First Mercedes, 1995 E320
 

I have restored and resto modded a 68 Firebird and a 1968 C10. Both have LSx engines from the newer GM cars. I learned so much and now tune these cars on the side. I love the power but not so much how you have to slam the doors and put up with 60's build quality. I have driven newer Mercedes but I would never own a car that is wired like the space shuttle. I decided to find a model that would suit me where I can work on it and even tune the PCM. After much researching I found it. A 95 E320. Its simple fuel injection with no real security system to bypass. There lots of surprising build quality issues with these cars but the main thing is its solid and rides great!

After looking on craigslist for months I found a 95 E320 with 120000 miles. White with a must have tan interior! I had it shipped from Phoenix to Las vegas since I was afraid it could break down in the desert.

The first drive was scary. I was so afraid the wiring harness might short out in traffic or the car might over heat. I made it home problem free and even smogged it. It passed!

Next I did more test drives. A loud squealing start coming from the front of the engine. I looked around and it seemed to be the air pump. I removed it and the pulley almost fell off!! So lucky I found it! I then decided since the air pump doesn't matter I would remove it and bypass it. I took the old belt and got a new one that was 1 inch shorter and installed it. One less failure point.

Next I went to the pic a part and found 3 Mercedes that have the same engines. I got two throttle bodies, mafs, blower fans with special resisters, extra set of calipers(4 piston fixed), a weird valve that goes in the manifold and a bunch of relays. Got everything for 200$ Have all the spare parts now!

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Next I found some wheels that I like. Installed these and a new pioneer head unit with bluetooth. The stereo sounds amazing now. The original deck had major issues with the volume. It had a mind of its own. I check the engine harness. I braced for the worst but it seems fine. Found the date tag and it was from 2011!! Sweet! I then checked out the throttle body...Its original. I checked the wires and the insulation was turning to dust!! I grabbed the junk throttle body and proceeded to re-wire it. It takes a few hours but it wasnt too bad. Installed the re wired unit with a new boot and it works perfectly:)

I installed remote door lock unit I got off ebay for 15$. Works great!

New bonuses found. The water pump looks new and the radiator was been replaced about 4 years ago. The previous owner passed away and the family knew very little about the cars history

I'm working on a 95 E320 wagon. I bought it in July and the fan clutch was bad. For less than a new battery, I drove from Stateline to Vegas after finding a hose with the same ID and bend for the one that shredded. Motor mounts look good. I've not done major work on a vehie since 1987. I bought a 1967 250s 13 months ago as a hobby. Now, the 1984 BMW 633CSi needs the driver front line bent and I must save up for suspension. The 83 I towed from CA seems to need the a full gasket replacement. It wasn't getting enough gas and I noticed the line off the charcoal canister had cracked. The wagon is coming along. I'm disabled and can't exhert a lot of energy, but I enjoy every moment with my cars. The interior looks tohave been replaced on the wagon, but a leak at the pressure sender was left without repair for years. I'm learning and have not even to the junk yard yet.
Maybe I will see you at a MB meet up. Wednesday nights at In N Out and Cars & Coffee. Exotics & Espresso in Boca Park on the second Sunday of each month.