1" drop makes a BIG Difference - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aldedmon · #1 05-22-2003, 09:05 AM

I was standing in the garage yesterday and finally got around to measuring the difference in squat between the 400E and the 500E. When looking across the tops of both the difference in stature is VERY noticable. Turns out that my 92 400E with Eibachs , 3 bump rear pads , Konis, 17X8 and 245X40 Michilen Pilots is 1.25" lower FF/RR than my stock suspended 93 500E with 18X8 / 18X9 shod with 245X40 and 275X35 Michelin Pilots.
So when I look at them its very clear that I like the look of the ......No wait, I like the look of..... Yeah right I like the look of the ....No, no,... Yes..No.....Doh!.....I love 'em BOTH!

Who could make such a choice. Its a menage'tres' made in Heaven

ke6dcj · #2 06-04-2003, 02:24 PM

Albert, how did you fit 245's in the rear of the 400E?

Original AMG's for a W124? What offset (ET34) are you using?

Did you have to roll the rear fenders? If so, was it extreme?

:-) neil

PS: have any pics posted of your 400E and 500E, esp. the rear wheels!

aldedmon · #3 06-04-2003, 03:11 PM

"Albert, how did you fit 245's in the rear of the 400E?"
NICELY

...I did a test fit of 255X40's. That was TIGHT! Literally!!...so I opted on the conservative side and went with the 245X40's....the tire also may make the difference in whether the sizes will fit or not...

"Original AMG's for a W124? What offset (ET34) are you using?"
Yeah, I have the Aero's, and I think the offset is 34...doa search on Omegabenz. He has a set for sell and I believe that he shares the Offset info.

"Did you have to roll the rear fenders? If so, was it extreme?"
I did have to roll the fenders. Extreme?? I'm not sure what you mean. I rolled mine myself. I removed the wheel/tire and took a small hammer and BEAT THE $#!T OUT OF THE LIP!!

...No seriously , I took the hammer and carefully and gently began to tap on the lip where it starts to curve(already by the factory design). Be careful, but don't be afraid. You will have to use a bit of muscle. The trick is to find balance between WHACKING it and appying just enough force to mold/manipulate/bend the metal. I did it and the paint did NOT chip/flake/crack off and now there really is NO lip. I completely bent the lip closed to the inner fender. So even if the tires were to rub, there would be no tire damage, they'd just rub the inner wheel well. After adding the KMAC's, I think that I could probably go 255X40's because of the way the kit actually brings the lower wheel in, I think there is now add'l clearance. But at dang new $300 a pop for the Michelin Man's prized possessions, I'm in no hurry to find out.
See Pics at my press the www button

gsxr · #4 06-04-2003, 08:15 PM

245's shouldn't be a problem on the rear of a non-500E W124, with rolled fender lips AND proper offset wheels. Remember that offset will be different depending on wheel width, that matters... you can't just say "ET34", it's ET34 on an X.X-inch wide wheel...! Now up front, that's another story. I wouldn't go past 235's without expecting serious rubbing and/or major mods needed.

The Godfather · #5 06-10-2003, 03:33 AM

freaking hell, that E500 w/ the blacked out grill is so nice and mean!!! I'm gonna do that to my grill when I get my body kit

edit: HOLY CRAP! I just realized it was a 400E!! Man that's beautiful! How much was it to do the front fender conversion?

aldedmon · #6 06-10-2003, 11:13 AM

Here is a break down by part number and Texas prices. You can shop the parts locally and maybe get a better deal. Either way, it ain't cheap. Figure some where in the 'hood of at least ~$4K..

Front Bumper Cover 94 e500(must have for 500 fenders
124-880-47-70 - $1200
L/R Fog Lights in bumper 94 e500(must have for the bumper)
129-820-01-56 - $220
129-820-02-56 - $220
Hood 94 e500(You already have the newer hood)
124-880-26-18 - $587
Grill Assy(you already have)
124-880-07-83 - $308
L/R Head light Assy's(You don't have to have the 500E specific lights . Yours are okay for the look.)
124-820-07-57 - $612
124-820-08-57 - $612
*also wanted to compare price of the 94 e420
124-820-89-59 - $417
124-820-90-59 - $417
L/R Fender 94 e500(Now were talking)
124-880-25-18 - $475
124-880-26-28 - $475
L/R Fender Panel molding 94 e500(Have to have for the 500 fenders)
124-690-41-40-7700 - $254
124-690-42-40-7700 - $254
L/R Rocker panel Molding(Lower most molding beneath
doors) 94 e500(Have to have for the wider fenders)
124-690-09-53 - $456
124-690-10-53 - $456
There's also a bracket that hold the fog lights in. They are German order only through MB ~ $125 ea X's 2.