400E resurrection

[gatorblue92]

After about 3 years of searching I finally found another 400E. This one is by far the most rust free W124 I've ever had however it did have some running issues when I got it. Car was going into limp mode as soon as it was warmed up.

The seller told me his "mechanic" told him the "Cadillac Converter" was bad but I suspected it was something with either the harness or throttle body. After getting the car home and reading the codes I found one of the 10A fuses in the BM/GM module was blown. After changing the fuses and clearing the codes I now have a very nicely running 400E.

The car was sitting for a few years so I've had to do a bit of deferred maintenance including new plugs, wires, distributor caps, rotors and insulators. I also put the 17" Monoblocks from my old 300TE on the car. Future plans include a full suspension rebuild and lowering with H&R springs. Ive had two prior W124's with that setup and have loved how it handles.

[gatorblue92]

After cleaning it up a bit.

[gatorblue92]

How its currently looking...

[jake12tech]

I’ll buy it when you sell it.

[Scrappy]

That is SLICK, Gator!

Keep On Truckin!

[Stretch]

Nice colour that 199

(It is 199 isn't it?)

[gatorblue92]

Spring is around the corner so I've begun ordering parts for a rebuild of the front suspension. Planning on Lemfoerder parts as available even though they seem to be on the questionable parts supplier list as of late. Also on the lookout for H&R springs. Pelican seems to be the cheapest for them and I feel the price has dropped quite a bit since I bought some for my former 300TE.

I've driven the car about 1000 miles since I replaced the BM fuse and still don't have any running issues or new codes. Quite pleased with that and the overall running condition of the car.

[gatorblue92]

Made some progress on the suspension rebuild over the past week.

Currently prepping the swaybar for paint.

[TimFreeh]

Great find, I had a 400E in the exact same color combo. It was a great car, I'd ditch the USA spec headlights next. Euro headlights on this car really clean up the look of the front end IMHO.

This was one of the best highway cars I've ever owned - effortless power at any speed, very refined, good sight lines, very comfortable and mine would get 27MPG on the highway thanks to the (I think?) 2.24 final drive rear.

[gatorblue92]

Finished up the front suspension rebuild over the weekend. I have some H&R springs but opted to keep it at stock height for the time being since there is some rust on one of the rear subframe mounts I'll need to deal with. I did replace what appeared to be the original rear brakes and shocks while I had the car apart but the bolts for removing the rear lower control arm were completely rusted and unable to be removed without grinding the head off. I'll save that project for next winter. In the meantime the car has all new front LCAs, struts, tie rods, idler arm bushings, refreshed sway bar and bushings as well as all new pads and rotors on all 4 corners. I used Sachs struts and based on how the car is currently riding I might not even lower it. These Sachs struts and shocks make the car ride better than any W124 I've driven in at least 20 years.

[gatorblue92]

I also decided to test fit a OEM roof rack today I picked up from another member. I need to find a suitable bike rack and its good to go.

EDIT: I HATE PHOTOBUCKET!!! I keep resizing the images and they keep supersizing them....

[Smoky300D]

That car is awesome! Very nice project...I wish I could find a W124 without rust! Ah that's MI I guess, everything that is sub $2000 has rust it seems.