Sold my W202... Actually feeling sad!

[Duh_Vinci]

Just watched my old trusted W202 drive off to it's new residence... I've had it most of it's life, it never left me down, so it was rather sad to see it go. I can say with a fair certainly this probably one of the nicest example of 1998 C280 in the country... Simply don't have the room for 5 cars.



It was a little boring stock 1 owner car when I purchased it



So few things here and there: Euro corners, avantgarde grill, Bilstein B8, H&R (blue) springs, sound system (complete redone/rewire), AMG wheels, semi-custom cluster (I've merged Sportline while faces onto original cluster and original orange needles), late 2-tone late steering wheel, sport-package W208 pedals, etc...















I'm a believer in practicality, so I removed the spare tire (full size), replaced with a doughnut and made a custom enclosure that fitted perfectly under the trunk floor







For me, it was the most reliable car I've ever owned! In my ownership, the only thing (other than the maintenance) I had to do was AC compressor... May this "White Pegasus" lives long and serves new owner well!

 

[chicky]

Just watched my old trusted W202 drive off to its new residence... Ive had it most of its life, it never left me down, so it was rather sad to see it go. I can say with a fair certainly this probably one of the nicest example of 1998 C280 in the country... Simply dont have the room for 5 cars.

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It was a little boring stock 1 owner car when I purchased it

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So few things here and there: Euro corners, avantgarde grill, Bilstein B8, H&R (blue) springs, sound system (complete redone/rewire), AMG wheels, semi-custom cluster (Ive merged Sportline while faces onto original cluster and original orange needles), late 2-tone late steering wheel, sport-package W208 pedals, etc...

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Im a believer in practicality, so I removed the spare tire (full size), replaced with a doughnut and made a custom enclosure that fitted perfectly under the trunk floor

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For me, it was the most reliable car Ive ever owned! In my ownership, the only thing (other than the maintenance) I had to do was AC compressor... May this White Pegasus lives long and serves new owner well!

Hello D,

I can relate to your feelings of having to sell a prized possession ...

Please allow me to share the pics of my former W202 C220 ... it had a Lorinser body kit + wheels, Bilstein B6 + Eibach springs, Supersprint headers + Lorinser exhaust system, plus others.

I had to sell this car and my W201 2.6 to fund my purchase of my R129.066/M119.960

Best regards

 

[195910]

You guys are making me feel bad about selling the C36, but we all have space constrains for all these valuable cars.

 

[maw1124]

Those are very nice cars. Slightly off topic, how did you like the Bilsteins B6/B8 vs e.g., Koni Yellow adjustable (if you can comment)?

maw

 

[ace10]

My Cosworth is going to be listed for sale shortly.

This area is a service desert for "young classic" Mercedes and I just don't have the time or interest in going on parts quests and learning the platform inside and out.

 

[maw1124]

“Service desert”… I’m sure I’ll have cause to use that one.

maw

 

[ace10]

“Service desert”… I’m sure I’ll have cause to use that one.

maw

We had a good Cosworth service option in Maryland, but they stopped working on them right about the time I acquired the car.
Then I had another, high volume independent who does very good work, change his mind about working on the car.
Matt Stockwell has re-opened Leistung down in Danville VA, but that's a 5 hour haul each way.

With this being my only Mercedes in the fleet, I think it's time to slim down a bit.

 

[Jlaa]

We had a good Cosworth service option in Maryland, but they stopped working on them right about the time I acquired the car.
Then I had another, high volume independent who does very good work, change his mind about working on the car.
Matt Stockwell has re-opened Leistung down in Danville VA, but thats a 5 hour haul each way.

With this being my only Mercedes in the fleet, I think its time to slim down a bit.

What kinda 16V do you own? US. Grey Mkt import? Evo I? Evo II? Thanks.

 

[gsxr]

With this being my only Mercedes in the fleet, I think its time to slim down a bit.

Still shopping for that elusive 500E?

 

[ace10]

What kinda 16V do you own? US. Grey Mkt import? Evo I? Evo II? Thanks.

'86 2.3 16V 4 speed sold new into Florida. Purchased in 2018. I'm 3rd owner. 72K miles. Blauschwarz. All records back to new.

