Titivating my Mercedes 124

[r129sl]

Decent pressure washer with long hose.

5L plant sprayer with Bilt Hamber Surfex HD mixed 1:6.

1L spray bottle with Auto Finesse Iron Out neat.

Spray down all wheels with the Iron Out.

Set up pressure washer.

Spray down all cars with Surfex HD.

Pressure wash wheels.

Pressure wash cars.

Dry with silicone blade thing.

Dry with huge Auto Finesse green towel cloth.

Put everything away.

I'm always puffed out by the end but I do work very quickly, especially when drying. It helps if the cars are well waxed. Bilt Hamber Surfex HD is amazing. No need for bucket and sponge.

[Yogioes]

Thank you for the info.

I like the sound of non contact washing especially at this time of year

[r129sl]

At the risk of coming over all crazy car detailer, I put a couple of coats of Auto Finesse Mint Rims on my wheels and they come clean very readily, especially if done once a week.

[Kawasicki]

Spent yesterday evening going down the W124 rabbit hole. One of my dads friends used to visit us in the 80’s, he would let me look around it when he visited. It made a big impression on me as a 12 year old.

So, how good are e400’s?

Thanks!

[r129sl]

If you can cope with LHD, I image the 400 E or E420 is the perfect saloon car. Plenty of go by any standard (who really needs 600bhp?) and plenty of refinement, too. All in the perfect w124 package. I spent last night browsing mobile.de looking for a nice 400 E but there is not much on the market right now.

It is quite alarming that the standard tyre on the 400 E (with 275bhp) was 195/65 R 15.

[Kawasicki]

r129sl said:

If you can cope with LHD, I image the 400 E or E420 is the perfect saloon car. Plenty of go by any standard (who really needs 600bhp?) and plenty of refinement, too. All in the perfect w124 package. I spent last night browsing mobile.de looking for a nice 400 E but there is not much on the market right now.

It is quite alarming that the standard tyre on the 400 E (with 275bhp) was 195/65 R 15.

I live in Germany, so lhd is my preference, obviously!

Yeah... I was on mobile.de too!

[r129sl]

They've gone up in price rather with the Covid effect. This Spanish one (I mean, it is in Spain, not it has a manual transmission) looks rather spifferoo. Also, being Spanish, presumably there is less rust. Spot the dodgy armrest and wrong-size tyres, though.

https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...

[Northbrook]

Gentlemen: please can someone remind me of the pro/cons of changing out the standard 3.07 estate diff for the 2.88 saloon one.

Having just had a replacement gearbox fitted to resolve driveline noise, I've remarked on the continuing driveline noise to be told that the diff has "lots of play". Pondering my options.

Thanks.

[r129sl]

Cons:

• Speedo will under read.
• Acceleration will be (even) slower.
• In theory it may struggle up hill when very, very heavily laden or towing (although I suspect that in practice not, because third will run to 85).

Pros:

• Slightly better mpg.
• Better refinement at speed (because lower rpm).
• No worn-out diff noise.

I have pondered this a lot because I think my car's diff is worn and because I like to run at 90 to 100mph. The main thing that has held me back (apart from chronic shortage of time) is the speedo error. I would want to get a speedo from an E300 diesel saloon, have it overhauled and have the mileage corrected (in my case that means adding 300k).

[Northbrook]

...and a marginally higher top speed (if it ever makes it).

All good info - thanks. I've got a couple of irons in the fire, so I'll let you know what I turn up.

As a matter of interest, is the back cover unique to this diff? Seems like the only part numbers on the castings are for the individual pieces, not for the diff as a whole (and I have no idea what the part number for the complete diff is).

[kamilb1998]

Not sure if this is your kind of thing but I personally think it would compliment your collection rather well. It's an estate based on a 560 SEC offered in an upcoming RM Sotheby's auction. Some fussy, awkward details aside as is commonplace with these kinds of conversions, I think it looks rather interesting.

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az21/arizona/lo...

[r129sl]

kamilb1998 said:

Not sure if this is your kind of thing but I personally think it would compliment your collection rather well. It's an estate based on a 560 SEC offered in an upcoming RM Sotheby's auction. Some fussy, awkward details aside as is commonplace with these kinds of conversions, I think it looks rather interesting.

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az21/arizona/lo...

Nice. But there’s something missing from the photos in the ad. Tulips? Where’s CdeG when you need him? Is it Friday yet?

[loudlashadjuster]

Now that is lovely.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

r129sl said:

kamilb1998 said:

Not sure if this is your kind of thing but I personally think it would compliment your collection rather well. It's an estate based on a 560 SEC offered in an upcoming RM Sotheby's auction. Some fussy, awkward details aside as is commonplace with these kinds of conversions, I think it looks rather interesting.

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az21/arizona/lo...

Nice. But there’s something missing from the photos in the ad. Tulips? Where’s CdeG when you need him? Is it Friday yet?

Yeah. Swabians, red shoes, daffs. Plus a 126 estate. I'm in.

[r129sl]

Happy Christmas!

[CharlesdeGaulle]

r129sl said:

Happy Christmas!

And a very merry Christmas to you too.

[bolidemichael]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

r129sl said:

Happy Christmas!

And a very merry Christmas to you too.

And to r129sl

[mdmay]

happy chrimbo and new year chaps

[Blackpuddin]

Does anybody know the weight carrying capacity of a W124 E300 estate boot? Using mine to carry logs but don't want to compromise the new spheres by overdoing it.

[mercedeslimos]

Blackpuddin said:

Does anybody know the weight carrying capacity of a W124 E300 estate boot? Using mine to carry logs but don't want to compromise the new spheres by overdoing it.

http://www.w124.co.uk/dimensions.html

That might be of use. I usually have a look at the unladen weight and the GVW. By that, you've 650kg of wiggle room, but that will presumably mean fuel and driver/passengers too. Interesting how they don't give your GTW, as this tells you what weight you can tow a trailer.

If in doubt throw up a pic of your data plate, can have a look. It's something commercial vehicle users have to check all the time to stay in the green.