OWNER Greg1980

[Greg1980]

Hello,

My name is Greg and I'm the new owner to the Raikku 500E. I live in UK. I'm planning to finished of what was started by Raikku which is returning the the car to its original state. Unfortunately this is my first MB so I will have a lot of questions for you. I'm a big BMW guy

Car has been sat for few years which didn't help and some of the work carried out by Raikku was ruined but it will be sorted. We have a l lot of experience in restoring cars and keeping them original.


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Greg

 

[r44raven]

Hi Greg! Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your purchase of Raikku's car. Looking forward to your updates on progress with the car.

Whereabouts in the UK are you?

Steohen.

 

[Greg1980]

HI,

I'm in Ashford , Middlesex.

 

[Greg1980]

Progress won't be great probably as there is small queue of projects to be finished. The plan for now is to get all the engine leaks sorted, get it properly serviced, fix the wood inside, refurbish the wheels and get it detailed. Enjoy it thorough the summer while collecting the parts and information of what the car should
look like.

 

[036]

Welcome

 

[sheward]

Welcome! Looking forward to your updates.



drew

 

[r44raven]

HI,

I'm in Ashford , Middlesex.

I'm near Bath. There are two of us (oddly) within a few miles of each other, that have 500e's. (Until a month or so ago, there were 4 in this area! Given that there are only about 20 in the UK, that's quite a coincidence). If ever I get down your way, I'll give you a head's up. Meantime, enjoy the car!

Stephen.

 

[e500.org]

Welcome Greg. I've known that 500E ever since Raikku first got his hands on it. @r44raven Stephen and I met Raikku and saw his car (this is going back quite a few years now but I'm sure Stephen will remember). Would be great to see more photos of the car, particularly the "current state" and more about the areas which need attention. This forum is a great source of insight and also spare parts, no doubt you'll be in need of both of those, particularly if you're new to the 500E world.

 

[r44raven]

Welcome Greg. I've known that 500E ever since Raikku first got his hands on it. @r44raven Stephen and I met Raikku and saw his car (this is going back quite a few years now but I'm sure Stephen will remember). Would be great to see more photos of the car, particularly the "current state" and more about the areas which need attention. This forum is a great source of insight and also spare parts, no doubt you'll be in need of both of those, particularly if you're new to the 500E world.

Yep - I remember that well! He was a great guy!

 

[Greg1980]

I have attached few photos here. More to come.

 

[Greg1980]

and few more

 

[Greg1980]

So, here I have few questions:

- What is needed to convert it back to pre facelift?

- What would be the original colour combination for it?

- Are there any aftermarket exhaust manufacture (OEM Spec) or is it just the dealer?

- Wheels , shall I keep them or change them for Evo II and what is a correct part number for them

- What is the difference between 500E light and standard w124?

Many thanks

 

[e500.org]

So, here I have few questions:

- What is needed to convert it back to pre facelift?

- What would be the original colour combination for it?

- Are there any aftermarket exhaust manufacture (OEM Spec) or is it just the dealer?

- Wheels , shall I keep them or change them for Evo II and what is a correct part number for them

- What is the difference between 500E light and standard w124?

Many thanks

1) Rear orange tail lights, front bonnet, front grill, front headlights to return back to stock, technically the lower cladding should also be alto grey and not colour coded, 500e came with head lamp wipers from factory

2) I believe that is the original colour combination, at least 199 pearl black paintwork / black leather, lower cladding alto grey

3) Quite a few exhaust options, some on this forum, OEM rear muffler is available I think from Mercedes, Fox exhausts in Germany have a bolt on rear muffler and resonator

4) Wheels are personal taste, I personally love the EVO-IIs 17" is a good size. You want the 8.25 J ones.

5) The 500e head lamps have a chrome inner part, high beam I think is in the middle, fog lamp external. Dimensionally the same.

 

[Greg1980]

1- Would the headlamp wipers be listed under the VIN number?

2- Will return it to the original colours at some point. What about bumper strips? Are they unpainted?

3- I would like to stick to OEM like , I don't like any loud stuff etc. I need a middle and rear section

4- 201 401 12 02 is this correct part number for the wheels? Are they forged or cast? I will go for EVO II. Tyre size is 245/45/17 correct?

5- I have been given some parts with the car including the headlamp. I have attached to photo.

 

[Greg1980]

Are these the correct fog lights?

 

[TimL]

Those are the correct headlights and yes, the fog lights you posted are correct too. Try using the search function - there’s a ton of answers and info on the stuff you are inquiring about......nice car, by the way!

