I am looking to buy a 500e front sway bar.
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WANTED WTB: 500E FRONT SWAYBAR
- Thread starter Stevester 500E
- Start date
I have found that it is difficult to score 500E sway bars. One board member has promised me his when he upgrades but that still hasn't happened yet.
The R129 front bar is even thicker and will fit apparently, because the R129 is based on the W124. You won't ever find a 500E at a self serve JY (I've heard of it happening only once), but you will encounter a 500SL once in a while. I found one on a half-off day and scored it's front bar. I have only had the chance to hold it up in place and eyeball it but it looks like it will fit, despite the comments to the contrary that you will find on the net.
When I finally get those 500E bars mentioned in the first paragraph, I'll try the 500E rear bar with the 500SL front bar combined with a limited slip rear-end and see what kind of balance I have.
Anyways, my point is maybe it might be easier to score a 500SL front bar, and maybe a 500SL front bar might be a better option anyways because it's thicker.
Regards,
Eric
The R129 front bar is even thicker and will fit apparently, because the R129 is based on the W124. You won't ever find a 500E at a self serve JY (I've heard of it happening only once), but you will encounter a 500SL once in a while. I found one on a half-off day and scored it's front bar. I have only had the chance to hold it up in place and eyeball it but it looks like it will fit, despite the comments to the contrary that you will find on the net.
When I finally get those 500E bars mentioned in the first paragraph, I'll try the 500E rear bar with the 500SL front bar combined with a limited slip rear-end and see what kind of balance I have.
Anyways, my point is maybe it might be easier to score a 500SL front bar, and maybe a 500SL front bar might be a better option anyways because it's thicker.
Regards,
Eric
Last edited:
This has been going around for a while... does anyone have any REAL, first hand information if they will fit?
By real first hand information, I don't mean it "looks like it will fit" or "my cousins neighbor said it will" or "I read on a German forum once" etc. Just solid information.
I would think "not" because someone, somewhere, must have tried this obvious upgrade in the past 20 years or so.
Let's put this to rest once and for all.
IIRC... the R129 bar can be made to fit a 124, but requires modifications. Also IIRC, the modification involves flipping the frame brackets 180°. I think either Glen or 400Eric had posted this? Can't find it at the moment.
Based on the photo below (1990 500SL front sway bar), it doesn't look promising. I bet Jono could confirm or deny fitment...
Based on the photo below (1990 500SL front sway bar), it doesn't look promising. I bet Jono could confirm or deny fitment...
Attachments
IIRC... the R129 bar can be made to fit a 124, but requires modifications. Also IIRC, the modification involves flipping the frame brackets 180°. I think either Glen or 400Eric had posted this? Can't find it at the moment.
Based on the photo below (1990 500SL front sway bar), it doesn't look promising. I bet Jono could confirm or deny fitment...
Must have been Eric since I have no idea. How large is the SL bar anyway?
The largest of the R129 bars is 30mm, I believe, same as the E60 bar. Dunno about the tapers & shape though.
I do not believe the 034 Sportline was ever imported into the USA, same with the uber rare 034 AMG fender flares.
The 036 bar, as Dave said, is a little over $200 and readily available, hardly worth waiting, which could take years, for one to come up used IMHO.
A note to those non USA members... a lot of what you have was NEVER available in the USA, period 201.036's, 034 Sportlines, most early AMG stuff, decent heating units, headlamps that allow one to actually see the road, etc.
That's why all USA members NEED to spend the $15 annually to get the Euro EPC. Amazing what was available that we (USA) didn't get.
Just my opinion.
Ron
Correct. The only donor for the 28mm front bar in USA is the E500E. No .034 Sportlines on this side of the pond, unfortunately.
