TimL in California

[Jlaa]

At some point @TimL will show up here (when he is tired of having WAY TOO MUCH FUN) driving these California roads in his beautiful 500E....
Anyways, our esteemed Tim visited me today on his way to other great stuff in California south of me, and I was so happy to see his immaculate 500E appear before my eyes. It is really in spectacular condition, and he's not afraid of driving it as it was intended!!

I'll note that Tim had nothing but effusive praise for the new sportline steering box in his car, and his RIAL wheels are just magnificent. If I could have another set of wheels I would like a new (unobtainable) set of Rials. Also you can tell he is such a fastidious owner - for example taking care to source only old production NOS radiator grills strips that are solid, unlike my flimsy cost-reduced
recent-production ones.

We had a good time shooting the sh*t over coffee and enjoying the CA sunshine.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Fabulous looking cars! I must confess, I've always liked the later .036 cars for the facelift, but the more I see your original creations, the more I love the early cars (same goes for CE coupes)

..and his RIAL wheels are just magnificent. If I could have another set of wheels I would like a new (unobtainable) set of Rials...

Is that why I don't see a single full view of your wheels in any of the photos above? Rial Eclipse???

 

[maw1124]

Cars look great Fellas!

You might inspire me to reinstall my original corners and tails… now that the cars are classics and all…

maw

 

[TimL]

At some point @TimL will show up here (when he is tired of having WAY TOO MUCH FUN) driving these California roads in his beautiful 500E....
Anyways, our esteemed Tim visited me today on his way to other great stuff in California south of me, and I was so happy to see his immaculate 500E appear before my eyes. It is really in spectacular condition, and he's not afraid of driving it as it was intended!!

I'll note that Tim had nothing but effusive praise for the new sportline steering box in his car, and his RIAL wheels are just magnificent. If I could have another set of wheels I would like a new (unobtainable) set of Rials. Also you can tell he is such a fastidious owner - for example taking care to source only old production NOS radiator grills strips that are solid, unlike my flimsy cost-reduced
recent-production ones.

We had a good time shooting the sh*t over coffee and enjoying the CA sunshine.


View attachment 146423 View attachment 146422 View attachment 146425 View attachment 146424 View attachment 146426

@Jlaa, it was so nice to meet you in person and to see your 500 E, as well as your 993. Both are nothing short of spectacular! The red on your car looks so strikingly beautiful, especially in combination with the NEEZ wheels and the mushroom interior looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. Hands down the visually most striking 036 I’ve ever seen…

The drive down from Seattle has been really enjoyable and the road I drove yesterday was just total driving bliss (Ferndale to Redcrest via Petrolia on a road called Mattole Road). In terrible condition, but deserted and very challenging and an unbelievably fun place to put the hammer down (if you have no mercy for your wheels and suspension that is). It was the first time that I drove the 500 E like I stole it and came away seeing the car in a whole new light. It is such a well balance car in terms of weight distribution and suspension set up that it handles very neutrally with virtually no understeer, even through really tight turns. Always thought of it as an Autobahn missile, but I walked away ultra impressed on how well balanced, poised and outright fast it was on very twisty stuff. At least to me it felt that way.

Ended the day in Napa yesterday and now in Monterey to watch the IMSA race at Laguna Seca this weekend. It’s been almost ten years since I last did this road trip including the Mattole Road and doing it in the 500 E has been soooo much fun so far…..what a beautiful place the U.S West Coast is

 

[TimL]

Fabulous looking cars! I must confess, I've always liked the later .036 cars for the facelift, but the more I see your original creations, the more I love the early cars (same goes for CE coupes)


Is that why I don't see a single full view of your wheels in any of the photos above? Rial Eclipse???

Nothing ought to, or possibly CAN eclipse those NEEZ!! They are the ones to have

 

[socal210]

Historical plates look nice @Jlaa

 

[Jlaa]

Historical plates look nice @Jlaa

Thanks for the tips on how to do it! Love the block C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A instead of the script.

 

[luckymike]

Tim, it made me so happy to read of someone else enjoying Mattole Road. I discovered that road many years ago while visiting the annual "Fray in Ferndale" slot car race. The road was in good condition then. When I drove it several years ago I was shocked at how it had been allowed to deteriorate.

The views of the ocean are spectacular. And that singular house out there when you get to the coast? Amazing. I imagine you went through Honeydew? It is so cool out there.

