OWNER JAB12 (E60 AMG)

[maw1124]

In short, car is being returned back to as new as mechanically and cosmetically possible without going full strip out restoration and repaint. I'm not doing that.

Beautiful, especially the show of restraint. I'm not into that either. I'll replace whatever isn't functioning as intended and all the "while you're in there" items along the way. But I'm not a restorer or collector of things. I just don't have that kind of nostalgia, probably because I've never had any of these things when they were new...LOL

maw

 

[Jlaa]

I will post here once I get a final listing from @jhodg5ck

The main headline was getting the car back to Factory AMG numbers, that required new cats and redid the exhaust piping which was modified at some point during the car's life before me. Refurbed AMG suspension. Windshield was peppered so replaced that, lower harness, all consumables, caps and rotors, had some wire arcing, overall clean up in all the unreachable creases etc etc. I don't even remember the majority of the items as its been so long. Have to dig up the files but I'll post a full list for posterity's sake in this thread.

In short, car is being returned back to as new as mechanically and cosmetically possible without going full strip out restoration and repaint. I'm not doing that.

Wow, did this effort also include the time spent for Jono to go and mine the platinum, along with palladium, and rhodium that all goes into the catalytic converter?? I can see how that would take a long time. Also, that would mean that Jono has a Caterpillar 797F, which is impressive.

https://www.cat.com/en_US/products/new/equipment/off-highway-trucks/mining-trucks/18093014.html

I jest I jest!!! Does the E60 use the same NLA cat as the E500, or does the E60 use an even more NLA (NLA+? NLA extra? Super NLA?) e60 specific cat?

 

[JAB12]

@Jlaa It took an enormous effort, the other things have also been the delay I suppose. And yes the Cats are same as E500 but NLA regardless and tough to find. I hope to have the car back soon. I'm surprised at my own patience tbh, but I have other toys to hold me over so I put the E60 as a distant memory to avoid frustration. In the end it's just a car. A real good one with significant historical value, but just a car nonetheless.

 

[maw1124]

That and your timing couldn't have been worse. I hope you get the car back soon too. I want to see and hear it run too. I wish I could find one local to me somewhere to drive and see the difference that extra displacement makes.

maw

 

[Jlaa]

@Jlaa It took an enormous effort, the other things have also been the delay I suppose. And yes the Cats are same as E500 but NLA regardless and tough to find. I hope to have the car back soon. I'm surprised at my own patience tbh, but I have other toys to hold me over so I put the E60 as a distant memory to avoid frustration. In the end it's just a car. A real good one with significant historical value, but just a car nonetheless.

If you know where to get a cat you might help out @kegmankipp —- he is looking for one.

 

[JAB12]

I'll see what I can find out from @jhodg5ck RE CATS.

 

[JAB12]

@maw1124 where are you located?

 

[JAB12]

Brief update as I finally went to see the car this past weekend and had a few hours with @jhodg5ck going over everything that has been done. Got to the bottom of this endless delay as it is obvious @jhodg5ck's cat is the one doing the work and she is a bit temperamental. Works 5mins then meows off. A few highlights and photos below

.- Exhaust pipes and cats replaced
.- Windshield replaced
.- Headlight wipers replacement - in progress
.- Window tint removed - clear UV film installed in its place
.- Stock Factory fire extinguisher and bucket installed
.- OEM Speedometer in KMs installed with correct mileage conversion recorded
.- Refurb/Lowered AMG suspension to my taste so now car looks proper IMHO.
.- Reinstalled AMG Aero IIs and got rid of the monos. Car looks better on these, again IMHO.
.- General Gunk and grime removed from every reachable crease under every grommet and rubber plug etc.
.- Lower Harness replaced
.- Interior leather treatment
.- Rear bumper inserts installed (Thank you M. Inaba).
.- The mechanical list of items is too long. Caps and Rotors, sparkplugs, arcing wiring, air filters bla bla, again too long. I will list it once I receive a final from Blue Ridge, but expect all the usual consumables and preventive maintenance items that need to be done on these cars, all were addressed, replaced, cleaned up et al.

