OWNER OttoB

[OttoB]

Steve made no promises as to when he would get around to building this prototype, the costs associated with same, or much else... but he finally acquiesced after he realized my enthusiasm for this new idea... In essence, it has become the world's first application of a Rotiform Aerodisc (turbo fan wheel cover) onto a non-Rotiform set of wheels!!!

So, off I went to purchase a set of these Aerodiscs in black and then get measurements for Steve to do his end of the deal and create these adaptors from scratch just for my car! The Aerodiscs arrived looking really cool and, given all the other ideas already in the queue for this car, it was hard to contain my excitement

 

[OttoB]

Just my luck... Steve sent me 2 videos after the months it took him to complete my prototypes, where he dedicated time to them in between 'normal wheel fan customer orders'... However, the videos are too large to upload. So, instead I will attempt to explain how these work:




There are 6 screws that result in the adaptor opening or closing inside the wheel hub. My wheels have an extra hole near the slots for the bolts, so these have a safety extra 7th screw that goes in there so as to assure they won't easily fall off:




So, once these adaptors are secured, there is a Hex nut cap with a screw on the other end, which goes into the thread on the adaptor:










So, now I had to go get a wheel cap that would fit into the hex nut, among other things... They are the standard 80mm and sourced a new BBS set. Yes - I am aware that the wheels are Neez, that the Aerodics are Rotiform, that the adaptors are from D-lng, and that the caps are BBS... quite a combination. However, I will cover the BBS caps with black vinyl and then decide what, if anything, to put in the wheel caps of the wheels, which I think could use a bit of color since they appear almost black the majority of the time.



So in essence, based on these adaptors, anyone can buy an off the shelf Rotiform Aerodisc and install them on their own wheels.

 

[OttoB]

So... if I am going to be sporting this hex nut, quasi-centerlock adaptors on the front wheels, then I had to go ahead and also purchase a massive socket and wrench set, separately of course. I found this one on eBay:





And you would also need an equally impressively sized wrench to make sure these D-lng adaptors, along with my Aerodiscs - don't fly off anytime soon! Got it at Harbor Freight with a lifetime warranty so its not meant to break anytime soon, unless its used like a baseball bat or?!?







So this is what the Aerodisc looks like with the adaptor in it, and the BBS cap sitting in the middle:





I am soooo looking forward to getting these on the car. But, being that the adaptors are prototypes, the screws need to be cut to size and that, along with an ever growing list of modifications, is beyond my capabilities...

 

[Jlaa]

Just my luck... Steve sent me 2 videos after the months it took him to complete my prototypes, where he dedicated time to them in between 'normal wheel fan customer orders'... However, the videos are too large to upload. So, instead I will attempt to explain how these work:

View attachment 153859


There are 6 screws that result in the adaptor opening or closing inside the wheel hub. My wheels have an extra hole near the slots for the bolts, so these have a safety extra 7th screw that goes in there so as to assure they won't easily fall off:


View attachment 153860

So, once these adaptors are secured, there is a Hex nut cap with a screw on the other end, which goes into the thread on the adaptor:

View attachment 153861



View attachment 153862

View attachment 153863


So, now I had to go get a wheel cap that would fit into the hex nut, among other things... They are the standard 80mm and sourced a new BBS set. Yes - I am aware that the wheels are Neez, that the Aerodics are Rotiform, that the adaptors are from D-lng, and that the caps are BBS... quite a combination. However, I will cover the BBS caps with black vinyl and then decide what, if anything, to put in the wheel caps of the wheels, which I think could use a bit of color since they appear almost black the majority of the time.

View attachment 153864

So in essence, based on these adaptors, anyone can buy an off the shelf Rotiform Aerodisc and install them on their own wheels.

Fascinating! FWIW I could not help but to notice that your front hub bearing caps have seen better days. These are part number 168-357-00-89 and can be had for less than $7 from discount MB dealers.

You too can have minty hub bearing cap covers … heck you might as well since you are pulling the wheels off?



Also might be worth it to check the front wheel bearings for play, if you have no record of this having been done.

 

[OttoB]

I knew from before purchasing the car, that with all the modifications I had in mind for my 'next' 500E, that it would not only take time to get all the parts squared away, coupled with creating a vision/theme/personal touches, but also to once again collaborate with a dear, close + good friend of mine who already had done his magic on my 400i and 911 Turbo... as well as pretty much every single car I have owned for the past several years!

Michel Durocher from Prestige Auto Paint in Dania Beach is a master engineer, who happens to have stumbled upon another career running a paint and auto body repair shop, where he routinely now works on everything from RR's, to McLarens to Bugattis, to all the other 'typical' very high end machinery. He was talented from the moment I met him almost 10 years ago when we hooked up with my 911, but his business has flourished and gone "next level" - as they say, the cream always rises to the top. His craftsmanship has had his creations at SEMA, when it actually meant something years ago.

Anyhow, he still helps me with my other cars and the prospects of Michel and I working together once again to create something special with this 036 has had me very excited indeed... the problem is, that Michel's shop and - in particular, his incredible skill set handling repairs that no one else dares to touch - has resulted in a rather long waiting list... even for a good buddy of his so, I am very happy for him but it meant it would be a while before I could begin making the transformations onto my car.

So, what to do in the meantime? Well - enjoy driving the damn thing and rack up some mileage, of course! Below are pictures of when I took the car to Sebring in order to attend another HSR event... No issues expected, and none 'gotten' while making the almost 2 hour drive each way.




These pics are at Cars & Coffee close to our house with my boy.

 

[ArauzMotoring]

Seems you're in south Florida. Bring your car out to our next Vintage Benz Club meet this coming Wednesday, at Beat Culture Brewery next to Miami International Airport!

I won't be there, but would be great to add 036's to the roster of cars showing up!

