OWNER Tirag (E60 AMG Limited)

[Tirag]

Hi everyone.

Since I've been reading this forum for a while, I'll introduce myself now. I'm Robert and I'm from Switzerland. I bought my W124 E60 Limited last year and I'm currently in the process of completely restoring it. My goal is to make it perfect again. If I had known how difficult it is to restore it to technically perfection, I would never have started the project. The supply of spare parts for such an E60 is simply catastrophic.

Now I just hope that I, resp. my mechanics, can find the missing parts and that the car will soon be back on the road again.

Greetings,
Robert

 

[036]

Welcome here.
Wow, 957+958 in flesh.... More pics??

 

[Tirag]

Yes, it is one of the few with the 957 and 958 option. More pictures maybe later because at the moment it looks like this...

 

[sheward]

Welcome! Great looking E500. Keep us posted as you continue to get it sorted out.

 

[Eno]

Congratulations Enjoy the restoration process.

 

[gsxr]

Congrats, and welcome to the forum!

 

[TerryA]

@Tirag, ,

Welcome Robert! It’s great to see an E60 come on board. We only have a few members with them. Hopefully we can assist you with your restoration.

It looks like a beautiful car!

Good Luck w/ it

 

[gsxr]

Yes, it is one of the few with the 957 and 958 option. More pictures maybe later because at the moment it looks like this...

Is that engine from your car? What work is being done, and what shop is doing the work?

 

[Tirag]

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

Congratulations Enjoy the restoration process.

At the moment it is more expensive than enjoyable

Is that engine from your car? What work is being done, and what shop is doing the work?

Yes, the engine ist from my car. It is planned to do a complete engine overhaul. The work is done by a specialist in Northern Germany. If I'm back in northern Germany next week, I'll try to take some pictures and give you some further information. It is a shame but I have to say that unfortunately I don't know much about the technical details. But I have full confidence in my mechanics.

 

[Tirag]

Welcome here.
Wow, 957+958 in flesh.... More pics??

Some more...

 

[Tirag]

These photos were taken by my mechanic before the project started...

 

[Eno]

Is the mechanic Rafael at Stern Garage?

 

[Tirag]

No unfortunately not. I would have loved to bring the car to Rafeal. I've also spoken to him about it several times last year. But he is very busy at the moment and has no time for new projects.

 

[Eno]

No unfortunately not. I would have loved to bring the car to Rafeal. Ive also spoken to him about it several times last year. But he is very busy at the moment and has no time for new projects.

I would have loved to see your car at his garage also.

 

[gsxr]

Just FYI, the headlights may be incorrect on this car. There should not be a shield over the H3 bulb on genuine E500E headlights. Photos below.

Also, while the lenses are correct for an E500, they are for LHT (Left Hand Traffic) - Japan, UK, Australia. Finding a good set of RHT lenses will be difficult and expensive. Also, the reflector is different between LHT and RHT, so you may want to check the label on the back of the reflector to see if your shop can determine what reflectors are in there (assuming the original label on the headlight housing is long gone). Lenses and reflectors must match (both RHT) to have correct beam pattern for traffic in a RHT country.

 

[Tirag]

Wow - you have sharp eyes Dave

Thanks for the notice. The E60 was originally delivered in Hamburg (Germany) but was then exported to Japan. Certanly the headlights were rebuilt in Japan. The car then came back to Germany in 2014 and probabely the headlights were not changed again.

I have a new set of headlights but for the pre mopf version - so they will not fit on my car. Luckily the user 036 just sold me new glasses. Maybe I can combine the lenses of the mopf model with the headlights of the pre mopf model.

 

[036]

Dave is one of couple of walking Bibles here.....

 

[gsxr]

I have a new set of headlights but for the pre mopf version - so they will not fit on my car. Luckily the user 036 just sold me new glasses. Maybe I can combine the lenses of the mopf model with the headlights of the pre mopf model.

Awesome! Yes, the only difference between MOPF1 and MOPF2 is the shape of the headlight lens. The buckets are identical, and the reflectors are identical too assuming both are original 036 and the same traffic direction (both RHT). So if you have genuine, new 500E Euro headlights (RHT) you can swap on the facelift/MOPF2 lenses (also RHT) and have the proper/correct lights for the E60. This is fantastic, as those parts are really hard to locate now.

