OWNER 744Brilliantsilber (E420)

[TerryA]

Please apologize my stupid question, but who is Howard Jones?
I have the feeling that there is a good reason why I never heard of him before

@744Brillantsilber, Don't feel bad, I've been around a lot longer than Jlaa and I have no idea who Howard Jones is.

 

[744Brillantsilber]

@744Brillantsilber, Here is a SoCal mirror that I just took off to change the boot yesterday.

Thanks Terry!
Looks like I should move to California

 

[gerryvz]

I carefully insert my Howard Jones cassette into the tape player

Please apologize my stupid question, but who is Howard Jones?
I have the feeling that there is a good reason why I never heard of him before

1985 was his peak. Howard Jones’ Dream into Action a Classic 30 Years Later

@744Brillantsilber, Don't feel bad, I've been around a lot longer than Jlaa and I have no idea who Howard Jones is.

Howard Jones (British musician) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I think you'll know most of these songs, @TerryA .....

 

[TerryA]

Howard Jones (British musician) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I think you'll know most of these songs, @TerryA .....

Sorry Guys, I guess I’m a dinosaur, I like 70s music best and still do. NEVER heard of him or any of his songs.

 

[gerryvz]

Howard Jones is common background music ("elevator music") that you hear in Doctors offices and other public places on the Muzak system.

 

[Jlaa]

Howard Jones is common background music ("elevator music") that you hear in Doctors offices and other public places on the Muzak system.

“Elevator music listening smugness” perfectly describes my frame of mind while piloting my cruise-missile-500E at high mach numbers.

 

[gerryvz]

piloting my cruise-missile-500E at high mach numbers.

I've been on sort of a "The Smiths" kick as of late.....

(Link for TerryA)

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Hey guys,

not dead yet, but no Progress on the E420 since then.

But the wagon is making Progress and taking most of the time and car-related budget: all three rear windows are out, the minor rust there was removed. About everything else was welded too, or will be welded next week. Except for the upper Radiator Support which will be replaced one point later.
The rear axle came out too and the rust and crack behind it were removed. Of course all new lines and hoses now, plus new SLS spheres!
The subframe mounts will be new too, but the links will be follow at a later point (likely together with the front LCAs).

The trunk lid will get repainted too, maybe even together with two new front fenders...

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Rear axle is back in with new springs, new spheres, all new lines and new mounts. The whole underbody is conserved with wax too, the car is now at least 95% rustfree and I want to keep it that way even with winter use.

Got two new front fenders and will bring the wagon to the paint shop after Easter. The owner once worked for AMG back in the 80s/90s and still does some work for both AMG and MB. I am sure he will do good work and the plan is to let him paint the 420 too later.

Looking foreward to finally drive it and start to work on the E420 again!!

 

[TimL]

Rear axle is back in with new springs, new spheres, all new lines and new mounts. The whole underbody is conserved with wax too, the car is now at least 95% rustfree and I want to keep it that way even with winter use.

Got two new front fenders and will bring the wagon to the paint shop after Easter. The owner once worked for AMG back in the 80s/90s and still does some work for both AMG and MB. I am sure he will do good work and the plan is to let him paint the 420 too later.

Looking foreward to finally drive it and start to work on the E420 again!!

@744Brillantsilber, are you giving him the car disassembled or is he doing the disassembly? If you don‘t mind sharing, how much is he asking for? I just know that really good paint jobs are costing a chunk of money over here and I’m wondering how that compares to pricing in Germany....

 

[744Brillantsilber]

@744Brillantsilber, are you giving him the car disassembled or is he doing the disassembly? If you don‘t mind sharing, how much is he asking for? I just know that really good paint jobs are costing a chunk of money over here and I’m wondering how that compares to pricing in Germany....

Hey Tim,
it will not be a full repaint, only the front fenders and the trunk lid. I will disassemble the car as much as possible. The body panels are still removed and the rear window is out too. As will be all parts attached to the trunk. The Fenders, headlights and front bumper will stay in place so that I can drive it to the body shop.
They could not give me a quote yet since they have not seen the car in person. But they guessed somewhere between 1-2k.
The full repaint (except the roof) on the 420 was quoted between 4-5k from them. With everything disassembled on my own, paint and some rust work only...
Hope that helps!

 

[TimL]

Hey Tim,
it will not be a full repaint, only the front fenders and the trunk lid. I will disassemble the car as much as possible. The body panels are still removed and the rear window is out too. As will be all parts attached to the trunk. The Fenders, headlights and front bumper will stay in place so that I can drive it to the body shop.
They could not give me a quote yet since they have not seen the car in person. But they guessed somewhere between 1-2k.
The full repaint (except the roof) on the 420 was quoted between 4-5k from them. With everything disassembled on my own, paint and some rust work only...
Hope that helps!