 

[OttoB]

PM me - my wife and I are overseas this week…

 

[500AMM]

Not as much disc appearance, but the 19" Rotiform VCE is kind of a parallel though.

New Lorinser Lo's? Rotiform VCE 3pc | Wheels and Tires

is it just me, of do these wheels look a lot like the lorinser lo's? beautiful though, with a price to match! http://www.rotiform.com/products_vce_3pc_convex.html

www.500eboard.co

 

[OttoB]

Ahhh… I have seen those wheels above before but wasn’t quite sure. Until… I found them below - not exactly the look I’m going after, although certain the owner on his above must love these wheels on his car.

 

[500AMM]

Well, the car is mine and the Rotiform wheels are photoshopped...
I enclosed that thread for reference.

 

[PJmak]

This will look really cool when done.

 

[OttoB]

So... this may come as a bit of a shocker BUT - I have decided to change the color of this car all together. Below is a list of the various reasons:

1) the car came with a sizable 4 inch gash (not a scratch, not a dent) right around the gas lid on the rear passenger side quarter panel. To match it was going to be somewhat of a challenge;

2) whereas I missed not having installed the duck tail spoiler on my first 036 as mentioned elsewhere above - I actually bought a spoiler even before buying a 036 when I decided to enter the market and get another one. Installing a duck tail spoiler would require some amount of body work and paint on the trunk, and both rear quarter panels;

3) given how much I want to have the grill openings below the headlights, this is another part of the car that would have to be painted;

4) I have never, ever... ever (and I mean ever) liked a two tone look on ANY car NOR the monochromatic look where everything is the same exact color. Not sure if that was rooted when I built many 1/24 scale models when I was younger, and played with mixing colors and various parts or what, but... I never took a liking to this look that many facelift cars have, so I had in mind to paint the bumpers either black or - actually, the same Porsche Slate Gray that the car already has in its trim, door handles, grill, and wheels;

5) my wife never warmed up to the very divisive electric light blue color - so, that's that - and she never really wants to be in the car with me to go anywhere in it;

6) to go ahead and install the Evo II mirrors, where the current ones (and my least favorite aspect of my car) are carbon fibered into the actual door structure itself, would require a not insignificant amount of work in removing them, installing new metal, and creating a bracket to hold the new ones;

7) this car will always be known everywhere that someone from this forum may have seen it in person or in some website/publication/post... whether because Paul Anka was the original owner, or because Albert spent 1,000's of hours and years documenting in this forum how he approached transforming the car to his liking, or the car's appearance in BAT two years ago this month, or having participated previously in Legends of the Autobahn during Monterey Car Week - the car has received its fair share of attention over the years. And? Well, everyone is entitled to do what they please with what they have, no question about it. But now I am its custodian and plan on taking good care of it for many years, and I do not want to be driving a car that everyone else easily identifies it as having been owned by someone who transformed it. That's cool and all for everyone that likes turnkey stuff, but not for me. I mean... I have a guy who's bought 3 of my previous rides that I built, and he's in the auto trade/sell/repair business.

So, with all the bodywork needed at the front of the car (to repaint the bumpers and create the headlight grill openings, plus painting the grills themselves), the side of the car with both front doors for the mirror replacement, the rear quarter panel on the passenger side for the gash, and the rear of the car for the duck spoiler install and bumper - there is no other choice but a full repaint of the car.

What are my options?

The interior is rad - with the plaid inserts, the colors, the fabric, the workmanship, the custom hand-laid carbon fiber (in blue) to replace all of the wood trim... I started with that. The leather is black, but the plaid has white, blue, and maybe a little gray. So with that in mind, it really narrowed my choice of colors:

a) put it back to its original color of Black Pearl Metallic 199?

No - not interested as I already own a black car since 2013 and that one is never going to be sold, so if I have a choice of any color it did not make sense for me to paint it a color of another car I already own. Plus, my previous 036 was a dark gray (almost black) and to own 2 of the substantially the same/looking cars had zero appeal to me. Besides, the whole exercise of trying to keep this car OEM went out the window many years ago, after many hours of effort, time and resources... so I had zero interest in attempting to make it look stock again!!!

b) try to match the light metallic blue again?

No - did I mention no. 5 above? My wife really has a strong dislike for it... and as Gerryvz and many others here have chimed in over here these parts - it's all for the L-A-D-I-E-S... except in my case, its just one but she happens to be the one that counts!!!

c) paint it another hue in blue instead?

No - I am biased in the color I chose when I did another glass out job (besides the Ferrari, 911, 850, XJS, 500e, etc.) on the Maserati by selecting the most beautiful blue I have ever seen after watching a Top Gear episode where Jeremy Clarkson was driving a Ferrari Daytona to Nice... So, I am quite frankly not interested in owning two similarly colored vehicles at the same time.

So, any guesses based on the interior?

If not blue, or black - then ding ding ding.... White! Yeah... let that sink in for a minute. White, W-H-I-T-E?????


It compliments the interior? Check

My favorite color? Check
i) my first car (VW MkI GTi).
ii) my dad's first Porsche which I became so enamored and fascinated with, that my actual 911 Turbo could only be white because of it.
iii) my Alpina - which actually is the least common shade for all the older Alpinas (and the prettiest).
iv) my Alfa Romeo Giulia, after being able to purchase one in any color under the rainbow and, the car that this 036 replaced...
v) ah yes - my wife would welcome it and actually ride in the car with me if it was painted any other color, and white would be just fine.

Once I got this in my mind, I needed to look at other white examples, naturally. I then found this article on one for sale:

1994 Mercedes-Benz E500

Bid for the chance to own a 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #20,205.

bringatrailer.com

The fact that it appears as if only 7 Polar White 036's were imported in the US post facelift, told me it is quite a rare sight... Check!

