As indicated, the reservoirs are for vacuum and coolant overflow. The coolant overflow tank is almost always neglected and you will find it full of crud. It's supposed to allow the plastic pressure tank on the right inner fender to overflow and later, as the coolant cools, suck the contents back in without loss (that's the theory).

The plastic liners at the lower front are often lost due to accident and rarely replaced. They are important in keeping things clean underneath. The steel crash plate is an option that is rarely seen. I'd like to have one.

Jeremy

The crash plate I got from my 87 euro 300D... I removed the plate when I sold it. :)

Is there a part number on the plate? Does it work with the US spec thermostatic side louvers? Is the sway bar part of the plate? :)

I like the plate because it has a cutout for the oil drain plug. I'd be tempted to take it to a hot rod shop to have it louvered. Maybe some flames, too.

Sixto
87 300D

Will look up the part number later... IIRC I had those side louvers too in the euro 300D. There is a cut-out for the sway bars.
It's a beefy setup, looks like it could really protect the engine from anything.

Just checked the plate... couldn't find a part number, weird, I always thought EVERY part that came from the factory had part numbers... then again, I do not remember seeing a part number stamped on any of my fenders...

FYI. All of the early 124's my family has owned (5+?) did not have the plastic splash shield on the passenger side as shown in post #10. The 300E didn't have one on the driver's side either. Meaning the 300D had one, the 300E had zero. I don't think they fell off all five cars. Most likley these were not factory fitment, at least on those years/models. I did however find the part number in the EPC and add the shield to the passenger side of my '87 300D.

The gas cars have a single plastic splash shield below the engine (with no foam sound insulation), diesels have two plastic splash shields; one below the engine, another below the transmission, both have foam sound insulation - at least for 1987 models (click here).

The metal "crash plate" was a Euro accessory. Part # 124-520-34-42 is listed for .133/.193 and it's only $700 USD list price! Buy two while they're cheap. :P

Jeremy already solved the spherical tank mystery.


:zorro:

My 87 300D doesn't have the passenger side shield either. It'll be the first thing missing from this car if it came with one.

Sixto
87 300D

That's weird... so you guys can see the "inside" of the bumper? That's not very MERC like... hmmmmmmm. Well at least they covered up the left side oil cooler. Maybe the MERC dealers there cut costs? I honestly don't think stuttgart would let something as simple as a splash shield be an option...

I can make fiberglass copies if any one's interested. :)

They're 'only' about $42 list/$32 discounted. I'll bet Jeremy ordered one already. Make fiberglass crash shields instead.

Sixto
87 300D

Ah, I thought I heard someone else say they weren't a factory fitment on my car ... oh well, whether it's supposed to be there or not, I ordered one for $30. I'm all for protecting what I can.:) Think I'll have to pass on the $700 steel plate ... though that would be great to have!

Fiberglas crash shield are no good protection-wise... they'd just function as debris shields. :)

Carbon fiber?

Sixto
87 300D

The problem spots would be the mounting points... besides I do not think CF can withstand a planar impact as well as steel, I could be wrong though. I haven't seen CF off-road skid plates. The epoxy or resin once scraped off exposes the CF weave, rendering it useless IMO.

Fiberglass or carbon fiber plate with longitudinal strap steel reinforcements through the attachment and low points?

Sixto
87 300D

hmmmmmmm, that MAY work... a few reinforced ribs here and there. Good idea. :)