The R129 bar DOES fit with a minimal amount of work. There was a thread about it on MercedesShop. I have it bookmarked but my computer is down once again. (I'm on the wife's computer.) The R129 bar is worth the effort because it is a thicker than the 500E bar. It's like the difference between a 034 bar and a 036 bar. I know it's OVER 30mms, but I don't remember exactly how much over 30mms though. Maybe 30.5mms. I'll measure mine again tomorrow. Slap a posi in the rear-end to offset the increased understeer brought on by that big mack-daddy bar and you be styling.
According to GSXR's chart, The sportline bar is smaller than the 500E bar. http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_sway_bars/
The only "factory" W124 bar that is bigger than the 500E bar is the convertible sportline bar, which is also the famous "limo" bar. It's not available in the USA though. The 500SL bar is.
This leaves you with only the R129 bar or the big bucks AMG or RENNtech bars. Are those even available anymore?
Regards,
Eric
According to GSXR's chart, The sportline bar is smaller than the 500E bar. http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_sway_bars/
The only "factory" W124 bar that is bigger than the 500E bar is the convertible sportline bar, which is also the famous "limo" bar. It's not available in the USA though. The 500SL bar is.
This leaves you with only the R129 bar or the big bucks AMG or RENNtech bars. Are those even available anymore?
Regards,
Eric
Eric, why do you say it's not available?
I just checked on Thursday and the 124.066 Sportline bar is readily available in the US from Parts.com at $178.80 or from Tom Hanson at Irvine, who will match their price I am told.
I hate to say this but..... I trust NO other forum besides this one when it comes to what works and what doesn't. I'm sure that there are many other places/people that provide correct information but it's usually a hit or miss. Here, if it works that's great, if it doesn't there are no ego's involved and someone will correct the person and provide the proper information. So I'm sure someone on MercedesShop wrote something about it but unless it's one of the regulars here, my pocketbook views what works and what doesn't with a degree of suspicion. Not to say that they're wrong of course. Just to say I would not bet my ordering money on what someone who is not on this board says or what claims to work.
Besides, what a "minimal amount of work" is to some is a major undertaking to others.
Kind Regards,
Ron
The AMG bar has been NLA for Loooong time (and I just happen to have a NOS one in my living room) and they are not, will not go back into production, not sure about the RENNTech one, call Bob and ask. Maybe if enough people call they will do a run. Probably need around 10-20, with a deposit to cover their costs, to make it worthwhile I bet. Even then it's small potatoes to them at this point in their life.
I think someone did inquire a year or so ago.
Ron
I thought I remembered seeing that RENNtech would sell their 500E bar (have one made) at their exhorbitant price if a customer paid up front.
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Ron, you are listing many good points here!
The best info is always the proven facts.As for the RENNtech, I've inquired two times on Email, but no answer. I was recommended here on the board to call them since they probably resist a bit when thinking on the hassle with overseas shipping, despite it is not much hassle, and I also told I was using a shipping forwarder located in New Jersey.
Some years back I called Brabus about their NLA front swaybar (30 mm), and the guy said they probably needed 50 swaybars to do a production run, and then they needed all sold up-front prior to take on it at all.
We have that AMG/RENNtech reproduction thread running here awaiting results, close to now maybe. However, if a 30mm 500SL swaybar works with no cut & grind it is a good idea.
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?538-AMG-and-RENNtech-swaybar-reproductions
-a-
There was no cutting or grinding involved, it was more like slightly spacing the sway bar brackets/supports. The modifier was pleased with the results.
I was assuming that this bar was going to be used on something other than a 036 since an 036 would already have a 500E bar. I know folks aren't too keen on modifying their 036s but are less concerned about modifying non-036s for obvious reasons.
Regards,
Eric
I was assuming that this bar was going to be used on something other than a 036 since an 036 would already have a 500E bar. I know folks aren't too keen on modifying their 036s but are less concerned about modifying non-036s for obvious reasons.
Regards,
Eric
If you are able to get in touch with Bob, quite likely he will tell you to go stuff yourself, as Bob retired from RENNtech a year or two ago. I've no clue how you'd get his home phone number. I'd contact Hartmut, if you can get through to him. Last I heard, they still had their 500E sway bar available for purchase (32mm), at $600 plus shipping.