I kept digging around for more information on white 500e's and ran into this article on German Cars for Sale Blog:

1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E | German Cars For Sale Blog

What can I say about the W124 500 that hasn’t already been said? I doubt I could honestly come up with anything original. Sure, I

germancarsforsaleblog.com

This now second article on white 500e's also indicated to me that white happens to be a very unusual and/or limited color choice on these... so, if I did not need any additional convincing other than no. 5 from the lists above, my mind was set - we are going to change the color of this car to Polar White 149!

Now, with the bumpers (along with a front license plate delete trim panel up front) going to be repainted Porsche Slate Gray to match the window trim and door handles and wheels and grill, plus painting the new Evo II mirrors also in that same color, my imagination started running wild with excitement!!! And, the fact that the car already has a Porsche connection with many trim parts painted with a factory color, plus me being able to paint it white like my old 911 got me a warm, fuzzy feeling in my belly!

 

[500AMM]

Otto – you stated earlier that you don't welcome too much negative comments about taste & preference in your owners thread, and I fully respect that. I enjoy mods myself and enjoy the creativity showing up around, but please don't repaint this car but let it live on with its special appearance in a tasteful color IMO. Why not find another and start over again? You have several interesting ideas on the block and I am sure you will create a great looking 036 in the end.


PS. I don't mean to start any campaign on this now, if that happens I'll delete this post.

 

[gsxr]

Otto – you stated earlier that you don't welcome too much negative comments about taste & preference in your owners thread, and I fully respect that. I enjoy mods myself and enjoy the creativity showing up around, but please don't repaint this car but let it live on with its special appearance in a tasteful color IMO. Why not find another and start over again? You have several interesting ideas on the block and I am sure you will create a great looking 036 in the end.

I agree with Arnt! This is a "one of one" electric blue 036. Why not pick up a stock 036 in a common color to covert to Polar White with all the new mods?

 

[TerryA]

+1 w/ Arnt & gsxr! Albert put a lot of thought, a unique design and hard work into this car to create a one off E500E. Not another one like it on the planet. There are lots of E500Es out there to do your own thing on.

lol

 

[OttoB]

Two years ago, the car was for sale in BAT and no takers. The car was for sale on eBay and no takers. While the car was for sale, it was featured in this forum and no takers. If anyone wanted to buy the car prior to my purchase in April of last year, then they could have done whatever they wanted with the car.

However, I am uncertain how much more justification I can provide when absolutely none is needed, in order to outline why I have already gone ahead and taken the car to my trusty paint guy, to strip it and paint it the color I like. Why on Earth would I want to drive around someone else's creation, when I prefer my vision above anyone else's? After having done several cars over the years, they have turned out okay.

I appreciate different perspectives, but I was not looking for approval or consent. This is already a done deal where the car was dropped off at the shop months ago (and still there). To those who liked it in blue, there are multiple dozens of photographs to remind you what it once looked like. I genuinely believe that those of you commenting today only read that I was changing the color and jumped to your own conclusions, without either reading the extensive reasoning behind the color change and/or giving much weight as to my own perspectives for the color change. It would be no different than me picking on why each and every owner of their car has ever done a modification on their car - because they could, because they felt like it, because they believed it would make the car more appealing... Me changing the color on this car makes me incredibly happy, and friends - that is what life is all about.

 

[500AMM]

OK, I started on it and I'll stop it.
The two members including myself has read all posts in your thread, and our comments has no intention about approving your choices. It was just meant like; "it would've been nice to see that car around due to its rare color combo and mods". That's all and no further discussion is needed.

I am sure you'll create a great polar white 036, it is not many to see in that color either! I look forward to follow your journey.

 

[cascade]

It's a car. Let the man do what he wants with it. It's legally his property. It's not like this is an original Gullwing or a documented E60 AMG or something.

You go, @OttoB !!!

 

[gsxr]

Two years ago, the car was for sale in BAT and no takers. The car was for sale on eBay and no takers. While the car was for sale, it was featured in this forum and no takers. If anyone wanted to buy the car prior to my purchase in April of last year, then they could have done whatever they wanted with the car.

Just because it didn't sell at the time doesn't mean nobody wanted it.

However, I am uncertain how much more justification I can provide when absolutely none is needed, in order to outline why I have already gone ahead and taken the car to my trusty paint guy, to strip it and paint it the color I like. Why on Earth would I want to drive around someone else's creation, when I prefer my vision above anyone else's? After having done several cars over the years, they have turned out okay.

You don't need to provide any justification at all. As cascade said, it's your car, you can stick a small block Chevy under the hood and paint it hot pink if you want.

I appreciate different perspectives, but I was not looking for approval or consent.

Your responses do not imply that you appreciate different perspectives. You appear upset that a few people suggested a different alternative. I don't understand why, as none of the responses were saying "don't do it", only "how about color changing a different car instead".

This is already a done deal where the car was dropped off at the shop months ago (and still there). To those who liked it in blue, there are multiple dozens of photographs to remind you what it once looked like. I genuinely believe that those of you commenting today only read that I was changing the color and jumped to your own conclusions, without either reading the extensive reasoning behind the color change and/or giving much weight as to my own perspectives for the color change. It would be no different than me picking on why each and every owner of their car has ever done a modification on their car - because they could, because they felt like it, because they believed it would make the car more appealing...

It wasn't changing the color, or the extensive reasoning, it was that this particular car had already received a show-quality paint job in the current color.

Me changing the color on this car makes me incredibly happy, and friends - that is what life is all about.

Exactly. Your car, your money, your life. Do what makes you happy!