 

[Tirag]

As soon as I will receive the lense, I will post an update.

 

[TimL]

Very nice car and great find! Very happy to see that you plan to invest time and money into ensuring that the car is turned into an "as new" condition - that's the way to go with a car as rare as this

In case you want to get rid of the Japanese market fenders, then here's something that might interest you:

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Kleinanzeigen: Gebrauchte Autoteile günstig kaufen - Jetzt in Trebbin finden oder inserieren! - kleinanzeigen.de

www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de

 

[Tirag]

Thank you Tim but as far as I can see one of the fenders (left front) is a also Japanese version.

 

[TimL]

Read the ad text. He has a set of new Euro Kotfluegel in there that don't have the blinker holes. This guy even has the ultra rare rear fenders. Might be a very good purchase for some here.

 

[Tirag]

You are right. Thank you

 

[Kridre]

So the only difference between Japan and US fenders are the blinker holes? I saw a few years back a 500E that was from Japan, and it had some random round blinkers. The story was that, when someone was buying this car in Japan, the dealer installed them after the car arrived in Japan. I would cry if this was something that I need to do on my shift. Just imagine drilling a hole in a brand new 500E for some stupid blinker light law.

Also, I think that fender blinkers were also mandatory in Switzerland, because my 400E also has them. So it's more like Switz/Japan fenders, I believe.

I actually like the side blinkers, even tho the only option to get a new (AMBER) set is buying them on AliExpress. Here is how they look. I think someone got hold of OEM mold, but the hole for the bulb is too small . So some drilling is required, but hey! They even come with new gasket.

 

[TimL]

So the only difference between Japan and US fenders are the blinker holes? I saw a few years back a 500E that was from Japan, and it had some random round blinkers. The story was that, when someone was buying this car in Japan, the dealer installed them after the car arrived in Japan. I would cry if this was something that I need to do on my shift. Just imagine drilling a hole in a brand new 500E for some stupid blinker light law.

Also, I think that fender blinkers were also mandatory in Switzerland, because my 400E also has them. So its more like Switz/Japan fenders, I believe.

I actually like the side blinkers, even tho the only option to get a new (AMBER) set is buying them on AliExpress. Here is how they look. I think someone got hold of OEM mold, but the hole for the bulb is too small . So some drilling is required, but hey! They even come with new gasket.

View attachment 163550

Yes, the blinkers were for more countries than just Japan (Italy, etc.) however, I only mentioned Japan, because this particular car was identified to have been re-imported from Japan by the OP (tirag).

 

[Tirag]

Fender blinkers are not mandatory in Switzerland.

Fun sidestory, they installed fender blinkers from Toyota and not originals from Mercedes

 

[Steve119]

My 500E was delivered in Germany and has option code 341, additional blinker lamps. So euro fenders can also have the blinker-holes

 

[steve h]

My 500E was delivered in Germany and has option code 341, additional blinker lamps. So euro fenders can also have the blinker-holes

My LTD which was delivered to Italy when new also has code 341 with side blinker lamps

 

[maw1124]

Dave is one of couple of walking Bibles here.....

We're not sure Dave "walks" by the way. He just sort of exists, in a very ethereal, AI sense, except he's far too human and accurate.

Nice E60! My favorite configuration of these cars, and certainly my first choice for a color change.

maw

 

[Tirag]

My LTD which was delivered to Italy when new also has code 341 with side blinker lamps

Sounds good. I will change the Toyota blinkers with original ones. New fenders are way to expensive.

 

[Tirag]

I just checked my headlights that I bought last year. As I have now learned in the forum the headlights should not have a shield over the bulb. The headlight where sold as new but they have a shield.

Are they ok or is there something wrong with the headlights?

 

[gsxr]

I just checked my headlights that I bought last year. As I have now learned in the forum the headlights should not have a shield over the bulb. The headlight where sold as new but they have a shield.

Are they ok or is there something wrong with the headlights?

The lenses appear correct, which is the important part.

