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OWNER TimL
- Thread starter TimL
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You at least have your priorities right! 6 Liter engine first, then headliner. I got it all backwards
Picked the car up from Schmitt Automotive. They did quality work.
Pricing is almost at MB level, so it was quite expensive. But both Frank and Mark seem really knowledgeable when it comes to w124. Something you don’t find at MB up here anymore.
While their pricing made me wish Steve Geyer wasn’t NLA, Schmitt fixed all the issues I came in for and they installed some of the parts I had lying around for a long time (e.g self dimming mirror, headliner fabric, ash tray assembly), so overall I’m happy with what they did.
Only thing missing is the installation of the sunroof interior panel, as parts for the lifting mechanism of the front lip had to come in from Germany. So I will be back in 2 weeks to get it all finished and think I will also have them install a new sunroof seal as I have noticed wind noise from that area far a while now.
Pricing is almost at MB level, so it was quite expensive. But both Frank and Mark seem really knowledgeable when it comes to w124. Something you don’t find at MB up here anymore.
While their pricing made me wish Steve Geyer wasn’t NLA, Schmitt fixed all the issues I came in for and they installed some of the parts I had lying around for a long time (e.g self dimming mirror, headliner fabric, ash tray assembly), so overall I’m happy with what they did.
Only thing missing is the installation of the sunroof interior panel, as parts for the lifting mechanism of the front lip had to come in from Germany. So I will be back in 2 weeks to get it all finished and think I will also have them install a new sunroof seal as I have noticed wind noise from that area far a while now.
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@TimL - your car looks fantastic --- you've been incrementing your way to near-perfection for years now. BTW I do not remember when you took off the US-spec rear license plate filler panel, but I of course think your car looks better without it!
Thank you jlaa, much appreciated. I removed the filler shortly after you blazed that trail and posted all the helpful information about it here on the board@TimL - your car looks fantastic --- you've been incrementing your way to near-perfection for years now. BTW I do not remember when you took off the US-spec rear license plate filler panel, but I of course think your car looks better without it!
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Cascade away- I know there are a ton of things left to do, but if he wants to formalize it then that is perfectly fine with me
@a777fan, Northwest Crafted did a great job and the material from Florida is very, VERY close to the original in touch and color.
On the “Bang for satisfaction buck” scale though this whole outing of fixes registered very low. Car is running well again, so no complaints, but the whole headliner thing I could have/should have/would have easily procrastinated another 5 years
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Had to go back to Schmitt Automotive , as I had to wait for sunroof parts to come in (new springs for the pop up wind deflector to make it pop up with the originally intended vigor). At that time I also had them install a new sunroof seal (thanks @gsxr for pointing out that this part is still available from MB!)
Everything went in, including the NOS sunroof fabric cover, so in the attached photos you guys can see a direct comparison of the aftermarket headliner fabric from florida and the NOS original MB material. The aftermarket stuff is super close in color, but is quite a bit glossier than the original material. To my mind it’s acceptable though, as the discrepancy only becomes apparent if you stare at it in very bright ambient light. All in all I’m just glad the headliner isn’t sagging anymore and that that whole area now looks solid. Added bonus is that the new sunroof seal reduced wind noise quite a bit- very happy with that!
I dread having my car at Schmitt though, as they only have a gravel lot which always leaves my car looking filthy the minute it sits there overnight. So a thorough clean and a nice drive later, I’m always left a bit surprised just HOW much I love driving this thing. Time to get some miles in before the weather turns to s#!t
Everything went in, including the NOS sunroof fabric cover, so in the attached photos you guys can see a direct comparison of the aftermarket headliner fabric from florida and the NOS original MB material. The aftermarket stuff is super close in color, but is quite a bit glossier than the original material. To my mind it’s acceptable though, as the discrepancy only becomes apparent if you stare at it in very bright ambient light. All in all I’m just glad the headliner isn’t sagging anymore and that that whole area now looks solid. Added bonus is that the new sunroof seal reduced wind noise quite a bit- very happy with that!
