OWNER mrindiafromuk (Euro 500E)

[mrindiafromuk]

Gear changes not super smooth could be a number of simple things, from old fluid to a disconnected vacuum line. But, if you have the funds a fresh transmission is always nice.

Are you getting a dealer/factory reman, or Sun Valley reman? Please say it isn't Schmid (aka MZF-Bayer).

I had a transmission service last week and did new oil change along with gear shifter bushes replaces. old transmission oil was a brown color. Vacuum etc was all checked all ok. The prop shaft donut already been changed with updated bolts. The car is not crazy but I hate that I can feel the jolt on up or down shift. I am sending it to German Motors in Cotati, near me, they are removing the box and Sun Valley are collecting it to get reman. The rear main seal is slightly weeping, having that done.

 

[sheward]

Exciting times for you. If you are unfamiliar with these, you may feel the shifts are a bit firm however many are set that way purposely. The shifts can be adjusted some with the modulator. You clearly had other reasons to have the box out and rebuilt while you do.

 

[mrindiafromuk]

Exciting times for you. If you are unfamiliar with these, you may feel the shifts are a bit firm however many are set that way purposely. The shifts can be adjusted some with the modulator. You clearly had other reasons to have the box out and rebuilt while you do.

I had German motors check modulator and that was set ok. I am just pulling the gearbox out and rebuilding it just for the jolting . Given the oil was brown I am guessing the plates are worn.

 

[yao500e]

Just thought I would share my first views vlog on my recent purchase of 500E. I am also documenting the process of California EPA testing and registration.

congrats on your euro 500E! Watching your video now. its amazing so far!

Question, I thought importing 25+ year old cars are exempt from EPA emissions and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)?

Is California one of the states that do not allow this?

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[mrindiafromuk]

congrats on your euro 500E! Watching your video now. its amazing!

Question, I thought importing 25+ year old cars are exempt from EPA emissions and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)?

Is California one of the states that do not allow this?

Hi, Good question. Yes it’s a California thing. In fact if you import any car no matter how old, including before 1976, you will need to do the EPA modifications for registration in California. After the initial EPA is done cars 1976 and older are smog exempt.

Alternative is to register it in an alternative state. I wanted to drive my car regularly and I am sure someone would report me or I would get local police start to see my car regularly over time.

I am looking to do some other key upgrades to mine and keep it , so I don’t mind paying the fees. The price I bought the car for makes it ok.

 

[yao500e]

Hi, Good question. Yes it’s a California thing. In fact if you import any car no matter how old, including before 1976, you will need to do the EPA modifications for registration in California. After the initial EPA is done cars 1976 and older are smog exempt.

Alternative is to register it in an alternative state. I wanted to drive my car regularly and I am sure someone would report me or I would get local police start to see my car regularly over time.

I am looking to do some other key upgrades to mine and keep it , so I don’t mind paying the fees. The price I bought the car for makes it ok.

Understood. You purchased this 500E at an excellent price. Amazing silver on black color and the 18 inch monoblocks are perfect. It looks 18x9 inch square set up all around.

I think I would do the same as you to get it totally legal California registered car if I had to stay and live in California.

 

[yao500e]

That's interesting information i appreciate it for my next conversation with RENNtech . Currently I am sending the car in to get the transmission rebuilt next week so that when it goes to EPA mods the dyno testing doe not break anything. BTW the gear changes are not super smooth.

6.0L Renntech conversion would make this car a BEAST. What transmission upgrade will renntech do? Are you referring to a 722.6 5 speed tranmission swap to get the top speed near 200 mph?

 

[mrindiafromuk]

6.0L Renntech conversion would make this car a BEAST. What transmission upgrade will renntech do? Are you referring to a 722.6 5 speed tranmission swap to get the top speed near 200 mph?

I am not sure which gearbox upgrade but there is one that changes the gearing to open the performance of the engine . I will keep u all appraised of the spec once I completed my consultation

 

[yao500e]

I am not sure which gearbox upgrade but there is one that changes the gearing to open the performance of the engine . I will keep u all appraised of the spec once I completed my consultation

Sounds great. what a fun 6.0L project! I did a seach, and it seems Renntech will beef up your 722.3 4 speed and give a lower gear ratio on your rear diff to 2.42 or so which would increase the top speed. Lets see! it all sounds good.