Based on photos of the R129 front bar, I still not convinced it was a simple modification. Reminds me of people who think the later 6- or 8-piston AMG brakes are a "simple bolt on with minor mods" to a W124, and will continue to insist that is true even after you show them photos of the guy with the angle grinder chopping off parts of the steering knuckle...
If you are able to get in touch with Bob, quite likely he will tell you to go stuff yourself, as Bob retired from RENNtech a year or two ago. I've no clue how you'd get his home phone number. I'd contact Hartmut, if you can get through to him. Last I heard, they still had their 500E sway bar available for purchase (32mm), at $600 plus shipping.
Based on photos of the R129 front bar, I still not convinced it was a simple modification. Reminds me of people who think the later 6- or 8-piston AMG brakes are a "simple bolt on with minor mods" to a W124, and will continue to insist that is true even after you show them photos of the guy with the angle grinder chopping off parts of the steering knuckle...
Come on Dave, Bob isn't a bad guy.
He always was helpful to me even though I knew I wouldn't buy anything. Once you past his grumpy side he wouldn't shut up if he thought you knew what you were talking about and/or were serious. He didn't have time to suffer fools who wanted a RENN Tech badge for their 240D or free catalogue.
I have found the people who are retired usually are MORE helpful than the current employees. I spoke with some of the people who worked for AMG in Westmont and couldn't stop them from talking once they got started. The only person who was less than helpful was the guy who did the metal spoilers... he seemed to want to forget that entire part of his life... But RB was helpful and so was the shop manager who is still in the business BTW.
One of my ex's bought a Fiat Dino from the guy who use to build the engines, and do the machine work, for RB, he was in Bensenville, Il
I bet Brady would tell you who made the bars in the first place. Call Harmut's wife, I forgot her name but she works there, and ask her how to get in contact with him. For some reason I bet he didn't move to the snow belt, nor did he seem the guy to move to Hipsterville.
Kind Regards,
Ron
Arnt:
You have no idea how much of a hassle it is shipping stuff overseas... I sell a few things on eBay and a lot goes to the UK or De. and it is a big hassle. There is now more paperwork on items over a certain amount, shipping qioyes vary by quite a bit. I can see why people don't want to ship to Europe. If I didn't believe in karma I wouldn't ship either. But since most of the stuff I like originated in Europe I feel an obligation to ship there with my junk. Insurance is only available for a certain amount unless you ship Fed-X which increases the cost by quite a bit and a host of other problems.
I once bought a wheel for my Testarossa (talk about metal fatigue and failure...) and it was cheaper to fly to the UK, buy the wheel at Marinello Concessionaires, stay at the Ritz one night and fly home than it was to buy it from my local Ferrari Dealer. Airfare was cheaper then, $350 R/T, but still.
Kind Regards,
Ron
I had limited contact with Bobster, and never was fortunate enough to get past the grumpy side to the sunny meadows beyond. If you can contact him and get some history (would LOVE more details on their various M119 builds), that would be awesome. I was able to chat with Hartmut for a while and he was very nice, and very helpful.
Shipping overseas for medium/small items (say, under about 2 cubic feet) and relatively light weight (40-50 lbs max) usually isn't too bad, to most locations. For big and/or heavy items, it can be a nightmare, or obscenely expensive. USPS makes it relatively painless, but it often takes 2-3 weeks for delivery (varies by country).
Yea I know - sorry for the harsh tone in my previous post haha.
What I mean is that even though the .034 Sportline wasn't offered in the US, the fact that it exists ought to make for instance a part like this swaybar cheaper in the US too. It's the rarity of parts that makes them more expensive than the same type of part that is less rare, not in which market they're sold (generally speaking). I would suspect that these swaybars are all made in the same factory.
Thanks for the info. I am looking for a swaybar for my e320 coupe. If the custom swaybar production runs comes to fruition, I am buying 3 sets.
