Luwin1026
09-06-2004, 11:29 PM
You hear it before you even catch a glimpse of it coming. The throaty exhaust note from the quad Weltmeister pipes combined with the rising revs of the furiously urgent engine precede the sleek black shape that is producing such glorious music. You hear the revs rise and fall, indicating that it’s a car with a proper manual transmission in it. You play the guessing game inside your head. Is it a modified late-model, high-end Japanese sports car? Or maybe it’s a purebred exotic hailing from the land of those passionate Italians?
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QwAAANITgZwX15jlXlSdhfju910IFeilRXtXBRGLIuWgSs4SY sSk2L3cl*Ar8jrzts7mjrRubDMwIveAO2eDaX1h!LBf!voVLy9 8Q5y8Y*4/Rolling01.jpg
By the time you start to gather thoughts in your head it arrives. High-polished 19” IForged Rev wheels glimmering in the sunlight barely concealing the silver AMG calipers behind them. Glossy black paint shrouding the sleek shape of Brabus, with a carbon fiber hood hinting that this car means business.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDvAqMSH1PsxX7BTnUxY54jJWBl!utnKaO1K73xhb63L*VuE 52Qj4YpqNOT1UiJ8ExpD4P*!lB2bLuz4nsKH2xYXxPYYqIpWgq t7!ZXgDw/Still01.JPG
Like a lot of the BNZsport cars we feature, this one has a story for the owner’s experience building such a project. Jason Lee (aka BrabusCclass) is the proud owner of September’s Ride of the Month, and he was kind enough to take a few afternoon hours out of his Labor Day to talk to me and allow me to take some pictures of his beautiful car. As the laid-back, unassuming owner stepped out of his car, I leaned closer to hear his story.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQAdA6USkVPsxX7BTnUxY6Lwl3jh*3Sf033hanbwhZ5YQMobO qmTMDquZj8q1rI8b5X6icbRF2FjpLBZPDeXduFzj3syxz133Ks CG79fF08/Still03.JPG
When asked why he chose this car as his project, Jason simply stated, “I wanted to be the first.” For those of you who have yet to graduate from the college of Mercedes history, 2001 marked the first year of the current-generation C-class sedan (chassis code: W203). Jason saw the car and fell in love immediately at the way it looked. But finding the exact car he wanted was a different story. He wanted the 6-speed manual with the Sport package in stealthy black, and it took almost a month just to locate such a combination. But once he got his hands on it, modding was a different story. Within two days, the car had been debadged and sported a new exhaust. There was more Jason wanted to do, but finding parts was difficult as most companies were just starting to develop them.
So it became a waiting game – waiting for parts to come out and then snatching them up for his car. On the appearance side, on went an authentic Brabus body kit, a custom carbon fiber front splitter to match the carbon fiber hood. Lorinser was called on to provide the rear roof spoiler, and Jason painted his grill and front bumper lenses to complete the all-black look. A European-spec trunk was sourced and installed with a custom euro plate to pay homage to the car’s roots.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQCJAqYSylPsxX7BTnUxY4K5vZEgSTW!KTDdC3Q9tJFnnKb*! pNDmU9DQwi0biVdGSOZmw*LxjrW6Et!QKuVl106Nswe509ak72 iSu5EpwQ/Still04.JPG
With the car dropped prettily on matched springs and shocks from H&R and Bilstein, respectively, further chassis enhancements include Evosport sway bars and AMG front brakes sourced from a C32. The aforementioned polished 19” IForged Rev wheels mounted with BFGoodrich KDW tires provide the rolling stock, adding a twist of bling with the deep lip from its custom offsets.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQAAAKQSWFPsxX7BTnUxYyohSCHOURB7RCln4X3vC5aYYha2h 6rpx8prtQJqWBa61VAtYph6*lg3rKiFWNY8uxViSyDtHRch*5a F*WhlpmA/Still02.JPG
On the performance side, there was definitely room for improvement. The stock 2.6L V6 is not known for heart-stopping performance, and this area was one that Jason splurged on in attempt to infuse the car with some much-needed life. A Kleemann supercharger kit was installed and set to provide 7psi of grin-inducing boost, and an Evosport underdrive pulley kit was also put on to take some unneeded stress off the motor. All said and done, this modified engine seemed to be a better match for the sporty 6-speed manual and provided the bite to go with this car’s bark.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDdAqgSPFTsxX7BTnUxY9JwXEborvYk0KFa36RdBix0RTsQh W3E6jE6vW!!pECNO0oK97aOCeJtGbemOZJ3LWbUro7BrC3eDBG POKV!1HM/Still06.JPG
