PWNER - gerryvz

[gsxr]

I love the S600 style grille. I have them on both my 500's and my 300D, although the 300D grille is a cheap aftermarket one and the vinyl (!) is peeling. Gotta look for a nicer replacement.

 

[Jelmer]

As do I. If my car would've been any other color, I would also prefer the S600 grille. With this car though, it's simply not the look I'm looking for.

 

[8899]

I love the S600 style grille.

Dave - thoughts on how it would look on a polar white E500? Is eBay the best place to buy one? Anything in particular to look out for? And how about the installation...simple/complex?

 

[Jelmer]

Very sloppy, but you get the idea.

 

[bing]

Dave - thoughts on how it would look on a polar white E500? Is eBay the best place to buy one? Anything in particular to look out for? And how about the installation...simple/complex?

Check Derf's last post here http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?843-OWNER-%96-DerFuror&p=37672#post37672 he mentions where in Germany he got one

 

[gerryvz]

IIRC (we're going back like 9+ years) I got mine at Eriscar.de. I was happy with the quality of it and it has held up just fine over the years, including a number of years of daily-driving the E500 in the Pacific Northwest climate.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

The "proper" way to do this is to buy the genuine MB S600 grille insert, and modify it to fit in the W124 facelift grille shell. The problem is, the OE insert & stainless trims are obscenely expensive. Which is why pretty much everyone buys the cheap aftermarket item instead. I might try Derf's vendor referenced on the other thread. I haven't bought one of these in a very long time.

 

[gerryvz]

Updated my latest E500 2013 emissions results here.

I took the car in to the inspection station to be tested. Before he even got started, the inspector walked around the car and came over and said, "Bowa, them there rear tires are BALD as a skinned coon's ass. I can tell you right now you're NOT gonna pass inspection with them bein' like that."

I replied and said, "Well, I've got a brand new set of tires and wheels sitting in my garage. I'll be back in 30 minutes and that won't be a problem any longer." And 30 minutes later, I was back



Jelmer ... here's your Rials ....

 

[Jelmer]

Jelmer ... here's your Rials ....

View attachment 14401View attachment 14400

 

[195910]

The "proper" way to do this is to buy the genuine MB S600 grille insert, and modify it to fit in the W124 facelift grille shell. The problem is, the OE insert & stainless trims are obscenely expensive. Which is why pretty much everyone buys the cheap aftermarket item instead. I might try Derf's vendor referenced on the other thread. I haven't bought one of these in a very long time.

True, Plus its nice to have MB part number and made in Germany... but they tend to have a weak spots near the ends after resizing.

 

[bing]

"Bowa, you're not kiddin! Them there are proper bald :Texas:

 

[gerryvz]

Tomorrow morning I'll show the bottom tire in the stack, from the rear, with the cords showing

 

[gsxr]

I was gonna say... there's plenty of tread there! You can still see grooves! But I didn't realize the "bad" one was not visible in the photo.

 

[gerryvz]

The two on top were mainly the fronts. These were the original set of 'Kook Ventus K104 Sports I got back in 2004 or so. I ran these wheels for a couple of years, then ran the Aero IIs from probably late 2005 through about 20 months ago, when I had them refinished and put the Rials back on. So the 'Kooks were way overdue to get changed out anyway, just due to age. I'd say I got around 25+K out of them. Inner corners of the rears worn, even with the Rials. I won't drive these new tires until I get the RDMTek LCAs installed, which is one of my very next projects.....

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[bing]

I'd say I got around 25+K out of them.

I would say that's good going! I've noticed in the US (Well, from friends and relatives there anyway) people run their tires real low, most beyond the limit! Do that in the UK you get fine heavily , 3 points per tire goes on your license (and you're only allowed 12, then you lose it!) if pulled by cops, which usually the first thing they look at. Aren't US cops strict on this ?

By the way, Gerry, seeing the reflection from your shiny 036, seems like Mrs Honcho's rims on her wagon are neglected from cleaning ? I can barely see the silver finish or have they been refinished in black?

Otherwise, you might wanna try this product as endorsed by the right Honorable GVZ :

P.S I'm rooting for second place in the "Chain-Yank" awards !

 

[gerryvz]

I would say that's good going! I've noticed in the US (Well, from friends and relatives there anyway) people run their tires real low, most beyond the limit! Do that in the UK you get fine heavily , 3 points per tire goes on your license (and you're only allowed 12, then you lose it!) if pulled by cops, which usually the first thing they look at. Aren't US cops strict on this ?

No, generally cops don't give a shit, as long as your car rolls straight down the street, isn't belching huge clouds of blue smoke out the tailpipe, and has a sober driver behind the wheel. No points on any license for bald tires and such.

