ECS News

Guesswork is expensive. It leads to costly repair errors that compromise vehicle safety. Talented pro-sumer or repair professional, you need accurate vehicle data and specifications. That's why ECS is happy to offer an entire inventory of Bentley manuals, a reliable, respected source of repair data for many European vehicles. This comprehensive source of info on your Mercedes-Benz has been carefully edited and illustrated. A worthwhile investment.

Why a strut nut socket? To secure shocks and struts to their mounts, the retaining nut must be torqued to its proper specification with the use of a torque wrench. Strut nut sockets allow for the use of an Allen wrench to hold the damper shaft while utilizing a torque wrench on the socket to achieve proper torque. Schwaben, a company known for exceptionally crafted specialty tools, now offers 18mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, and 24mm Strut Nut Sockets for your own suspension project. A superb addition to any home mechanic's tool arsenal, this latest Schwaben release is built to last.

For years, ECS Tuning has been your trusted source for original, aftermarket, and performance parts for your European car. Our team of enthusiasts have worked hard to build the best catalog in the industry, providing you with the knowledge and expertise to keep your car looking, sounding, and performing great year after year.

The specialty tool experts at Schwaben have released a series of superbly engineered, exceptionally reliable car ramps, ramp extensions, wheel stands, & wheel chocks - now available from ECS tuning. 30" to 67" Low Profile Car Ramps are specially made to accommodate vehicles with low bumper clearance, eliminating the risk of body damage & sliding ramps. Schwaben Wheel Stands feature a cradled wheel support for superior stability compared to jack stands, supporting up to 3000 lbs. And when lifting your vehicle or placing it on an incline, Wheel Chocks are a wise investment.

Want to do something bold? Bodacious, even? Check out this line of 3M Scotchprint films. Add texture and style to interior and exterior surfaces by applying these durable adhesive backed films to body panels or trim. Want variety? Channel Darth Vader with gloss black or carbon fiber, or go sci-fi-starship with brushed aluminum or titanium. Buy rolls five feet wide in lengths from one to 20 feet. Hi-tech look. Low tech installation. User friendly and easy to apply using simple tools, 3M 1080 film lets anyone get professional results on the first try.

A stripped thread can turn an enjoyable weekend project into an unbearably frustrating experience, occasionally bringing the entire job to a complete halt. The Schwaben Metric Thread Repair Kit was designed specifically for European cars with the most commonly used metric sized threads in mind, keeping your project in motion whenever metric threads are stripped or otherwise damaged. The kit contains everything to keep your project going - simply drill out the old thread, tap out the hole with the correct sized tap, and screw in a new insert with the installation tool.

When addressing a vehicle's braking system, it can be easy to overlook brake fluids. It's not always clear which parts are necessary to do the job correctly - usually resulting in unnecessary time and expense. ECS has assembled three Brake Fluid Flush Kits, each containing the convenient Motive Power Bleeder, Schwaben Bleeder Wrench, and one liter of brake fluid - everything needed for a basic servicing. The level 2 Kit includes a Motive Catch Bottle Set; the level 3 kit further improves the level 2 kit with high-performance TYP 200 brake fluid.

There are many components in the precisely engineered suspension on your Mercedes-Benz & some of the most important parts are the thrust arms, control arms and camber struts. All of these work together to tie the rear spindle to vehicle chassis, while keeping the alignment angles in check. Over time, these parts and their bushings can become worn from constant fatigue and exposure to the elements. The only solution is to replace them. This kit includes everything you need to replace all the rear thrust arms, control arms and camber struts.

Enjoy the rare opportunity for significant savings with Schwaben Tool Kit Bundles from ECS. Any order over $200 will be shipped free of charge - the perfect way to invest in professional-quality tools for your European car. Complete 11 piece set of External Torx Sockets are available - these sockets have become popular at many locations, such as seat rails, chassis components, and suspension. Featuring a fine satin finish that's easy on the hands and easy to wipe clean the 12 Pc Metric Combination Wrench Set includes professional grade 8-19mm metric wrenches.

Schwaben products are characterized by simple, clever designs. Their wheel storage solutions may be the best examples of these qualities. The Schwaben Wheel Tree holds up to 275lbs and allows you to safely stack your wheels without the risk of scuffing and scratching. Convenient locking casters allow you to easily move the whole set anywhere in your garage or shop at one time. And when saving floor space is the highest priority, the Schwaben Wall-Mounted Wheel Rack allows you to securely store up to four 11½" wide wheels and tires against the wall, away from your work space.

