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Originally Posted by Geeky1
It's the non-metallic black, so 040 I believe. I didn't check too closely for options; there's a spot for the ASR light in the speedometer but I didn't see a button to switch it off, so I'm not sure if it has it and it's just not defeatable on these cars or if it doesn't have it and Mercedes used the same speedometer for cars with and without it. I didn't really look that closely though; if my memory is correct and it does have it, the ASR light will illuminate with the key in position 2 and the engine off, along with all the other lights, right?
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If there is a yellow triangle light in the top/center of the speedo, yep, the car has ASR. There is no defeat switch from the factory - you can add one if you like, but the only purpose would be for hooligan antics, or doing a burnout to warm the tires at the dragstrip (as seen
here).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geeky1
Don't think it has heated seats or the roller blind; doesn't have a phone or orthopedic seats, either (I'm half-convinced that nobody ever ordered that option. Ever. I haven't seen a car with it yet.). I'll have to check on the reading lights.
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Most of those items are pretty rare. My E420 has all options (including the dealer-installed CD changer), except for the phone, which is fine with me... I like having the center visor above the rearview mirror. I had never seen a car in person with the orthopedic seats, until I bought my E420. I kinda like the ortho seats, particularly the adjustable side bolsters! But, ASR is the most important option, so if you have that - you're set. The bun warmers are #2 on the desireable option list. Roller blind & reading lamps are just bling you'll never use.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geeky1
Out of curiosity, do the 93+ rotors and calipers bolt in or do you have to replace suspension components as well? (in which case it might make more sense to just throw SL brakes at it, eh?)
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You can bolt up any brakes you want, no suspension changes needed. To install he 93-up 400E brakes, you just need the later calipers & rotors. You can also install larger brakes from the 500E or SL600, but those would require 16" wheels.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geeky1
Also, he was looking @ wheels on tirerack, and I noticed while looking with him that there are quite a few more options for my 300D according to their site than there are for the 400E. This wouldn't be the first time they've been wrong... As far as I know, any wheel that will fit on the 300D will also fit the 400E, as long as it clears the bigger brakes. Right?
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Basically - yes. I would highly recommend getting used OE wheels. They are cheap, look great, and are often available with decent tires. Donors are most anything except an S- or SL-class... 170, 202, 203, 208, 210 are the primary ones. 16 or 17" diameter, with 7.0 or 7.5 width, is ideal - assuming the offset is correct. If you go with 7.5's you'll likely need to roll the fender lips and maybe add the fender spacers up front. Also make sure the tire size is correct, I drives me nuts when I see people put narrow tires on wide wheels to help with 'clearance' when they should have just used a narrower wheel in the first place.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geeky1
And yeah, the 6 is probably a better choice, from a performance standpoint. That'll come down to how much my parents trust him. He's not as irresponsible as most 16 year old boys are (not that I'll admit that anywhere that he can hear it, of course). But then, neither was I. And I still had my 560 more-or-less flat out a couple of times. |
Yep - that's what I'd be concerned about, lol! Maybe sneak in a 1994-95 LH module when he isn't looking.