In Texas they would catch said tires (like they did with me) in the annual inspection. In Oregon, there was no vehicular inspection, except emissions every two years. In Texas, safety + emissions is a $40 annual ordeal.

By the way, Gerry, seeing the reflection from your shiny 036, seems like Mrs Honcho's rims on her wagon are neglected from cleaning ? I can barely see the silver finish or have they been refinished in black?

Please don't look at the photo below then, Bing....

 

[gsxr]

 

[Jelmer]

Don't you think its time to rip out the concrete slabs and create a proper driveway with smaller stone blocks? Gives you an opportunity to add in a HUGE Mercedes logo similar to the thread I posted a while back. A 3 meter wide Mercedes star on your driveway!

 

[gerryvz]

Perhaps when we build our new home up in the central Oregon mountains in the next couple of years, I'll consider that !

 

[gerryvz]

Emissions test results for my 1990 560SEL. I obtained the car one year ago, so this is my second emissions test.



1990 MERCEDES-BENZ 560SEL EMISSIONS TEST RESULTS


[TABLE="class: grid, width: 500"][TR][TD][/TD][TD]Texas
Standard[/TD][TD]4/28/2012
[/TD][TD]3/9/2013
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Mileage
[/TD][TD]
[/TD][TD]80,250[/TD][TD]83,249[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]HC (ppm)
[/TD][TD]220[/TD][TD]4[/TD][TD]13[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]CO (%)
[/TD][TD]1.20[/TD][TD]0.02[/TD][TD]0.23[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]CO2 (%)
[/TD][TD]
[/TD][TD]15.0[/TD][TD]15.5[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]NOx (ppm)
[/TD][TD]905[/TD][TD]12[/TD][TD]0[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]O2 (%)
[/TD][TD]
[/TD][TD]0[/TD][TD]0[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Dilution
CO+CO2 (%)
[/TD][TD]>6[/TD][TD]15.0[/TD][TD]15.7[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]RESULT[/TD][TD]
[/TD][TD]PASS
[/TD][TD]PASS
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

 

[195910]

Just saw the FIRM (was Directed by Sydney Pollack) , I Think a collection like yours needs a W124 Cabrio as well...

 

[Jelmer]

Just saw the FIRM (was Directed by Sydney Pollack) , I Think a collection like yours needs a W124 Cabrio as well...

Yeah, but with an M117/M119

 

[gerryvz]

Nighttime shot tonight at the post office (with cell phone camera)

 

[emerydc8]

And no leaks!

 

[Jelmer]

Oh come on now, you can do better than that ;-) It's time for a new photo shoot!

 

[bing]

Oh come on now

Oh I agree, JB ! For a man who's just written a bible on "how to" R&R leaks, he comes up with this lousy cheap photo . Uncle, your car deserves better!

 

[gerryvz]

Oh come on now, you can do better than that ;-) It's time for a new photo shoot!

You're really one to talk. How about some photos of your new wheels ?!?

 

[gsxr]

Nighttime shot ... (with cell phone camera)

Isn't that an oxymoron...?

 

[gerryvz]

Isn't that an oxymoron...?

Only to those who don't own/use a cell phone...

 

[gsxr]

I've yet to see any "cell phone camera" photos that can achieve anywhere near the quality of even a mediocre pocket digicam, let alone my DSLR. I am a bit of a camera snob though, most people aren't that picky about photo quality and seem happy with fuzzy cell images.

 

[Jelmer]

You're really one to talk. How about some photos of your new wheels ?!?

As soon as the sun pokes through the clouds, and my lower cladding bit has been repainted ;-)

I've yet to see any "cell phone camera" photos that can achieve anywhere near the quality of even a mediocre pocket digicam, let alone my DSLR. I am a bit of a camera snob though, most people aren't that picky about photo quality and seem happy with fuzzy cell images.

Says the person with the most posts but the smallest "owners and their cars" thread. Go on, prove the might of your DSLR ;-)

 

[gerryvz]

Go on, prove the might of your DSLR ;-)

Luddites don't own/use things like cell phones and DSLRs.... remember that Dave is still using a PC with Windows 2000/XP for his daily use.... I finally figured out where the bulk of the weekly site statistics that show operating system usage are coming from ....Dave is heavily skewing/weighting the stats toward Windows NT/2000/XP.

 

[gsxr]

Nope, I finally moved up to Win7 Pro on an HP Z1 workstation a few months ago. MS crippled XP with too many patches and it simply got too slow. XP was still awesome back at SP2, but no longer. Oh well. I'm learning to live with Win7.

 

[gerryvz]

Had my car aligned today at the dealer, after replacing the drag link with a new MB part, adjusting a bit of play out of the front wheel bearings, new upper strut mounts, new tires and installing the new RDMTek rear lower control arms with bushings.

