updating 89 300e
 

I've searched the archives and came across a couple of w124 owners who have updated their cars to include the lower body cladding that came on the later 124's. I have an 89 and would like to do this project as well then have the cladding painted the same color as the rest of the car. Is it just a matter of swapping out my upper and lower trim pieces with the newer cladding? Or do the clips have to be changed as well. Also can the lower portion thats mounted to the body be swapped out as well (the section that includes the openings for the jack locations).

I have enclosed pics of the setup I have and what I am looking to modify to:

Thanks for your help!

anyone?

yes, take out both trims and put the updated panel on...

I did it on my 190E. W124 should be the same.

Jeff makes it sound easy - sounds like 3 to 5 minutes of work. Have you considered just painting the trim that's there - to give it a monochromatic look. I've seen one - it actually looks pretty good.

My 89 coupe has the big cladding and it is painted the same color as the car. I always get compliments. I think your car will look sharp if you do it. I believe you have to get the cladding and the clips. It's supposed to be an easy upgrade. Many people have done this. The dealer has a full diagram with an exploded view of all the moldings and clips. I saw it there on the computer screen when I was updating my W201 to a 16v. You could go there and have them print you copy. They print everything for me when I need something.

Your cars looks super clean. A set of lowering springs would really set if off especially with those nice wheels.
BTW What brand tail lights do you have?

your car seems to be a bit higher than usual. do you have any custom work done to the suspension or was it this way since day 1 ?

actually the picture was taken right after I replaced the shocks/springs. The setup has settled a bit since then though but it still sits up higher than I would like. I should have installed the lowering springs and sport shocks but went with the OE springs with bilstein comfort shocks.

Looks like I will be updating the body side moldings as well. Thanks for the input on this matter!

Let us know how it goes with the moldings.

The panels just chip on!!! The hard part is go to dealership to find out how many chips on the panels. Each panels use different chips. The guy in the parts department did not know how many chips or what kind chips will be use on those panel... Even in the parts catalogue doesn't show clearly. When i put those panel on, i went to dealership 7 times to get those chips :eek:

http://www.hopefungautoparts.com/190e8.jpg

looks great.... can you do a write up on how you did it...

btw, where did you get the panels from?