 

[chicky]

Those are very nice cars. Slightly off topic, how did you like the Bilsteins B6/B8 vs e.g., Koni Yellow adjustable (if you can comment)?

maw

Hello maw1124,
With regards to my W201, it had H&R lowering springs + Bilstein B6 shocks + 16" Lorinsers with 50 series tires ... IMHO, perfect . Previously tried using 17" and 18" rims ... ride was very harsh.
With regards to my W202, it had the Eibach springs + Bilstein B6 + 17" Lorinsers ... the ride was harsh ... which I attribute to the Eibach springs.
Regards

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Hello D,

I can relate to your feelings of having to sell a prized possession ...

Please allow me to share the pics of my former W202 C220 ... it had a Lorinser body kit + wheels, Bilstein B6 + Eibach springs, Supersprint headers + Lorinser exhaust system, plus others.

I had to sell this car and my W201 2.6 to fund my purchase of my R129.066/M119.960

Best regards

Wow, classics and nicely done! And kudos for going with something unique, Lorinser, certainly not something you see every day! Two of my favorite bodies too, nice!!!

You guys are making me feel bad about selling the C36, but we all have space constrains for all these valuable cars.

If resources were unlimited, only...

Those are very nice cars. Slightly off topic, how did you like the Bilsteins B6/B8 vs e.g., Koni Yellow adjustable (if you can comment)?

maw

maw, here is my thoughts on B8 units after almost 30 years of using them - with mild lowering springs, there is nothing that provides a better balance of reasonable comfort and spirited handling. The best comfort in my experience achieved with B8 and H&R, used Eibach - was a bit too harsh.

From what I understand, B8 and B6 have similar valving properties (correct me if I'm wrong). The difference is the length of the shock/strut assemblies, B8s are short bodied, purposely designed to be used with the lowering springs. Alternatively, if lowering springs used on B6 shocks, wouldn't the shock be partially compressed at all times? Possibly providing slightly harsher ride quality?

Compare to Koni Yellow... Never owned a set, but my brother used/using mostly Koni on all of his Volvo cars. For my ass, even with the softest setting, for every day driving, Konis are too harsh. And while I purchased a set of yellow Koni for my 944S2 (not installed them yet), it's not a daily driver, and little harsh, being adjustable - I wouldn't mind, still, if Bilstein B8 were readily available for 944 (backordered for over 2 years now), I think I would have gone with B8 for this application as well. Here is a little piece of information from someone who builds racing suspension for Porsche cars and who is racing them (I'm going to leave his name out, but this is a little piece of history I found interesting:

"...I try not to be negative about the Koni but most people who know their suspension will prefer Bilstein. Koni are fine but they are simply not as well made or strong as Bilstein and their valving is more primitive. When Porsche delivered the Cup Cars to USA they were contractually required to fit Koni. In the luggage area of each car there was a box containing the Euro spec Bilsteins with a note that said "Wir empfehlen Ihnen, diese auszuprobieren". This say says a lot..."

For what it's worth, used B8 and H&R blue on that W202 for over 11 years or so, over 100k miles of daily driving (city/highway), and I'm over 50, comfortable, yet firm with no fatigue on the long trips either.

My Cosworth is going to be listed for sale shortly.

This area is a service desert for young classic Mercedes and I just dont have the time or interest in going on parts quests and learning the platform inside and out.

Come on man, please, neeeeeeeeeeeeed pics!!!

 

[Duh_Vinci]

The new owner also purchased my very unique Carlsson muffler, already installed on the car today, he is loving the car and I love the tone of this box (good speakers or headphones to hear the throaty buttery sound (@leftyflyer appreciate the details on the catalog info)!

And the video clip

 

[maw1124]

Thanks, @Duh_Vinci ... that's more or less what I've been hearing... B8 for lowering, B6 for not... instead of Koni... my 500E has had Koni Yellows up front since I purchased it, I've never found them harsh, in fact I dialed them stiffer a bit and liked it... those are what I would be replacing with B6, or not. Most people want to lower the cars but I don't. Thanks for your thoughts.

@chicky that comports with my research as well. Do not touch the springs, which is why I am not. A refreshing of the Koni Yellows with something equivalent but not worse and maybe better is what I'm after. Given my experience with the Koni on this car over the last 12 years, I'm leaning that way, which is why I asked for more Bilstein viewpoints (I already have many). Thanks for your thoughts.

maw