 

[Jlaa]

@OttoB! White will be nice! Albert put a bazillion hours into the body prep -- white is a nice color and you do what you please!
Your post prompted me to look back at Albert's For Sale Pictures. I don't know how much deferred maintenance you've caught up on, but please don't forget to catch up on things like motors/trans mounts, starter motor, tie rods / drag link, rear carrier joint bushings, and, especially, REPLACE ALL THE FUEL LINES if they are original --- especially the high pressure fuel hose underneath!

In fact, @gerryvz was just over at my house, pointing out all various bits of fossilized rubber hoses and teclan tubing that I know I need to get around to replacing ..... I have all the parts in storage and I just need to find the motivation for replacing them. I'm not sure how many miles are on your car but if its over 70K and this stuff is original then it needs replacing ---- ESPECIALLY the fuel lines.... you don't want snow-white turning into a Car-B-Q after sinking so much effort into it!

Also ---- I couldn't help but notice these niggles if you haven't already gotten around to it:

MISSING Rubbber Strips Below (cheap and easy - do a search for P/N here)



NEEDS New Grommets Here - again cheap and EZ - do a search for PNs here. Also I think your electric pump is disconnected - no wires in this photo but maybe you already fixed it.



Of course these bearing caps! 168-357-00-89. And adjust the wheel bearings or replace for grins while you are at it! Wheel bearings are CHEAP - do a search here for PNs for the Timken (USA) wheel bearings on this board! Good luck!

 

[Jlaa]

Couple other random things in my head to preserve snow white .… replace as a preventative measure cuz you don’t want catastrophe:

• Fuel tank check valve
• Charcoal cannister and all the pipes/tubes
• Neutral Safety Switch
• Lower wiring harness (assuming the upper, the ez one, is already done)
• Radiator hoses - upper, lower, and the coolant hose near the firewall
• door check straps
• gasket for fuel cap (use the blue one - search here for PN)
• stock up on rotors, caps, and, particularly, the insulators. Try to get OE or Beru, Bosch is acceptable.

 

[Jlaa]

@OttoB - BTW --- for all the parts / wiring that might be missing on your washer fluid tank, here is the parts diagram from the EPC:

Selling Pictures:


Should Look Like This:



Parts:

 

[cascade]

In fact, @gerryvz was just over at my house, pointing out all various bits of fossilized rubber hoses and teclan tubing that I know I need to get around to replacing .....

Sounds like a total jerk if he did that. I would have booted him out on the sidewalk if he did that to me !!

MISSING Rubbber Strips Below (cheap and easy - do a search for P/N here)
View attachment 154922


NEEDS New Grommets Here - again cheap and EZ - do a search for PNs here. Also I think your electric pump is disconnected - no wires in this photo but maybe you already fixed it.
View attachment 154924


Of course these bearing caps! 168-357-00-89. And adjust the wheel bearings or replace for grins while you are at it! Wheel bearings are CHEAP - do a search here for PNs for the Timken (USA) wheel bearings on this board! Good luck!
View attachment 154927

Don't forget the round rubber liner inside the cap that prevents the sloshing/loss of washer fluid out the cap threads. Seems like an item that most everyone forgets about.

 

[thebrinksman]

wow...after reading through some of this thread...I feel much better about the condition my condition's in.

 

[AS Design]

So... this may come as a bit of a shocker BUT - I have decided to change the color of this car all together. Below is a list of the various reasons:

1) the car came with a sizable 4 inch gash (not a scratch, not a dent) right around the gas lid on the rear passenger side quarter panel. To match it was going to be somewhat of a challenge;

2) whereas I missed not having installed the duck tail spoiler on my first 036 as mentioned elsewhere above - I actually bought a spoiler even before buying a 036 when I decided to enter the market and get another one. Installing a duck tail spoiler would require some amount of body work and paint on the trunk, and both rear quarter panels;

3) given how much I want to have the grill openings below the headlights, this is another part of the car that would have to be painted;

4) I have never, ever... ever (and I mean ever) liked a two tone look on ANY car NOR the monochromatic look where everything is the same exact color. Not sure if that was rooted when I built many 1/24 scale models when I was younger, and played with mixing colors and various parts or what, but... I never took a liking to this look that many facelift cars have, so I had in mind to paint the bumpers either black or - actually, the same Porsche Slate Gray that the car already has in its trim, door handles, grill, and wheels;

5) my wife never warmed up to the very divisive electric light blue color - so, that's that - and she never really wants to be in the car with me to go anywhere in it;

6) to go ahead and install the Evo II mirrors, where the current ones (and my least favorite aspect of my car) are carbon fibered into the actual door structure itself, would require a not insignificant amount of work in removing them, installing new metal, and creating a bracket to hold the new ones;

7) this car will always be known everywhere that someone from this forum may have seen it in person or in some website/publication/post... whether because Paul Anka was the original owner, or because Albert spent 1,000's of hours and years documenting in this forum how he approached transforming the car to his liking, or the car's appearance in BAT two years ago this month, or having participated previously in Legends of the Autobahn during Monterey Car Week - the car has received its fair share of attention over the years. And? Well, everyone is entitled to do what they please with what they have, no question about it. But now I am its custodian and plan on taking good care of it for many years, and I do not want to be driving a car that everyone else easily identifies it as having been owned by someone who transformed it. That's cool and all for everyone that likes turnkey stuff, but not for me. I mean... I have a guy who's bought 3 of my previous rides that I built, and he's in the auto trade/sell/repair business.

So, with all the bodywork needed at the front of the car (to repaint the bumpers and create the headlight grill openings, plus painting the grills themselves), the side of the car with both front doors for the mirror replacement, the rear quarter panel on the passenger side for the gash, and the rear of the car for the duck spoiler install and bumper - there is no other choice but a full repaint of the car.

What are my options?