Thanks for the pics and if you come through San Carlos on your way home, please stop by and say hi.

 

[sheward]

Two of the nicest 036s on the planet.

Attended the IMSA at Laguna Seca many years ago. In fact, the year was 2001. I had to experience the scenery in a rental car though and not my 500E. I returned to Atlanta on a red eye flight on September 11. I was one of the last US citizens to fly for quite some time.

Enjoy the race! Use lots of sunscreen and be prepared to do a lot of walking.

 

[TimL]

Wohoo!!! Laguna Seca rocks!!! Just watched the Porsche Cup and next is the Lamborghini Trofeo. I don’t know many tracks where you can see 70% of the track in one spot

Weather is just right and it’s not insanely crowded either. Looking forward to another several hours of racing!

 

[TimL]

Two of the nicest 036s on the planet.

Attended the IMSA at Laguna Seca many years ago. In fact, the year was 2001. I had to experience the scenery in a rental car though and not my 500E. I returned to Atlanta on a red eye flight on September 11. I was one of the last US citizens to fly for quite some time.

Enjoy the race! Use lots of sunscreen and be prepared to do a lot of walking.

that is very kind of you Drew and unfortunately also very untrue. Jlaa’s car is definitely way up there but my car is just a decent example and faaaaaaaaaar, faaaaaaaaar away from perfect. 600Eric, Captruff, and a multitude of members on this board own way nicer 036 than mine. It’s got 106k miles and it’s a driver and I like it that way- otherwise I could have never driven it down here the way I did. I just resent commuting in it, because that is stupid, but full backroad blasts and long distance road trips- bring it on!!

 

[RicardoD]

Those wheels! @Jlaa I would love to find out what it would take for AWC (the folks that did my 17" D90s) make a run at 17" E500E wheels (or are they 18"?).

 

[Sam SL]

This thread is inspiring on several levels.

 

[Jlaa]

Those wheels! @Jlaa I would love to find out what it would take for AWC (the folks that did my 17" D90s) make a run at 17" E500E wheels (or are they 18"?).

I think we would have to present an attractive business case to them. There were 66.5K 964s manufactured. If we assume that 75 percent are still on the road and 50 percent of those 75 percent would be willing to plop down USD2500 for a set of wheels, then the TAM might be 25K customers.

For the w124 there were 2.7 million made, but I suspect there is a smaller survivor rate, and, most w124 owners would not plop down USD2.5K for wheels. As well, an 18” wheel in the proper offset for a generic w124 would not be optimal for an E500E - since the Rial ARC M800 fit generic w124, some people use spacers for E500Es, but even then, a 275 tire doesn’t work well on a 8” wheel. Its a good thing that TimL PREFERS the slightly tucked in look of the ARC M800s and that he likes the square setup with 245 tires front and rear.

If we look at just E500Es, then maybe AWC could produce a staggered set in optimal offsets for the E500E - 8.5” in the front and 9.0” or 9.5” in the rear. However, producing two diff sizes means more inventory and more tooling. Additionally, at only 10K units made worldwide, the TAM for an E500E specific wheel which be an order of magnitude smaller than making wheels for the 964s.

I think it would be tough to make a business case for it, unless the owner of AWC were an E500E fan to begin with?

 

[TimL]

Saw this 959 at Laguna Seca today and it looked and sounded incredible. Deep non-metallic blue with dark red leather seats

It is Canepa country after all and I have seen a 959 in a museum before, but I nevertheless feel lucky to have seen one move about on public roads.

If funds were unlimited, I’d take a 959 over any modern day hyper car

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Wow Tim, looks nothing but awesome!
Enjoy your trip and have a great time!

 

[TerryA]

@TimL, Too bad you didn’t make all the way to SoCal. It would be nice to meet face to face but I know that’s a long trip. I only gotten as far north as Depoe Bay, Oregon. It’s a beautiful trip along the coast.

I haven’t been to Laguna Seca since the 90s when I saw the Mercedes SLR/LMs in a race. If I remember correctly it was an IMSA Event. That weekend it had rained on Saturday and was pretty much a wash out. Sunday they went hard at it. Bernt Schneider was one of the Benz drivers I don’t remember the other driver’s name at the moment but they came is 1st & 2nd in Sunday’s Big Event. The LMs were awesome to see in an actual race. I’ve only seen one other close up in the “Rodeo Drive Father’s Day Car Show”

Take Care

 

[a777fan]

Saw this 959 at Laguna Seca today and it looked and sounded incredible. Deep non-metallic blue with dark red leather seats

It is Canepa country after all and I have seen a 959 in a museum before, but I nevertheless feel lucky to have seen one move about on public roads.

