I've been meaning to add this for a while...
After a long saga, I finally have my E500 home. Still a few things to sort out - droopy headliner, slightly broken memory switch a replacement exhaust system and a wheel refurb - but the 'Big Boy; is home and I can drive her!
I bought the car, way back in 2022, and knew that I was going to be a 'keeper' as I've wanted one for years. (not quite since childhood but you get the idea!)
Firstly, I sent it for a mechanical refresh - so all fluids & filters were changed, diff resealed as it was weeping around the mating surfaces slightly, new timing chain, followers, metal cam-oilers to replace the plastic versions. new fuel pumps & filters. Two new lower wishbones up front, & 2 replacement self levelling struts out back. Had the loom & throttle body wiring remanufactured (Sileck Motorsport in Kent. very good, very efficient). Had the rear curtain mechanism repaired - (Stripped teeth on one of the cogs, and got the headrests to fold on command again)
It was also sent away for attention to the bodywork as there was a little corrosion in the battery tray area and floor pan - nothing major, a hint of corrosion creeping into the front wing in the usual places, and as there were little bits of spidery corrosion around the ariel point and where stone chips has been left unattended, I sent if for a full respray, replacing front & rear windscreens, all boot, door & door to glass seals, as well as placing the Sacco plank fillet, just ahead of the rear wheel arch with a 3d printed part from Octoclassic which fitted brilliantly. While it was there the doors, boot, bonnet were all removed so that any corrosion evident in any of those panels could be cut out & new metal welded in.
The biggest challenge and the cause of most delay was the electrics following reassembly. One headlight went AWOL -it would not work on dip or main beam alone - only if both were activated at the same time. Rear fog lams & reversing lights wouldn't play either. That took an age to track down to some of the pins on the male connectors had fallen into the wrong holes on the female. (No sniggering at the back there!).
So - after an ages, he's back and my gosh! Aren't these fantastic cars!? We have a cooking W124 & a C124 both of which we love, but this is just on another level & feels at least a generation ahead. So smooth & quiet - and not even tragically thirsty - getting about 21-22/imperial gallon which I'm actually really please with. We also have a 1970 Citroen DS 21 Pallas EFI which only does the same mpg from 2.2l - so the E500 looks really efficient in comparison!
There's probably lots of other bits that have been done but right now can't remember what - but this car will be driven - we plan next year to take him home to Berlin where I believe she was first delivered. It seems the car was ordered by MB for MB but I can't find out a great deal of its past. If anyone has a great idea about tracking down who it was first ordered for that would be great.
Thanks for all those that have chipped in with help & advice as the car was on its recommissioning/restoration journey.
Cheers
After a long saga, I finally have my E500 home. Still a few things to sort out - droopy headliner, slightly broken memory switch a replacement exhaust system and a wheel refurb - but the 'Big Boy; is home and I can drive her!
I bought the car, way back in 2022, and knew that I was going to be a 'keeper' as I've wanted one for years. (not quite since childhood but you get the idea!)
Firstly, I sent it for a mechanical refresh - so all fluids & filters were changed, diff resealed as it was weeping around the mating surfaces slightly, new timing chain, followers, metal cam-oilers to replace the plastic versions. new fuel pumps & filters. Two new lower wishbones up front, & 2 replacement self levelling struts out back. Had the loom & throttle body wiring remanufactured (Sileck Motorsport in Kent. very good, very efficient). Had the rear curtain mechanism repaired - (Stripped teeth on one of the cogs, and got the headrests to fold on command again)
It was also sent away for attention to the bodywork as there was a little corrosion in the battery tray area and floor pan - nothing major, a hint of corrosion creeping into the front wing in the usual places, and as there were little bits of spidery corrosion around the ariel point and where stone chips has been left unattended, I sent if for a full respray, replacing front & rear windscreens, all boot, door & door to glass seals, as well as placing the Sacco plank fillet, just ahead of the rear wheel arch with a 3d printed part from Octoclassic which fitted brilliantly. While it was there the doors, boot, bonnet were all removed so that any corrosion evident in any of those panels could be cut out & new metal welded in.
The biggest challenge and the cause of most delay was the electrics following reassembly. One headlight went AWOL -it would not work on dip or main beam alone - only if both were activated at the same time. Rear fog lams & reversing lights wouldn't play either. That took an age to track down to some of the pins on the male connectors had fallen into the wrong holes on the female. (No sniggering at the back there!).
So - after an ages, he's back and my gosh! Aren't these fantastic cars!? We have a cooking W124 & a C124 both of which we love, but this is just on another level & feels at least a generation ahead. So smooth & quiet - and not even tragically thirsty - getting about 21-22/imperial gallon which I'm actually really please with. We also have a 1970 Citroen DS 21 Pallas EFI which only does the same mpg from 2.2l - so the E500 looks really efficient in comparison!
There's probably lots of other bits that have been done but right now can't remember what - but this car will be driven - we plan next year to take him home to Berlin where I believe she was first delivered. It seems the car was ordered by MB for MB but I can't find out a great deal of its past. If anyone has a great idea about tracking down who it was first ordered for that would be great.
Thanks for all those that have chipped in with help & advice as the car was on its recommissioning/restoration journey.
Cheers
