1995 E320 Wagon Potential Purchase: Talk me out of this one too - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

crashone · #61 11-24-2008, 02:24 PM

"WagonHo"

MBeige · #62 11-24-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

For my driveway's sake, I'm going to have the head gasket issue resolved as soon as possible. I'm hoping some friends of mine will help me find a good deal on the job, since its beyond my DIY skills and time restraints. It sure would be nice to save all that money, though...

Its only leaving a small drop or two a night now, and may be eating coolant VERY slowly, but I will get it done before it gets worse.

I forgot to mention that the car came with a factory full service manual.

A BIG plus...

I've driven it about 300 miles total so far, and am already attached... Still no name, though. Perhaps it will come to me after a new head gasket, removing the pinstripe, and some modern AMG wheels.

This quick of an attachment has not happened since buying Ol' Turbo.

Some things I didn't notice until today: asymmetrical side mirrors

, and an integrated factory carphone with hands free operation.

The assymetrical side mirrors are typical of w201 and w124 chassis models. Your car has the E-look so the hood star is on the hood and not on the chrome grille. The body cladding should also match the paint of the car, and the same should go with the impact strips front and back. Yours should also have the armrest with a console in it, and the glove box is on the center console not on the dashboard. Does yours have the net divider/cargo cover at the back? I'm also assuming you have a third row seat I think it was standard on most USV S124's. I'm working on getting my newly acquired net installed, parts guy messed up so I'm waiting on the last bits.

If you haven't already, get the E class Bible by Stu Ritter. Lots of nice info there but not much in the way of DIY articles. But good to have nonetheless!

Bob Weir · #63 11-24-2008, 04:56 PM

MBeige wrote
"The body cladding should also match the paint of the car, and the same should go with the impact strips front and back"

To best of my knowledge 94 & 95 have different [darker] color for bumpers and side cladding to contrast body color.

In addition 94 & 95 have HFS engine management, no bushing replaceable front A arm. There's no US 96 Wagon. US 97 is w201. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Regardless,w124 Wagon still a great ride!

babymog · #64 11-24-2008, 10:32 PM

Darker or lighter, but coordinating. Mine are lighter, depends on the upper body color, white gets silver lowers, ... etc.

colincoon · #65 11-24-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Weir

MBeige wrote
"The body cladding should also match the paint of the car, and the same should go with the impact strips front and back"

To best of my knowledge 94 & 95 have different [darker] color for bumpers and side cladding to contrast body color.

In addition 94 & 95 have HFS engine management, no bushing replaceable front A arm. There's no US 96 Wagon. US 97 is w201. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Regardless,w124 Wagon still a great ride!

The W201 is the 190 class, the W210 is what you are thinking of (I think). I actually went in for an alignment and they gave me an alignment for a W210, instead of a W201.

deanyel · #66 11-24-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Weir

MBeige wrote
"The body cladding should also match the paint of the car, and the same should go with the impact strips front and back"

To best of my knowledge 94 & 95 have different [darker] color for bumpers and side cladding to contrast body color.

In addition 94 & 95 have HFS engine management, no bushing replaceable front A arm. There's no US 96 Wagon. US 97 is w201. Correct me if I'm wrong.

You did ask for corrections - it's actually HFM, which was from 93 to 95.

MBeige · #67 11-24-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Weir

MBeige wrote
"The body cladding should also match the paint of the car, and the same should go with the impact strips front and back"

To best of my knowledge 94 & 95 have different [darker] color for bumpers and side cladding to contrast body color.

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Darker or lighter, but coordinating. Mine are lighter, depends on the upper body color, white gets silver lowers, ... etc.

Yes that's what I meant. Might be a bit darker but it's color matched, not like the earlier models that had specific combinations of paint color and body cladding color.

TylerH860 · #68 12-01-2008, 03:09 PM

Whoohoo!

The Excelsior is going in for surgery next Monday for a new head gasket. This is a mechanic about 1 hour away from me, but has glowing reviews from many of my friends in MBCA.

His price for the whole job... $1100... I'm elated!

el presidente · #69 12-06-2008, 05:38 PM

Congrats on the new kombi!

Bob Weir · #70 12-06-2008, 06:33 PM

No wonder I have so much trouble with my Benz. I don't know the color combinations, nor correct engine management system [HFS vs HFM] nor other model designations [w201 vs w210].

