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  #1  
Old 06-23-2007, 07:12 PM
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Chrome wheel arches option...

My name is John and I bought an '85 300D a few months ago. I've enjoyed reading all the comments and feedback and I have a general question.
I don't have any rust on my car and I've been considering subtle upgrades including chrome trim door guards and chrome wheel arches. I've done my homework and its apparently agreeable that wheel arches are a good way to hide rust problems but can they create rust problems after installation by trapping moisture etc...?
Secondly, would it appear tacky to all you experienced W123 owners out there if you saw a 300D with chrome door trim and chrome wheel arches and maybe even chromed 14" Bundts? Somebody stop the chrome delirium...

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  #2  
Old 06-23-2007, 07:27 PM
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There are some out there (myself included) who regard the original design of the car (123) as complete and not in need of any further improvement. I won't even look at a car if it has the chrome wheel arches. Furthermore, I don't think aftermarket wheels improve the appearance of ANY car. It amazes me that people will pay thousands of dollars for aftermarket wheels that IMHO only detract from the cars look. I think that the only reasonable upgrades are the round or square euros or other OEM upgrades Just my 2 cents and not intended to inflame or insult.

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  #3  
Old 06-23-2007, 07:28 PM
ForcedInduction
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They don't look bad, just out of place. It distracts from the natural flow lines of the body.

If you want the chrome to look good, you would need much more than just the wheel arches and wheels.
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  #4  
Old 06-23-2007, 08:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miljohnj5 View Post
Somebody stop the chrome delirium...

OK I'll stop it. Chrome arches cause rust. They are also quite tacky. Unless you like the pimp look, leave the wheel arches alone. Unless you like the look of the Autozone $3.99 door edge guards, leave the edges of the doors alone also. They're plastic and the chroming peels off. Furthermore they're cheap and useless, and come unglued and generally just look like somebody got bored and overaccessorized their old diesel with a load of cheap bling. Everyone will tell you chrome rims don't stay chrome for long. The chrome peels off of them as well. When it does, it looks *****ty.
You are talking about spending money on the most useless, cheap items I can think of. Why don't you focus on the mechanical necessities. Make sure the car runs properly. Seems like a prudent way to go to me. Don't say the car is perfect because I'm sure it isn't. Even if it is, when being driven it won't stay perfect for long. Eventually it will need minor or major work. Save your money for that. Don't expect respect if you go gluing a slew of cheap aftermarket plastichrome to your Mercedes. These cars already have enough chrome accenting. They don't need any more.
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  #5  
Old 06-23-2007, 10:54 PM
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It's all up to you. If you like it, go for it. Some people think these cars look good enough from the factory, others don't. Nobody's wrong or right, there are no facts regarding style, it's all subjective. After all, the W123 is just what Brunco Sacco's opinion of a good looking car was and we all know some people think W123s are ugly little cars. All people can give you is an opinion on what they would do if it was their car. But it's NOT their car, so if you want to add that stuff to your car, then go ahead, but know the risks that come from aftermarket chrome fender arches. I have them, they were on the car when I got it. They'll be coming off when I get it repainted.

Also, MB doesn't recommend chroming rims. Go with the polished alloy look if you want the chrome look, but don't want to risk the integrity of the rim.
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  #6  
Old 06-23-2007, 11:10 PM
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If you want to enhance the look of your car, its true that the chrome arches will in time only degrade its appearance, and although I too like the look, I believe they will end up clashing with the wheels, and on top of that its true the rust really will eat its way through. However, I personally like the chrome threshold plate. Its not too "bling" although it is sorta flashy. I think it will look better than the plastic that is already in the cars. Heres a picture...



they are sale right now on http://www.adsitco.com/
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  #7  
Old 06-23-2007, 11:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miljohnj5 View Post
My name is John and I bought an '85 300D a few months ago. I've enjoyed reading all the comments and feedback and I have a general question.
I don't have any rust on my car and I've been considering subtle upgrades including chrome trim door guards and chrome wheel arches. I've done my homework and its apparently agreeable that wheel arches are a good way to hide rust problems but can they create rust problems after installation by trapping moisture etc...?
Secondly, would it appear tacky to all you experienced W123 owners out there if you saw a 300D with chrome door trim and chrome wheel arches and maybe even chromed 14" Bundts? Somebody stop the chrome delirium...
Chrome wheel opening looks cheap and, IMHO the outward sign of a person who wants to mimic a ghetto car or Bling Bling
The time and money is better spent on something else
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  #8  
Old 06-23-2007, 11:22 PM
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When I see a car advertised that has chrome fender trim, it's instantly out of consideration as a purchase. I know it has been "ethnicly owned" and whatever that might mean to you - maybe or maybe not means the same thing to me.

Ken300D
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  #9  
Old 06-23-2007, 11:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken300D View Post
When I see a car advertised that has chrome fender trim, it's instantly out of consideration as a purchase. I know it has been "ethnicly owned" and whatever that might mean to you - maybe or maybe not means the same thing to me.

Ken300D
HAHAHAHAAhHA
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  #10  
Old 06-23-2007, 11:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken300D View Post
When I see a car advertised that has chrome fender trim, it's instantly out of consideration as a purchase. I know it has been "ethnicly owned"
You mean like a BLACK person?


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  #11  
Old 06-23-2007, 11:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KKKen300D View Post
When I see a car advertised that has chrome fender trim, it's instantly out of consideration as a purchase. I know it has been "ethnicly owned" and whatever that might mean to you - maybe or maybe not means the same thing to me.

Ken300D


Are your cars equipped with KKK Turbos by chance?
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Last edited by redassag00; 06-24-2007 at 12:25 AM.
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  #12  
Old 06-24-2007, 12:07 AM
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Exclamation

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken300D View Post
When I see a car advertised that has chrome fender trim, it's instantly out of consideration as a purchase. I know it has been "ethnicly owned" and whatever that might mean to you - maybe or maybe not means the same thing to me.

Ken300D


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  #13  
Old 06-24-2007, 12:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Hit Man X View Post


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  #14  
Old 06-24-2007, 12:10 AM
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Were the chromed wheel arches a factory option on some W123 cars?

Lots of good and considered comments here.

I think the door edge guards are a very bad idea, they look after market and the plastic ones especially, won't stay on for a long time, and they attract rust and dirt. Carefully applied touch up paint as needed is a much better idea

My experience with the chromed wheel arches was this: I added them to a 1991 Volvo to avoid body work after a light scrape on a fender lip. Years later, the car was hit and run, (sideswiped) and 2 wheel arches were damaged with the chrome arches. It was almost impossible to find replacements, and of course, I had to buy four new ones for a match. The paint underneath them didn't match the rest of the car any more, and there was a LOT of dirt, no rust yet. (A fellow in Chicago told me a low mileage, under 40k 560SEL in Chicago had these chrome wheel arches on it, and there was terrible rust underneath them after several years....)

I would avoid the chromed wheel arches, but my question is this:

I have seen many W123 cars with them, were they a factory option or feature, for some W123 models? I actually think these cars look nice with OR without them.

Chrome wheels look fine to me on most any W123, but they are more high maintenance than the alloys. I have heard the 15" chromed bundt cake wheels are very rare, and expensive. Ronal, BBS, and AMG Penta wheels look good on them too.
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  #15  
Old 06-24-2007, 12:18 AM
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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.
[/IMG]
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