Diagnostic trouble code P0400, "Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Malfunction", is often the cause of poor idling, power loss, and general poor engine performance. The vacuum-controlled EGR valve regulates exhaust gases re-entering the intake manifold, & can become clogged over time and eventually fail. The Genuine Mercedes-Benz EGR Valve Kit is the most complete, highest-quality EGR solution available. The convenient kit includes each item required for a comprehensive EGR system refresh: an EGR pipe, EGR pipe gasket, EGR valve and EGR Valve Gasket, junction nut and sealing cone.

Protect your valuable alloy wheels from damage; use Protecta lug bolt sockets from Schwaben. Each of the three common socket sizes comes wrapped in a protective plastic sleeve that shields the wheel bolt holes from damage caused when regular steel sockets are used to remove and install wheels. Available in regular and extended-reach sets, these burly 1/2-inch drive six-point sockets come in a handy carry case, and are color-coded by size. Don't risk an expensive wheel repair; keep a set of Protecta Sockets in your tool box.

If you're beginning to notice oil drips on the ground, a burning oil smell or smoke from underneath the hood, a leaking valve cover gasket may be the culprit. A common gasket to leak on Mercedes engines, the valve cover gasket is nothing to ignore. Don't forget to always replace the camshaft tensioner gasket at the same time as these are also prone to leaking. A small amount of RTV silicone is not included, but recommended in several transitional areas of the cylinder head valve cover rail.

Fresh coolant is paramount to safe & reliable engine operation. The process of bleeding the air out of your cooling system during a coolant refresh is tedious & therefore often neglected. ECS offers a highly convenient solution to the tedium & frustration associated with coolant servicing – the Schwaben Coolant Evacuation Kit. Insert the tool into the radiator service neck, attach the included Venturi adapter & allow the system to reach 25 psi, drawing out the vacuum. Use the same tool to fill your radiator, allowing the pressure to resume to 0 psi, completing the procedure.

The impact driver is a fast and effective way to remove tight or corroded screws and bolts, reducing the chance of rounding off--or rounding out--the fastener head. Insert a slotted or Phillips head screwdriver bit into the driver. Place the screwdriver bit into screw head, and strike the driver with a hammer. The impact drives the bit inward as it rotates the screw, breaking it loose. Reverse the tool to tighten fasteners. For stubborn bolts, remove the black screwdriver bit adapter head, and replace it with any 3/8 - inch drive socket.

City Lights LEDs add a rich, expensive look to your C-Class. They work as good as they look! Specially designed LED circuits won't throw a "bulb out" alert like lesser lighting options. Installation is simple and straightforward. Plug 'em in and replace dingy OE light with an LED glow that turns heads.

For over 35 years, Escort has been a leader in high-performance radar and laser detectors. Offering advanced features of convenience such as GPS, Bluetooth, and cell phone integration, as well as clever performance features like all-band ultimate radar/laser protection, 'instant on', and laser shifters, Escort radar detectors are the pinnacle of protection for the automotive enthusiast. ECS Tuning is proud to be your authorized dealer of Escort products, the most intelligent solution for discerning drivers.

H&R Sway Bars are crafted from the highest tensile strength steel-alloy available (50CrV4), which translates to fast feedback response time, guaranteeing smooth transitional sway bar function. H&R Sway Bars are precision engineered and manufactured in Germany, and are incredibly strong and durable. Each sway bar is cold-formed and heat-treated, with forged, seamless bar ends. H&R then shot-peens the sway bars to increase durability and check for dimensional correctness.

Mercedes-Benz labored over the W203 suspension materials and geometry, precisely engineering each individual component to exacting standards. Over time, control arms and their bushings can become worn from consistent exposure to extreme loads and harsh environments, resulting in poor suspension mechanics. ECS offers complete Front Lower Control Arm Kits for a direct-fit swap-out of your old worn units.

Most of us have to admit to sleeping through a chemistry class--or two--after a rough night. The good news is the Chemical Guys didn't. Now they've put the power of Raw Science to work in a complete professional car care line that combines surface-safe cleaners with lasting protectants and sealers. Stop squirting dish detergent into a bucket. Remove the toughest dirt, even from alloy wheels, and restore your car's exterior and interior finishes to a rich, lasting luster.

