A new look - 123.133 - Page 7 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mark DiSilvestro · #91 11-09-2008, 06:08 PM

Well, I've spent the better part of three days this week prepping the US bumper, and related skirts and boots for my Euro TD. Had to hammer out the body under the left taillight where the impact that mangled the Euro bumper, also drove the backup-light assy into the fender, creating a crater that prevented attachment of the rear corner of the left bumper-boot. Then drilled the lip under the tailgate opening so I could attach the skirt. Of course all the steel inner plates for the US-spec skirt and boots also had to be cleaned up and repainted. I'm installng a sedan bumper as I have yet to find a US wagon bumper in any salvage yard, and I think the sedan unit may be stronger without the cutouts for the backup lights. I'll have to make brackets to mount them below the bumper and hope I don't back over any high curbs or other obstacles. Finished installing the skirt and boots, and patched a couple rust-holes tonight. What a pain! But I keep reminding myself that it's easier than getting a US wagon and converting it to a 5-speed and manual heat-AC.

Happy Motoring, Mark

MBeige · #92 11-10-2008, 12:55 AM

Thanks Andy!

Mark, it looks like you need to post pics to make it more fun

I just did an oil change on both cars today, and cleaned up the engines as well. Mine is already clean but the wagon has yet to get there.

I've also finally taken pics of the recently cleaned engine bay on mine, the decals are now complete.

I must admit, this car is so much more fun to clean than the 300TE simply because mine has a much lighter paint color so I can easily see where it's dirty. On the 300TE it's dark gray so that really makes it even harder to clean since I cannot easily distinguish between dirt and paint...

Also I realized that Meguiar's Exterior Trim Detailer works wonders on that faded plastic cover right in front of the auxiliary fan, and that 1/2 inch Home Depot copper tubing insulation works well to cover up the A/C low pressure line that runs in front of the engine. The old one got so hard and brittle it literally crumbled away as I tore it apart.

And of course, a new hood pad rounds up the look of the car with the hood in the vertical position

BENZSTER · #93 11-10-2008, 12:31 PM

Great looking car, your obvious pride in ownership is showing big time... It's always nice to see fellow MB fanatics maintaining their cars to such high standards.

MBeige · #94 11-11-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZSTER

Great looking car, your obvious pride in ownership is showing big time... It's always nice to see fellow MB fanatics maintaining their cars to such high standards.

Thanks Benzster! Pride in ownership, yes, perhaps I can't help it?

tobybul · #95 11-11-2008, 12:27 PM

Nice Car, MBeige!! Really envy you folks not in the rust belt. Walang kalawang!

MBeige · #96 11-11-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

Nice Car, MBeige!! Really envy you folks not in the rust belt. Walang kalawang!

Thanks pare, sometimes I see cars that have been here locally but have rust. Mine is 99% rust free - battery tray issue...

bgkast · #97 11-11-2008, 08:43 PM

Wow, that's clean!

You could sell it for $12K on ebay

MBeige · #98 11-11-2008, 08:45 PM

Thanks, but I'd rather keep it...

tobybul · #99 11-11-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

Wow, that's clean!

You could sell it for $12K on ebay

Somebody will pay $28k for it

MBeige · #**100** 01-22-2012, 02:15 AM

I just ran across this thread I created a while back while searching for something else, and boy it's been a long time and my car looked so different.

Now it's just simple, classic and elegant. No more Euro plates, blacked out grille or blacked out headlight surrounds

Since the last post it already wears the 15" Bundts and some interior mods (rear sunshade, fire extinguisher, etc).

Stretch · #**101** 01-22-2012, 03:22 AM

Still my favourite bench mark Patrick

Didn't you try out coupe bumpers at one time?

I've sourced a set for mine.

MBeige · #**102** 01-22-2012, 05:29 PM

Thanks Tristan!

Yes, I've sourced out a pair of Euro bumpers but decided the US bumpers will stay. Sold the entire set of Euro bumpers I got to a fellow member.

Was able to get a great photo with the Euro bumpers though!

Stretch · #**103** 01-23-2012, 03:05 AM

On ebay there are regularly rear coupe bumper corners with an asking price of 150 euros per side - I saw a whole 280 in a pretty rust free state but with electrical problems (plus who knows what else) for 1500 euros the other day. I had the itch just for the bumpers! I think I would have gone for it if the interior had been leather...

...how greedy can you get?

MBeige · #**104** 01-24-2012, 05:32 PM

The Euro bumpers look great when properly done (no dents, no bends, and look fresh/mint).

My car's original US bumpers are still in great shape, provide better protection on low-speed impacts, and IMHO look better with the 15" bundts.