takes time to build the rep -- I know we would all help in that regard -- but still could be a couple of lean years before a large enough client base could be estabilshed -- if you can get through that time The west coast is full of the right type of cars and car nuts with money to support a company like you are talking about. I know that I would drive a couple hundred miles to get my car tuned up right --- but I can't speak for anybody else __________________ GENE ---- See My Pic's To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* SL 550 Mars Red

06-11-2007	#8 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,306 Country: Thanks: 381 Thanked 283 Times in 174 Posts	It's a good idea. Perhaps one trip to the left coast (a la 412driver or west coast) lasting 7-10 days and another on the right coast (east coast) for the same duration, maybe every 6-12 months or as demand permits. I wonder how one can measure the demand? Perhaps some posting also in other forums and not limited to any specific model but perhaps the more popular models whose owners fit the profile of Mod enthusiasts - like the different AMG's, e.g., CLK, SL, etc. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

06-10-2007	#2 (permalink)
Tslick Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Beach, Ca Vehicle: SLK32 AMG Posts: 1,326 Country: Thanks: 75 Thanked 56 Times in 29 Posts	I'd be interested in a shop that knows AMG drive trains, suspensions and the electrics. I don't feel the dealers care about fine tuning AMG's, they look at all MB models the same.

06-10-2007	#4 (permalink)
webslinger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Vehicle: '07 SLK55 AMG Other Toys: Honda motorcycle Posts: 551 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 22 Times in 14 Posts	Sign me up for performance mods. Cram all the SLK "black" goodies in a duffle bag and head over, mate!

06-11-2007	#12 (permalink)
Cruzer 8 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Vehicle: 07 SL 550 Mars Red Posts: 579 Country: Thanks: 32 Thanked 58 Times in 28 Posts	Would you be bring one of your cars that SLK of yours showing up at a couple track events and some of the multi-car show and tells around the state might do wonders for word of mouth and let the right crowd see what you can do there are a couple of people that track their cars if it got know that you tweaked them and I think the steering on the "other side" ( of your car)would certainly add to your rep. and mystic remember good showmanship is right up there in the promotion department __________________ GENE ---- See My Pic's To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* SL 550 Mars Red

06-11-2007	#13 (permalink)
VitaminT Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama Vehicle: 2005 SLK55 Posts: 361 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Interesting concept. I wouldn't mind getting just about all of that done to my car but don't know that I could afford any of it.

06-11-2007	#14 (permalink)
Cruzer 8 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Vehicle: 07 SL 550 Mars Red Posts: 579 Country: Thanks: 32 Thanked 58 Times in 28 Posts	Dan --- you do work on more than MB is this correct --- I also go to euro-car meets are other brand of cars a possibilty? __________________ GENE ---- See My Pic's To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* SL 550 Mars Red

06-11-2007	#15 (permalink)
Banned Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,167 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Dan, good idea. There are still some "holes" in the possibilty of upgrading the SLK. Comand/APS50 - update/upgrades of "flashing boxes", linguatronic, TV steering wheel - new paddles to old wheels vmax - opening for 280/350/55 without higher torque speedometer - design change comfort seats - the new SLK does not move the seats back automaticly lights - LED daylights camera - a fixation for it to make films antenna - a simple short version

06-11-2007	#16 (permalink)
412driver Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Salisbury North Carolina USA Vehicle: 99 SLK230 Other Toys: TOO MANY TOYS Posts: 1,010 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sounds like a great adventure. Should be enough work and as word spreads and your rep grows, who knows, you may open the "DAN'SAMGWORLD" forum just for appointments.((((((wonder ifn that boy knows tractors an Chebys an uther such toys)))))

06-11-2007	#17 (permalink)
N4PWJ Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belfast,N.Ireland Vehicle: 2006,slk280,carlsson Other Toys: Caterham Posts: 1,417 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	sounds good Dan. however it is a brave risk your taking, will you set up permanently in the US? the cost effectiveness might not be great to start, but as already stated after a good few years of hard graft and relation building, you could acquire a good rep and get a good customer base. we all know that it is very clear that you know exactly what your talking about when it comes to MB's, but the general public in US might take a wheil to appreciate your expertise. whatever you choose to do, im sure it is a well thought out decision, and good luck to you! i 100% respect entrepreneurship and this is a great example of it!

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