 

[Greg1980]

I will do. Thanks for your answers

 

[gsxr]

There are 4 main parts to the OE exhaust system: main catalyst pipe, crossover pipe, middle muffler/resonator, and rear muffler. The front 3 items are all NLA. You can only buy the rear muffler new. Try to salvage the factory catalyst pipe unless it's beyond recovery, the factory cats are top quality and have minimal restriction. If you need to replace the catalysts, the only quality aftermarket item I know of is the Leistung setup ($$$$). Search the forum for details. If you can find a 400E with mint exhaust, the catalysts (and front crossover pipe) are identical.

Can you post more photos of the headlights supplied, along with the part number labels? The glass lens appears correct for left-hand-traffic (UK/Japan) but I can't tell if the housing is Hella or Bosch (should be Hella, and have a pipe fitting for the vent at the lower rear corners).

201 401 12 02 are the early / painted Evo II wheels, 8.25x17, still available new. Period-correct for the E500 (facelift) would be a different part number with diamond-cut finish, NLA new. Yes, 245/45/17 tire size.

 

[Greg1980]

 

[Greg1980]

 

[dionphaneuf]

I actually love the config of yours. I'd put the tail lights back but leave the hood, and tidy the rear exhaust. EVOs would look great. I'd leave the lowers DB199.

 

[Greg1980]

I actually love the config of yours. I'd put the tail lights back but leave the hood, and tidy the rear exhaust. EVOs would look great. I'd leave the lowers DB199.

I'm debating this as well. We will see.

On another note has anyone tried supersprint exhausts
Centre + rear exhaust 95x75 Available on demand for MERCEDES W124 E 500, Centre + rear exhaust 95x75 Available on demand

 

[gsxr]

Supersprint should be fine. Note their front catalyst section alone is €3k / £2.5k / $4k USD. The full manifold-back system with catalysts would be €4.2k / £3.6k / $5k USD.

P/N 1248204959 for the headlight is not correct for 500E, but if it's a Hella light from a standard LHT 124, it should work ok with the 500E LHT lens if the shield over the H3 bulb has been removed. 1248204959 doesn't appear in the EPC so at the moment I can't verify what exactly it is.

 

[Greg1980]

Supersprint should be fine. Note their front catalyst section alone is €3k / £2.5k / $4k USD. The full manifold-back system with catalysts would be €4.2k / £3.6k / $5k USD.

P/N 1248204959 for the headlight is not correct for 500E, but if it's a Hella light from a standard LHT 124, it should work ok with the 500E LHT lens if the shield over the H3 bulb has been removed. 1248204959 doesn't appear in the EPC so at the moment I can't verify what exactly it is.

I was thinking just the middle and rear section for now. I cant find any videos with sound of the exhaust.

 

[Greg1980]

The car will stay in Poland for now. So I need an European lights.

 

[gsxr]

The car will stay in Poland for now. So I need an European lights.

If you mean lights for Euro 500E, for right-hand-traffic... that will be a significant problem. The lights & lenses are both NLA. A couple pairs of lights showed up for sale last month and both sold for €2.5k-€3k. I don't know of any currently for sale.

Hang on to those left-hand-traffic (UK/Japan) lights/lenses; they are also rare and would be difficult to replace.

 

[northNH]

FWIW I recently replaced the original (still intact and useable!) 2 cat-back pieces on my E24 BMW with Supersprint’s SS replacements...

Beautifully made and appearance, perfect drama-free fit, slight power increase due to slightly increased pipe diameters, and long known for it’s slightly increased pleasing growl compared to ANY other louder obnoxious-sounding aftermarket alternatives.

Built on order one at a time by Italians who clearly love what they’re doing.
And take their time about it, hundreds of cappuccinos from start to finish.
I bet their E500E pieces are just as satisfying.

 

[Greg1980]

If you mean lights for Euro 500E, for right-hand-traffic... that will be a significant problem. The lights & lenses are both NLA. A couple pairs of lights showed up for sale last month and both sold for €2.5k-€3k. I don't know of any currently for sale.

Hang on to those left-hand-traffic (UK/Japan) lights/lenses; they are also rare and would be difficult to replace.

I will keep them for now. I have already found someone who can refurbish the lights and rechrome the plastic parts. So I will probably get two standard w124 lights and make them look like 500e.

 

[gsxr]

I will keep them for now. I have already found someone who can refurbish the lights and rechrome the plastic parts. So I will probably get two standard w124 lights and make them look like 500e.

I finally figured out MB# 124-820-49-59 is the left/driver side 500E headlight for left-hand traffic. The reflectors AND lenses are different between LHT and RHT. Appears to be a part number supercession is missing in the EPC from -23-59 to 49-59.