Was refreshing to see her again after almost 2 years and it was once again 'Love at first' not really first but same effect. I'll report back once the car is back in my garage for good, hopefully in the next 2-3 weeks.

 

[gsxr]

Make sure to get kitty's sign-off, with a paw print inked on the final invoice!

 

[195910]

Brief update as I finally went to see the car this past weekend and had a few hours with @jhodg5ck going over everything that has been done. Got to the bottom of this endless delay as it is obvious @jhodg5ck's cat is the one doing the work and she is a bit temperamental. Works 5mins then meows off. A few highlights and photos below

.- Exhaust pipes and cats replaced
.- Windshield replaced
.- Headlight wipers replacement - in progress
.- Window tint removed - clear UV film installed in its place
.- Stock Factory fire extinguisher and bucket installed
.- OEM Speedometer in KMs installed with correct mileage conversion recorded
.- Refurb/Lowered AMG suspension to my taste so now car looks proper IMHO.
.- Reinstalled AMG Aero IIs and got rid of the monos. Car looks better on these, again IMHO.
.- General Gunk and grime removed from every reachable crease under every grommet and rubber plug etc.
.- Lower Harness replaced
.- Interior leather treatment
.- Rear bumper inserts installed (Thank you M. Inaba).
.- The mechanical list of items is too long. Caps and Rotors, sparkplugs, arcing wiring, air filters bla bla, again too long. I will list it once I receive a final from Blue Ridge, but expect all the usual consumables and preventive maintenance items that need to be done on these cars, all were addressed, replaced, cleaned up et al.

Was refreshing to see her again after almost 2 years and it was once again 'Love at first' not really first but same effect. I'll report back once the car is back in my garage for good, hopefully in the next 2-3 weeks.

Waiting for videos of the first drive

 

[Jlaa]

Just curious --- any update?

 

[JAB12]

A few, car’s still not here. Hopefully in 2 weeks max. I was there again over the weekend and looks to be 99% done. @jhodg5ck has still a few minor things to clean up and then we should be good. (Hopefully). Here’s a shot of the engine bay from Saturday:

 

[195910]

A few, car’s still not here. Hopefully in 2 weeks max. I was there again over the weekend and looks to be 99% done. @jhodg5ck has still a few minor things to clean up and then we should be good. (Hopefully). Here’s a shot of the engine bay from Saturday:

Its looking good Jab. But be patient, these cars need a lot of time to get everything right.

I needed years to get the Red Baron up to the standard.

 

[JAB12]

Yes, patience has become my middle name during these past 2 years. The newly minted SLS reservoir sticker is courtesy of this forum's group buy of back in 2020. I have tons of other goodies that will go into the car once I get her back. You still have the Red Baron?

 

[cascade]

A few, car’s still not here. Hopefully in 2 weeks max. I was there again over the weekend and looks to be 99% done. @jhodg5ck has still a few minor things to clean up and then we should be good. (Hopefully). Here’s a shot of the engine bay from Saturday:

500Eboard Punch List™

1. Missing two rubber grommets where coolant heating element pipes run into windshield washer reservoir access cap
2. Missing round rubber sealing grommet on underside of round windshield washer reservoir filling cap
3. Missing rectangular yellow "BATTERY IN TRUNK" sticker on top of CAN box
4. Somewhat yellowed SLS reservoir that could stand replacement
5. Different / non-matching windshield washer reservoir electric pumps
6. Braided coolant expansion tank hose to overflow tank likely original and fossilized rubber
7. Missing yellow "lightning bolt" sticker on front of driver's side cam cover
8. Appears to be missing straight rubber fender liner piece on driver's side inside fender
9. Passenger-side straight rubber fender liner piece appears to be unglued at ends; requires remediation

 

[Jlaa]

Hi @JAB12 - you might want to check to see if this buffer piece has fallen down and is hiding underneath some plastic somewhere….

 

[JC220]

Hi @JAB12 - you might want to check to see if this buffer piece has fallen down and is hiding underneath some plastic somewhere….

