Opinion on modifying rare Mercedes (i.e. 500E, etc.) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Limited Edition · #1 06-04-2003, 03:42 PM

We just bought my wife a 1993 Limited Edition (Sportline) 2.3. This is car #378 of 700. This car has all records and original window sticker. She plans on keeping this car for at least 2-3 years.

As you can see in my signature, I like to modify my cars to suite my personal taste. However, I'm not sure what I should do with my wife's car. What do you think would make the best move financially?

A. Don't modify it
B. Modify it with parts that can be removed and replaced with stock upon sale. (i.e. Euro Headlights)
C. Modify it with parts even if they cannot be removed. (i.e. roll the fenders, C-Class grill conversion, Command 2.0, etc.)

I figure this question may be a good question for 500E owners since your cars are rare and sometimes modified.

Info on Limited Editions

Thanks,

Don

yal · #2 06-04-2003, 03:53 PM

OMG that is clean! If it was me Euro headlights...thats it!

Ashman · #3 06-04-2003, 03:55 PM

Euro headlights, Clear corners, all red taillights, light tint, and 17" wheels with maybe a little drop.

All reversible, and would be all the car needs IMHO, to look even better than it already does.

Alon

Rick Miley · #4 06-04-2003, 03:58 PM

And just how long have you been married? Apparently not long enough to learn this lesson: Play with your own car and leave your wife's alone. She'll tell you if she wants anything done.

If you simply can't control yourself, go for option 2.

MTI · #5 06-04-2003, 04:15 PM

Don, since this is technically "her" car, I would suggest to her that certain changes are not just aesthetically pleasing, but safety oriented as well. The euro spec headlights are an obvious place to start.

G-Benz · #6 06-04-2003, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick Miley
And just how long have you been married? Apparently not long enough to learn this lesson: Play with your own car and leave your wife's alone. She'll tell you if she wants anything done.

If you simply can't control yourself, go for option 2.

Amen to THAT!

The R129 is technically the wife's car, and I'm not allowed to so much as change a fuse without her approval!

But that is a really nice example you've got there!

shanta · #7 06-04-2003, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by G-Benz
Amen to THAT!

The R129 is technically the wife's car, and I'm not allowed to so much as change a fuse without her approval!

But that is a really nice example you've got there!

Good thing she doesn't know you broke that instrument cluster lens

G-Benz · #8 06-04-2003, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shanta
Good thing she doesn't know you broke that instrument cluster lens

She DOES know!

Showed up at home while I had the cluster dismantled. But she figured it was cheap (after all, how much can a plastic cover cost?).

She didn't know how much the damage was until the lady at the counter announced the charge on the invoice within earshot of my wife.

So I had to change the subject and distract her by leading her to the showroom to look at the R230s...

Greg in Oz · #9 06-05-2003, 09:48 PM

I would not modify for the following reasons:
1. Owners usually modify a car to make it unique or rare. If this is a limited edition it already is one of only a small number.
2. It's the wife's. According to your signature you have your own (modified) cars. You enjoy yours and leave her to enjoy hers as is.
3. I don't know about resale values in the US, but in Australia modified Mercs have poor resale values. If you wish to sell it in two years what will the mods do to the resale value?

Having said that, I guess there is no problem with subtle or reversible mods. For example, I can fully understand someone replacing those ugly headlights you got with what MB had intended. I am guilty of a couple of very minor mods to my extremely rare in Oz, 2.3 Sportline 5-speed. For example I fitted a pair of slightly larger, after-market speakers on the rear shelf to replace the original (faulty) items. I did not consider this much of an issue since Oz deliveries of that era all got locally fitted audio anyway.

Your wife's car looks nice from the pic. You refer to it as a Limited Edition (Sportline). Is it really a Sportline? It seems to sit a little higher than mine and I can't see any other Sportline features, at least from that pic (badges, seats, etc.). I can't post a pic of mine as the JPEGS are too big but you can see it here
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/messages.asp?messno=49146&id=14&view=t
or here
http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=37213

It is interesting you are able to find out how many of your model were delivered in the US. I have no idea how many of mine there are. In an earlier thread (about rare cars) I tried finding if there were any others like it. I have been told only fifteen W201 Sportlines came to Australia in any engine size. My 2.3 is believed to be the only manual. Therefore to (significantly) modify it would be a pity.

Limited Edition · #10 06-05-2003, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Is it really a Sportline?

The Limited Edition 190Es had the Sportline Package but as part of the Limited Edition Package it was de-badged of all exterior badges. It has all of the other Sportline features; Steering wheel, badge on shifter, lowered suspension, 4-place seating, etc.

Regards,

Don

Greg in Oz · #11 06-05-2003, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by black 1994 c280
The Limited Edition 190Es had the Sportline Package but as part of the Limited Edition Package it was de-badged of all exterior badges. It has all of the other Sportline features; Steering wheel, badge on shifter, lowered suspension, 4-place seating, etc.

Regards,

Don

Don,

Very nice. I love the colour combination too. I wonder why MB there didn't just leave the badges on and call them Sportlines. At least now I know you guys got 700. That's 715 with the 15 we supposedly got although ours go back as far as my '90 or possibly even '89.

I noted that yours (I guess I should say your wife's) has the 8 hole alloys. Are they the same size as my 15 holes (7Jx15H2 ET44)? If so, I would be interested to know the part number (no, not to modify mine, purely for reference). I still say don't modify (but if only it was a 5-speed!...).

Regards,
Greg

Limited Edition · #12 06-05-2003, 10:42 PM

Greg,

The Limited Editions were to celebrate the final model year. There were 700 2.3 in Green with Creme Leather and Burl Wood trim and 700 2.6 in Black with Black and Red Leather with Carbon Fiber trim. See the link in my first post for more information.

Greg in Oz · #13 06-10-2003, 09:17 PM

Don,

What have you decided, to modify or not?

When you get a chance to look (at the spare if it's an alloy), I'd love to know the size (incl. offset ET) and part number of the 8-hole alloys on your Limited Edition.

Thanks,
Greg

Limited Edition · #14 06-10-2003, 09:43 PM

Greg,

I have decided to modify it with parts that can be removed and replaced with stock upon sale. (i.e. Euro Headlights). The 8 hole wheels on the 2.3 are 15x6 whereas the 2.6 has 15x7 8 hole wheels. I'll have to get back with you about the offset.

Regards,

Don