The interior is rad - with the plaid inserts, the colors, the fabric, the workmanship, the custom hand-laid carbon fiber (in blue) to replace all of the wood trim... I started with that. The leather is black, but the plaid has white, blue, and maybe a little gray. So with that in mind, it really narrowed my choice of colors:

a) put it back to its original color of Black Pearl Metallic 199?

No - not interested as I already own a black car since 2013 and that one is never going to be sold, so if I have a choice of any color it did not make sense for me to paint it a color of another car I already own. Plus, my previous 036 was a dark gray (almost black) and to own 2 of the substantially the same/looking cars had zero appeal to me. Besides, the whole exercise of trying to keep this car OEM went out the window many years ago, after many hours of effort, time and resources... so I had zero interest in attempting to make it look stock again!!!

b) try to match the light metallic blue again?

No - did I mention no. 5 above? My wife really has a strong dislike for it... and as Gerryvz and many others here have chimed in over here these parts - it's all for the L-A-D-I-E-S... except in my case, its just one but she happens to be the one that counts!!!

c) paint it another hue in blue instead?

No - I am biased in the color I chose when I did another glass out job (besides the Ferrari, 911, 850, XJS, 500e, etc.) on the Maserati by selecting the most beautiful blue I have ever seen after watching a Top Gear episode where Jeremy Clarkson was driving a Ferrari Daytona to Nice... So, I am quite frankly not interested in owning two similarly colored vehicles at the same time.

So, any guesses based on the interior?

If not blue, or black - then ding ding ding.... White! Yeah... let that sink in for a minute. White, W-H-I-T-E?????


It compliments the interior? Check

My favorite color? Check
i) my first car (VW MkI GTi).
ii) my dad's first Porsche which I became so enamored and fascinated with, that my actual 911 Turbo could only be white because of it.
iii) my Alpina - which actually is the least common shade for all the older Alpinas (and the prettiest).
iv) my Alfa Romeo Giulia, after being able to purchase one in any color under the rainbow and, the car that this 036 replaced...
v) ah yes - my wife would welcome it and actually ride in the car with me if it was painted any other color, and white would be just fine.

Once I got this in my mind, I needed to look at other white examples, naturally. I then found this article on one for sale:

1994 Mercedes-Benz E500

Bid for the chance to own a 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #20,205.

bringatrailer.com

The fact that it appears as if only 7 Polar White 036's were imported in the US post facelift, told me it is quite a rare sight... Check!

I kept digging around for more information on white 500e's and ran into this article on German Cars for Sale Blog:

1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E | German Cars For Sale Blog

What can I say about the W124 500 that hasn’t already been said? I doubt I could honestly come up with anything original. Sure, I

germancarsforsaleblog.com

This now second article on white 500e's also indicated to me that white happens to be a very unusual and/or limited color choice on these... so, if I did not need any additional convincing other than no. 5 from the lists above, my mind was set - we are going to change the color of this car to Polar White 149!

Now, with the bumpers (along with a front license plate delete trim panel up front) going to be repainted Porsche Slate Gray to match the window trim and door handles and wheels and grill, plus painting the new Evo II mirrors also in that same color, my imagination started running wild with excitement!!! And, the fact that the car already has a Porsche connection with many trim parts painted with a factory color, plus me being able to paint it white like my old 911 got me a warm, fuzzy feeling in my belly!

Damn I hadn't been on here in ages. Otto it's your car buddy, do what you want with it. End of the day you're going to be driving it and looking at it. Doesn't matter how much time I spent on it. The blue is definitely not for everyone. Don't worry the next one is a going to be a bit more tamed

Kind regards,
Albert S.

 

[OttoB]

I guess I cannot escape the fact that many of you are so indeed experienced, knowledgeable and helpful, that it was inevitable I would get to hear as to what needs my car may have/had and thank you for same. However, my focus for the past 18 months has been to ride the wave I had gotten okay at a few years ago when dispensable income allowed me to indulge in several dream cars, and have them undergo significant (to me) modifications to them. I take really good care of my cars - they are like children - and most (if not all) of us here feel this very same way! The difference is whether you pay for repairs (like me), have someone with tons of knowledge on these cars that can help every now and then (you know who you are, but that is not on my cards), or have no one that can either help you perform maintenance/repairs with you or, knows how to wrench on these very particular cars.

Therefore, I fix them when they need to be fixed and have 2 other cars besides the 036 that are older, pressed for almost daily use, and come with their nuances. So... what does all this mean? That when I have questions or doubts as to something like a reservoir for the windshield wipers - for example - which I have not used once in the last 6-8 cars during this century or longer when its not raining, then I will either research the matter in this forum or post a new thread. But, please don't pick defects apart on this car just because there are 100's of pics available, por favor?!? This car is not going up for sale anytime soon so other than Cascade thankfully chiming in about what each of us can/wants to do on our cars - then hope it doesn't become a popular way to contribute to this build thread.

With that out of the way... it took me 6 months (from July 2021 to January 2022) for a spot to get my Ferrari looked after at my buddy's shop when some issues arose that rendered it unusable. This includes a valet breaking the interior door handle in 2 pieces and sourcing a replacement from overseas, as well as the a/c taking yet another dive, and few odds and ends. Once the opening came about where the Ferrari (after months in the shop) was finished, the Mercedes was driven to Dania Beach some 45 minutes away, to begin its transformation.

This required me actually examining my stash of parts accumulated for an extended period of time, as not only did I have to keep track of what I had, but also of what was needed to be done. Below are pics of items I may have talked about before in this thread somewhere but likely forgotten to show pictures of:

1) a new set of wheel locks from Otis, Inc. in LA after Albert sent me the measurements by way of Matt Leistung:



2) these Hella Dual Trumpet horns that I have also installed in my previous 036, 911 Turbo, 850, Ferrari, and Maserati:



3) the 'must in my book' Alpine head unit as well as a 10' subwoofer made + sold by Crutchfield to supplement the Hertz speakers/system that Albert installed:




4) the replacemen center a/c vents as well as driver's side all the way from Eastern Europe:



5) aluminum pedal cover set which I have also installed in my previous 036, 911 Turbo, XJR, 850, etc.