The H3 reflector should not have a shield. Can you post some photos of the back side of the lights? They are Hella housings, correct? Any labels on them? If brand new there SHOULD be stickers with part numbers.

Regardless, assuming the headlight (specifically, H4 reflector) are RHT, you should be able to remove the shield over the H3 bulb and have a functional equivalent to proper 036 lights. (May need to add the vent tube connector, if missing, need rear photos to confirm.)

 

[Tirag]

Thanks for your answer.

Yes, Hella housings, sadly without branding…

The lenses are glued to the housing. I am not sure how easy it is to remove them without braking the housing. Nevertheless the vent tube connectors are also missing.

I see, I still have to learn a lot about this car.

 

[Eno]

Thanks for your answer.

Yes, Hella housings, sadly without branding…

The lenses are glued to the housing. I am not sure how easy it is to remove them without braking the housing. Nevertheless the vent tube connectors are also missing.

I see, I still have to learn a lot about this car.


View attachment 163726

I believe these are Standard W124 (E200-E420) Hella Headlights with original 500E lenses.

 

[gsxr]

Yes, Hella housings, sadly without branding… Nevertheless the vent tube connectors are also missing.

I agree with Eno. Likely standard Hella housings, with original/correct 500E lenses fitted. The lack of vent connectors indicates the donor would be a 200-300/320 series. The 400/420 would also have the vent tube connectors. Just remove the shield over the H3 bulb to obtain correct optics / beam pattern, and add the vent connection to prevent moisture from entering the housing and corroding the new reflectors.

The lenses are glued to the housing. I am not sure how easy it is to remove them without braking the housing.

The lenses are glued to a frame, which snaps to the housing via 4 plastic clips (2 top, 2 bottom). The plastic clips can break and are difficult to repair, so be really careful when prying upward to release the lens frame. This is usually a concern with old housings that are brittle from heat and age, and less of a concern with new/NOS plastic.

 

[Tirag]

Guys you drive me crazy. I read yesterday certainly three hours here on the forum about the headlights. I do not understand what is wrong with my headlights except the shield cover of the H3 bulb. And yes, the vent connectors are missing. Where can I get some vent connectors?

But whats wrong with the housing?

On the right housing I can find the following part numbers: 129.852-00 / 138794 and on the left housing 129.851-00 / 138793



If this really are housings from standard W124 what are the correct part numbers for the housing of an E500?

 

[195910]

And that's just the headlights, we haven't examined the rest of the car... j/k

 

[gerryvz]

Welcome aboard the forum. As you can see we have many experts here. I have the correct E500 Euro lamps on my car and will try to take some photos of the numbers on the rear of the housings. No promises though....

And yes, perhaps with more photos we can get our member @cascade to provide a detailed critique of your car......




Here are the insides of my Euro lamps.


And on the back of the driver's side main headlamp.


And the Hella headlamp lenses.

 

[gsxr]

Gerry, your pics are of USA/DOT E500 lights made by Bosch. The 036 Euro lights were only made by Hella, and the North American DOT lights were only made by Bosch for all years). No idea why. Looks like you have 036 Hella Euro lenses on 036 Bosch buckets/housings, which is an acceptable / functionally-correct mix.

 

[sheward]

The number on the back of my Hella Euro 500E right housing cover is 129 852 00

 

[Tirag]

What have I done? Why did I start this? And it is just the headlamps. When I listen to my mechanics, there is a lot more to come - BUT

 

[Tirag]

The number on the back of my Hella Euro 500E right housing cover is 129 852 00

On my one also. On the right 129.852-00 and on the left 129.851-00 (see pictures on post #36).

 

[gsxr]

Guys you drive me crazy. I read yesterday certainly three hours here on the forum about the headlights. I do not understand what is wrong with my headlights except the shield cover of the H3 bulb.

This is correct - only the shield over the H3 bulb.

And yes, the vent connectors are missing. Where can I get some vent connectors?

New vent connectors are NLA. You can either try to find 3D printed connectors (don't know if anyone offers these), OR obtain used ones from any Euro 400E/E420 (or USA E420?), OR from the passenger headlight of a Euro 124 with 6-cyl M104 engine (they only had the vent on one side, as only one headlight had the pressurized airbox).