For an E320 coupe with 6-cyl engine... get the 28.5mm "limo" swaybar (also used on Cabrio Sportline). Available new for probably less than you'd pay for a used 500E front bar.
http://www.parts.com/parts/index.cf...xt=124-323-77-65&action=oePartSearch&siteid=2
The V8 bars are shaped differently, and although they will fit 6-cyl cars, I prefer to use the 6-cyl front bar. I have had the "limo" front bar on my 87 300D for years, it's a step up from the standard Sportline bar.
I considered this and will probable go that route. A friend of mine has had success with the 500e swaybars, front and rear. I thought if I could pick up a used set at a reasonable price I would just use the 500e set up.
Correct. The only donor for the 28mm front bar in USA is the E500E. No .034 Sportlines on this side of the pond, unfortunately.
How about 320 coupe 1994 sportline ? I spotted one in junk yard . What size of a swaybar on those sportline coupes ?
Don't reinvent the wheel... as Dave said use the Limo bar in front and 036 bar in back. That what I have on my 092 wagon and that what I will put on my, Joanna's, 052 when it arrives tomorrow. I also use Sportline (129) rear subframe bushings. Handles better than the 036.
Ron
That 94 Sportline coupe will have the standard Sportline front bar (27.5mm) and rear bar (16.5mm). The shift knob is super rare, if it's in good shape, you should snag it (need to disassemble the shifter to remove though). Shame the coupe uses slower steering boxes or Ron would have you out there unbolting the box.
That 94 Sportline coupe will have the standard Sportline front bar (27.5mm) and rear bar (16.5mm). The shift knob is super rare, if it's in good shape, you should snag it (need to disassemble the shifter to remove though). Shame the coupe uses slower steering boxes or Ron would have you out there unbolting the box.
Some idiot already snaged the "sportline" badge on top of the knob and stole the "sportline" fender badges.
So does the sportline sway bar have any value ?
However, the steering wheel still there and it is in a good shape. I am keeping my eye on it in case want the OE wheel back on 500E.
What idiots. The badge by itself is useless. You need the complete shift knob. *facepalm*
The rear bar is more valuable than the front, but it's a PITA to remove, and only an upgrade for 6-cyl cars. No use on the 400E/500E.
Oh yeah - good idea, snag that and stick it on a shelf just in case!
That is what I thought too.
Ok, I'm not planning buying M103/m104 cars for sure so no use for me at all.
The only issue is an old guy/owner of junk yard is thinking that C124 sportline is almost the same as R129 so he thinks all parts are interchangeable so charges higher than regular 124 rates for parts. Hence he wants $200 for the steering wheel cuz he said it is SL steering wheelOh yeah - good idea, snag that and stick it on a shelf just in case!
In regards to the sportline coupe, can you ask how much for the steering box, I hear the sportline is an upgrade from stock. Thanks
Are u referring to my post ?
Yes, you said you know a junk yard with an e320 sportline coupe
I think, but Dave would know for sure, that the 050, 051, 052 Coupe Sportline steering box is slower than the 030, 031, 032 or 090, 091, 092 steering box. Probably due to the shorter wheelbase of the coupe so when older MBCA members take their cars on trips to candle factories they don't get into trouble.
The 030, 031, 032 or 090, 091, 092 is the one you want for a quicker ratio.
I have one in my 092 and it makes a world of difference.
But I need to find another one, only in the interest of safety of course, for Joanna's 052 so she can avoid cute little puppies and small adorable kittens that may dart into the road while she's driving.
I would never forgive myself if something happened to them because I was remiss in not providing her with a Sportline steering box. The Burden, Eric, would be too great even for me to handle is something happen to the Animals.
Ron
Well, Mb did make an attempt to satisfy the folks that drive their w124's to the candle factories, by producing an e36 coupe. . .you'd be supprised, the 500e's only get to the candle factory 10ths of a second faster than the e36 . .