The 500E lenses are visibly very different than non-500E, and have different functionality. Normal 500E has 4 high beams and 2 fog lights. If you install standard 124 lights you will have 2 high beams and 4 fog lights (and, 2 of the fogs will turn on with high beams, which isn't ideal).

As noted previously, the V8 models need to have the vent tube connected, to prevent moisture entering the lamp assembly due to the positive pressure from the air intake scoop around the headlight.

 

[gsxr]

Photo showing the difference between standard and 036 lights. Facelift lens shown, but the difference in fluting is the same pre-facelift.

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Sorry for beeing off-Topic here, but this leads me to a question:
@gsxr: How about .034 headlights? Looks like they can/should not be replaced with non-V8 lights then. But what to do instead?
I want two new headlights since one of my E420 lights has a damaged plastic housing...

 

[gsxr]

Sorry for beeing off-Topic here, but this leads me to a question:
@gsxr: How about .034 headlights? Looks like they can/should not be replaced with non-V8 lights then. But what to do instead?
I want two new headlights since one of my E420 lights has a damaged plastic housing...

AFAICT... you may be able to swap over the plastic fitting from the old light, to the replacement, if necessary.

Sadly the plastic fitting (A1248260129) is NLA. The same fitting is used on 124's with M104 HFM engines, on the passenger side only (single cold-air inlet around the headlight).

 

[744Brillantsilber]

@Greg1980: Welcome on board! I am looking foreward to your planned work!
About the exhaust System: If you want to do the catalytic converter too look up "Carus". They are specialized on parts for old MBs and also have a cat in the Programm. I have not installed mine, but it Looks well made and should be plug and Play.
Can´t speak about the Supersprint. But I have seen and heard the Fox exhaust under a 5.0 last year. It looked really nice, keeps the factory appearance and the owner said that it fits without problems. The sound was ok too if you want something not too far from stock.
Notice that there is a 2nd option from Fox without the first muffler. @JC220 has this one under his car if I remember correct.

 

[Greg1980]

AFAICT... you may be able to swap over the plastic fitting from the old light, to the replacement, if necessary.

Sadly the plastic fitting (A1248260129) is NLA. The same fitting is used on 124's with M104 HFM engines, on the passenger side only (single cold-air inlet around the headlight).


View attachment 129426

What about this lense?

 

[744Brillantsilber]

AFAICT... you may be able to swap over the plastic fitting from the old light, to the replacement, if necessary.

Sadly the plastic fitting (A1248260129) is NLA. The same fitting is used on 124's with M104 HFM engines, on the passenger side only (single cold-air inlet around the headlight).


View attachment 129426

Thank you very much!
At least the right side is broken, so finding a replacement would be possible in the worst case.

 

[gsxr]

What about this lense?

The lens in that photo (000-820-13-66) is correct for right-hand traffic (Germany etc). You would need the matching opposite side 000-820-12-66 also, and a set of RHT headlamps.

The RHT lenses won't work properly on LHT headlamps (124-820-49-59 and 124-820-50-59) because the reflectors don't match. You can swap reflectors... but they are NLA, and if you sourced RHT lamps, it would be easier to use the donor lamps with the 500E lenses.

Confused yet?

 

[Greg1980]

BMW is much simpler, Philips screwdriver , 3 screw and you can have RHT or LHT.

So to summarise I only have one good lense for RHT. I have also found a new lense for sale in germany part numbers are HELLA 9AH 138 351-021
MB 1248203166

 

[gsxr]

1248203166 is for left-hand traffic.

 

[Greg1980]

1248203166 is for left-hand traffic.

View attachment 129428

Ok, so I have just one good lense , 3 other parts missing

 

[gerryvz]

Just coming back on board after a 3-month absence from posting. Welcome aboard. I moved your post to the "OWNER" sub-forum and changed the title to your name. Looking forward to seeing your relationship with the car develop. You have some great colleagues there in the UK/Northern Ireland who are among the top folks here, so you will be in good hands both here on the forum and relatively locally.

 

[Greg1980]

Hello,

I havent been here for the while. Decided to start from scratch and do bare metal respray. Hopfully will get this car sorted once and for all now.

More photos to follow.

 

[Greg1980]

Few more

 

[Greg1980]

And few more..

 

[Eno]

Congratulations

 

[Greg1980]

few more photos

 

[nocfn]

She looks beautiful. Don't be afraid to drive it, that is when the scratches come. Great work, thanks for sharing! (go extra on the clear)

 

[Greg1980]

Interior sorted

 

[Greg1980]

Headlining in black and wheels being sorted

 

[Greg1980]

Wheels done with tyres on

 

[Greg1980]

Getting there.