I just purchased a 1988 300CE from my father for a song, I am in the process of replacing the stock springs with Eibachs, I plan to use 8mm (1 bump) shims at all corners and change the stock shoes out for the AMG(replica)twin spoke 17x8's with 245/45zr17's...my questions is will I have to roll the fenders to avoid rubbing at the lower ride height......other than that the car has 345k original miles-stock engine and tranny, excellent paint and interior, I plan to remove the retard resistor and upgrade the stereo......any other suggestions or recomendations...........

I could be tempted to say, get a Honda, but then again, perhaps not

Please remember this is an old, high mileage car, and changing springs and shims etc... is likely to lead to stress on other old components in the suspension.

I have found out over the years, to my personal cost, that it is best to keep a car as original as possible and enjoy it for what it is, and not spend lots of money trying to turn it into something it isn't.

Enjoy your Mercedes, appreciate the excellence of engineering, when you are ready for something more 'sporty', try an AMG version or such like, which has been designed to be 'more' than ordinary.

Good Luck,

Richard

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1989 W124 300E
1991 R129 500SL

How about a nice park bench spoiler? Altezzas? Oh don't forget the fart can. AND THE R-TYPE STICKER.
Just kidding.

345k miles you may want to reassess whether the car is worth G-ing out like that or not. Remember if you do you will have a very hard time selling it later, as nobody wants a car especially an MB that somebody else messed with. The stock looking cars always go for more $$$. I know I myself would never buy a car somebody else molested like that. So OK fine if you got the dough to soup up a Mercedes with 345k go ahead, just plan on keeping that car for good because nobody in their right mind will buy it off of you after you're done.
A nice stock look with an MB will turn just as many heads as a tacky lowered riced-out model and will yield less trouble and ride better. These cars were engineered properly from the factory.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

I am impressed that it has that many miles.... I guess I have another 200k plus left in mine.

My 17 year old has a 300e and I have cautioned him about doing any exterior modifications because I don't want him to draw the attention of cops.

A conservative looking Mercedes is a safe Mercedes for a teen.

Now he does have a huge amp and sub and all that other stuff in the trunk...ha-ha-ha.

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

exterior mods look great on the 124s if it is authentic benz stuff.....AMG ground effects look sweet, as do the twin spoke AMGs. Replicas dont say AMG though..lol

I want an 87 300D very badly so I can do exactly what you are talking about. Except I was going to have some CLK wheels powdercoated black and have the little AMG marks white. check out ebay, you can totally AMG out your car..anything else is uncivalized

moakster...are you paying for my AMG?
That is simply out of most/all teens budget.

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1992 300TE 4matic - Just obtained 12/22/06
1983 300D - SOLD
1997 Dodge 2500 - CTD 400+HP, 1100ft/lbs torque

I think some of the previous post has been a little harsh. Your planned mods seemed reasonable to me. You may have fitment issues using 8" wide wheels. If I were you, stick w/7.5". Otherwise, you'll have to get the right offset to get those 8" wheels to fit (& you'll need to roll the fenders). You may also want to change the shocks too if you're going to change springs. Beware!!! You WILL have camber issues after lowering your car. You'll need camber bolts for the front and either adjustable arms for the rear or the KMAC kit. Other solutions are taller "bump pads".

Supports the previous post. Keeping it stock is BEST for long term longetivity. But "to each his own". I personally like the SLIGHTLY lowered look: Eibach w/#2 pads, HD sport shocks, & 17"X7.5" AMG monoblocks II. Everything else stock (interior and exterior).

Whatever you do, make sure it's easily reversible should you ever decide to sell the car (for reasons already posted)

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JR
1986 Gold 300E 4Dr automatic

Wow apparently in my hiatus from this site the w124 went from hot hotness to old and ugly. I have a 92 300E to which I have added a set of H&R lowering springs, bilstein sports, and some AMG 055s (offset 35mm) in 18x8 wrapped in 225/40. Forget what everyone else says, w124s look absolutely amazing with a small drop and some nice wheels and it is absolutely worth the effort for both asthetic and performance reasons (my car was totally transformed by these mods from a sedate sedan to something that can easily put a grin on your face.) That being said at your mileage your bushings are going to be on the way out if not already shot but it sounds like you have both the means and the will to take care of this issue when it arrises.

Now down to business. On my 18s, an offset of 35mm did not rub on the inner fender wall but did rub on the fender lip as well as on the fender lining during bumps (front wheels only.) To remedy the latter make sure you change out your bump stops when you are installing the new shocks and cut them a little longer than half to compensate for your drop. The former is a tricker issue. I was forced to roll my fenders within 2 days of the suspension modifications because of the excessive rubbing. I used the baseball bat and heat gun method with great success and it took me about 4 hours total. In addition, I have installed AMG fender spacers up front. They are basically a set of polyurethane spacers and longer screws that push the bottoms of the front fenders out to give you a bit more space. They are hard to find but I am confident you could do just as well with parts from your local Home Depot. Finally, your rear camber will be a mess. I was almost 4 degrees negative on both sides after lowering. I have installed a set of of Benzboy camber arms which have worked very well except for a lubrication issue. My arms do not have teflon coated end joints and therefore must be lubricated periodically to avoid an obnoxious squeaking. Speedybenz does make a superb set of teflon-ended camber arms which can be purchased for less than $300. Your front camber will be slightly off but nothing to worry about, I am currently maxed at a little under a degree.

I have had my 124 for 4 years now and I absolutely love it to death. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email, for reasons of maintaining a 4.0 I have had to sacrafice regular visits to this site, but I do check my email regularly. Good luck and congratulations on your purchase.

why dont you guys post some pictures.... so we can decide

My first 300E 1989 w/ updated side moldings and 3 tv's (semi-stock).





My 2nd 300E (1987 w/ 1995 E320 facelift), I modded it to my liking also.










Monochromatic paint scheme:

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1987 mercedes 300E
1995 e320 conversion(hated the 300e grill)
HID/Xenon (D2S)
Keyless Entry
Monochromatic Paint (Custom Blue)
Smoked Tails
Flat Badged (front)
Debadged (rear)
custom "carbon fiber" console
18 inch HP EVO rims
Sold! Now I drive a Monte Carlo SS
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../352975_67.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../748335_24.jpg