If funds were unlimited, I’d take a 959 over any modern day hyper car

Amazing Tim. I was just thinking about the 959, and this just the other day:
The Duel: Test Drive 2



Soooo many childhood hours evaporated behind that ‘wheel’

 

[gsxr]

I think genuine Sasquatch sightings are more likely than 959 sightings. Wow.

 

[TimL]

On my way from the track I happened to come across the 959 again- this time parked. It showed 2312 miles on the odometer and looked like no one ever sat in it

Leaving Carmel tomorrow to do the drive up to Seattle in one go on I5. That won’t be anywhere near as much fun as the way down, but at least I get to do it in a 500 E

 

[RicardoD]

The 959 is my immediate answer to what car I would buy if I had a few extra million to spare. That being sad boy that is a weird color combination.

I was joking with a friend that I would be the only 959 owner with a DIY for an oil change in my 959eboard of 1.

 

[dionphaneuf]

Is that a Canepa 959SC?

Porsche 959SC - Carrara Weiss Pearl at Luftgekühlt 6 - Canepa

Canepa recently unveiled a very special Porsche 959SC at Luftgekühlt 6, the Porsche show that has now become a worldwide phenomenon. Specially invited to join the likes of legendary automotive icons and adoring fans on the backlot of Universal Studios, Canepa displayed the Carrara Weiss Pearl...

canepa.com

 

[TerryA]

It appears to be a completely refurbished 959 and w/ no plates but a Canepa license plate holder. If I had to make a guess ?

I would say, YES!

We used to have an original Red 959 that showed up at the OC Cars & Coffee when it was held next to the Mazda building in Irvine, CA. That was probably 5 years ago.

It also looked pretty awesome

 

[Duh_Vinci]

I think genuine Sasquatch sightings are more likely than 959 sightings. Wow.

On my way from the track I happened to come across the 959 again-

So, Tim - what's next, wanna play California lottery?

 

[dionphaneuf]

I'd wager that the 959 is one of the most driven of the 80s/90s supercars and possible DIY serviced too. They seem awesomely capable across a wide range of conditions, including on back roads that aren't glass smooth, though to my eye lack a bit of the visual drama that make the Countach's and F40s of the era so cool.

 

[Jlaa]

Amazing Tim. I was just thinking about the 959, and this just the other day:
The Duel: Test Drive 2

View attachment 146511

Soooo many childhood hours evaporated behind that ‘wheel’

OHHHHHHHH love itttt!!!!! Totally brings back memories for me!

 

[sheward]

I'd say the 959 lacks MUCH of the visual drama those other cars have. That's the reason I've always liked 911s, and the 959 so much. The idea was simplicity, form follows function.

I'm right in line with the others about the ultimate car, money no object. I can also think of many better color combinations.

 

[Jlaa]

though to my eye [the 959] lack a bit of the visual drama that make the Countach's and F40s of the era so cool.

I'd say the 959 lacks MUCH of the visual drama those other cars have. That's the reason I've always liked 911s, and the 959 so much. The idea was simplicity, form follows function.

I feel like the proportions in the back are off. It has the same amount of rear overhang as a regular 911, but the line that underlines the windows runs straight back to the huge tail on the 959. On a regular 911, that line runs down in a steep slope to ground. Because the 959's line runs straight back, the rear I feel is no longer trim and tidy as it is on a 911, but is wide and full of mass.

 

[sheward]

I see that as well. Most designs have an angle that is less flattering. Remember the old Kramer 935 variation? Not sexy at all, but it made no difference once it started to drive by all the competition.

Tim, thanks for posting the pictures and the thoughts on your trip. Glad for you it all went well.

 

[TimL]

1050 miles, one ripped coolant hose and 18 hours later I made it back to Seattle. Was really lucky to have found Northstar Motors in Redding which was able to provide a bandaid fix to get me over the mountains and back into Seattle. For 450 miles I was refilling coolant and water every 30 miles. Car never overheated though so am happy that I avoided disaster. Just made for an awfully long trip back

 

[maw1124]

I'm glad you made it back safely and well (no overheating). I hate it when that happens, and I venture to say I'm not alone. Every spring I discover which hose on the Allroad didn't make it through winter. Sometimes it's coolant. This year it's coolant and power steering. Oh, and the suspension airbag which was on the replacement list anyway went prematurely. Charge it to the game I suppose.