6) a shifter chrome surround to add a bit of color to the interior of the car:



7) a Momo shifter to compliment the Momo steering wheel as another 'must in my book" along with a shortened shifter shaft that I purchased from this forum, to make mine a little different from the standard black knob - I'm just hoping they both look good together!



8) replacement sunvisors in really nice, beautiful shape to replace the ones I had which no longer had the plastic piece that covers the mirrors:



9) Laminex covers for w124's pre-cut, as I need to take good care of my otherwise pricey headlights that are amazing looking and OEM:



10) and... after deciding on the car headed to paint to transform itself from blue to Polar White, then I opted to get the car back to pre-facelift look by literally trading/swapping the OEM clears that my car came with, to OEM Bosch ambers that a very cool forum member took as a straight swap - they look beautiful and can't wait to see them on the car!

 

[OttoB]

With so many pics... forgot these ones -

11) it's a single touch window switch control unit which modernizes the use of the windows and are meant to be a simple install:



12) given that Albert rigged an iPad on the center console, I wanted to add a rear camera on the car and bought this, but with my custom license plate holders, I think that idea will either be on pause and/or I have to go back to the drawing board - although I will get it done at some point or another.

 

[Jlaa]

Therefore, I fix them when they need to be fixed and have 2 other cars besides the 036 that are older, pressed for almost daily use, and come with their nuances. So... what does all this mean? That when I have questions or doubts as to something like a reservoir for the windshield wipers - for example - which I have not used once in the last 6-8 cars during this century or longer when its not raining, then I will either research the matter in this forum or post a new thread. But, please don't pick defects apart on this car just because there are 100's of pics available, por favor?!?

Hi @OttoB! Here at this board, our culture is generally to give each other friendly tips on preventative and restorative maintenance.... and these hints are sometimes super valuable as certain parts become NLA quickly or are already NLA. No one here picks apart defects on other members' cars in a malicious way. That said, if you don't want tips on preventative / restorative maintenance, then so be it! Enjoy!

 

[OttoB]

Considering that the car arrived in Palm Beach with around 89K miles... and, after having to redo the engine as well as a couple of other matters that needed tending to, I can genuinely say that I drove the wheels off the car!!! Well, at least right up until it was time to head into the next phase of its transformation at the paint shop.



At the time I bought the car, the Michelin Pilot Super Sports (275/35/19 in the back, same but 255 in the front) had seen better years and Albert accounted for them having to be replaced eventually since they had been installed at the time all his mods were undertaken several years prior. The car asked me to rack up some mileage on it since it had been resting for an extended period of time, and I willingly obliged by driving another 4,200 miles on it until the rears gave up the ghost. I promptly replaced all 4 with Pilot Sport All Seasons.

Pics below show the car when it was drop off while loaded up with every imaginable item purchased during the previous hoarding period of the last year, along with a laundry list of to-do's...

 

[OttoB]

With over 30 items to address in my to-do list at the shop - some of which will be a surprise when the car is finished as I may not have disclosed all of the plans I have in store - disassembly began to take place... albeit, rather painfully + slowly for reasons that I struggle to understand since I am a paying customer at my friend's very busy, but desirable paint & body place (like everyone else).

 

[OttoB]

Some more pics of the first things to tackle that required some attention. First was the gouge from the dent repair after someone had opened the door by the rear gas cap several years ago...





Inasmuch as I am overly observant on most things, I don't have the keen eye of such an experienced, trained eye as Michel... So, I was very surprised that he found this funky spot by the front driver's door. This reinforced Michel's observation that a considerable amount of body work had been done on this car, so he proceeded to rectify the issue and thankfully, presented the only area where any surface imperfections was found upon his thorough inspection across every area of the car...









Lastly was a dent in the rear that I have a strong suspicion where it occurred (maybe while the lengthy engine repairs were done) but I never noticed it until weeks later, so who knows when it may have occurred.



And, something that brought me a smile, as I am one of those firm believers that duck tails on these cars (all MB's, well... at least most of the older ones when they would have been installed in-period) are COOL as all get out... My car sports a facelift trunk but there is no going back and Michel (pictured below) is installing it regardless of anything, as its what's there and I had bought it before actually buying the car... The quality of this fiberglass one purchased from eBay overseas was - well... just make sure you have a good to great body guy!

 

[sheward]

I believe Albert noted in his earlier posts that he was going to sharpen up various body lines, creases and edges, which I thought was a great idea on a custom body change, so you may find some filler in these areas. I'd be interested to know if you can detect any subtle difference in these areas compared to stock. I like the ducktail.

 

[OttoB]

I have a deep amount of respect towards Michel, whom I have known now for many years and who has singlehandedly tackled body work, paint, mechanicals, and engineering feats that 95% of those who have TV shows, only wished they could come close to matching. That is why he now finds himself really mostly working on multi-six figure cars - as he's gained a reputation in SoFla based on his hard-earned, impressive accomplishments. This is also why it took many months for him to repair my Ferrari (which he restored by himself - sans the upholstery only - for over 1.5 years), since he knows that car better than anyone else. And, why I had to wait almost a year to get him to working on the 500e.

There is no doubt Albert labored extensively on this car's exterior, which in turn - makes things smoother on my end to change the color - although certainly has not decreased the time table/non-existent time schedule to complete the car. I dropped the car off many months ago and cannot personally attest to much. Like many people, I have a very intense, very heavy workload which prohibits me from checking on the car during the weekdays. And with family, carving out several hours during a weekend just to do a looksy also has its challenges. So... I will defer to whatever Michel shares with me during the car's stay at his shop.