Ron is correct, the coupe steering boxes are slower ratio than sedans. The Sportline coupe got the regular, standard, sedan box. If you want a Sportline box for a standard coupe, just go get one from any sedan or wagon in the local junkyard.
It's the sedan (and cabrio) Sportline steering box that is quicker ratio (of the three total available in 6-cyl cars) but these are extremely difficult to find.
And no, the 6-cyl boxes are not interchangeable with the V8 boxes. If you want to go on a real snipe hunt, try to find an .034 Sportline box, which would be an upgrade for a 500E. You'd have to get one from Europe and try to prove that it's legit before wasting the money on shipping it.
Specs are here:
http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/W124/steering_boxes.pdf
It's the sedan (and cabrio) Sportline steering box that is quicker ratio (of the three total available in 6-cyl cars) but these are extremely difficult to find.
And no, the 6-cyl boxes are not interchangeable with the V8 boxes. If you want to go on a real snipe hunt, try to find an .034 Sportline box, which would be an upgrade for a 500E. You'd have to get one from Europe and try to prove that it's legit before wasting the money on shipping it.
Specs are here:
http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/W124/steering_boxes.pdf
[TABLE="width: 100%, align: center"][TR][TD="colspan: 5"][ 1 ] FRONT SUSPENSION / FRONT SUSPENSION / STABILIZER BAR & COMPONENTS / Stabilizer bar
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD] stabilizer bar W/O 4-MATIC, 500E, E500
PARTS: Order by description.
[/TD][TD="align: right"]MSRP
[/TD][TD="align: right"]Core ?
[/TD][TD="align: right"]Online Price
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD="align: right"]$292.00
[/TD][TD="align: right"]$0.00
[/TD][TD="align: right"]$233.60
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD="colspan: 5"]
[TABLE="width: 100%, align: center"][TR][TD="colspan: 2"]Genuinemercedesparts.com [/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/TD][/TR][/TABLE]
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD] stabilizer bar W/O 4-MATIC, 500E, E500
PARTS: Order by description.
[/TD][TD="align: right"]MSRP
[/TD][TD="align: right"]Core ?
[/TD][TD="align: right"]Online Price
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD="align: right"]$292.00
[/TD][TD="align: right"]$0.00
[/TD][TD="align: right"]$233.60
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD="colspan: 5"]
[TABLE="width: 100%, align: center"][TR][TD="colspan: 2"]Genuinemercedesparts.com [/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/TD][/TR][/TABLE]
Hmmm.
BMWMercedesparts.com = $204.75
http://www.bmwmercedesparts.com/par...rcedes-Benz&action=oePartSearch&siteid=215771
Parts.com = $210.00
http://www.parts.com/parts/index.cf...xt=124-323-72-65&action=oePartSearch&siteid=2
MB Ft. Lauderdale = $227.76
http://www.trademotion.com/parts/in...rcedes-Benz&action=oePartSearch&siteid=214089
Genuinemercedesparts.com = $233.60
http://genuinemercedesparts.com/par...rcedes-Benz&action=oePartSearch&siteid=215306
I would NOT recommend using BMWMercedesparts.com, based on my horrible experience with them, as detailed in this thread.
I never was able to successfully consummate an order with them.
I have never NOT been able to successfully consummate an order with parts.com.
Mmmnn - not sure about that, I think they still are available here in Urop. Last check was back in 2011, I don't recall the price though.
-a-
OK, I thought you were going to test fit the R129 swaybar to see how it would fit. But that can be done later, no problem.
-a-
As I stated in my earlier post, I've only held it up in place and eyeballed it, but that's as far as that project is going to go for now. I'm not anywhere near ready to tackle that project right now. I only grabbed the bar when I did because I know that when I'm finally actually ready for one, none will be available. That's how life works. At least that's how MY life works anyways, LOL.
Besides, I'm too busy typing manifestos on the net right now.
Regards,
Eric
Besides, I'm too busy typing manifestos on the net right now.
Regards,
Eric