I dread having my car at Schmitt though, as they only have a gravel lot which always leaves my car looking filthy the minute it sits there overnight. So a thorough clean and a nice drive later, I’m always left a bit surprised just HOW much I love driving this thing. Time to get some miles in before the weather turns to s#!t
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By the way, it seems that the only 225/55R16 SUMMER tire available for our cars now is the Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 (not considering the Kumho on tirerack which has a tread wear rating of 460)
My tires are from 2018 and are getting a bit too hard for spirited driving. I noticed grip dropping off significantly in the last 6 months, so I went ahead and bought a set of the Advans. In Europe you can still buy all sorts of awesome summer tires in this dimension while in the U.S. there now is no more choice- for no good reason
Buy a set before those go away too
Yokohama ADVAN FLEVA V701 Tires: High-Performance Precision for…
Experience the Yokohama ADVAN FLEVA V701 tires, designed for dynamic handling, superior wet grip, and a quiet, comfortable ride. Perfect for sports cars…
www.yokohamatire.com
My tires are from 2018 and are getting a bit too hard for spirited driving. I noticed grip dropping off significantly in the last 6 months, so I went ahead and bought a set of the Advans. In Europe you can still buy all sorts of awesome summer tires in this dimension while in the U.S. there now is no more choice- for no good reason
Buy a set before those go away too
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I had the Advan installed today. Kind of shitty that the date code indicates that these are from 2021 without any flagging from the vendor (simpletire.com). Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers. Will give these a real flogging down my favorite local twisty road before fall sets in to see if they are any good.
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Tim, that photo sends a shiver up my spine. This is why I only bring loose wheels/tires to shops and swap them at home. I greatly dislike the "jack" shown here... it typically presses against the entire underside of the chassis, and any item that sags below the chassis floor (usually, exhaust parts) can get tweaked. I do not let shops use these on my cars anymore after a bad experience 25+ years ago.
It looks like this shop might be using a jack with two separate plates on each side, not something that goes across the entire undercarriage, so yours might be fine - however, be careful out there if the shop is not using the 4 factory lift pads below the jack hole covers (indicated by the red arrows).
It looks like this shop might be using a jack with two separate plates on each side, not something that goes across the entire undercarriage, so yours might be fine - however, be careful out there if the shop is not using the 4 factory lift pads below the jack hole covers (indicated by the red arrows).
Lots of good work here @Tim! You must be pleased. And yes, that first car wash and drive when the baby comes home from the shop (or when I arrive in town to drive the car) is always the most satisfying. It's like, "Ahhh, here we go."
maw
Totally agree Dave! Luckily this is not a big plate but just two small plates. Nevertheless poor because it doesn’t use the jack pointsTim, that photo sends a shiver up my spine. This is why I only bring loose wheels/tires to shops and swap them at home. I greatly dislike the "jack" shown here... it typically presses against the entire underside of the chassis, and any item that sags below the chassis floor (usually, exhaust parts) can get tweaked. I do not let shops use these on my cars anymore after a bad experience 25+ years ago.
It looks like this shop might be using a jack with two separate plates on each side, not something that goes across the entire undercarriage, so yours might be fine - however, be careful out there if the shop is not using the 4 factory lift pads below the jack hole covers (indicated by the red arrows).
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Next time I will make sure to insist on a four post lift (the seem to have that reserved for non-tire related work though)….maybe time to turn my back on Les Schwab
Thanks @maw1124…..I think ”pleased” is an overstatement. “Mildly gratified” at best. The $ to Smile ratio on all this headliner stuff was real low. It had to be done though, so what can you do?Lots of good work here @Tim! You must be pleased. And yes, that first car wash and drive when the baby comes home from the shop (or when I arrive in town to drive the car) is always the most satisfying. It's like, "Ahhh, here we go."
maw
I'm with others... you got it done cheap... adjust your metric and smile BIGGER.Thanks @maw1124…..I think ”pleased” is an overstatement. “Mildly gratified” at best. The $ to Smile ratio on all this headliner stuff was real low. It had to be done though, so what can you do?