 

[mrindiafromuk]

Sounds great. what a fun 6.0L project! I did a seach, and it seems Renntech will beef up your 722.3 4 speed and give a lower gear ration on your rear diff to 2.42 or so which would increase the top speed. Lets see! it all sounds good.

It will be interesting to see how my discussions go.

 

[yao500e]

It will be interesting to see how my discussions go.

looking forward to Renntech's response to you and your next update YouTube video! you are a natural!

 

[gsxr]

6.0L Renntech conversion would make this car a BEAST. What transmission upgrade will renntech do? Are you referring to a 722.6 5 speed tranmission swap to get the top speed near 200 mph?

722.6 swap would be really cool, but AFAIK, RENNtech has never done this on a 124 - yet. Top speed near 200mph is unlikely with gearing changes, the 036 aerodynamic drag will restrict top speed to around 180mph or so regardless of gearing, even with 450hp. More power and less drag would be required to achieve even 190mph, let alone 200...

I am not sure which gearbox upgrade...

RENNtech used to offer a modified valvebody (FGS?) for the 722.3 and possibly added a clutch disc, but I don't think they did much else to the 722.3 transmission back then. I'm not sure if there's anything additional to be offered now, 30 years later, other than the 722.6 conversion.

...but there is one that changes the gearing to open the performance of the engine . I will keep u all appraised of the spec once I completed my consultation

Changing the gearing depends on your definition of "performance". Gears taller than the stock 2.82 gearset (2.65, 2.47) will provide higher top speed if the limiter is deleted, but also make the off-the-line performance more sluggish and make 0-60 times slower. If you want the car to feel snappier around town, lower gears (3.06) would be preferred despite the reduction in top speed... especially in USA where you can't legally enjoy the top speed anyway.

... seems Renntech will beef up your 722.3 4 speed and give a lower gear ratio on your rear diff to 2.42 or so which would increase the top speed. Lets see! it all sounds good.

To get the best of both worlds, the 722.6 five-speed auto transmission has an overdrive 5th gear. This would allow keeping the stock 2.82 gears while reducing freeway cruising RPM's, and would bump top speed to 180-ish (drag/power limited), if the top speed limiter is increased/removed. Or for more $$$$ you could go for the 3.06 gears for more ooomph around town, and the overdrive will still allow a top speed in the upper 170's.


Whatever differential gear ratio you choose, I'd highly recommend a limited-slip differential. The Wavetrac and Quaife are bolt-ins with 2.65, 2.82 or 3.06 gears. Anything else (i.e., 2.47 or 3.27) will require custom one-off LSD's that may cost substantially more. The limited-slip helps get the 6L power to the ground without the ASR intervening constantly.

 

[w124fanMI]

Impressive what you have done so far with the car and your plans for it. I observed that BaT auction and would look forward to your YouTube video or any recitation of work necessary post-purchase that wasn’t apparent on the front end. But you have a great looking and moving towards mechanically impressive .036!

 

[mrindiafromuk]

Impressive what you have done so far with the car and your plans for it. I observed that BaT auction and would look forward to your YouTube video or any recitation of work necessary post-purchase that wasn’t apparent on the front end. But you have a great looking and moving towards mechanically impressive .036!

Thanks

 

[gerryvz]

I also want to call out @mrindiafromuk for his assistance (off-forum) with other members here who have had similar challenges with importing and registering E500Es, particularly in the California Republic and dealing with governmental/bureaucratic organizations therein.

I know for sure that his advice has been instrumental in assisting others, and for that I am grateful for Mickey offering his assistance and the benefits of his experience.

 

[mrindiafromuk]

I also want to call out @mrindiafromuk for his assistance (off-forum) with other members here who have had similar challenges with importing and registering E500Es, particularly in the California Republic and dealing with governmental/bureaucratic organizations therein.

