modifying a Benz sucks...but is fun

[MBenzNL]

I know that the title sounds very drastic, but at least it covers my current experiences with the 1990 300SL.

Nothing, but absolutely nothing of the changes I had in mind is easy plug and play;

* mercedes changed the front steel chassis beam behind the bumper (the hew ones stick out 4-5cm more as the old ones)
* mercedes didn't change the front fender panel only, but changed all lower body panels (& skirts). The old lower door panel doesn't follow the lines and shapes of the new front fender panel
* I need to weld a little steel plate to my rear fender in order to mount the OEM MB CD changer; but after I saw a picture today, I am sure I will mount the CD changer US style (I wonder why the European CD changer was mounted that stupid compared to the very easy US mounting).
* I can't place the high-voltage units of my Xenon lights, because my car has too much outdated parts under the hood
* nobody seems to know how I can adjust the roll bar (I think I know how to do it, but I need MB tools for that)
* the old style side indicator wires and fitting doesn't fit the new style side indicators I have mounted
* I need to add a new style connector for the hand-held tester (in order to reset the height adjusting lights)...but the new connector needs different wires (coming from the fuse box)
* I still need to change my sway bars in order to get the headlight-adjusting unit to function properly (and so, I still need to remove the rear axle)

but nevertheless...the car is loosing its battle!
The front is completed now and the interior is starting to get in again and if all will function properly, I am sure I will enjoy the car as much as I enjoy my C250D.

Here are some pics of the current stage:




greetingz,