I've attached a PDF of the results.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Maui]

Real nice collection Mercs.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Tricky MB dealer

I DO NOT miss the fire ants, roaches, mosquitoes, and humidity.

i don't know where y'all get off saying we have all this humidity here in Texas....

View attachment 22595 View attachment 22594

Since when did you start saying "Y'all"?

Oh, about 3 years after moving to Texas. You pick up the culture here gradually. "Y'all" is used both singularly (How y'all doin' today?") and as a plural reference to others ("All y'all live in a pretty nice neighborhood!"). Hey... at least I don't say "poe-leece" !!

I think since he turned in his hipster beard, left Portland, and moved to Tejas... might even see Honcho wearing a forty-quart hat while cruising in his SEC...

Nope, no hat, but I do have one hell of a pair of bespoke alligator and leather cowboy boots being made for me by Rocky Carroll, the highest-end bootmaker in Texas. He's made boots for every US president since Johnson (except Obama). Here are boots he's made for Reagan and Dubya (who owns more than 20 pairs by Mr. Rocky). My boots are being made from the same croc skin as Dubya's boots pictured.

I was measured for them back in April (they made a mold of my foot from the measurements), and I pick them up in about 6 weeks.....
I took these photos the day I got measured.

 

[gsxr]

Re: Tricky MB dealer

Now them there are some nice manure kickers!

 

[szvook]

Re: Tricky MB dealer

Are those boots any good for WSD?...

 

[gerryvz]

 

[gerryvz]

Hanging out at church this afternoon for our Christmas services, driving golf carts. My friend Ronnie's 2008 Ferrari 455 brings up the value of my SEC a few notches.....

 

[szvook]

Ferrari at a church...isn't that sacrilegious?

 

[gerryvz]

I got my annual inspection/emissions test for the E500 today. I updated the results as shown in this table.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Tricky MB dealer

Nope, no hat, but I do have one hell of a pair of bespoke alligator and leather cowboy boots being made for me by Rocky Carroll, the highest-end bootmaker in Texas. He's made boots for every US president since Johnson (except Obama). Here are boots he's made for Reagan and Dubya (who owns more than 20 pairs by Mr. Rocky). My boots are being made from the same croc skin as Dubya's boots pictured.

I was measured for them back in April (they made a mold of my foot from the measurements), and I pick them up in about 6 weeks.....
I took these photos the day I got measured.

Now them there are some nice manure kickers!

Are those boots any good for WSD?...

Following up on this ... I finally took delivery of my custom-made gator-skin & leather boots yesterday. I ordered them at the beginning of April of last year. They cost well above what a full-on .036 transmission rebuild will put y'all back...

 

[texas993]

Gerry,

The boots are beautiful! Very cool. I was going to ask you about them.

Bring them them up to Dallas and maybe we will run into that guy with a similar pair!

 

[unrulyjess]

Gerry,

Just like an E500E, you can just tell a quality, well made, and elegant pair of
boots from just about any other's made.. As a boot Afficianodo myself, you have
one pair of absolutely beautiful hand made alligator boots!

Gerry, just what is the cost of a full on .036 transmission build anyway? I assume you are quoting the "stealer" (Mercedes Benz Price), right?


Regards,

Jess Paul

 

[Maui]

Them there are some purdy shit kickers.

 

[gerryvz]

Gerry,

The boots are beautiful! Very cool. I was going to ask you about them.

Bring them them up to Dallas and maybe we will run into that guy with a similar pair!

Gerry,

Just like an E500E, you can just tell a quality, well made, and elegant pair of
boots from just about any other's made.. As a boot Afficianodo myself, you have
one pair of absolutely beautiful hand made alligator boots!

Them there are some purdy shit kickers.

Thanks guys. I am doing my darndest to break them in. So far though, they've been very comfortable and I don't have a single blister or other blemish on my foot from them. The gator skin used on them was from the same hide used for the George W. Bush boots pictured above.

Gerry, just what is the cost of a full on .036 transmission build anyway? I assume you are quoting the "stealer" (Mercedes Benz Price), right?

unrulyjess ... the cost of a quality, proper .036 transmission rebuild would run $2,000 minimum, more likely $2,500 with labor and all parts. Yes, that would be a stealer or high-end indy price.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

Roma just had a dealer install a rebuilt tranny. Check out that thread... I believe the total cost was well over $2.5k....

 

[Maui]

I was quoted $2800 from a local rebuilder. Fortunately I did not need it.

 

[500AMM]

Thanks guys. I am doing my darndest to break them in. So far though, they've been very comfortable and I don't have a single blister or other blemish on my foot from them. The gator skin used on them was from the same hide used for the George W. Bush boots pictured above.
Cheers,
Gerry

Hmmm...you definitely need to get the signed armrest from the wrecked Ex-Shatner car now to be classy with those boots.

-a-