I know for sure that his advice has been instrumental in assisting others, and for that I am grateful for Mickey offering his assistance and the benefits of his experience.

Thanks for the kind words

 

[mrindiafromuk]

Hi Peeps

Update on my 500E and getting it registered in California after importing .

I got my car back on Sunday with the EPA certification and smog. Hurray.

But hang on…..

I went to DMV yesterday and they could not do the VIN verification because the car had never been registered in the USA. So they referred me to the CHP. I have an appointment on 3rd with them. However they told me that if I drove the car to then for the vin verification with no registration they would impound the car. They advised me to get a temporary registration or one day moving permit.

I went back to DMV today and manged to process the Registered pending vin verification. So I paid $3750 sales tax and registration fees and they issued me with a temporary 2 month operating permit. Once I have my vin verification I have to take all the papers back to DMV and then they will send it all off to Sacramento where they will verify I have all papers in order. That process can take months , so every 2 month I have to go into DMV office to get a renewal on my 2 month operating permit.

It’s progress .

 

[BRN9121]

@mrindiafromuk Congratulations mate. She's a keeper.

 

[mrindiafromuk]

@mrindiafromuk Congratulations mate. She's a keeper.

Thanks

 

[mrindiafromuk]

Spruced up my 1991 Euro German 500E

Last week I got my 500E back from paint shop. I decided it was time to get the car looking closer to a showroom looking car. With 234,000KM or 145,000 miles, you can guess that there was a lot of road rash all over, especially front bumper, wheel arches an rocker covers. When bought this car it and faults on it which were not declared on BAT, I did a video on my YouTube Channel about that whole experience Link here

Anyway it is back looking like a catwalk model.

I got super lucky i found an original AMG lip spoiler, which cam off a 500E in blue black. Not sure which exact model. I ended up buying it for $200 in great condition. I dont think the seller really knew what these are selling for. Anyways, while I had it in the paint shop I had the spoiler painted an installed, What do you think. I think its better than the AMG ducktail because the ducktail only looks correct if you have the rest of the body kit, which during my research it does not fit without major mods. So I think this AMG spoiler is fitting for the 500E.
As well as the body, there was a small dent in my spare tire well, which the shope repaired without any filler an finished in original style stone paint outside and they repainted the inside of the wheel well. All looking rather dapper now.

These cars need true lovers to be custodians. I am sure if I was a little more careful I could of spent less on this example. I am now into this car for about $65,000 including the brake upgrade and paint body restoration. Bare in mind i bought it for $30k. I have spent $35k on top to make this example drive and look as close to showroom as possible.

Oh why I bought this car was because it has had a new engine by Mercedes in Germany with 50K miles on it. It was replaced because a tech in Mercedes German dealer forgot to tighten the sump plug causing engine cease. I also have a huge folder on history of this car and I continue keep the history documented.

Was it worth the money, Well I believe it will be hard to find a car that does not need money spending on it. It can potentially be embarrassing to admit we bought a car like I have, where I have spent more than what I paid for the car getting it to a nice place. I guess thats being a car collector and the journey getting here has been very fulfilling, almost like a constant vacation. My point is, I decide to be transparent about this journey to help others know about the smaller items that catch you out.

 

[ArauzMotoring]

That spoiler looks pretty slick!

Congrats on the paint job!

 

[sheward]

The car looks fantastic! Personally, if the day comes, I think you will get all your money back and then some. I'm not a big fan of spoilers but I like that one. Besides the ducktail, it's the only one I would mount. What was it originally made for?

 

[mrindiafromuk]

That spoiler looks pretty slick!

Congrats on the paint job!

Thanks

The car looks fantastic! Personally, if the day comes, I think you will get all your money back and then some. I'm not a big fan of spoilers but I like that one. Besides the ducktail, it's the only one I would mount. What was it originally made for?

I believe but not sure, It is a W124 spoiler and part number shows it as W124. I understand that this may have been on some E60s from factory

 

[gerryvz]

How much more top-end MPH does the spoiler enable? Wondering if this would be a worthwhile investment for my car ….

 

[sheward]

You would need a clear stretch of road to find out and no one has seen such a thing in quite some time.