Titivating my Mercedes 124

Titivating my Mercedes 124

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r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

202 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
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garyjpaterson said:
Might be making this up, but I seem to remember something about the fact the right-hand drive w124's couldn't accommodate a turbocharger due to the steering column? Don't know how that w210 engine would be packaged, maybe its not an issue anymore.

Anyway, if it were me i'd leave it as is. Not many non-turbo diesels around these days, I think it has a charm to it smile
Absolutely right but a number of people make a custom manifold which puts the turbo up top rather than down below. Most of those people then fit a joke turbo the size of a dustbin which presumably makes the car undriveable and very smoky.

http://www.dieselpumpuk.com/engine/

r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

202 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
quotequote all
bmthnick1981 said:
Do the headlights have rubber seals round them? They do on my SEC and they have perished badly and fallen apart, I need to replace them.
I ordered this—£6-odd—as a precaution today.

ian316

4,150 posts

104 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
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i'm beginning to that it's only me that thinks, the diesels are fast enough in modern traffic and ideal for cruising on the motorways, in the days of speed cameras everywhere, still mine keeps me happy

benjijames28

1,702 posts

91 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
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This thread makes for interesting reading.

I thought I was silly spending so much on my Audi a3 2009. Since buying it I've done quite a bit already... New wheels, replaced aftermarket radio with a OEM one, strut top replacement (dealer covered this), new tyres as I wanted them all matching, major service, full interior detail and decontamination....

Many more little jobs to come. And it's a 80k example still on original flywheel and clutch. I'm hoping that keeps going strong for a year or two, enough time for me to pay off the few grand I owe on the car.

I'm probably keeping the thing for a good few years and my logic is I would rather own a solid reliable car, than lease a brand new one. Odds are I will run this car until it's dead. I'm hoping to start learning how to do a lot of routine jobs myself.

Op your an inspiration.

r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

202 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
quotequote all
Remember the exhaust hole just before the Geneva departure?

Well a fortnight ago, I ordered a brand new exhaust front section and it arrived this morning. It includes not one but three catalytic converters. Genuine MB. From the main dealer. Cost? Drum roll... £95.

Parisien

622 posts

161 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
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Cheap as chips .....I must ask them about a 320SL exhaust price then!


P

CharlesdeGaulle

26,084 posts

179 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
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r129sl - you veer from doomed to charmed. How do you find these things?

mickyveloce

1,035 posts

235 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
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r129sl said:
Remember the exhaust hole just before the Geneva departure?

Well a fortnight ago, I ordered a brand new exhaust front section and it arrived this morning. It includes not one but three catalytic converters. Genuine MB. From the main dealer. Cost? Drum roll... £95.
Wow! Fabulous value. It would appear your 124 carries on from strength to strength.

I've not had a 124 in my life for over a year now. Which is too long.

sprouting

480 posts

183 months

Saturday 24th September 2016
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Agree about originality to a degree. But the original engine could be stored for future purposes. Unless the engine swap involves cutting up the structure of the car.
I had a manual s124 220 for a couple of years then a e34 535i auto then an e39 540 touring which has just gone to my dad as his e39 525 touring spat it's gearbox out. After an e28 3 e34's and 2 e39's between us I'd either go for an e 34 or update the engine in your.
This drivel only comes up after reading your desire for more power on long trips.
Loved my 220 the but it would have been better as an automatic I think.

bmthnick1981

5,310 posts

215 months

Saturday 24th September 2016
quotequote all
r129sl said:
bmthnick1981 said:
Do the headlights have rubber seals round them? They do on my SEC and they have perished badly and fallen apart, I need to replace them.
I ordered this—£6-odd—as a precaution today.
If you have 10 mins spare at some point you couldn't help me find the part numbers for the headlight seals on my SEC could you? I've tried and failed...

r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

202 months

Saturday 24th September 2016
quotequote all
bmthnick1981 said:
If you have 10 mins spare at some point you couldn't help me find the part numbers for the headlight seals on my SEC could you? I've tried and failed...
A 001 826 14 80

£12.64 each, inc VAT.

Part 82, sheet 180, item 11. There is a measurement, 925mm, so maybe you have to cut them to length. Same part number for left and right.

bmthnick1981

5,310 posts

215 months

Saturday 24th September 2016
quotequote all
r129sl said:
bmthnick1981 said:
If you have 10 mins spare at some point you couldn't help me find the part numbers for the headlight seals on my SEC could you? I've tried and failed...
A 001 826 14 80

£12.64 each, inc VAT.

Part 82, sheet 180, item 11. There is a measurement, 925mm, so maybe you have to cut them to length. Same part number for left and right.


Forever indebted to you. Again. Many thanks.

r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

202 months

Wednesday 28th September 2016
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Getting there... The re-assembly has begun. Here you can see the sound proofing going onto the inside of the bonnet, the headlamps in situ and the new washer piping. But best of all, I applied the new air con and engine information stickers. How very satisfying. The mechanical work will be done tomorrow evening. Then there is a small repair to the rear floor and sound proofing of the rear compartment. I will be glad to get it back next week. Hopefully I have found someone to rebuild the 129's differential but it is rather tiresome being down to one car.








ian316

4,150 posts

104 months

Thursday 29th September 2016
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it's always a struggle for space under the bonnet smile

Hereward

4,134 posts

229 months

Thursday 29th September 2016
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I've got that Ctek 25A charger nerd

Great to see the car coming back to life.

G111MDS

316 posts

90 months

Thursday 29th September 2016
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thoroughly enjoyed reading through the complete thread, and what a lovely car. Good to see it will be back on the road soon.

crosseyedlion

2,170 posts

197 months

Thursday 29th September 2016
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G111MDS said:
thoroughly enjoyed reading through the complete thread, and what a lovely car. Good to see it will be back on the road soon.
I'd actually enjoy the story of its restoration and use as a coffee table book, with some nice pictures and some side bits on W124's.

Saddo?

r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

202 months

Thursday 29th September 2016
quotequote all
Major faux pas just now.

I went down the garage and we were fiddling with the catch for the bonnet. Anyway, I dropped the bonnet onto the catch without realising there was an indicator unit sitting on top of the engine. Broke the indicator (they're £80) and put a high point in the bonnet. Entirely my fault and i feel such a tit. One step forward... hopefully it can be knocked out.

ian316

4,150 posts

104 months

Thursday 29th September 2016
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well that's not good news frown I was hoping it was going to be done for you by the weekend

dbdb

4,311 posts

172 months

Friday 30th September 2016
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That is very unlucky - and so easy to do. I very nearly did a similar thing on my car, but thankfully noticed the part sitting on top of the engine just in time.