NorCal124

It's completely stock but in more or less OK condition. She has a few nicks and scratches but I plan on taking care of that later down the road. It's dirty at the moment because it just rained here in Sacramento. Like I mentioned before, I just want to get all the maintainance done first before I do any major modifications. I've begun buying the parts, fluids, and scheduled my transmission oil and gear oil changes to be done. Anyways, here are the pics.

CDP

Car looks good! I wish I did all the maintainence on my car before I started modding it. lol

NorCal124

Thanks, my philosophy is that performance begins w/ the basics. Meaning the best oil, the best plugs, proper flushing and replenishment of other fluids, and clean filters. No offense to people in the japanese tuning market but true tuning begins with the basics. Not a cold air intake or a cat back exhaust. If your vehicle doesn't perform at its optimum potential in factory trim, just imagine how much performance you're missing out on. Just my 2 cents.

CDP

Very true.

I'll be doing a complete tune up soon. What plugs are you considering? since you started a thread about shocks and the springs. are you going to be getting wheels at the same time or soon after?

X03

nice looks like shes in good condition

NorCal124

I've already purchased the Bosch Platinum +4. I'm waiting to get a new distributor cap and rotor, magnecor or nology spark plug wires, a new fuel filter, and a K&N oil filter. I already have Mobil 1 synthetic oil lined up and the car came w/ a K&N filter so all I have to do is clean and re-oil it. The rims will have to wait but I've set my sights on replica AMG monoblock Aero I or II. I know everyone has them but you can never go wrong with a classic and since I'm a big fan of the old school it works out perfectly.

mike690003

Say no more!! Return those Platinum +4 back to where you bought them. Those spark plugs wreak havoc on the W124. About 3-5 days after the install, you will have rough idle, poor throttle response and hesitation. Stick with the Bosch Coppers (#H9DCO). I learned the hard way

NorCal124

So not even the regular bosch platinums will benefit the car? How about NGK plugs, they're a very reputable brand.

Holson

Looking good! Those wheels need some cleaning though!

Try...

Mobil1 Synthetic ATF for the A/T
Red Line/Mobil 1 Synth. gear oil for the differential

Flush the coolant (engine block included) and replace it with MB antifreeze and add Red Line Water Wetter (it really works)

I am skeptical about synthetic oil but if it doesnt have any leaks right now, try Mobil 1 0W-40 or 15W-50 (I'd be wary bout using xW-30 oil)

Flush the brake fluid and replace it with clean brake fluid

Then you can go to the shocks, the bushings in the suspension, etc.

NorCal124

Thanx. It's what I'm preparing to do now. I'll probably have the Mercedes dealer do the AT fluid change along w/ a new Tranny filter. I'm using Mobil 1 5w30 synthetic. It's what the previous owner used and has been doing well in the car for the longest time. I wish to do the coolant flush myself, does anyone know where the radiator pet**** drain is?

ashman

Stick tot he oem plugs. I recommend only using the bosch recommended plugs for your car, bought at the mb dealer.

I can;t tell you where the drain is, but only put int he MB coolant. The green stuff or any other coolant will corode the cooling system.

The mb stuff is a pinkish color.

These cars perform great with what the factory put in, no need to mess with it.

I have used bosch platinum plugs in other cars and they worked well, in my mb, only the mb original plugs bought at the dealer.

I have heard horror stories about any platinum plug in a w124 being bad. from platinum breaking off the plug and destroying cylinders to the more typical poor performance and rough idle after a few days as mike stated.

The factory really did a great job on these cars, I say why mess with what is already pretty much perfect out the box.

AshMan

NorCal124

Gotcha. Past experience has told me most cars normally respond well to a platinum plug upgrade. But this is my first Mercedes and I have yet to find out all the do's and don'ts of maintainance. Thanks to all who have shared this info with me.