As a member of the well-known Team Hybrid, Jason started entering his car into shows, and it wasn’t before long that he finished up the car by adding some ICE. He called on Audio Planet to provide him with a show-stopping setup, and in went a Clarion LCD-motorized touch screen to control everything, MB Quart components to provide the tunes in the cabin, and 2 10-inch Orion competition subs to give the thump. 2 Orion competition amps provide the juice, and 2 Rockford Fosgate Digital caps provide additional power when necessary. All this is wrapped in a unique setup that includes the subs looking as if they were afterburners on a jet, and everything is covered carefully in suede.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDrAqkSdVTsxX7BTnUxY6FT9A0sGDHLsaJd6hV*layVZMtPE XvjHS9sChIfnXBG9SDIxt5N8OlswHa0lHT3YlqxgTGB9FoyD2Y T7VKWnKA/Still07.JPG
So what started out as a desire to be a trendsetter ended up being a project complete. A full-blown show-stopper, it turns heads every day out on the streets as well. Jason has been regarded by some as the “godfather of the W203,” and when asked how he got that title, he laughingly replies, “With a lot of time, effort, and MONEY.” He also credits his family and friends for their support as well as his sponsors - Meguiars, Audio Planet, The Wheel Supply, Evosport, BFGoodrich, Performance Products, and IForged. As the car is pretty much complete as-is, Jason couldn’t leave well enough alone and is giving the car an exterior makeover. While I can’t reveal just yet what it’s going to be, I bet it will be a first for a lot of you when you see it. After all, what else have we come to expect from the godfather?
-LK
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QwCJAnMTeogX15jlXlSdhReez48QrbJva2XyX7qp42kJzZqss DdSNsCKOaMnW1HsVGNFd38FV*LPqrjzG99ORsx18o4tR!Tbvzv 1pW5YN1A/Rolling02.JPG
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDvAqsS51TsxX7BTnUxY7c7j8AKrq3Ok77T*H*PfzxrvuODA HmxLMdA4PU4sqCWuJsug7Xsa2qRVrCz7j1OfPWDYX6KjL3WZDw OoU1llXk/Still09.JPG
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDvAqoSrlTsxX7BTnUxY8Y2i8HGzv2SgUXM134rg3biUNLhp R9NbOCjmXfTNLVqt6UoKLbaj*lPXPzMbAsROUaFFaEZ7FoSn55 wUBwGs94/Still08.JPG
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDdAqcSA1TsxX7BTnUxY7WfFa8rPb5jnvGFtG2TD389DvZ7H 0lkJ5ulQwHyDylYDu2xZXDQl9PeqFhmV24tQ84J1FF9gpRXaMn !rIhypa4/Still05.JPG
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QwAAANITgZwX15jlXlSdhfju910IFeilRXtXBRGLIuWgSs4SY sSk2L3cl*Ar8jrzts7mjrRubDMwIveAO2eDaX1h!LBf!voVLy9 8Q5y8Y*4/Rolling01.jpg
By the time you start to gather thoughts in your head it arrives. High-polished 19” IForged Rev wheels glimmering in the sunlight barely concealing the silver AMG calipers behind them. Glossy black paint shrouding the sleek shape of Brabus, with a carbon fiber hood hinting that this car means business.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDvAqMSH1PsxX7BTnUxY54jJWBl!utnKaO1K73xhb63L*VuE 52Qj4YpqNOT1UiJ8ExpD4P*!lB2bLuz4nsKH2xYXxPYYqIpWgq t7!ZXgDw/Still01.JPG
Like a lot of the BNZsport cars we feature, this one has a story for the owner’s experience building such a project. Jason Lee (aka BrabusCclass) is the proud owner of September’s Ride of the Month, and he was kind enough to take a few afternoon hours out of his Labor Day to talk to me and allow me to take some pictures of his beautiful car. As the laid-back, unassuming owner stepped out of his car, I leaned closer to hear his story.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQAdA6USkVPsxX7BTnUxY6Lwl3jh*3Sf033hanbwhZ5YQMobO qmTMDquZj8q1rI8b5X6icbRF2FjpLBZPDeXduFzj3syxz133Ks CG79fF08/Still03.JPG
When asked why he chose this car as his project, Jason simply stated, “I wanted to be the first.” For those of you who have yet to graduate from the college of Mercedes history, 2001 marked the first year of the current-generation C-class sedan (chassis code: W203). Jason saw the car and fell in love immediately at the way it looked. But finding the exact car he wanted was a different story. He wanted the 6-speed manual with the Sport package in stealthy black, and it took almost a month just to locate such a combination. But once he got his hands on it, modding was a different story. Within two days, the car had been debadged and sported a new exhaust. There was more Jason wanted to do, but finding parts was difficult as most companies were just starting to develop them.
