OWNER Saud98 (3.6L M104)

[Saud98]

Hello everyone,

Figured I should go ahead and join this forum as I just picked up my first W124.

It’s a 1995 Japan market car with a 3.6 M104 installed and tons of custom work done to their interior. I know AMG records are hard to track in Japan so not sure of too many details regarding the swap.

I’m sure I’ll be here often as this is a completely new platform me and I’ve mostly owned older BMWs


If you do see the car listed for sale online, well everything has a price.

 

[Draginev]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[a777fan]

Welcome! Curious - what is the 'Recaro' sticker on the radiator?

 

[Saud98]

Honestly not sure exactly what it says. My German has gotten rusty but something about “your recaro seats have this function”

Doing more research into Auto Fashion Factory as well since all the service stickers appear to be from there.

 

[2phast]

Honestly not sure exactly what it says. My German has gotten rusty but something about “your recaro seats have this function”

Doing more research into Auto Fashion Factory as well since all the service stickers appear to be from there.

Strange location for the Recaro decal. Normally, I see these in the door jamb.

 

[Saud98]

Strange location for the Recaro decal. Normally, I see these in the door jamb.

Interesting. I’ve never seen a similar plaque, but I’m very new to this platform. There does appear to be several stickers also missing from the engine bay. Certainly wish I could find out what those were.

 

[2phast]

Interesting. I’ve never seen a similar plaque, but I’m very new to this platform. There does appear to be several stickers also missing from the engine bay. Certainly wish I could find out what those were.

A factory built vehicle by AMG, post 1991, will have its AMG parts encoded into the VIN.

Your vehicle looks to be highly customized and I don't see anything that tells me it was built by AMG of Japan

The Recaro plaque is something that was included with the purchase of Recaro seats. So either someone bought this and just installed it or maybe in the past, the car had aftermarket Recaro seats that were removed before the car was sold.

A 3.6l M104 swap into a 94/95 W124 is pretty simple and it was common to see these types of swaps. Not so much anymore as it has become difficult to source a 3.6l M104.

 

[Saud98]

A factory built vehicle by AMG, post 1991, will have its AMG parts encoded into the VIN.

Your vehicle looks to be highly customized and I don't see anything that tells me it was built by AMG of Japan

The Recaro plaque is something that was included with the purchase of Recaro seats. So either someone bought this and just installed it or maybe in the past, the car had aftermarket Recaro seats that were removed before the car was sold.

A 3.6l M104 swap into a 94/95 W124 is pretty simple and it was common to see these types of swaps. Not so much anymore as it has become difficult to source a 3.6l M104.

Yeah there’s an AMG sticker in the windshield and an AMG engine break in schedule sticker in the interior but the lack of anything in the engine bay certainly makes it seem like an aftermarket swap.

Regardless, been enjoying the car a lot until the starter went out on me today

 

[gsxr]

Your vehicle looks to be highly customized and I don't see anything that tells me it was built by AMG of Japan

I thought builds performed by AMG Japan would have a decal or metal plate inside the driver door jamb. If that's not present, it would likely be a "DIY" conversion. Still a neat car though.

If it will be driven at night in USA, replace the headlamp assemblies (not just the lenses) with RHT (right-hand-traffic) units. Those are Japan-spec LHT lights, both the reflectors and lenses are different and the light pattern will be illuminating oncoming driver windshields, instead of road signs to the right of the road.

 

[sheward]

I see you are in Atlanta. I can get you started with a right-side US headlight assembly.

 

[Saud98]

I see you are in Atlanta. I can get you started with a right-side US headlight assembly.

Sorry totally missed this. Will definitely reach out once the car is back on the road

 

[Saud98]

For anyone else still following, I reached out to the Auto Fashion Factory in Yokohama, whose service stickers are plastered all over the engine bay. Couple interesting things I learned.

The engine is an aftermarket swap with the donor car being a C36. I was also told the previous owner spent roughly 11k USD overhauling the engine, including forged pistons and Nikasil coating on the cylinders. Unfortunately, there’s no documentation to verify the mechanics claims, but given he knew I had a leaky valve cover gasket and suggested I get it replaced, it does sound like he’s familiar with the car. I did request any additional records and am waiting to hear back at the moment.

All in all, very happy with this vehicle, especially given the price I paid.

 

[2phast]

I thought builds performed by AMG Japan would have a decal or metal plate inside the driver door jamb. If that's not present, it would likely be a "DIY" conversion. Still a neat car though.

If it will be driven at night in USA, replace the headlamp assemblies (not just the lenses) with RHT (right-hand-traffic) units. Those are Japan-spec LHT lights, both the reflectors and lenses are different and the light pattern will be illuminating oncoming driver windshields, instead of road signs to the right of the road.

True. Here are some examples of AMG decals/plaques used by AMG of Japan. Sometimes in Japanese, sometimes in English. Most of these examples are pre 1992, note the 1992 400E data plate, old logo and not the new logo. The 400E data plate is another example of using left over parts after the logo change.

 

[BRN9121]

Beautiful machine Saud! Congrats.

 

[yao500e]

Hello everyone,

Figured I should go ahead and join this forum as I just picked up my first W124.

It’s a 1995 Japan market car with a 3.6 M104 installed and tons of custom work done to their interior. I know AMG records are hard to track in Japan so not sure of too many details regarding the swap.

I’m sure I’ll be here often as this is a completely new platform me and I’ve mostly owned older BMWs


If you do see the car listed for sale online, well everything has a price.

Beautiful amazing unique car! 3.6L M104 engine is incredible. My C36 is my favorite car out of my small modest collection.
Enjoy it and dont ever sell it please!