I know they were interested to see such a well kept 500E.

Cheers,

maw

 

[sheward]

I guess I spoke/wrote a bit too soon. Glad you were able to find someone to get you home!

I put together a small emergency kit for my future road trips. I've included an upper and lower radiator hose. This begs the question, what's more important, spare parts or luggage? There is a thread on this subject.

 

[gerryvz]

The lower radiator hose doesn't often fail, fortunately. I'd say the upper one is more the culprit, often because it gets overtightened on the ends with the clamps. The heater hoses are likely bad by this time as well. Realistically the upper hose should probably be replaced every 5 years. The lower hose every 10 years (and it is expensive, and the aftermarket lower hoses are JUNK). I replaced all of my hoses in 2020 when I did my engine bay refresh COVID project. Heater hoses were not fun to replace, but certainly do-able. Again, MB only for these hoses.

Glad you made it back OK, Tim.

 

[TerryA]

Glad to see you made w/ no major damage. I had a similar experience when my radiator split a seam. It was a PITA just to get home which was only about 20 miles. I had to stop at every gas station I could find to keep cool.

I recently purchased those 2 heater hoses just for the same reason that happened to you. I had previously changed all of my other hoses a few years back but not the heater hoses. I’m sure mine are the original OE hoses and need to be changed after 29 years of service. I’m about to change my coolant and will put the new heater hoses on then.

 

[gerryvz]

The heater hoses are not ungodly expensive, but not super cheap, either. And for one of them, there are two versions depending on your VIN number, so be sure to check to get the correct one. It would be an opportune time to change out these hoses when your coolant is drained.

 

[gsxr]

@TimL , which hose ripped? Looks like one of the heater hoses to the back of the engine? I assume it was original?

IMO it's good preventive maintenance to replace both of them, as they get baked by engine heat near the top/rear of the engine compartment... and sometimes get oil damage if there are leaks. The upper radiator hose is definitely a prime candidate for proactive replacement for similar reasons. The lower radiator hose is a very, very rare failure if it isn't oil-soaked. It sees lower coolant temps plus gets cooling ambient air. As Gerry said, avoid all aftermarket coolant hoses like the plague. OE Genuine only, they are worth the few extra bucks.

Due to the VIN break, try to read the p/n off the old heater hose before ordering, to double-check fitment... and after you buy them, visually compare before removing the old ones. Passenger side hose should be the same for all years, but driver side hose has a VIN break at C096886/C096887 which is mid-1994 USA model year production, and roughly Dec-1993 calendar year production.

 

[TimL]

Car is at MB with Steve G. today to get the hoses replaced. Yes, back of the engine heater hose. Need hands like a midwife to replace that

 

[Jlaa]

Glad to see you made w/ no major damage. I had a similar experience when my radiator split a seam. It was a PITA just to get home which was only about 20 miles. I had to stop at every gas station I could find to keep cool.

I recently purchased those 2 heater hoses just for the same reason that happened to you. I had previously changed all of my other hoses a few years back but not the heater hoses. I’m sure mine are the original OE hoses and need to be changed after 29 years of service. I’m about to change my coolant and will put the new heater hoses on then.

Ugh, Mine are original too. I have the replacements sitting on my shelf for when I get to the top end restoration / changing the coolant. Or, maybe I should just change the coolant/replace the two hoses in the back for now and do the top end restoration later. Anyways, here are the parts / part numbers for anyone stumbling across this thread in the future.

@TimL - so glad that you were able to make it back home! I saw all those jugs of water in your car and I thought to myself, "Man Tim must be a really thirsty guy" I didn't know you had such a big coolant leak!!!

 

[TimL]

Ugh, Mine are original too. I have the replacements sitting on my shelf for when I get to the top end restoration / changing the coolant. Or, maybe I should just change the coolant/replace the two hoses in the back for now and do the top end restoration later. Anyways, here are the parts / part numbers for anyone stumbling across this thread in the future.

@TimL - so glad that you were able to make it back home! I saw all those jugs of water in your car and I thought to myself, "Man Tim must be a really thirsty guy" I didn't know you had such a big coolant leak!!!