@cascade is losing his touch it appears

Great stuff @JAB12 I'm sure your looking forward to getting your beast back

 

[195910]

Yes, patience has become my middle name during these past 2 years. The newly minted SLS reservoir sticker is courtesy of this forum's group buy of back in 2020. I have tons of other goodies that will go into the car once I get her back. You still have the Red Baron?

Yup, already preparing for the concours season

As you will soon find out, a weekend drive is enough to erase any thoughts of parting with a 6.X 124036.

 

[The Emperor]

Hi @JAB12 - you might want to check to see if this buffer piece has fallen down and is hiding underneath some plastic somewhere….

The buffer piece is clearly apparent in the photograph. It is not adjusted into the correct position on the hose. However, it is present.

 

[JAB12]

@Jlaa The buffer piece is there to the side, just needs to be put on top.
@cascade Thanks for the quick notes. I will pass them on to @jhodg5ck. A few clarifications though, on your item 4 I declined to replace the SLS reservoir to keep some patina character and opted to just replace the sticker. I have 3 or 4 from the group buy and 2 more new SLS reservoir tanks for posterity. On item 7: The lighting bolt sticker is there, it's just not captured on this angle of the photo as it is adhered further down. As far as stickers are concerned I will gradually purchase NOS or repros to properly set on the engine once I get the car back. I already have some like the red biladen that goes in the trunk etc. Thanks for all the other notes.

So on the above, if anyone here has NOS engine bay stickers that would like to sell me I am a buyer. I got some from @captruff for the trunk. I also need to check as Euro models did not have all the same stickers as US models as I have examined 3 factory E60 engine bays and none have had the battery in truck sticker, may have been coincidence but that is just 1 of them. The other is the green A/C sticker. On the other hand one of the cars in question had the daimler Mb product sticker on the windshield which is not a Euro thing.

 

[JAB12]

@cascade is losing his touch it appears

Great stuff @JAB12 I'm sure your looking forward to getting your beast back

Counting the hours at this point. I have grown detached from the car. Sometimes it feels like I don't even own it but it's been good to have in person glimpses the last few months. Hopefully will be driving soon. Car looks so much better now at 'my ride height' and fresh suspension. Took out the tints too, major difference. Couldn't get rid of third brake light courtesy of California Federalization 27 years ago, the rear deck was cut out, but did replace light with a better looking fresher one and am happy with the result.

 

[Jlaa]

Counting the hours at this point. I have grown detached from the car. Sometimes it feels like I don't even own it but it's been good to have in person glimpses the last few months. Hopefully will be driving soon. Car looks so much better now at 'my ride height' and fresh suspension. Took out the tints too, major difference. Couldn't get rid of third brake light courtesy of California Federalization 27 years ago, the rear deck was cut out, but did replace light with a better looking fresher one and am happy with the result.

Good. Enjoy the car when you get back - warts and all. It will be good to drive the thing and start learning its quirks.
One thing that you might want to have Blue Ridge do, while the car is still there, is to deal with the aux temp resistor sarcophagus. See @Klink's notes here: Auxiliary (electric twin cooling) Fan Troubles? | Troubleshooting and Diagnostics

6.0 liter cars will produce even more heat than normal cars, and, as well, you being in Miami adds yet another layer of heat-induced-stress on the whole entire operation. In the w140 chassis they moved the whole aux fan resistor to the grille area for better air flow, and, some folks have relocated this themselves in the w124 v8s.

 

[Jlaa]

Couldn't get rid of third brake light courtesy of California Federalization 27 years ago, the rear deck was cut out, but did replace light with a better looking fresher one and am happy with the result.

Also - score on the fresh CHSML! Do yourself a favor and put an LED in there so that the plastic slats don't melt with the heat of an incandescent bulb. They all start to melt after a while.

 

[gerryvz]

Good. Enjoy the car when you get back - warts and all. It will be good to drive the thing and start learning its quirks.
One thing that you might want to have Blue Ridge do, while the car is still there, is to deal with the aux temp resistor sarcophagus. See @Klink's notes here: Auxiliary (electric twin cooling) Fan Troubles? | Troubleshooting and Diagnostics

6.0 liter cars will produce even more heat than normal cars, and, as well, you being in Miami adds yet another layer of heat-induced-stress on the whole entire operation. In the w140 chassis they moved the whole aux fan resistor to the grille area for better air flow, and, some folks have relocated this themselves in the w124 v8s.