Fortunately, there's knowledgeable people who will correct me.

It's 20 deg outside, night time and it's snowing! I'd go out and put the snow tires on, but I don't remember where the jack is. I better let my wife do it!

Chad300tdt · #71 12-06-2008, 06:35 PM

Hey Bob, if you're ever out by my way, stop by so I can take a look at your MB. You can check out my w123's too.

I'm just up Rt.309.

TylerH860 · #72 12-14-2008, 06:00 PM

I got the Excelsior back yesterday from its headgasketectomy. Since his labor rate was so reasonable, I also had him put 4 new brake pads on and service the transmission, SLS system, rear dif, and brake fluid. The oil and coolant were replaced with the head gasket, along with the thermostat, oil pressure sensor, and many of the belts.

I'm now a bit over $4,000 into the car, which I don't think is too bad considering the fact that its major issues are dealt with, and all the servicing is up to snuff. Now that the car is mechanically perfect, its time to make it pretty.

I've decieded to put period correct AMG pentas on the SL, and swap those AMGs over to the wagon. I also plan on removing the pin stripe.

Here's my crude paint approximation of phase I of the Excelsior project:

This is how the car looks currently:

Proposed Phase I:

For my sanity's sake, I also plan on painting the front bumper body color like it should, and the back as well to take care of the missing paint you can see in the pictures. Since I'll be painting parts anyway, I'm considering for phase II is an AMG-esque body kit, like this:

There is a well established ebay account selling these kits for $750.00 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-87-88-89-90-91-92-93-91-95-MB-E-CLASS-W124-BODY-KIT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3 a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem150316208302QQitemZ150316208302QQptZOtherQ5fVehicl eQ5fParts

An opinions on this? I don't know squat about body kits, so opinions on proper materials, fit and finish, would be greatly appreciated.

iwrock · #73 12-14-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

I got the Excelsior back yesterday from its headgasketectomy. Since his labor rate was so reasonable, I also had him put 4 new brake pads on and service the transmission, SLS system, rear dif, and brake fluid. The oil and coolant were replaced with the head gasket, along with the thermostat, oil pressure sensor, and many of the belts.

I'm now a bit over $4,000 into the car, which I don't think is too bad considering the fact that its major issues are dealt with, and all the servicing is up to snuff. Now that the car is mechanically perfect, its time to make it pretty.

I've decieded to put period correct AMG pentas on the SL, and swap those AMGs over to the wagon. I also plan on removing the pin stripe.

Here's my crude paint approximation of phase I of the Excelsior project:

This is how the car looks currently:

Proposed Phase I:

For my sanity's sake, I also plan on painting the front bumper body color like it should, and the back as well to take care of the missing paint you can see in the pictures. Since I'll be painting parts anyway, I'm considering for phase II is an AMG-esque body kit, like this:

There is a well established ebay account selling these kits for $750.00 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-87-88-89-90-91-92-93-91-95-MB-E-CLASS-W124-BODY-KIT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3 a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem150316208302QQitemZ150316208302QQptZOtherQ5fVehicl eQ5fParts

An opinions on this? I don't know squat about body kits, so opinions on proper materials, fit and finish, would be greatly appreciated.

Make sure you get a wagon kit.

I wound up with a sedan kit the first time around.

The rear bumpers are different.

What material do they use for the kit?

TylerH860 · #74 12-14-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

Make sure you get a wagon kit.

I wound up with a sedan kit the first time around.

The rear bumpers are different.

What material do they use for the kit?

Where did you get your kit?

Here's what the ad says and I did ask them if they made wagon bumpers:

All body kits are made out of ( 7 layers Poly-Fiber Reinforced body kit, really strong, flexi & durable ), the strongest martial in the market, brand new, unpainted, primed & gel coated, simple installation, any body shop can install them ( By Using the Factory Bolts & Screws ).

babymog · #75 12-15-2008, 12:43 AM

Sounds like a basic fiberglass kit, which is unforgiving if knocked against something. Cheapest to fabricate since the molds can be wood and fiberglass (I have some fiberglass bumper molds, know how it works).

Personally, I think that the hard angular lines on the kit you're showing clashes harshly with the smooth organic lines of the wagon. Just me.