Z, my wife voiced her admission today that I bought this car because of her. That's at least 50% of an argument for the next car being something I want, since I gave-in on my car to address her concerns. I may just yet join the broderbond of "D".

B

Thanks, Suganami. Of all people on this list, you know where I really wanted to go. But the car is right for "us".

B

Thank you. As the James Taylor song goes, "...That's why I'm here. Got no better reason...."

I'm just here to be helpful.

Oh, BTW, there is a 6 disc CD changer that plugs and plays with your stock radio.

The fellows that moderate the audio forum, La Jolla Audio, will sell one to you.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Thanks for the audio tip. I'll do something totallly unknown on this forum: I'll do a search first!

B

Here's a pic for ya of my steering wheel, shift knob, and chrome shift surround:

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Oh man,.... I like that steering wheel!

Where? (The kids can eat grits for a month, WTF?).

B

Here's a closeup of the shift knob and chrome surround:

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

The steering wheel is available from either of the two below websites in Germany, for about $400-ish, depending on the exchange rate. You can also buy the shift knob, chrome surround and illuminated sill plates. The pic doesn't show it, but in the dark, the sill plates glow in blue, very very brightly:

www.eris-car.de
www.matrixcar.de

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Here's a pic of my front grill insert. It's call an S600 style or Avantgarde style grill.

Instead of having the gray colord "egg crate" design, it looks just like the grill on the next generation E320's, with shiney black louvres with chrome on the front strips.

The shape of the end of your hood and the chrome insert is shaped differently than mine, but the same S600 style grill is available.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

If ordering from Germany scares you, there are websites in the U.S. that sell everything I mentioned, but they are much more expensive.

The steering wheel, btw, goes for $599 at:

www.************************

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I also found a good cupholder that mounts on the doors.

The cup holder mechanism is actually that which is used on the R129 500SL's, and is made in Germany.

It can be purchased at

www.griotsgarage.com

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

That's the $16 cupholder? Shoot, I'll buy that sucker right now! How does it attach?

Four screws that come with the cupholder. The leather on the door covers a wood panel. It's very secure. It'll hold large bottles of Snapple or water, no problem.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Oh gawd, Paul, with those two sites go any possibility of convincing my wife I gained maturity with age.

I can see why you use both sites, there is some overlap but there is plenty of distinguishing products, too. Even worse, (!) they cater to both w124's I have.

Wife will need to get a second job to support my chrome and wood habit.

B

Paul, are those rubber front mats in your car? If so, where did you find them?

Up here in the misty NW, water absorbent mats just don't make any sense whatsoever. I currently have some el-cheapo one-size-fits-all versions in the S124, but I'd love to find vehicle specific versions like in the wife's Passat.