Yes, at least to remove the metal housing that covers that resistor. I did that two summers ago on my Top-End Refresh thread (I illustrated it with photos, and installed a new resistor at the same time) and documented it (but saved the metal housing).

There are a few sellers out there of stickers and kits for the engine compartment. I have copies of all stickers (both NOS and reproductions) for the 124 and 126. You can get repros of the AMG stickers as well. I wonder why @cascade didn't flag the lack of engine compartment & AMG stickers?

 

[JAB12]

Thanks @gerryvz The AMG stickers are there on the engine driver side. Just cut out on this photo which was very quick as I was there dealing with another car and just took a quick glimpse of this one.

 

[Jlaa]

so, @JAB12, how are things after getting your car back from Blue Ridge 2 weeks ago?
What else is on the to-do list?
What has been done and what still do you plan for it?
Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[JAB12]

Hello @Jlaa I got the car back the eve of going on a business trip for a week, so I spent the following week dailying the car to the office. The driving experience is simply night and day from what I remember of early 2020 when I first got her. Pick up is rocket!

I addressed the few items that applied from the @cascade Punch List from post #115 above except the SLS reservoir which gives a but of patina character to the engine bay and since I replaced the label, I’m fine with that. When the label browns out again I’ll replace the sls tank with one of the ones I got on that group buy in 2020.

Next on my list is doing the resistor relocation, although car is running below 90 > 80C so I think thats fine.

Just got new hood lid bumper stubs that will DIY as well.

I need a trunk sill beim beladen sticker in German. Jono put one in English but I want the OG. If anoyone has a spare in German, I’m happy to buy it. Also I need the hang tag that goes tied to the refeigerant line on the upper driver side corner of the engine bay. If anyone has it or can point me in the right direction I’d like to get one.

Also installing the headlight fogs xPel film combo I bought from @gerryvz years ago.

Original new MB floor mats are going in as I mistakenly bought right angle AMG stitched before I got the car in 2020. My door sills are AMG so balancing out with the MB logo and acronym is the right look.

Suspension and ride height are oerfect for my taste. What a difference. @jhodg5ck and team did a great job setting it up just perfect for me and my drive style.

Overall I am pretty happy with the results, just never expected for this level of service to last 2 years. Not doing that again for sure!

Some pics in other unicorn company below.

 

[JAB12]

Various pics below. The other 036 is one of the 45 unicorn 957/958s. Verified by VIN and docs. Imported in late 2019 and recently found here in FL and sold within hours to a collection in California for half a big one. I spent a few hours with that car. Well worth it but too nice for my taste as I like to drive all my cars.

 

[JAB12]

My records and docs for the car and getting her off the truck few weeks ago. She arrived with the wife’s new baby same trip so everyone was happy as can be that night.

 

[JAB12]

The Stock 1lb Gloria Fire extinguisher ( stock red Bucket came with car) and the original speedo were the 2 hardest parts to find. Speedo took 4 cluster purchases to make a hybrid and get it right. I now have 1 spare and 1 real (mechanical) and 1 repro (electronic) custom AMG speedo full clusters I will be posting for sale on another thread. Zero DDD on any of them.

So yeah. $5K spent only on getting this darn speedo right. I would do it again daily and twice on Sundays! It makes the car and with the unleaded fuel printed temp gauge scale makes it unique to my car, which adds to her character. IMHO.

 

[maw1124]

Car looks good. Is the leather dash and center stack from the factory? A couple of times I’ve thought about having mine covered. Looks good.

maw

 

[JAB12]

Car looks good. Is the leather dash and center stack from the factory? A couple of times I’ve thought about having mine covered. Looks good.

maw

Previous owner did that during his tenure. I love the look and feel on both areas.

 

[Jlaa]

@JAB12 - good stuff! Glad you are finally enjoying the car. I feel like 50%+ of my enjoyment of this car comes from working on it / tinkering with it / fixing it, because the knowledge here is so deep.

