Well, I did it.
On Saturday I serviced my car for the first time, oil, oil filter, spark plugs and air filter.
Everything went fine, even though the oil filter was very tricky to remove.
It all runs better than ever, and it is a really good feeling to know that I did it!
Also, after an e-mail from Mervyn on this forum, showing me his cool grille on his W126 I did the same.
I removed the old plastic grille insert, sprayed it matte black, and put on some extra chrome. Instead of the six horixontal strips, I now have 14. It looks fantastic. I will post the pics on Monday when I get to work. Thanks to Mervyn for the great idea, I recommend it to every 126 owner.
I just want to say thankyou to everyone who helped me by giving me great tips on servicing my car for the first time, and to Mervyn for the great grille idea.

Thanks everyone!

Well done!

Oliver, Congrats!

I too just did a little service on my car, but on the front brakes, and let me tell you it is so satisfying to have done it myself, though I did have a little Help from here, the DIY E Class Brake Pad Article, was all I needed to confirm how to do it, and I was able to doublecheck it, and was able to fix a problem that was really dangerous too.

I can't wait to see the grille, make sure you tell us where to get the extra chrome strips!!

I too took mine out and painted it matte black, I plan on doing it again soon, only with semi gloss or satin finish paint, and clear coat to make it more durable.

When I did mine, I used some matte black Hard Hat Paint, which has held up well for the last 5 months, but its starting to peel off. Not the best paint to use, and I don't recommend it, but it was what I had at the time. :)

If you have trouble posting the pics, e-mail them to me and I'llpost em for you.

Alon

Superb, Oliver!!

Am eagerly awaiting your pics. :)

How were the gaps on the pre-gapped plugs? Spot on, or did you have to adjust the a gap little? Just curious.

Great job on your first crack at maintenance.

[Edited by MikeTangas on 03-05-2001 at 02:06 AM]

I find that doing your own maintenance is very rewarding. I bring my kids out to change the oil and show them the parts that are being replaced. The kids are 9, 7 and 5. The two younger ones really enjoy the hands on. I also work on cars with my brothers and friends, just like the good old days in high school, have a couple of pops if yoy know what I mean.

well done Oliver, sort of makes you 'glow' a bit when it all works out right eh ? :)

Mike,

The spacing was just right, out of the box which was a relief!!
I'm going to post my pictures later on today.

Cheers

Oliverp

This is how it all starts.

Oliverp,
How did you get the extra strips to saty on?

Oliverp, where are you???
 

How did you get the extra strips to stay on?

Oliver - hope all is well as we are still waiting for your pics and reply.

:)

Has anyone heard or seen from Oliverp? Maybe he snuck away from this borad and is manufacturing the grill kits.
:)

*LOL* CJ!

Better than having to re-trace his route to pick up the losse strips!

I am eager for his reply.

Maybe he's at Mercedesshop.com Anonymous (MA) and they forbit him to come here. He probably has the 2-day-chip by now. Hopefully he will break free.....