So it became a waiting game – waiting for parts to come out and then snatching them up for his car. On the appearance side, on went an authentic Brabus body kit, a custom carbon fiber front splitter to match the carbon fiber hood. Lorinser was called on to provide the rear roof spoiler, and Jason painted his grill and front bumper lenses to complete the all-black look. A European-spec trunk was sourced and installed with a custom euro plate to pay homage to the car’s roots.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQCJAqYSylPsxX7BTnUxY4K5vZEgSTW!KTDdC3Q9tJFnnKb*! pNDmU9DQwi0biVdGSOZmw*LxjrW6Et!QKuVl106Nswe509ak72 iSu5EpwQ/Still04.JPG
With the car dropped prettily on matched springs and shocks from H&R and Bilstein, respectively, further chassis enhancements include Evosport sway bars and AMG front brakes sourced from a C32. The aforementioned polished 19” IForged Rev wheels mounted with BFGoodrich KDW tires provide the rolling stock, adding a twist of bling with the deep lip from its custom offsets.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQAAAKQSWFPsxX7BTnUxYyohSCHOURB7RCln4X3vC5aYYha2h 6rpx8prtQJqWBa61VAtYph6*lg3rKiFWNY8uxViSyDtHRch*5a F*WhlpmA/Still02.JPG
On the performance side, there was definitely room for improvement. The stock 2.6L V6 is not known for heart-stopping performance, and this area was one that Jason splurged on in attempt to infuse the car with some much-needed life. A Kleemann supercharger kit was installed and set to provide 7psi of grin-inducing boost, and an Evosport underdrive pulley kit was also put on to take some unneeded stress off the motor. All said and done, this modified engine seemed to be a better match for the sporty 6-speed manual and provided the bite to go with this car’s bark.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDdAqgSPFTsxX7BTnUxY9JwXEborvYk0KFa36RdBix0RTsQh W3E6jE6vW!!pECNO0oK97aOCeJtGbemOZJ3LWbUro7BrC3eDBG POKV!1HM/Still06.JPG
As a member of the well-known Team Hybrid, Jason started entering his car into shows, and it wasn’t before long that he finished up the car by adding some ICE. He called on Audio Planet to provide him with a show-stopping setup, and in went a Clarion LCD-motorized touch screen to control everything, MB Quart components to provide the tunes in the cabin, and 2 10-inch Orion competition subs to give the thump. 2 Orion competition amps provide the juice, and 2 Rockford Fosgate Digital caps provide additional power when necessary. All this is wrapped in a unique setup that includes the subs looking as if they were afterburners on a jet, and everything is covered carefully in suede.
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDrAqkSdVTsxX7BTnUxY6FT9A0sGDHLsaJd6hV*layVZMtPE XvjHS9sChIfnXBG9SDIxt5N8OlswHa0lHT3YlqxgTGB9FoyD2Y T7VKWnKA/Still07.JPG
So what started out as a desire to be a trendsetter ended up being a project complete. A full-blown show-stopper, it turns heads every day out on the streets as well. Jason has been regarded by some as the “godfather of the W203,” and when asked how he got that title, he laughingly replies, “With a lot of time, effort, and MONEY.” He also credits his family and friends for their support as well as his sponsors - Meguiars, Audio Planet, The Wheel Supply, Evosport, BFGoodrich, Performance Products, and IForged. As the car is pretty much complete as-is, Jason couldn’t leave well enough alone and is giving the car an exterior makeover. While I can’t reveal just yet what it’s going to be, I bet it will be a first for a lot of you when you see it. After all, what else have we come to expect from the godfather?
-LK
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QwCJAnMTeogX15jlXlSdhReez48QrbJva2XyX7qp42kJzZqss DdSNsCKOaMnW1HsVGNFd38FV*LPqrjzG99ORsx18o4tR!Tbvzv 1pW5YN1A/Rolling02.JPG
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDvAqsS51TsxX7BTnUxY7c7j8AKrq3Ok77T*H*PfzxrvuODA HmxLMdA4PU4sqCWuJsug7Xsa2qRVrCz7j1OfPWDYX6KjL3WZDw OoU1llXk/Still09.JPG
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDvAqoSrlTsxX7BTnUxY8Y2i8HGzv2SgUXM134rg3biUNLhp R9NbOCjmXfTNLVqt6UoKLbaj*lPXPzMbAsROUaFFaEZ7FoSn55 wUBwGs94/Still08.JPG
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQDdAqcSA1TsxX7BTnUxY7WfFa8rPb5jnvGFtG2TD389DvZ7H 0lkJ5ulQwHyDylYDu2xZXDQl9PeqFhmV24tQ84J1FF9gpRXaMn !rIhypa4/Still05.JPG