What’s the suspension on your car? Are those aftermarket springs or modified factory springs? The car seems lower than OE. Just wondering.

 

[TerryA]

@JAB12, Looks great, Hope to see a lot more of it. Personally, I’m envious of you. I believe you’ve got the only authentic E60 in the US. We need lots of pics and maybe a video or two.

Take Care

 

[a777fan]

@maw1124 beat me to it…


Love the idea of a stitched dash. So classy !

Glad you got it back and are enjoying it @JAB12 !!!

(Side note: @Jlaa , is that Gates McFadden with the enquirer?!!)

 

[JAB12]

@JAB12, Looks great, Hope to see a lot more of it. Personally, I’m envious of you. I believe you’ve got the only authentic E60 in the US. We need lots of pics and maybe a video or two.

Take Care

Thanks @TerryA and all for your comments. As I go along I’ll keep updating this thread with more visual content. There’s 3 confirmed factory E60s in the US that I know of. @msq’s and this +958 1/45 that the guys that store some of my cars found and sold in the same week. Its Saphire Black and basically a garage queen. That car went to California into a collection.

 

[JAB12]

@JAB12 - good stuff! Glad you are finally enjoying the car. I feel like 50%+ of my enjoyment of this car comes from working on it / tinkering with it / fixing it, because the knowledge here is so deep.

What’s the suspension on your car? Are those aftermarket springs or modified factory springs? The car seems lower than OE. Just wondering.

I had the car lowered in the back to the ride height I like. Nothing wrong with OE stance, I just prefer all my cars lowered. My silver 202 43 is even lower. Should’ve never sold the black one (sigh…..) but such is life. I think Jono used H&R springs, they are white which looks pretty cool when you get under the car. No rubbing of anything and car runs through bumps like a ‘22 Gwagen. She’s gripping perfectly.

 

[JAB12]

Since I have the car back I finally got around to install the spare wheel tool tub I purchased from @gerryvz almost 2 years ago. Interestingly enough, the lid where the actual tools are housed in would not fit on the factory Euro spare wheel tub/bucket that came with my car. May be just a tad smaller as is Euro? I had to install both the bucket and tub lid I got from @gerryvz which spun perfectly inside the spare wheel and the tool lid dropped in as it was. Still not 100% flat flush with the trunk liner but I'll work on adjusting that once I make it a day of detailing and DIYs on the car after I can muster not driving her for awhile. Definitely need the Beim Beladen sticker to complete the look.

 

[Jlaa]

The tool lid I think is a w140 tool lid, which mates with a w140 bucket. The w140 tool lid doesn't mate with the w124 bucket.

 

[JAB12]

The tool lid I think is a w140 tool lid, which mates with a w140 bucket. The w140 tool lid doesn't mate with the w124 bucket.

That makes sense. The W140 bucket mates with the W124 spare wheel I have perfectly so it worked out.

 

[gerryvz]

CORRECT. I would only ever sell a W140 bucket with a W140 tool kit. The W140 tool kit WILL NOT FIT in an E500E/W124 bucket. This is why when you see these tool kits advertised for a 124, they should ALWAYS ship with a bucket.

A W140 bucket will spin on and fit a W124 / E500E with no problem inside the spare wheel. On my car I also removed the round cut-out in the plastic piece under the carpet liner, but some may not opt to do this. Removing the round cut-out helps the tool kit fit better/flusher, though it is not 100% perfecty-perfect. But, it's been good enough for me for the past 19 years.

Cheers from Whitehall, London,
Gerry

 

[JAB12]

Brief update as I now have a little under 3 months with this car back in my garage and being driven 2-3 days a week if not more, regularly. This week it will be 5 days into the office. Loving every minute of it, from the IR door unlock which I prefer to do from trunk side as I approach the car, (very convenient) to the smell of old leather as one opens the door, to letting the engine warm up a bit before going and the understated nature of her appearance are the things that I appreciate the most, in conjunction with the ice cold A/C which is much needed in the South Florida sweltering heat.