To secure shocks and struts to their mounts, the retaining nut must be torqued to its proper specification using a torque wrench. Strut nut sockets allow for the use of an allen wrench to hold the damper shaft while utilizing your torque wrench on the socket to achieve proper torque. An improper torque value may result in premature mount failure - or worse. Some aftermarket strut nut sizes differ from what was originally found on the vehicle. Please measure your nuts to be sure - alternatively, pick up our Schwaben 5 Piece Strut Nut Socket Set and be covered for all common sizes.

H&R Sport Springs are made in Germany, and meet strict quality control guidelines. When you install H&R suspension components on your car, rest assured they will last for years to come. ECS Tuning carries a full line of suspension components for your Mercedes-Benz. There's no need to compromise when it comes to ride quality or driving dynamics.

The Volkswagen Audi Group catalog includes more than just Volkswagens and Audis. This results in more than a couple overlaps in parts, for both performance and styling. If you know where to look, that is. We do. ECS Tuning brings you the front lip spoiler from the European-only SEAT Cupra R. This lip features an aggressive design not found on any US-market car. While not exactly direct-fit, with some slight tweaking, you can give your Golf a unique appearance that will have other enthusiasts guessing. And to sweeten the deal, take a look at the price!

A simply elegant method of integrating your phone into your driving experience, the Genuine Mercedes-Benz Hands-Free-Kit exudes the sheer class of its namesake. Each feature is technologically avant-garde, displaying a respect for convenience and competency. A one touch system to answer and end calls, an integrated speaker and microphone, outgoing call support using voice-dial, in-car rechargeable battery, 9-language support - it's simply the way it should be done.

The Mercedes 722.6xx transmission is a collection of parts that must each be functionally sound for the gearbox to do its job. It follows then, logically, that when attending to a particular transmission issue, the strength of the weakest part determines the end quality of the system. For this reason, ECS offers several complete Transmission Service Kits for your W203 Mercedes. Choose from premium ECS-assembled and genuine OEM packages - each including Automatic Transmission Fluid, Filter, Oil Pan Drain Plug and Sealing Washer, Dipstick Tube Cap Lock Pin, and Pan Gasket.

This brawny 12-point socket set is a great set to have on-hand for any European car owner. The hefty ½ inch-drive shank accepts breaker bar, impact guns, or torque wrenches. Specially hardened to take the added abuse from a impact gun, these sockets are also coated for added protection and so you can tell them apart from non impact rated sockets. Significant internal depth allows for use with a range of applications with varying length shafts. Made of durable chrome vanadium steel, these sockets are tough enough to get the job done.

Now you can stack your extra wheels without the danger of scratches and scuffs. This wheel storage rack keeps your wheels spaced apart, and being on locking casters, allows you to easily move the whole set anywhere in your garage or shop at one time. Sturdy steel construction and a wide base means this wheel rack won't tip over. Holds up to 275lbs - enough for most any wheel & tire set. Fits up to 8½" wide wheels, depending on offset.

Sometimes simply attempting to listen to an external audio source requires extensive rewiring and difficult customization. The genuine Mercedes-Benz Auxiliary Input Wiring Harness makes the job clean and easy. Listen to any audio source using a standard 3.5mm adapter, including any Apple product and any phone or Mp3 device.

Massive rotors, multiple-piston brakes, and advanced pads are glamorous, eye-catching upgrades to your vehicle. But experienced enthusiasts know that all that stopping power relies on adequately bled brake lines. Your brake fluid is incompressible, like a metal; but air is compressible, so ridding your lines of this gas is imperative for fully realized braking power and response. ECS has an array of solutions to tighten up your braking system, including a Power Brake Bleeder, multiple synthetic Brake Fluid options, and a premium Schwaben Brake Bleeder Wrench.

A common part failure on Mercedes-Benz 722.6xx automatic transmissions, the wiring harness spacer can begin to leak transmission fluid, eventually draining to the transmission control module and causing expensive damage. ECS Tuning offers a brand new Wiring Harness Spacer Kit, complete with new o-rings, dipstick tube cap lock pin and a quart of fluid to make installation a quick and easy process.