I finally got my 300CE out of body shops and back on the road. It only took a year and a half, give or take. The original owner was in an accident in which the right rear quarterpanel was hit and replaced. Whoever replaced it used an aftermarket panel and didn't do much rustproofing, so when the body cladding came off, there was some ugly rust-through to see. The fenders were replaced, as was the front bumper and the grille. They put in new door gaskets, a new sunroof gasket, and a trunk gasket. I replaced the headlights with Bosch euros, though I haven't yet installed proper wipers. In the next year or so I hope to install the vacuum adjust, though I don't see much utility in that.

Here are some photos which show the paint job. I took them with my blackberry, so they aren't as magnificient as the car deserves.

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I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k

Here is a closer look at one of the wheels I have on the car. They are updated 8 hole wheels. They were refinished at Wheel Collision in Bath, PA. The finish is called hyperchrome black. It's not actually chrome, but some kind of evolved powdercoat process. The finish is guaranteed for five years, regardless of use in winter and salt.

I have a set of 16 x 7.5 AMG Pentas which I bought from Tyler when he listed them on Benzworld. I had them refinished in original silver paint at Ye Olde Wheel Shoppe (corny name, I know). I intended them to go on my E500, but they didn't fit. I'm considering putting them on the CE for a spell.

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__________________
I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k

Next up will be tackling the interior. Much of the interior is decayed because I don't have a garage. Up to 2000, when I bought the car, it was parked in garages day and night. The sun has taken a toll.

In this picture you can see how the rear panels are falling apart. The seat belt presenters also don't work. I bought some used ones from SoCal Pete, I'll try and get them working again with parts from those. I considered getting new ones from MB, but that would be pretty expensive.

I did get one of the last remaining rear panels for the passenger side, but the driver's side is no longer available. I've located a used panel which is grey and should paint nicely. I also got good used C pillar panels to replace mine, which both have broken clips. I would like to replace the headliner, but I'm told that process will likely destroy the windlace. The driver's side windlace is still available, but not the passenger side. So I'm on the fence about that.

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__________________
I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k

Looks very nice so far - good job saving what could have been a beater!

John in San Antonio

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John Hughes, was in Landstuhl, Germany but currently in San Antonio, TX


1978 280CE Astral Silver now 59,xxx miles and counting "Silber-Kugel"
1986 300E Black Pearl Metallic 143,xxx miles 5-spd daily driver w/ blk leather "Schwarz-Schönheit"
1989 190E 2.6 (euro) 5-spd Desert Taupe 112,xxx kms Had to leave behind in Germany!!! "Helga"
1983 300D Pastel Beige now 312,xxx + miles SOLD

OBK#24

Thanks. After these interior steps are done, I have assembled all the parts to do a poor man's sportline suspension and will get that installed. Then I'll have to decide whether/how to go forward with installing the Turbo Technics kit I got. After a couple years driving the 124.036, I need TORQUE.

__________________
I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k