Somebody somewhere here said "nice things cost money." $1300 for a headliner is happy money.
maw
I would go with a vendor like TireRack if you can. Their tires will always be fresher.Totally agree Dave! Luckily this is not a big plate but just two small plates. Nevertheless poor because it doesn’t use the jack points
Next time I will make sure to insist on a four post lift (the seem to have that reserved for non-tire related work though)….maybe time to turn my back on Les Schwab
A lift like that is fine as long as they use hockey pucks or other elevators that sit on top of the lift pad and under the four jacking points. My old go-to shop in Portland did it that way whey they used this type of lift (they had the traditional four-posters mainly, but they were not always open).
It’s an issue of hot debate as to whether Oskar Schindler (Schindler’s List) said this, or if @captruff came up with it and attributed the saying to Hr. Schindler……
All credit to Oskar Schindler
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Yes, this is actually the first time I haven’t bought from Tirerack- they unfortunately didn’t have these tires in 225/55R16
Kinda sucks because we have less choice now. Discount Tire Direct used to compete heavily with Tire Rack for online purchases. I had recently switched away from TR to DTD because I found their pricing to be better and their post-sales-support to be superior to TR.
Then, not long ago, DTD bought Tirerack and now Discount Tire Direct has funneled all online sales to the Tire Rack website (local sales continue through America's Tire).
Anyways .... less choice, less competition, higher prices, less selection....
I haven't bought any tires in quite a few years, but will be buying a set of snow tires for the SUV from DT in the next couple of weeks. Their website claims to have them in stock at my local store (I'll be pleasantly surprised if this is true), and they have a RoadForce balancer too. Fingers crossed.
Not more than a month ago I had them mount some new Michelins (I brought them the wheels. They will let me drive the car in and out if I prefer however I then need to hang around until my turn comes up). I didn't mention Road Force until I picked them up as they always get things right. When I did, they already knew what numbers came up and they offered to take things further if I was not satisfied.
I drove my car this week after about 2 months of just sitting in the garage and I’m super happy that the slotting of the caps actually seems to have cured the misfire issues that I would invariably have if the car sat for longer than 2 weeks.
I’m also happy with the Advan summer tires I put on in October, as they have a surprisingly high grip level, as well as a fairly low tread noise.
After 6 years I also decided to buy a car cover, as I have been driving the car less and less, due to lack of time. While it fits the car really nicely it also is serving as a bit of a shameful reminder that I’m not spending enough time driving the car anymore
When we were in Germany over Christmas I had reached out again to Stern Garage to request a detailed quote for the refurbishment of my 6 Liter engine and unfortunately learned that they don’t offer repairs like this anymore. They are too busy for such menial tasks these days and are only focusing on big projects like their restomod SG editions (e.g. sticking in modern engines, etc.).
So I reached out to Blue Ridge as well as MKB in Germany. Based on these I decided to drop off the engine with MKB in April for a tear down and detailed assessment of what’s needed. If the resulting number is not totally terrible I will go forward with them. If the number ends up being too much for my budget, then they’ll put it back together and I’ll sell it on. If it fits the budget then I’ll ship the engine over from MKB to Seattle and have either MB or Schmitt Automotive put it in the car. MKB quoted a 2 month lead time, so I hope to be done with it all by no later than September.
I’m also happy with the Advan summer tires I put on in October, as they have a surprisingly high grip level, as well as a fairly low tread noise.