Unfortunately my commute to work is a mere 7 miles mostly in stop and go Miami traffic. However, I have to cross a 2.5 mile bridge daily and at the risk of getting a ticket, traffic permitting I always push her a little bit, or a lot!, and the response of this 28 year old car is just so rewarding. The suspension set up I had Jono perform is just blissful. Right stance for my linking, smooth on potholes, planted on the road. The car screams quietly, which is something that I appreciate as I don't like loud exhausts other than on a 911. I finally sorted out the wind washer bottle leak. With store bought washer fluid it leaked out in a day. With plain water it leaked out in 2 days. With a mixture of both, no leaks. Not sure if it has to do with the density of the fluids, but with the mixture of MB concentrate that I bought from @captruff and a balance of water, the liquid does not leak out anymore so I will just leave it at that. I bought a new bottle and pumps etc. but prefer not to touch that part of the system if I don't have to, so leaving it at that.

Engine temp gauge stays just at the 80C mark. I can hear the aux fans coming on and off regularly when the car is on idle which is very stable and quiet. 1st gear start is definitely making a difference, I'm not much for burnouts but have experience some intentional tire screeching at times as all that power is delivered back there. All in all, very happy with the car, few minor items to sort out still, mostly caused by my OCD on vehicular upkeep.

Having a new windshield is an out of world experience. What a difference. Passenger visor lights don't switch on and I see one clip on the flip up flap broke which seems to be a common thing of age on them. Have to troubleshoot some more to see what's up there. If not I'll just hunt for a new visor replacement.

One important thing I'd like to document here for posterity is the mileage on the car. I doubt this car will ever hit the sale block, but since the 500eboard has become the preferred reference resource for researching these cars, I may as well log it in here for future reference since the Odometer was converted back to KM/h as part of my list of requests during the extended stay at Blue Ridge MB Resort and Spa.

The instrument cluster/dashboard was the last thing that was replaced on the car before shipping her back to me, save for the 6 items from @cascade punchlist that were done later. The mileage traveled by the car after all repairs and testing with the mph ODO still on the car, ended at 116,759.xx miles, which converts roughly to 187,905.xx Kilometers. The OEM KM/h fully functional speedo Jono found had 192,889.xx Kms set on the counter so he decided to leave it at that not to mess with the new cluster and risk damaging it. This was the 5th cluster tried on this car so I get the reasoning. I didn't agree at first but after time with the car, I recognize it was the right thing to do. The difference therefore is 4,984Kms more on the new ODO which is roughly 3,115 miles more on the counter than what the car actually has traveled. I will keep one of the other clusters as spares and sell the other 3 that could not be adapted for use on this car.

The car was stationary in the shop for 2 years so at my current pace of usage, I would've probably put between 3-4000 miles on it during that time had I kept it since purchase, so from that perspective it all balances out. Just wanted to further document that here as it already is on my notes of the records of this car.

I'll leave it here for now as I am going to go drive a little bit more now, including taking that bridge again. Stay tuned for more updates.

JAB

 

[JAB12]

 

[nocfn]

Looks wonderfull, is your wood inside BEM or Burl?

 

[JAB12]

Looks wonderfull, is your wood inside BEM or Burl?

Thank you. I think Burl. The NOS AMG Japan shifter knob I bought was Burl and it's a perfect match. I will double check the records as all wood trim was restored by Madeira Concepts in 2008 by previous owner.

 

[nocfn]

Curious only as a former owner we had here owned a silver over black, IIRC 1994 and it had stock birds eye maple wood.

 

[195910]

Love the updates, keep up the good work Jab.
Do you have 98 octane fuel in Florida? its called Super plus in Europe.

 

[JAB12]

Ran into an impromptu old Benz car meet last evening courtesy of member @ArauzMotoring a few shots below:

 

[JAB12]

Love the updates, keep up the good work Jab.
Do you have 98 octane fuel in Florida? its called Super plus in Europe.

Thanks. Trying. We have 93 here mostly and 98 in select private fuel stations down South next to the race track. 93 is the only one I use for all my older cars. Especially this one.

 

[JAB12]

Curious only as a former owner we had here owned a silver over black, IIRC 1994 and it had stock birds eye maple wood.

If you (or anyone) can let me know the build code for BEM or BURL I can check the build sheet which I have but its in German.