As to what's in store, aside from removing some of the various panels, the mirrors (which require bodywork as well), and repairing the dents - it is now to make the best ducktail install possible. Below are pics of the process so far in this regard.




As I mentioned above, this install is far yet from getting all the work it will receive in order to satisfy the most discerning, demanding of us... In the meantime, here is a pic of a lucky instance I did have in being able to check the car out with my son, while dropping off my nephews to the airport nearby who were visiting from overseas. I credit my nephews for bringing me back to the w124.036 fold many years after selling my first one, as indicated on my very first post!

 

[OttoB]

Some progress slowly trickling in from Michel... where, inasmuch as things seem to drag on in terms of forward progress, this one other modification had been high atop my wish list for this car. To say that he nailed it perfectly and that I am incredibly happy with the result, is indeed an understatement!




Way back in post no. 35, where I had considered long and hard as to what style of the many creative designs out there best appealed to my taste, then Michel made my wish into a reality, once again !!!

This particular one seems to have a slight curvature on the ends on all 4 corners of each piece, coupled with ever so slight symmetrical angles with the headlight. Way cool!!!

 

[OttoB]

1) removal of some panels? Check.
2) removal of some dents? Check.
3) begin body mods with the cool ass duck tail? Check.
4) continue body mods with the fabrication of cool ass vents that go under the headlights? Check.

Still more to go, but below are pics of the interior gaps getting painted, so that Michel can then focus back to the exterior work.

 

[OttoB]

And before the armchair cavalry come in (is there such a thing? nah - everyone here is cool on my book and I will always treat for a drink or 3) to remind me how a car should be painted and/or how Michel is not doing what perhaps someone else knows/swears/believes/commands be done, I actually feel the need to do 2 things...

1) I have done 3 other project cars with Michel - all to the highest of degrees and, these cars have gone on to win awards and be featured in internationally circulated publications; and

2) a picture is worth a 1,000 words. All of the pics below are taken by him at his humble shop where, he doesn't have a waiting list for people to work on their cars based on Michel's rugged good looks Ha!

 

[OttoB]

Meanwhile at the bat cave... doors got put back in, and the duck tail is getting much needed finesse (yeah, can't say that word is in my vernacular very often), but the car is making progress. Part of the various reasons why the car is getting painted white, is that I don't have to touch the wheels, window trim, door handles, or the front grill as they remain OEM Porsche Slate Grey. But, part of the design envisioned in my head will be to also paint the bumpers that same color along with the new Evo mirrors, the below the headlight grill inserts as well as the badges that will be re-installed in the rear. Let's see how this all pans out as it ought to be cool

 

[500AMM]

Great progress, Otto!
It's a good idea to have contrast colored details, and the Porsche Slate Grey will go very well along with the wheels. Have you considred a grey roof as well? You could wrap the roof as a test after the car is sprayed white, then it's easy to strip if you reconsider.

.

 

[OttoB]

The dark gray trim/wheels are already there from Albert. Most of the time, it appears in person like a light(er) metallic black, as it’s really dark.

As to the roof, I did a carbon fiber wrap on the roof of my 850 years ago, to resemble the M6 of the time and it complimented the car. On that one, I also tinted the turn signals and had dark gray wheels, windows, etc.



I am not against doing it on the 500e, but I want to pay tribute not only to my childhood racing hero from the Dominican Republic, but also to Albert who did a lot of heavy lifting to make the car what it is today. Stay tuned!

 

[500AMM]

That sounds good, I'm excited to see the final rolling result.

(BTW, my car may end up with a wrap in 020 Designo Orange with grey/black wheels, impact strips, mirrors, roof)

 

[OttoB]

I very much enjoy being able to share the journey into this car's transformation, but all too often, grown-up things (like work, family, and everything else) takes priority. Below are pics of what I deem is a very definitive feature on this car forever and a day... Albert had tagged the car previously by rehashing the w203 mirrors from his yellow 400e project onto this one. As mentioned before at some point in this thread, the OEM mirrors have always been a curiosity for me in that they remain a distinctive feature of these cars because they are not symmetrical - and I, for one - like symmetry! So, taking off Albert's mirrors in order to personalize this car to me was not only on the agenda, but neither was to reinstall some OEM ones... Instead, I sourced these that resemble those from a 190 Evo II which fall in line with the sporting design I have in mind for my car. And, in all honesty, I humbly cannot locate any other Mercedes anywhere else that has had these very same mirrors installed?









I do look forward to Michel working his magic with them, even if they are not the most practical to see out of! These pics below are close ups of what inspired me in the first place, so the goal is to replicate this application/install/style.

 

[OttoB]

These past several months, I have had wonderful experiences with various forum members sourcing different items that are going into the car. I am not going to name names, but they can certainly chime in if they so desire...

Among the various purchases - all excellent, straightforward, and easy - they include:

- shortened shifter shaft (pic previously uploaded with new shifter before loading car with everything and headed to Michel's);
- a direct swap of OEM front clear turn signals in exchange for beautiful OEM orange turn signals (which I think with white, will really make them stand out and same thing, pics already posted above);
- once I decided to revert the car back from facelift lights on all 4 corners to 1993 spec (pics below of my actual car),



then I opted to remove the clears in the rear to replace them with near new, beautiful orange ones once again:




- once I opted to open up my wallet a bit wider on this project, I decided to have a go at them 'new reproduction 500E badges from the 500E board group buy' rather than the flimsy E500 badge I got at the time I bought the car (and did not know I was going to paint it). With the bumper inserts, front grill, trim, door handles remaining in the same Porsche Slate Grey color that the wheels are already - coupled with getting the new mirrors also painted this color, then the plan now is to scrub the chrome off the new 500e badge and paint it also that same Porsche Slate Grey color, so as to contrast it from white (and allow the car to remain chrome-less).