After 6 years I also decided to buy a car cover, as I have been driving the car less and less, due to lack of time. While it fits the car really nicely it also is serving as a bit of a shameful reminder that I’m not spending enough time driving the car anymore
When we were in Germany over Christmas I had reached out again to Stern Garage to request a detailed quote for the refurbishment of my 6 Liter engine and unfortunately learned that they don’t offer repairs like this anymore. They are too busy for such menial tasks these days and are only focusing on big projects like their restomod SG editions (e.g. sticking in modern engines, etc.).
So I reached out to Blue Ridge as well as MKB in Germany. Based on these I decided to drop off the engine with MKB in April for a tear down and detailed assessment of what’s needed. If the resulting number is not totally terrible I will go forward with them. If the number ends up being too much for my budget, then they’ll put it back together and I’ll sell it on. If it fits the budget then I’ll ship the engine over from MKB to Seattle and have either MB or Schmitt Automotive put it in the car. MKB quoted a 2 month lead time, so I hope to be done with it all by no later than September.
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No I didn’t reach out to Väth, as MKB was super quick to respond. I talked to their current Managing Director Pano Avramidis and they have the means to create specialty engine parts that are NLA from MB, which gives me some confidence that we’re not going to be stuck for parts during the rebuild. I also kind of like the idea that MKB was founded by Erhard Melcher and that Pano was a long time mechanic at AMG. I think it will be in good hands there, so I decided to go with them.
Did you hear good things about Väth, @gerryvz? I know they have been around a long time, but don’t know much about their skillset.
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I have visited them personally in the past (perhaps photos on this forum) and for many years AMG used to farm out their M119 work to them. I do not know if this is still the case. But they definitely have the chops to do the work. Honestly I haven’t visited them for the past 10 years.
There was a time in the 2005-2010 time frame when I was in Aschaffenburg annually, but those days are gone. Väth is in a nearby village. They were/are a credible shop. Not as big as Carlson was but I’d bet bigger than MKB (at least as I remember MKB)
But, sounds like you found your shop, so no harm no foul. Was just pointing out a competent expert with relevant experience.
There was a time in the 2005-2010 time frame when I was in Aschaffenburg annually, but those days are gone. Väth is in a nearby village. They were/are a credible shop. Not as big as Carlson was but I’d bet bigger than MKB (at least as I remember MKB)
But, sounds like you found your shop, so no harm no foul. Was just pointing out a competent expert with relevant experience.
Tim, see what MKB says when they inspect the engine. Based on previous discussions, what you think may be "required" may just be "nice to have". See what MKB recommends for scope. If undamaged, there's really no need to completely rebuild the engine. If a borescope shows good cylinder walls, I wouldn't even pull the heads.
Some stuff can be easily done when the engine is out of the car, such as upper/lower oil pan sealing job, front/rear crank oil seals, even valve stem seals, valve cover seals and the notorious inner chain rails.
While in there to replace the rubber of the oil pump strainer to the larger one, maybe oil bridges and some vacuum/ventilation lines if cylinders are good to go.
Also connecting rod bearings/main bearings can be done without taking the heads off with a bit of an effort.
Head gaskets are just by cost a big ticket item.
Looking forward for what you will do but would be great to see another swap happening!
While in there to replace the rubber of the oil pump strainer to the larger one, maybe oil bridges and some vacuum/ventilation lines if cylinders are good to go.
Also connecting rod bearings/main bearings can be done without taking the heads off with a bit of an effort.
Head gaskets are just by cost a big ticket item.
Looking forward for what you will do but would be great to see another swap happening!
Rouven, that's exactly what I was thinking. Complete re-seal, replace all chain rails proactively, and maybe inspect the bearings.
Pulling the heads could prove quite expensive, and is only needed if installing new piston rings, and piston rings aren't a "while you're in there" replacement item.
Pulling the heads could prove quite expensive, and is only needed if installing new piston rings, and piston rings aren't a "while you're in there" replacement item.
This is unrelated to my 036, but I wanted to post it nevertheless, since I had posted a WTB here in December.