But whats wrong with the housing?

NOTHING! The housings - the gray plastic buckets - are identical, or at least functionally equivalent, across all 124 Euro lights. It's the lenses and reflectors which varied.

On the right housing I can find the following part numbers: 129.852-00 / 138794 and on the left housing 129.851-00 / 138973
If this really are housings from standard W124 what are the correct part numbers for the housing of an E500?

Housings are not the concern, it's the reflectors - need to confirm if the are LHT or RHT. Fortunately, it appears your H4 reflectors are correct, the part numbers match my Hella Euro RHT lights/reflectors.


You are "all good", just need to remove the H3 shield and add the vent connector+tube!

 

[Tirag]

Thank you very much dave. Today I will sleep peacefully.

But the next problem is waiting to be solved. My mechanic has informed me that the front dampers have to be replaced and and to complete the engine he still needs piston rings. But both parts ar no longer available.

 

[gsxr]

But the next problem is waiting to be solved. My mechanic has informed me that the front dampers have to be replaced and and to complete the engine he still needs piston rings. But both parts ar no longer available.

Does it NEED new piston rings, or does he just want to install new ones while the engine is apart? Worn rings would be unusual.

The AMG E60 dampers and rear SLS hydrolegs have been NLA for years. You could try to find somewhere to have those rebuilt (@TimL?), or install standard E500 dampers for now while trying to locate NOS or rebuilt AMG items.

 

[Tirag]

Does it NEED new piston rings, or does he just want to install new ones while the engine is apart? Worn rings would be unusual.

The AMG E60 dampers and rear SLS hydrolegs have been NLA for years. You could try to find somewhere to have those rebuilt (@TimL?), or install standard E500 dampers for now while trying to locate NOS or rebuilt AMG items.

The engine ist appart and they found some scratches in one of the cylinders.



All eight cilynders were overhauled and the pistons checked. The old piston rings still look good but nontheless the mechanics try to find new ones. They said that the old ones could be put back in because they still look very good, but I don't know...

And yes, they mounted original 500E dampers. I will ceep the original E60 dampers and try to find someone who can fix it. As far as I can see they are SACHS dampers. We asked SACHS but they can't fix it either.

 

[gsxr]

The engine ist appart and they found some scratches in one of the cylinders.

Ouch. Can the scratches be felt? Click here and read the FSM recommendation, screenshot below.

All eight cilynders were overhauled and the pistons checked. The old piston rings still look good but nontheless the mechanics try to find new ones. They said that the old ones could be put back in because they still look very good, but I dont know...

Have they tried contacting Mahle (the manufacturer of the piston/rings) directly, not just Mercedes?

And yes, they mounted original 500E dampers. I will ceep the original E60 dampers and try to find someone who can fix it. As far as I can see they are SACHS dampers. We asked SACHS but they cant fix it either.

There has to be a shop capable of repairing these. Possibly a racing shop that specializes in dampers, not necessarily only Sachs brand.

 

[Kridre]

I asked one company in Poland few years back when my BRAND NEW OEM struts blew after 1kkm they said they could service them. Price was around 400PLN so about $90 back then, so I just bought new Sachs 115 070 without the top spring inside for the same price. I can try to find them again and give you a contact info if you want to rebuild your struts.

Edit: Found them REGENERATION OF SHOCK ABSORBERS - NAGENGAST

 

[Roma_500E]

Wow rare beast 6.0 + limited

Love 009 color

Evo wheels + 009 is absolutely gorgeous and classy look .

Keep us posted

 

[Tirag]

Ouch. Can the scratches be felt? Click here and read the FSM recommendation, screenshot below.

The mechanics have found traces of dry rubbing but luckely they can not be felt. As already mentioned the car was on the road in Japan for a few years before being imported back to Germany. Usually the cars are not driven much in Japan and if they are, then mainly only short distances. Typically a lot of cold starts and short distances like described in the FSM.

Another problem was that the timing chain guides rails were partially crumbled and broken plastic parts clogged the oil pump. Because of this the lubrication was no longer sufficient and probably caused the traces in the cylinder.



At least they fixed all the problems and if we can find a solution for the missing piston rings, the engine can be reassembled.