My 300E factory 5 speed transformation
 

So I have a 86 300E factory 5 speed under 100K miles and in great shape. Tried selling it but in the back of mind really wanted to play with it.

It was 100% stock minus the Sony radio. I am in the wheel and tire biz so obv. the first change was the wheels. I went with BBS RS077 on all 4 corners which were brand new old stock. These wheels were made for the 201/124 chassis. So I lucked out. I'm running Conti DW tires in 205/55/16 fronts and 225/50/16 rears. Stock suspension sits high and is going to get refreshed. I have just received from tire rack new bilstein Sports and H&R sport springs. I also managed to find new W124 limo front sway bar and 500E rear sway bar (all direct fit) through Mercedes parts. Those will be here in a week or so. I ordered the 300TE wagon rear metal sway bar links (300E are plastic) today as well.Also going to replace all rubber bushings front and rear. I want to use Sport line where avail. I will be updating and documenting as I go along ,should be a fun project and the parts are fairly cheep. Cheers.

Before wheels/tires

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_8448.jpg


http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_8337.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_7914.jpg


After with wheels, but before suspension

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1076.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1068.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1066.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...0/IMG_1069.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1108.jpg

Keep the updates coming

Look great, needs some euro headlights!

Where and how did you find this gem? And why did you ever think of selling it?

Can't view what you are trying to link.

Did some basic maintenance stuff tonight. Mobil 1 Diff. and tranny fluid change. Did new shifter bushings a few weeks back. So she's shifting nicely! Also peeled the old dried and falling apart hood pad off, need to order a new one ASAP. Still waiting on a few suspension parts to come in from Germany before I can dig into that task.


http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_2626.jpg

Question. Just curious. Why did you go with the Bilstein Sport struts/shocks and H&R sport springs? Thx.

Because i want to lower the car and have had a good experience with the combo on my w140 coupe. Both products are very well made/German, plus Im a dealer so prices are wholesale. :)

The thing everybody seems to overlook is that this is completely reversible. I always keep my stock components.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_7024.jpg

Got her washed/waxed today with some good products. I think I heard the car purring. Needing a paintless dent repair guy, as the car has 3-4 small dings that are bothering me. The 911 tag is from an old car, before anybody asks, LOL.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...G_1191%202.jpg


http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...G_1188%202.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1183.jpg

So a couple cosmetic things addressed today. The bumper impact strips came in. Mine were old and faded and the front one was damaged due to a fender bender or something very light hitting it. The bumper was fine just the strip. So this was a nice little way to clean up the front and rear. I need the license plate delete piece for the front strip as the old one is faded and I don't like the look,so will do the solid filler piece.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_8430.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_8427.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1297.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1298.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1300.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1299.jpg


Also the new shock/strut mounts came in. Everything I'm using is factory OE Mercedes. Well besides the shocks and springs that is.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1293.jpg

Rear 500E 18MM sway bar w/bushings and the metal upgraded 300TE wagon sway bar links came in today. Still waiting on the front limo sway bar.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1321.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1322.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1324.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1323.jpg

Really nice project coming along very well.

Some 034/036 horns would be a good upgrade. The 93 and later 034/036 horns both bolt in front similar to how these original ones do. These original horns just don't do the job.

Thanks man I will look into it.

My bible came in today,LOL will put it to good use soon.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...2/IMG_1325.jpg