I found a set of 19" Styling III wheels with ET34 & ET31 in Germany and thankfully the wheels arrived undamaged and turned out to be as advertised (refurbished and straight). I bought them at this place and can only recommend them, as they specialize in MB wheels and have lots of cool/difficult to find wheels. Shipping to Seattle wasn't that bad either:
heinz-eckert.de
About 8 months ago I had attempted to have these tires mounted on a set of AMG Styling IV two-piece wheels that I had also bought in Germany and they turned out to be incorrectly refurbished and bent. Hence the markings on the tires
I found a set of 19" Styling III wheels with ET34 & ET31 in Germany and thankfully the wheels arrived undamaged and turned out to be as advertised (refurbished and straight). I bought them at this place and can only recommend them, as they specialize in MB wheels and have lots of cool/difficult to find wheels. Shipping to Seattle wasn't that bad either:
Heinz Eckert Original Mercedes Autofelgen - Veredelte Mercedes-Felgen
Bei Heinz Eckert finde Sie eine umfangreiche und einzigartige Auswahl an veredelten Original Mercedes Autofelgen.
heinz-eckert.de
About 8 months ago I had attempted to have these tires mounted on a set of AMG Styling IV two-piece wheels that I had also bought in Germany and they turned out to be incorrectly refurbished and bent. Hence the markings on the tires
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I’m unexpectedly forced to set different financial priorities and unfortunately that means I have to sell my 500 E, as well as all my parts and my 6 Liter AMG engine.
The engine is going to a buyer in Germany by mid April and the car, as well as large majority of parts is going to a board member in California at the end of April.
It makes me quite sad to see it all go, but it is what it is.
I will be posting the few parts that are left for sale here on the forum and think that will be it for me, as the chances of me getting back into a 500 E are slim, due to the parts situation having deteriorated so much since I bought the car back in 2018 and shop labor rates having skyrocketed since then.
Thank you to the organizers of this truly outstanding forum. I have enjoyed it very much over the last 8 years and I greatly admire the expertise and passion that people here have for the 036.
The engine is going to a buyer in Germany by mid April and the car, as well as large majority of parts is going to a board member in California at the end of April.
It makes me quite sad to see it all go, but it is what it is.
I will be posting the few parts that are left for sale here on the forum and think that will be it for me, as the chances of me getting back into a 500 E are slim, due to the parts situation having deteriorated so much since I bought the car back in 2018 and shop labor rates having skyrocketed since then.
Thank you to the organizers of this truly outstanding forum. I have enjoyed it very much over the last 8 years and I greatly admire the expertise and passion that people here have for the 036.
You've been a valued member and contributor here, Tim, and a pillar of the forum. Thank you for all of the information, commentary, expertise, insight and good vibes that you have contributed over the years.
Like many who have left active ownership, I do hope you retain your membership here and do drop in from time to time to catch up and contribute as you have time and desire. You always have a home here.
I will reach out later this spring when I come to Seattle to visit my mother - perhaps we can finally meet in person. I have several other friends in the Seattle area whom I haven't seen for a very long time, who I need to reconnect with.
Cheers,
Gerry
Like many who have left active ownership, I do hope you retain your membership here and do drop in from time to time to catch up and contribute as you have time and desire. You always have a home here.
I will reach out later this spring when I come to Seattle to visit my mother - perhaps we can finally meet in person. I have several other friends in the Seattle area whom I haven't seen for a very long time, who I need to reconnect with.
Cheers,
Gerry
Oh Tim, I am very sorry to see a loose your loved 500E.
At least I can tell you its going to someone who has a longtime dream come true and who will do his very best to keep the car awesome and will appreciate it a lot.
Wishing you can get an other car you love and that's at least that nice one day down the road!
At least I can tell you its going to someone who has a longtime dream come true and who will do his very best to keep the car awesome and will appreciate it a lot.
Wishing you can get an other car you love and that's at least that nice one day down the road!