- lastly... performance-wise, I got me also one of them EPROM chips that I hope to test firsthand soon!

 

[OttoB]

In my head during yet another episode of 'while I was it, kind-of-a-thing' I came across the idea that, despite the complete lack of any noticeable improvement while driving in these mean, tough streets of Palm Beach that a strut brace/bar could bring, that I wanted one 'cause they look cool!!! And, the ladies are known to be impressed with them, maybe !?!

I posted in the Wanted to Buy forum to see if anyone wanted to let go of theirs, I read every post about the different ones in the market over the years, and anything else available... I was without much luck for a few weeks, until someone mentioned Hedgehog Motorsports:

Hedgehog Tuning and Motorsport Blog

Aftermarket parts for Mercedes Benz Track Cars and Aftermarket Parts. Developed Race Parts for Project Cars

www.hedgehog-motorsport.com

If you have all the patience in the world, do not mind paying $140.00 for shipping (plus pm me directly for the price for the brace itself), and further exhausted every other possible place that could sell or manufacture one for a 036, then Ake in Thailand from Hedgehog Motorsports will make you one.

He essentially got a hold of 2 used Cusco strut bars out of Japan originally meant for what he mostly works on - which are Mercedes 190's (w201) - one was meant for me, the other for his own personal car. The initial pic he sent me denotes mine would be a Type 2.





Ake then had his machine shop fabricate mountings specific to a w124, plus ensure that the aluminum bars themselves are straight and blemish free. I opted to have the mounts be black and below are the pics that took several weeks to create my very own 500e specific strut bar! Michel has test fitted it and its on point, but more to go on the car (and I have not seen it in person in months)!

 

[Draginev]

This project is going to be interesting. Otto, hope you wouldn't mind me asking if you are going to add a rare body kit evo for the 036? Or did I misunderstood you?

 

[OttoB]

I actually found these pics from when the strut brace arrived not that long ago (I have 100's of pics from recent trip overseas and car stuff, so everything gets shuffled in the mix)...





Michel promises me that the car will undergo a complete detail on every inch of the car and a comprehensive tune-up... I am also likely taking this 500e down the street to Renntech when its all said and done, so Michel took proactive steps to ensure possible clearance issues would not arise if he trimmed just a little off the rubber gasket where the bar goes. Stay tuned!

 

[OttoB]

This project is going to be interesting. Otto, hope you wouldn't mind me asking if you are going to add a rare body kit evo for the 036? Or did I misunderstood you?

No body kit that I could locate which looked cool for this particular car (IMO)... so instead, I am installing the 2 rear spoilers, a front lower lip, created the under the headlight grill openings, installing the Evo style mirrors, and had a fabricated center lock system made for me in Belgium just for this car, to be able to install Turbo fans by way of Rotiform Aerodiscs. All reversible - I imagine - when these cars are worth one trillion dollars, but I am simply trying to make it more motorsport 'themed' since it already has a killer stance on wide 19's. I have always preferred an aggressive looking car in all my previous builds...

Performance-wise, it has the Leistung exhaust, LSD, first gear start, big brakes, rebuilt tranny, new Koni's, every conceivable seal/bushing having been replaced, the new chip, and not sure what Renntech has in store for me, but I am already in various communications with them... a 6.0 is not in the cards (yet). I have to drive and enjoy the car far more before I go that route, if I end up doing that.

 

[Draginev]

No body kit that I could locate... so instead, I am installing the 2 rear spoilers, a front lower lip, created the under the headlight grill openings, installing the Evo style mirrors, and had a fabricated center lock system made for me in Belgium just for this car, to be able to install Turbo fans by way of Rotiform Aerodiscs. All reversible - I imagine - when these cars are worth one trillion dollars, but I am simply trying to make it more motorsport 'themed' since it already has a killer stance on wide 19's. I have always preferred an aggressive looking car in all my previous builds...

Performance-wise, it has the Leistung exhaust, LSD, first gear start, big brakes, rebuilt tranny, new Koni's, every conceivable seal/bushing having been replaced, the new chip, and not sure what Renntech has in store for me, but I am already in various communications with them... a 6.0 is not in the cards (yet). I have to drive and enjoy the car far more before I go that route, if I end up doing that.

So something like this?

 

[OttoB]

No body kit... just an accumulation of everything else listed above which has been done before by one (or several) owners at some point or another, but perhaps not all at once in 1 car? That particular bodykit you posted would look awesome on a 190, but not for me on my w124...

I think there is a red, racing widebody w124 in Malaysia (?) that is used for street/show, but no - nothing more than what I have shared with this thread so far (for now).

 

[gerryvz]

And, the ladies are known to be impressed with them, maybe !?!

Unfortunately unlike other parts (such as the gray trunk + door switches), the upper strut bars have NOT been proven to impress the ladies.

However, you are certainly welcome to prove 10+ years of people wrong, with a photo of women being impressed by the presence of a strut bar. Even my mechanical engineer and car-obsessed wife was a complete "meh" with regard to the bare aluminum Wiechers E500E Upper Strut Bar.

And so it sits...lonely and alone in my basement.....

 

[OttoB]

No lie... my wife was never a fan of the blue paint job on this car and reminded me every chance she could get... which also may have had something to do with her not wanting to ride in the actual car itself at all prior to being taken for a refresh.

I do hope she likes the car in white as she wanted it black from how it came, but I already have a black car and also have many reasons for picking polar white. Afterwards at some point, I also hope to snap a pic with her approving the new, shiny and hard-as-all-getout Cusco from Japan via Hedgehog Motorsports via Thailand strut bar for my w124.036!!!