Wow, that is a really good deal compared to the lunatic prices I’ve been quoted over here for a high quality full respray. Good luck with your T-Modell, sounds like you are making real progress, Merlin! Can’t wait to see it when it’s all done

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Wow, that is a really good deal compared to the lunatic prices I’ve been quoted over here for a high quality full respray. Good luck with your T-Modell, sounds like you are making real progress, Merlin! Can’t wait to see it when it’s all done

Thank you very much for the nice words Tim!
The work I have seen from the paint shop was all very good and they are familiar with old cars.
Last time I was there to show them the E420 they had a 1950s Rolls Royce and a 300SL in, plus a E500 Ltd in wonderful new 189 Saphire black!
Since I am way over the intended budget anyway, the car really deserves to get the paint done too
With all the work done by the previous owner it should be the best high-mileage E200 around once it is done. Not on the same Level as @JC220 or @lowman, but still way over average

 

[744Brillantsilber]

A Little update:
Fired the E420 up again today and left it running for a while. It started right up like expected. I can´t wait to drive it again!!

Had another delay due to the weather (snow plus lots of salt on the roads), but hope to finally bring the wagon to the painter at the end of next week.

And after seeing a W124 delivered to France, I am seriously considering yellow fog lights for the wagon. It would contrast nice with the black and white.
Not so much on the E420, it looks nice enough with stock lights too

Saw a nice 500E in black 199 with local plates last week, it was already featured in a German car magazine last year. It drove the other way on a 4-lane interstate but it was clear to see it´s not the average 124

 

[744Brillantsilber]

The wagon is back from the paint shop.
The rear window is in, the front Fenders are waxed, mounted and aligned plus the claddings are back on too.
The paint matches very nice!

Pictures will follow once the car is clean again.

Some interior work needs to be done, the AC still needs to be fixed and one of the rear side windows needs to come out again...

What else: Found a NOS E420 sportline steering box, just as @TimL and a nice NLA cover for a removable trailer hitch. Will probably go that route since the rear bumper is NLA and nice used bumpers seem to be impossible to find local

Still no space to remove engine and gearbox on the E420 sadly, plus many other things to do which are not car-related

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Still alive haha,

meanwhile I purchased a set of sportline springs and shocks, plus all the suspension rubber parts.
And a set of NOS NLA claddings (doors, Fenders, sills, plus all the chrome and clips). I think that 450 was a good deal for it

A Denso AC compressor for the wagon is on the way from AutohausAZ right now. It is the same as in the .0336/.034 and way cheaper than buying in Germany, even with shipping and import fees.
Other than the AC I need to redo the ride level again, the rear is way to high...

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Wow, time flies!

Only very little progress on the 420: found a very good rear bumper and will replace the trailer hitch and cut out bumper.
Found a awesome rear axle from a low mileage CA car. Not even the smallest surface rust on it!
No need to refurbish it. Time to buy new links, bushings, and so on. Plus yellowplated screws of course!

Other than that the wagon is a strong and solid daily driver so far. Looking for a new piece of carpet because I have to cut it up to fix the folding rear seats (the lower spring for the locking mechanism broke). A removable Oris hitch will replace the factory hitch soon, already sandblasted and ready to paint as soon as the temperature allows me to.

Besides cars life was very busy: I started to restore a house that is 300 years old and it takes a lot of time!

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Went on a little culture trip last Friday:
AMG in Affalterbach, the MB Classic Center in Fellbach and the MB Museum in Stuttgart Untertürkheim

 

[744Brillantsilber]

A gift for dad and his 600SL plus some underbody pics of the wagon after the winter.
The Sanders wax holds great so far.
New catalytic converter will come in soon as the old one starts to rattle

 

[TimL]

Awesome, 744 - post some pictures of the 600 SL whenever you get a chance! I just love the first gen R129 look! Hope the renovations of your house are going well. Definitely sounds like quite a task!

 

[TimL]

What else: Found a NOS E420 sportline steering box, just as @TimL and a nice NLA cover for a removable trailer hitch. Will probably go that route since the rear bumper is NLA and nice used bumpers seem to be impossible to find local

I've had the sportline steering box installed now and have driven about 300 miles with it. It is considerably stiffer, requiring quite a bit more effort to turn the wheel, which gives the steering a nice meaty touch, although it does make the car feel a bit heavier which of course is nonsense in reality, but it FEELS like it. This is partially offset by a more direct setup which helps when driving down twisty roads in a hurry. Hope you get to install your steering box soon! By the way, I didn't have mine re-sealed before install and everything is perfectly dry, so save the money and don't get yours re-sealed. You'll be perfectly fine without the extra step.

 

[darek_u]

The Sanders wax holds great so far.

Hey 744Brilliantsilber did you apply it yourself? I'm looking for something to protect Pajero, I was reading great reviews of Mike Sanders wax but it needs to be applied at 120 deg C... I can see you applied on the whole underbody, I didn't know you can do this, I thought it is meant for profiles only?

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Awesome, 744 - post some pictures of the 600 SL whenever you get a chance! I just love the first gen R129 look! Hope the renovations of your house are going well. Definitely sounds like quite a task!

