420,
Did you have to use spacers or where they the correct offset? Did you notice a difference in the ride quality and handling?


Thanks for the quick response

They are the correct offset. No spacers. I *think* they are 27mm offset. By the way they fit in the wheel wells perfectly and there are no rubbing issues. The people at Bekkers will know the proper offset if I'm mistaken about mine.
Yes I've noticed a difference in ride & handling. The front doesn't lift during full throttle acceleration, and the rear doesn't squat and the car doesn't roll as much during cornering.
The ride is quite excellent on the highway IMO. It's very taut but not too harsh. When you do encounter pot-holes, bumps, bad expansion joints, etc you WILL feel them more ....but it goes with the territory. If you have bad roads in your area it my not be for you.

__________________
73 220D
08 997 C2S
03 Jetta wagon TDi

Glad to be able to help you Clay. It's much nicer (and easier) to post all the pics in one message.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Clay, great looking car. Thanks for posting the pictures and providing inspiration to the rest oof us

Normally, I like to stay with the stock wheels, to keep the car's original appearance, but the wheels in your "new" 420SEL look quite nice, as does the grill, Euro lights, wipers, etc. You now have a 420 that looks great and should give you many,many years of pleasurable driving.

I have a couple of questions for you. Did you buy the 560 air filter housing new from Phil? If so, what was the price? Was it a straightforward swap? And,most important, have you noticed an increase in performance and/or fuel economy?

Regarding the Euro headlight wipers, did you replace the stock wiper motors too, or did you only need to replace the the wiper arms and blades? What was the cost for the Euro headlight wipers?

Thanks for the info and thanks for the pics.

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

That is a beautiful Benz. I take a lot of pride in my 240D but many of the pics of other cars make me jelious(?). I just bought a digital camera and will soon post pics of mine when I figure out how to do it.

__________________
1982 240D 313,000 (4 speed)
1984 300CD 172,483
1985 German Shepherd Dog -Lacey- R.I.P.11/04/05

Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs

Hey,

What a great job and great looking car!! Someday I would love to get my car to look the same. I really like how you've lowered the car, looks very professional and elegant.

Great job!!

I am inspired.

Joel

Thanks again everyone. I'm really glad you like the styling choices I've made.

Benz-LGB...I got the 560 air filter housing from an on-line used MB parts shop for $125. I think I remember seeing something on the net saying a new 560 air filter housing was around $300 from a dealer so I just decided to go used instead. I have noticed some difference in performance. It's not a lot and I didn't expect a lot but it is there. I haven't tracked the mileage.

The shop where I get the car worked on has a Dyno, and I've been meaning to put it on there to see whats what. I'll do a run with and without the extra intake snorkel to see the difference....probably in the next few weeks.

Euro wipers: I bought the valance panels new, wiper arms new, and the wiper motors with mounting brackets used for a total of $175. I found that the shaft on the Euro wiper motors is shorter than the US. I Also found that the motors I received didn’t bolt directly to the car chassis like the US....makes me wonder if I got the correct one's Anyway, the euro motors bolt onto the Euro headlamps perfectly and I had to by some longer bolts make some spacers and drill some holes in the chassis to bolt the other end of the bracket down....not that big a deal.

If the shaft on the US motors was shortened you could probably uses them with the euro mounting brackets. The motors would just have to be switched opposite their current side because the euro headlight wipers rotate the opposite direction the US version.

Hope this helps.

__________________
73 220D
08 997 C2S
03 Jetta wagon TDi

...for all the VERY helpful (and VERY tempting) information. I am in the process of getting and installing Euro lights in my 420SEL. I will try to see whether I can jury-rig my current headlight wipers. If not, then I'll bite the bullet and install new (or used) everything....

I like the idea of using the 560SEL air cleaner housing. More air in the intake should help improve performace. Add a K&N filter and voila! better performance.

Your wheels look great. Normally I like the stock look, but the new wheels look great in your lowered 420.

As I wrote before, you got yourself a nice custom Benz. You should not only be the envy of the neighborhood, but the car should give you many years of fun and pleasurable driving. Enjoy!

As you probably already know, the W126 series is probably the best Benz ever made (please, no flames from other Benz owners ). If you take good care of yours, it should last you for many,many years.

Again, thanks for all the helpful info!

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

Great job 420. The second photo in the line up really shows off the finished styling. Looks like every thing is in harmony. A real strong looker!
DSR