2020 Car projects - what did you get done?

[JC220]

Let's face it - 2020 had been a horrible year for most people. But for a moment let's consider one possible silver lining.

With social functions pretty much stopped in their tracks and some people having time off work (not me BTW) not to mention lockdown- we may have had a little more time on our hands this year.

Did YOU tackle any old projects? Take on any larger maintenance tasks?

Automotive plans for next year?

 

[JC220]

At the start of the year I got my S500 coupe engine back in and put that car back on the road after nearly a decade: (one year in my ownership)




Then attention turned to my 1999 S430 which was a basket case and required 250 hours welding. It's done now and back on road running fantastic. Again that car was off road since 2011 and I owned it 18 months. Restored it in approx 3 (hard) months:







Then my S600 had some welding, paintwork and wheel refurb with colour change





I have alot of maintenance work planned now in December. And next year I'll restore 2x w124 coupes including full repaints and put them back on the road hopefully

 

[gerryvz]

Show-off !!

Did YOU tackle any old projects? Take on any larger maintenance tasks?

Obviously, I did my long-standing "Top End Refresh" project, over the course of 5 months. I absolutely took my time on it, mainly because of two factors:

1) Scope creep -- as I got into it, I found A LOT more stuff that I needed, and then wanted, to repair, replace and maintain

2) Lyme Disease -- took me out of commission for a good 3-4 weeks in June, while I regained my strength and stamina

My second big project was to re-organize my garage and shop, which was not a small feat as well. This was galvanized by the birthday present of a new large tool cabinet for my birthday in September, received just after the Top-End Refresh was complete. This allowed me to FINALLY organize all of my tools in a very comprehensive fashion. I also after 2+ years also cleaned out the work-bench that my father built, and that I brought to Maryland in a large box truck cross-country in the summer of 2018. I mounted a good quality bench-top drill press, a grinder/buffer unit, and a nice large shop-vise to the top of the work-bench.

My third big project was more recent -- the complete disassembly, maintenance, and re-lubrication of my entire collection of firearms. This was mainly so that everything is in tip-top working condition at a moment's notice when needed.

A few smaller projects will be ongoing -- replacing a few pieces of hardware (nuts and bolts) here and there on the E500, and that sort of thing.

The largest ongoing project, by far, has been the care and feeding of the forum, to keep things updated, secure, and running smoothly. This is a near daily task, combined with a one-hour regimen every Sunday morning to manage backups and image-synching over the Internet to my home computer for backup.

Automotive plans for next year?

Biggest plan for 2021 is going to be the completion of the rear sub-frame rebuild and replacement on my 560SEC, so that I can get the rear-end properly aligned. I'm already well into that job, but lots more work to do, including fuel line replacement at the tank, and other things I'm sure I'll find when I remove the rear sub-frame. Also I'm still trying to find the new MB OE rear subframe bushings and rear diff mount that I had stashed in Texas before I moved. Packed in a box somewhere in my basement, along with my original Star C3 SDS. Sigh.

@liviu165 is gonna be super happy when I get to moving on this job again, and his help has already been invaluable. His sage advice and experience will carefully guide me to completion on this rear subframe job.

For that car, I also have some modest wiring work to do on the passenger-side seat-belt presenter mechanism, some tweaking on the sunroof seal (it's not leaking, but the body shop evidently did not quite install the sunroof/seal correctly, as it doesn't quite pop up into position on one corner), and the replacement of the rear window glass, which the body shop cracked at the rear corner when they re-installed it into the car.

For the E500, perhaps not in 2021, but I do want to do a rear subframe removal on that car and totally revamp the rear suspension, fuel lines, diff mounts, and rear five-links. I have ALL of the needed parts, and there is no pressing reason currently to do this. It's just something I want to do for my own edification.

For the G-wagen, I have a few oil drips. Some from the engine, and some from I believe the transfer case. Nothing serious, but I hate oil drips. I believe the engine is probably the "Bermuda" triangle ... the front upper timing chain cover. The G-wagen's engine has 130K on it, which is just about the time where the head gaskets fail, but I believe the head gasket may have already been replaced before I got the truck with 90K on it back in 2014, as I am not seeing any indications of head gasket issues. Another clue is that there is clearly RTV that has been used on the valve cover, so it is clear that someone has "been in there" before.

I do need to lubricate the blower motor on the G-wagen with a few drops of ATF, as it is squeaking. I first noticed this last year.

Can't wait to see @D_V's response to this thread !!!

 

[744Brillantsilber]

JC220,
you made great progress this year! The green W140 is such a attractive car!

For me, 2020 was a mixed year:
On the one side I did not make as much progress as intended. Covid slowed everything down, both with getting craftsmen to do the wanted work at the workshop and also a bit moneywise regarding Money to spend on the projectcar.