Tim, thanks for the kind words! Let me see if I can find some decent pictures.
Its 040 black with matching cladding, black leather and black top

I've had the sportline steering box installed now and have driven about 300 miles with it. It is considerably stiffer, requiring quite a bit more effort to turn the wheel, which gives the steering a nice meaty touch, although it does make the car feel a bit heavier which of course is nonsense in reality, but it FEELS like it. This is partially offset by a more direct setup which helps when driving down twisty roads in a hurry. Hope you get to install your steering box soon! By the way, I didn't have mine re-sealed before install and everything is perfectly dry, so save the money and don't get yours re-sealed. You'll be perfectly fine without the extra step.

Thats awesome news! I plan to get bodywork done soon (when my preferred shop find's time) and then do the technic and paint. Can't wait to drive it again!

Hey 744Brilliantsilber did you apply it yourself? I'm looking for something to protect Pajero, I was reading great reviews of Mike Sanders wax but it needs to be applied at 120 deg C... I can see you applied on the whole underbody, I didn't know you can do this, I thought it is meant for profiles only?

Hey Darek, most of it was done by a specialist who made his own tools to work with the wax.
They showed me longtime experiments and Sanders did not react with any rubbers and plastics.
Mike Sanders offers some affordable diy tools to go with the wax. If you want to do the underbody you should be fine with those.
I had the inner body parts (rocker panels, ...) done too and they needed more than the tools Sanders offers.
I did some things myself with a heat gun, little heater for baby food and a paint brush. Way under 120 degree Celsius! Worked well for surfaces like fender insides

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Had the trailer hitch sandblasted, then primered it with Brunox Epoxy and zinc spray.
Next step will be to paint it black with 2k spray paint. No need for a like new result but who wants rusty metal on his car?!

Fixed the throttle linkage on the M117.
FYI: replace the plastic ball joints asap if not already done!

Found a "mushroom" local and guess who bought it

 

[TerryA]

Had the trailer hitch sandblasted, then primered it with Brunox Epoxy and zinc spray.
Next step will be to paint it black with 2k spray paint. No need for a like new result but who wants rusty metal on his car?!

Fixed the throttle linkage on the M117.
FYI: replace the plastic ball joints asap if not already done!

Found a "mushroom" local and guess who bought it

I remember the good old plastic ball in my Euro 84 500SL. It disintegrated while my wife was driving the car. She abandoned it on the side of the freeway and called me at work and said the transmission went out the car wouldn’t move. I had it towed home only to find that lousy plastic ball was now powder laying on the intake manifold. I think it cost about $3.00 for the part.

In fact a similar plastic part crumpled on my 300E and yes my wife was driving that also.

Those plastic parts in the linkage are a real PITA. It’s wise to change them proactively.

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Some small progress:

A new catalytic converter is installed in the wagon, the old one decided to crumble into pieces.
Picked up all the missing rearaxle parts for the E420 on Friday, all original MB parts of course.

Next steps:
Redo the b-pillar and c-pillar tolex, the shocks, windscreen and blower fan on the wagon.
Purchase a gearbox for the E420 for 200€ on Tuesday and have it fully rebuild.
Redo the sticky soft plastic-paint in the SLK interior. Bought a whole center console and dashboard from a donor car so that I can experiment while keeping the car driveable.

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Still alive and very busy with a new job.
Other than that spending plenty of time and money on the R129. Man those V12 specific parts are rare and expensive...
Was lucky to find some good used nla parts from a Japanese import parted out after an accident at only 20k miles! Other than that many parts need to be imported from the US because they can't be found in Germany.
Anyway: its worth every Cent and I can't wait to have it rolling again!
After all its an 600SL, the best or nothing!!

 

[744Brillantsilber]

What else:
The E420 gearbox will be refurbished very soon from an old MB gearbox development employee. No time yet for a repaint or suspension upgrade plus I still have not found a nice M119 5.0 local.

The SLK 230 will get a partial repaint later this year or in early 2024. Stone chips on the Hood plus beginning rust on the front fenders and front door edges. Managed to find a set of SLK 32 seats plus some original blue gullwing fabric.
My favourite upholstery shop is busy with big projects right now and offered to do it next winter. They do prototypes for Porsche and AMG plus plenty of classic cars, including the expensive cars for the MB classic center, so I expect excellent work

 

[195910]

What else:
The E420 gearbox will be refurbished very soon from an old MB gearbox development employee. No time yet for a repaint or suspension upgrade plus I still have not found a nice M119 5.0 local.

The SLK 230 will get a partial repaint later this year or in early 2024. Stone chips on the Hood plus beginning rust on the front fenders and front door edges. Managed to find a set of SLK 32 seats plus some original blue gullwing fabric.
My favourite upholstery shop is busy with big projects right now and offered to do it next winter. They do prototypes for Porsche and AMG plus plenty of classic cars, including the expensive cars for the MB classic center, so I expect excellent work

Hi @744Brillantsilber , who is your upholstery shop and do you know if they have templates for M-B cars?