Hi everyone! I wanted to introduce myself as the new and now second owner of WDB1240361C086695, a 1994 E500 that was recently imported from Japan. (Moderator edit: The For Sale listing can be found here.)
I was extremely fortunate to receive every maintenance and inspection document for every year 1994 through 2021. I believe it largely sat after that until it was imported here into the US, as the km did not go up from that point until now. I've only translated a few of these inspection reports so far but they show regular oil changes, coolant changes, and so forth. I'm hopeful by the time I've translated all of them, the result will show a car that was well cared for during its first lengthy period of ownership.
The car is a humble black pearl 199 over anthracite and currently has just over 108,000 km. The interior is 8.5/10. There are two small hairline cracks in the center wood trim, and the glue appears to be coming off the driver door leather where it tucks down in to the cubby. Some of the leather on the back of the steering wheel is fading/delaminating at the stitching. These will all be repaired in time. Otherwise, all switches and devices and things that slide open and close appear to work as they should.
The exterior needs a little more love than the interior, I would probably rate it at 7/10. I'm hopeful a very lengthy paint correction will bring it in line with the interior. There are no dents or dings to speak of, but faded trim and plenty of scratches, mostly in the clear coat, to work out. Tires are Michelin Primacy from 2021 (must have been installed during that last inspection)- which I'll swap out along with refinishing the OE wheels this winter. I haven't figured out the entire mechanical history yet, but thus far all the smoke and fluids have remained in the car, everything is quiet and smooth, and as far as I can tell there is nothing that needs immediate repair. However, we will see what the shop says next week during its first maintenance visit with me. I'm not an auto mechanic, but I am a mechanical contractor, and when things don't work right it will bother me until corrected.
This one is joining a small collection of other cars I own including a 2004 E46 M3 vert, 2002 911 turbo coupe, and a NC Miata track car. Given that I have two kids that will have a more difficult time getting in the back of the M3 and the 911 soon, I think this car slots right into that stable nicely.
I've already learned a ton about the platforms weak spots lurking around the board while researching the purchase, so I figured it was time to introduce myself and the car. I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions as I get to know it in the coming months and years!
I was extremely fortunate to receive every maintenance and inspection document for every year 1994 through 2021. I believe it largely sat after that until it was imported here into the US, as the km did not go up from that point until now. I've only translated a few of these inspection reports so far but they show regular oil changes, coolant changes, and so forth. I'm hopeful by the time I've translated all of them, the result will show a car that was well cared for during its first lengthy period of ownership.
The car is a humble black pearl 199 over anthracite and currently has just over 108,000 km. The interior is 8.5/10. There are two small hairline cracks in the center wood trim, and the glue appears to be coming off the driver door leather where it tucks down in to the cubby. Some of the leather on the back of the steering wheel is fading/delaminating at the stitching. These will all be repaired in time. Otherwise, all switches and devices and things that slide open and close appear to work as they should.
The exterior needs a little more love than the interior, I would probably rate it at 7/10. I'm hopeful a very lengthy paint correction will bring it in line with the interior. There are no dents or dings to speak of, but faded trim and plenty of scratches, mostly in the clear coat, to work out. Tires are Michelin Primacy from 2021 (must have been installed during that last inspection)- which I'll swap out along with refinishing the OE wheels this winter. I haven't figured out the entire mechanical history yet, but thus far all the smoke and fluids have remained in the car, everything is quiet and smooth, and as far as I can tell there is nothing that needs immediate repair. However, we will see what the shop says next week during its first maintenance visit with me. I'm not an auto mechanic, but I am a mechanical contractor, and when things don't work right it will bother me until corrected.
This one is joining a small collection of other cars I own including a 2004 E46 M3 vert, 2002 911 turbo coupe, and a NC Miata track car. Given that I have two kids that will have a more difficult time getting in the back of the M3 and the 911 soon, I think this car slots right into that stable nicely.
I've already learned a ton about the platforms weak spots lurking around the board while researching the purchase, so I figured it was time to introduce myself and the car. I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions as I get to know it in the coming months and years!
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Welcome from an ex - Michigander. There is a good shop in the 15 mile and Haggerty Road (I think that's West Bloomfield) area with loads of W124 experience by the name of Moterwerks should you need. If this is your first experience with W124 cars be aware there are very few shops that have the experience to work on them properly. The records are a nice bonus as Japan imports generally don't carry them.