It was a good run @TimL ... the memories will last a lifetime, is the bright side.
maw
EDIT... what's interesting is I've met more guys who have sold .036 than I have guys who've ever owned them... to the one, all of the former owners have great memories of the car... some regret it, some buy another one, but almost all move on to something better with their fond .036 memories in tact... I think that's what's in store for @TimL... this will be just another great car he remembers fondly.
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@sheward, @TerryA, @gerryvz, @744Brillantsilber, @maw1124, @duuder, I really appreciate your kind words and very much enjoyed the interactions over the last several years. I truly hope you guys will keep on trucking and keep your MBs and 036 shining!
Gerry, thank you for your note and would love to meet in person when you are up here in the PNW. I have several parts for you that I would like to give to you as a sign of my appreciation for this fantastic forum and the enjoyment I gained from it over many years. If the stars don’t align and I happen to be in Europe when you come up here, then I will mail these to you and will always have an ice cold beer and cuban cigar for you for when you come up here next.
For the time being I will ride around in the most boring econo car ever build (Honda Fit) until I successfully addressed my current financial priorities. After that I will turn to leasing cars for a bit as I want to take a break from big repair bills that come with used cars and who knows, I might even lease something fun, but whatever it is, it won’t be filling the 500 E sized hole in my heart.
Gerry, thank you for your note and would love to meet in person when you are up here in the PNW. I have several parts for you that I would like to give to you as a sign of my appreciation for this fantastic forum and the enjoyment I gained from it over many years. If the stars don’t align and I happen to be in Europe when you come up here, then I will mail these to you and will always have an ice cold beer and cuban cigar for you for when you come up here next.
For the time being I will ride around in the most boring econo car ever build (Honda Fit) until I successfully addressed my current financial priorities. After that I will turn to leasing cars for a bit as I want to take a break from big repair bills that come with used cars and who knows, I might even lease something fun, but whatever it is, it won’t be filling the 500 E sized hole in my heart.
For completeness sake, I want to post about the last two maintenance items I took care of before the car is going to its new owner.
Based on Steve Geyer’s recommendation I went to GP Automotive in Everett which is being run by an ex-MB master technician and previous colleague of Steve. I was very satisfied with the work they did, although they also charged $200 per labor hour which is quite out there for an indy shop but still cheaper than Schmitt Automotive in Renton:
Based on Steve Geyer’s recommendation I went to GP Automotive in Everett which is being run by an ex-MB master technician and previous colleague of Steve. I was very satisfied with the work they did, although they also charged $200 per labor hour which is quite out there for an indy shop but still cheaper than Schmitt Automotive in Renton:
- New non-resistor spark plugs
- Oil and filter change
- Rear differential oil change
- Break fluid change
- Replace passenger side window motor (had broken in Q4 of last year and luckily still available new from MB)
- Replace check straps for flip top center console (one of the straps had snapped a couple of weeks ago, so I had both replaced)
- Re-cover driver side B-pillar with new foam and vinyl as the old one started to come loose
- Replace washer tank grommets
- Traced a recent check engine light to a vacuum hose that had come loose
- Replaced all LED bulbs (blinker, brake light) with regular bulbs as the LED triggered the bulb out warning
- New coolant and replacement of expansion tank (as the old one started to yellow slightly) and while in there, replaced thermostat. I swore myself to never be riding around in a 036 with yellowed expansion tank - I might not have achieved the goal of getting the 6 Liter installed, but at least I achieved the expansion tank goal
- After the expansion tank change the washer fluid cap discoloration annoyed me, so I installed a new one I had in my part stash after the attached picture was taken
- Change fuel filter (done at MB Lynwood)
- Alignment (done at MB Lynwood)
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Cascade would have to really stretch to find something to whine about in that photo.
That's possibly the cleanest engine compartment I've ever seen on an 036. Even the metal heat shield on the firewall looks pristine!
Whoever is buying this car, is one lucky enthusiast.
