'92
#199
WDBEA36E1NB766465
Exactly 1 year ago I travelled to N. Calif to pick up my 500e. It has taken me all this time to bring my story out to the open forum because I was not happy with how the transaction came down. I was embarrassed. I blamed myself for trusting the seller and beating myself up for it. The car that supposedly 'needs nothing' has cost me $12,000 of repairs and deferred maintenance thus far. Had I known I would have waited for a higher price example with lower mileage, or not have paid the sum I did.
When I arrived at the seller's place the red flags were there but I chose to ignore them. Strange how the romance of buying a car that supposedly had been gone through by a local MB dealer from front to back at a cost of over $16,000; driving it home on a 1000 mile trip, took on a life of its own. Driving home, in less than 50 miles I realized that I had taken on an unfinished project of the previous owner. He outright lied to me. I felt sick to be honest.
To his credit, in his 3 years’ ownership, money was spent on repairing transmission oil leaks, new tires, refinishing console wood, new windshield, new roof liner and repairing a stuck sunroof. However, he made himself sound like someone who spared no expense on the car, citing the reason for selling is the job was complete and boredom had set in.
Once I got over my anguish I carried on the process of returning this great automobile to its former glamour. What choice did I have? My expectations are high as I focus on exterior and interior details as well as mechanical performance. After 60 or so enhancements so far I believe the light is at the end of the tunnel. I still have to take apart the sunroof for overhaul, install new front rotors, pads and bearings. I have all the parts on hand. Finally, when the weather warms, I will also tackle a thorough exterior clay bar, polish, glaze and wax. This is what has been done so far, not in exact order:
Major service, new belts, hoses, plugs, rotor, and fluids. Wheel balance/alignment.
New rear SLS struts, accumulations and bushing kit. (1st red flag, knocking sound in trunk).
New rear trunk seal. (leaky trunk)
New Antenna upper/lower seal. (leaky trunk)
New water pump.
New hood insulation pad.
New horsehair pad for driver’s seat.
Major interior leather reconditioning (with leather product, over 20 coats so far).
New headlight doors.
New headlight lenses.
Repaired rear bumper left support bracket.
Repainted clear coat on roof due to peeling clear coat.
Replaced all missing or broken fasteners for lower body cladding on passenger side.
Replaced driver’s door card (old one have broken tabs and map pocket.
Re + re passenger front door card and repaired/replaced broken tabs.
New interior trim pieces for outside side mirrors.
Repaired CD changer.
Balanced driveshaft.
Replaced carrier bearing and flex disks.
Replaced one defective Conti tire. (took a long time but it’s what caused vibration).
Wheel balance again.
Replaced A and B pillar trims on passenger side.
Repaired C pillar trim on passenger side. (bad head liner repair from previous).
Replaced rear shelf speaker grilles. (broken tabs)
Replaced driver’s left side seat belt. (old one did not retract).
New front grille surround. (rock ding on old one).
New seal for grille.
Replaced missing fasteners for trunk liner.
Repaired light bulb monitoring module. (caused intermittent outages of 2 lamps).
New Sissal carpet mats.
New Front boot covers (front shocks).
New exhaust hanger donuts.
New MB battery.
Replaced all 3 rear ashtrays. (all had chips/cracks).
New door check straps for front.
New plastic strip for securing rear door seal on passenger side.
Readjusted striker on rear door (wasn't closing properly).
New leather shifter knob. (old one chewed up by dog).
Replaced plastic window and cradle from shifter unit.
Repaired driver’s power seat. (broken cable)
Repaired passenger side power mirror.
Replaced broken plastic seat trims on both front seats.
New headlight switch.
Replaced dash air vents.
Repair sunroof wind deflector.
New sunroof seal.
AC service.
I can say that it’s been 2 steps forward and 1 step back for much of the way. For example, soon after the major service that included belts and flushing of radiator, the water pump gave out, stranded me 100 miles from home. Then it was the hours of labour to re+re the pump, repeated labour to go into the same area.
I am pleased to say the car is vibration and rattle free after all this work. Having owned a W124 300e for many years I know these cars are vault like solid, smooth and should have a rattle free interior. I guess chasing down all the broken plastic tabs has paid off dividends. Finally!