View attachment 146790
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The leak got successively worse after we met. I got a total of 12 gallons of water in Salinas plus the two gallons of MB coolant I had bought at Circle Star to get me ready for the entire distance, but the closer I got to Mount Shasta the more worried I got about getting stranded up there in the middle of nowhere where it will take a tow truck several hours before they get there. Decided in Chico that I will go try to get it diagnosed/bandaided before the mountain (highest elevation on I5 was 3,000 something feet on a somewhat twisting road. Really glad North Star was able to address it

 

[gerryvz]

You can replace both hoses yourself. Not a major deal - just need a bit of patience. Helps a TON on the driver's side hose if you remove the intake manifold, though. I showed this in 2020 in my Engine Bay Refresh COVID project:

Passenger side short coolant hose removal: RESTO PROJECT: M119 / W124 / E500 Engine Top-End Refresh | Member Roadtrips and Project Journals

And replacement: RESTO PROJECT: M119 / W124 / E500 Engine Top-End Refresh | Member Roadtrips and Project Journals

Driver's side coolant hose removal & replacement - DETAILED PHOTOS: RESTO PROJECT: M119 / W124 / E500 Engine Top-End Refresh | Member Roadtrips and Project Journals

 

[JwashE]

Is that a Canepa 959SC?

Porsche 959SC - Carrara Weiss Pearl at Luftgekühlt 6 - Canepa

Canepa recently unveiled a very special Porsche 959SC at Luftgekühlt 6, the Porsche show that has now become a worldwide phenomenon. Specially invited to join the likes of legendary automotive icons and adoring fans on the backlot of Universal Studios, Canepa displayed the Carrara Weiss Pearl...

canepa.com

It is...

 

[TerryA]

Going thru Canepa’s “SOLD” Inventory of approximately 750 cars he has sold 9 or 10 E500Es. Sure would like to know how much he got for them.

 

[TimL]

@Jlaa, it was so nice to meet you in person and to see your 500 E, as well as your 993. Both are nothing short of spectacular! The red on your car looks so strikingly beautiful, especially in combination with the NEEZ wheels and the mushroom interior looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. Hands down the visually most striking 036 I’ve ever seen…

The drive down from Seattle has been really enjoyable and the road I drove yesterday was just total driving bliss (Ferndale to Redcrest via Petrolia on a road called Mattole Road). In terrible condition, but deserted and very challenging and an unbelievably fun place to put the hammer down (if you have no mercy for your wheels and suspension that is). It was the first time that I drove the 500 E like I stole it and came away seeing the car in a whole new light. It is such a well balance car in terms of weight distribution and suspension set up that it handles very neutrally with virtually no understeer, even through really tight turns. Always thought of it as an Autobahn missile, but I walked away ultra impressed on how well balanced, poised and outright fast it was on very twisty stuff. At least to me it felt that way.

Ended the day in Napa yesterday and now in Monterey to watch the IMSA race at Laguna Seca this weekend. It’s been almost ten years since I last did this road trip including the Mattole Road and doing it in the 500 E has been soooo much fun so far…..what a beautiful place the U.S West Coast is

Since I enjoyed last year‘s road trip to Laguna Seca so much, I decided to do a repeat this year. Just bought my tickets to the IMSA race and booked a hotel in Carmel and now I can’t wait for that trip in May, winding Mattole Road and all

Won’t be doing it on the RIALS though, as I sold them to a member. I know it will be one of those things that I will regret down the road, but I got stuck with the idea of having the car look completely stock as part of the engine swap for which I have been accumulating some more parts like these NOS sprockets in the past few weeks


I hope to get the new Wavetrac differential installed before the trip, as I think it will go nicely with that ASR Off functionality that @a777fan installed a few years ago.

In the meantime my car sits on its standard 16” 8 holes and I’m trying to figure out a way to get aggressive summer tires that are available in Europe over here to the U.S.. It’s just such an idiocy that you can buy Dunlop Sport Maxx and Goodyear Eagle F1 in Germany in the 16” OEM size while all you can get here in the U.S. is some sort of all season crap

 

[maw1124]

Be careful what you wish for. I ran Ultra High Performance Dunlop's on my Honda Accord back in the day, just because I didn't know any better. They taught me that tires get annoyingly loud as they age.

maw

 

[TimL]

Be careful what you wish for. I ran Ultra High Performance Dunlops on my Honda Accord back in the day, just because I didnt know any better. They taught me that tires get annoyingly loud as they age.

maw

Nah, I ran Bridgestone RE-71R on the RIALS for a couple of years and noise doesn’t bug me as long as grip is ample