But on the other side I now own a second W124. It was intended as daily "beater", but I decided it was too good to just use it up until it dies. So I spend more money in it then planned...
I got the R129 running again!
Thanks to some friends I got some cheap or even free parts.
Plus I got some other non-car related things done.

So Overall, it was not like intended, but not that bad too!

 

[Trae]

Replaced valve cover gaskets, breather hoses, spark plugs and wires on the G500.

Replaced all 11 hydraulic cylinders in the SL500.

Replaced caps, rotors, insulators, fluids and filters, spark plugs and wires on the 500Es.

Of course, none of it could have happened without the guidance of the pros on this board!

THANKS!

 

[195910]

A mixed year.

We were the first AMG/BRABUS/Youngtimer mercedes to get accepted for Villa d'este concours d'elegance, and invited to 3 more concourses and shows... nothing happened !!

But I had an unexpected addition to the stable, a 1992 500E Triple Black. I was not expecting to buy a 500E but this turned up 20km away and I just could not resist. It was my Summer engineering/preservation project as I had accumulated leave time and I could not go anywhere.

These cars are amazing once everything is in its proper condition. Idles like new, handles and rides like new, still does 250km/h.

 

[AMG5PT4]

Needed to sell my 1986 560SEC 87k mile "parts car". This required a complete 100% interior swap from grey to palomino. That took 4+ months. Sold the car on BaT. Project # 2 was to finally get my brother into an E320 Cabriolet (50k miles) and to help get that car up to date mechanically and cosmetically. That was a very recent project. Lower harness, ETA, plugs, big brake upgrade from an SL600, refinished C36 wheels and Michelin tires, alignment, fresh center console roll top box, fresh flip top armrest, hydraulic cylinders, etc.. Project #3 was a "facelift" on my 2009 E63 - new front OEM bumper cover, new Hella headlights, new fog lights, new grille. After the paint cured, I had the bumper cover protected with PPF.

For 2021, my attention will be on my 500SEC widebody restoration, engine work on my E63 for Jono - Black Series lifters, BS engine/tranny mounts, cryo treated cam adjuster plates to get rid of the start up rattle. And my son's wedding in October and my GF's daughter's wedding 3 weeks later in early November.

Thanks to @jhodg5ck, @gerryvz, @gsxr, @captruff for help and support for my projects.

Al

 

[JC220]

Let's face it - whilst most of our acquaintances were no doubt complaining of boredom during lockdowns it sure was good to have a car hobby then!

It is a great escape to clear to the garage and get work done. And its very heartening to be able to see what you have done at the end of each day and do take it on the road eventually. It's why we do what we do!

 

[gsxr]

We spent most of MMXX lockdown working on the yard and house projects.

I'm hoping to spend the MMXXI lockdown working on automotive projects...

 

[kwontumspeed]

I've spent it mostly building bikes. Shockingly it's a very long wait to buy something off the shelf, but I've spent the last year building custom bikes for friends and references. So my hobby has helped folks get back on the saddle.

Content relevant? I also did my headliner.

Some samples of two wheeled 1-of-1 customs I've spec'd our for customers:

 

[maw1124]

Light year for me but good stuff all the while, as Covid meant my guys weren’t as busy as they would have liked... so:

On the 500E, regular service + mirror boots, door sills, AMG look pedal covers, fuel level sensor, cam adjuster magnets and valve cover gaskets, engine drive belt, brake purge and distributor cap cover (I actually didn’t remember all that, had to look at the invoice to see).

On the S55, a pulley and tune good for another 10% maybe, figure 50hp and 55tq... this one was long overdue, been considering it for years (cooling upgrades were done years ago)... I’ll probably go to Black Series Mounts, TCU tune and some other stuff in the spring if I don’t do it in the next couple weeks.

On the M3, basic service + brake purge, SMG TCU tune (to compliment previous ECU tune) and new stereo head unit upgrade (Dynavin, to complement previously installed BavSound amps and speakers). For 2021 I’m considering Euro headers, CSL airbox and tune with an exhaust midpipe to enhance the sound a bit but we shall see.

Now, to get back down to FL and actually drive the cars... Luckily the S55 is in MI with me.

@AMG5PT4 that Cabrio sounds nice with the C36 wheels.

maw

 

[alabbasi]

I blew a head gasket on this

Well flipity bloody flopity

 

[szvook]

Not a goddamn thing, aside from replacing the original smog pump and fixing the fan shroud.

 

[maw1124]

I forgot about the smog pump or that would have gotten done too... the shop tells me to just unplug it... that’s kinda off brand for me

maw

 

[liviu165]

@liviu165 is gonna be super happy when I get to moving on this job again, and his help has already been invaluable. His sage advice and experience will carefully guide me to completion on this rear subframe job.

