nkctb7

Hi guys. For those with non na C43's, would you recommend the factory wheel arch seals? I have the opportunity to purchase a brand new, genuine front/rear set for a very good price but, I'd like some input and feedback before I take the plunge! My car will be driven during a few winter months and Vancouver gets a lot of rain throughout the year. Are the wheel arches good for bad weather or are the fenders/quarters prone to rust with them installed? Is anyone able to upload close up pics of how they look installed? Are they rubber or plastic? Are they attached by the same 3m backing as the badges? Any feedback will be appreciated. Thx

KJI3jflarryfe93

do you mean the black plastic lichorice stripes on the 4 wheelarches?
I don't have these on my car, I think they look nasty.
grime and dirt might enter cavities and cause rust.

I wouldn't put these on my car.
it's much easier to clean the car without them

nkctb7

Hey Kowalski. Yes, those black strips along the wheel arches. I hear what you're saying about the grime and I agree. It would only be for the winter months to better preserve the paint from the rock salt and debris that covers the roads during that time. I'm curious to see some close-up pics of them installed to see how snug they fit. I know that they were an option on that side of the world but not in na. Thx

KJI3jflarryfe93

check these cars on Uk FleaBay
use the zoom tool to view wheel arches.
I think these black stripes look funky, if you put them on then keep them on, if you remove them after every winter your paint might chipped if adhesive is to sticky??

removing and adding these stripes every season will probably damage the paint?
the adhesive between panel and stripe will probably collect grime and other small particles of sand which might cause paint damage??
if you remove them every season you will probably cause wear n tear to your paint.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-MERCE...EAAOSw4A5YtNaL

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-T-MER...kAAOSw3v5Ytqrt

nkctb7

Thanks for the pics, Kowalski! Do you know if the arches are rubber, plastic or a combination of both? Thx

KJI3jflarryfe93

they are plastic but unfantastic.

are you buying new or used stripes?
if you buy used stripes and if you use way to strong adhesive you might peel of the clear coat if you then decide to remove these stripes when Spring is approaching?
something to think about befoer you do something you might regret

DRBC43AMG

I have them on mine and I never touch them. No rust around the strips. Want some photos? I can get some tomorrow. I think they are a thick rubber not so much plastic.

nkctb7

Hey Kowalski. The strips are brand new still in the factory packaging. I was hoping that they were more of a rubber material. They're referred to as seals on the Mercedes parts diagram.

nkctb7

That's great to hear that you have no rust issues as that's what I was hoping for. Pics would be great if you're able to take some. Thanks!

mickey13

I like that wagon. Damn wish I could find one like that here.

Why does that wagon have so many keys. My car only came with 1 key. 2nd key I had to buy for like $300. I think I counted 5 keys in that picture.

nkctb7

My car came with 2 fobs and and plastic card key. Unbelievable at how pricey those fobs are.

DRBC43AMG

Here goes.... Photos of the rear and side view of front and rear. The quality is not top but the vehicle is still locked away in hibernation

DRBC43AMG

Here goes.... Photos of the front and rear with a side view of front and rear. The quality is not top but the vehicle is still locked away in hibernation
The strips are thick rubber. I just checked.

KJI3jflarryfe93

these strips looks more like shapable plastic materijal.
rubber is a soft materijal, strips are a bit stiffer must be plastic

my concern about the strips is if you drive you car in winter, salt and fine particle grime will come between panel and strip adhesive.
the fine particle grime will probably rub the paint.
back in the 70's it was very popular with chrome strips on wheel arches, what manufacturer didn't think of this design flaw was that these strips caused rust damage on the edge of the wheel arches, coz salt and possible fine particle grime entered cavities.
with no ventilation holes from these strips wheel arches rusted from the inside.
that was a popular 70's design with chroem strips

I'm glad I don't have these plasticky strips on my fenders, it's better with a clean look and easier to wash the car.
don't use wider rims than 8.5 in front.
wider rims will squirt chips sandblasting paint on the wheel arches

W202AMG

Those are probably aimed at the Japan market, i know that Corvettes had something simular on the rear arches between 84-96 for the Japan market, and it was a requirement.

KJI3jflarryfe93

these strips are standard option on eüro cars.

PJmak

The risk of damage to cosmetic benefits ratio is not right on this. Id pass

nkctb7

Thanks for the pics DR as it's much appreciated!

It appears that the majority of you are against using these strips. Having said that, how many of you drive your C43 through roads littered with rock salt and sand? Thick rubber protects the metal arches from the elements and debris. Eastern Canada endures harsh winters and I'm fortunate to live on the west coast. Even so, the underside of the arches is where rust will strike first. Every summer I remove all of the side mouldings, window trim, cat whiskers, tail lights, etc, so I can completely clean the grime and mildew from all the nooks a crannies. If any of you have never removed the entire cowl, I'd suggest doing so. You'd be amazed at how much grunge is under there. I'm a bit of a clean freak but a clean and well cared for vehicle will last a lifetime. Thanks to DRB for the pics and to everyone for their input and advice! I have a tough decision to make!

KJI3jflarryfe93

did you waxoil your car?
underbody and internal cavities?

if you wash your car every week with a pressurized wash, go for the strips

nkctb7

Hi Kowalski. In the bad weather I run my car through a touchless car wash that also blasts the under carriage, applies wax and completely dries the car. I always hand wash and wax in the nice weather under a shaded area. My late fathers first job was auto detailing and I learned much from him over the years. I grew up around award winning 1968 and 1969 Dodge Charger R/T show cars. My brothers '69 won best paint in every show he entered.

Here's a few pics of my brothers '69 Charger. Sorry about the quality of photos but these are from the early 80's. I'll dig up some pics of my '68 Charger R/T, '87 Grand National, '93 40th Corvette Roadster and '95 Corvette ZR-1.

mickey13

Nice collection...

i also have a monthly membership for unlimited washed, a brush-less place. i run my car through it almost every day or every other day, summertime i do my own detailing. i dont like how strong the air dry is though. it makes my roof bounce under the pressure. my headliner is already falling off, hope if wont screw up the new headliner im going to put in.

nkctb7

Thanks Mickey. Was a nice collection! I sold my '68, a drunk wrote off my GN and I traded the roadster in for the ZR-1. I sold the ZR-1 20 years ago and put a down payment on my first home of which I still reside in. It had just over 7K Kms at the time I sold it and for just over half of what I paid for it at $65K CAD. I took a huge loss but I paid $228K CAD for my home that is now currently valued at seven figures. My wife and I have been married for 26 years and have five children together. My eldest son wants a '96/'97 C36 and my youngest son wants an E90 335I. 335I's are everywhere but a C36 in Canada is far and few between. I thought that I had a mint '96 for $4K CAD but the seller never responded and removed his ad. The search continues....

mickey13

Wow! What a blessed life! Keep up the search, driveway is going to look great!

nkctb7

Thank you, Mickey! I feel very fortunate and blessed.

DRBC43AMG

Wow nice car