You bet I'll be super happy! In 2019 you said it will be done by Thanksgiving, 2019 I assumed. Since that passed, I hoped maybe you meant it was Thanksgiving 2020. Now that that one passed too, I am hoping it will done by Thanksgiving ... 2021. ( )

Thank you for your kind words, but I did not do much, just few suggestions. Your project will require a long journey (as you probably figured already), but very rewarding when finished.

What did I do? Well, since summer on my SEL I did:
- replaced engine and transmission mounts
- replaced flex disks
- replaced exhaust w/cat delete dual exhaust
- refinished wheels + new tires
- new rotors + brake pads + new front bearings
- replaced prop shaft bearings + greased
- resealed differential + new subframe rear rubber mount
- resealed axles
- removed interior carpets, washed and reinstalled seats

To follow on the SEC (by end of year):
- new rotors all around (already done)
- remove factory exhaust (already done) and install new exhaust w/Euro logs and cat delete dual exhaust intermediate pipe
- refresh prop shaft (grease and new intermediate bearing)
- replace engine and transmission mounts
- replace subframe rear rubber mount
- replace flex disks
- refresh differential (write up will also be made)
- refresh axles

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Well, 20 f'n 20...

I don't think any one could possibly top off the project list of @JC220! Really amazing work and great attention to detail, truly inspirational! @kwontumspeed - wow, impressive work Sir! In my teen years, I was in the cycling team for few years, we had to build the bike from scratch, I applaud to you for the work you have done!

My project were mostly on the "flip house" I purchased, so not much time spent on the cars. But some basics:

Many oil changes on all cars
Chevy S10 pickup: Water pump, blower motor, coils and wires, rotors, ac recharge
SL320 my old (now brother's car): engine harness, along with ball joints, "Duck Tail" spoiler, washer fluid reservoir
V70 Cross Country (brother's car): blower motor, double din head unit
Deville (paps car) Blower motor, vacuum lines, idle control valve
C280: Oil filler neck replacement (2nd one in 2 years), air filter, cabin filter, front and rear rotors and pads
XC70: Transmission fluid, head unit, R&R trim/s for the fallen tree damage

That's basically it.

Regards,
D

 

[2phast]

3DSM 006 18" wheels installed.
Vogtland coilovers installed (along with new strut/shock mounts)
Four wheel alignment
New front grill painted body color (almost matches)
Installed HID's into Halogen projector headlights (perfect beam pattern)
Replaced OE steering wheel with OE MK5 GTI flat bottom wheel
Complete sound system replacement (Infinity Kappa, Blaupunkt sub, RCD360 head unit)
CTEC Trickle charger with remote port
Magnetic phone mount
Euro cup holder
Custom Magnaflow exhaust installed
Complete detail including treatment of all seals with Krytox (twice)

 

[maw1124]

^^^that Blaupunkt looks like it bangs! The BavSound sub for the E46MCabrio (NLA) came through the ski pass... and it bangs!! Hell, my daughter’s VW bug came stock with a Fender sub... which... bangs!!!... whenever you can get the sub into the cabin with you... it bangs!

maw

 

[szvook]

I still can’t believe Rick sold his 036...

 

[2phast]

I still can’t believe Rick sold his 036...

Had to get out while the getting was good. Will get another benz though, it just wasn't the right time for a SLK55

 

[captruff]

let me think....

I swapped a newer 2.3 M102 into my 1984 190E due to a failed head gasket followed by a swap of the transmission to a dogleg manual.

A new clutch for my 1987 Alfa Romeo Milano. Also new front brake pads, master cylinder and bias valve.

The 1995 E320 wagon got a new Nakamichi head unit with a Brax Helix amp and new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

The Brabus car got new Michelin PS4 tires.

That should cover it.

Jeff

 

[JC220]

Show-off !!

I don't think any one could possibly top off the project list of @JC220!

I should admit that I don't normally get that much done but there was a family wedding which required 2x S Classes in Nov so I had to knuckle down and get the car's done. When the S430 unravelled underneath I had to work until 12.30pm, get up at 5.30 start again, go to work for 9am - 5.30 then work on car again until late. It was amazing how the welding sucked up hours but progress was swift and only for that wedding deadline I have no doubt both w220s would still be sitting awaiting work

As for the upcoming holiday period - I am set for more S430 mechanical restoration including but not limited to rear main seal replacement. New Lemforder OEM engine mounts, SGF flex discs, 02 sensors etc going in to name a few and a growing snag list to be taken care of now she is second driver.

There are to do lists on about 8 other cars too I'll try to chip some off of that also. Really I'd need a year off work to put a dent in it all!

According to @xfadmin I also have to work on my android Skilz

 

[szvook]

Had to get out while the getting was good.

I’m sure the new owner is enjoying it and everything you’ve done to the car.

 

[LWB250]

Heh. I wasn't surprised when I saw who started the thread...

See my owner's thread for accomplishments. I've slept since then.