Possible Modifications to 1991 300ce?
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Thanks pif 
Next up on mods is new headlights/clear corners (lost one on the highway today, grumble grumble) because it became clear to me during the rally that I cant see **** captain.
Also, I will continue to swap out the white interior lights for red because it really is a blessing at night because it does not ruin your nightvision.
Also, we are going to be bolt/weld/screwing a sheet of metal over my plastic oil pan shield because that got battered to **** tonight as well.
Edit: Schooled some WRXs in a rally. A RALLY. Muahaha
Next up on mods is new headlights/clear corners (lost one on the highway today, grumble grumble) because it became clear to me during the rally that I cant see **** captain.
Also, I will continue to swap out the white interior lights for red because it really is a blessing at night because it does not ruin your nightvision.
Also, we are going to be bolt/weld/screwing a sheet of metal over my plastic oil pan shield because that got battered to **** tonight as well.
Edit: Schooled some WRXs in a rally. A RALLY. Muahaha
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Does anyone know the bulb type for the Vanity Mirrors and for the Halogen Reading light that is in the front map light dome? I'd like to change them to red as well as my under door courtesy lights.
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
not sure where to get the corresponding colored bulbs but you can try eBay.
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
Map light
6418
6418LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Dome light
6411
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95 e320...sold the rest
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Yeah, it gives a good amount of glare off when everything else is red. I want that and the Vanity Mirrors red so when I'm driving at night the lights can be on and not mess up my night vision.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
I think my alternator may be dying, the car's lights dim quite extremely while the car is idling or sometimes while driving. This behavior is sometimes accompanied by a cyclical squeaking noise that when it stops, the lights go back to being normal brightness.
http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,23,AL0169X
Will this Bosch AL0169X alternator work on my 300ce? It's for the 1993 300ce which has the same m104 as I do (I think), so it should be bolt up, right?
http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,23,AL0169X
Will this Bosch AL0169X alternator work on my 300ce? It's for the 1993 300ce which has the same m104 as I do (I think), so it should be bolt up, right?
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95 e320...sold the rest
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1990 300ce 24v I6
This is true.. There are PIAA 27w ones (only 6 watt more than stock) or Polarg ones which have a convex lens at the end of the bulb. Both are supposedly better than the standard ones. There are also the Putco Luxeon LED bulbs @ 5w that are supposedly (actually) brighter than standard 21w filament bulbs. Urgh, confused.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Vanity Mirror Light Bulbs are standard 36mm festoon bulbs, two per mirror. This makes Four total. The bright reading light in the map light housing is a bulb type I did not recognize bearing Osram Part 64111 (12v 5w 969), and was replaced by an 1895 in red. Now I have every major light red except for the under-door courtesy light and the Vanity Mirror lights. Gague cluster I'm not sure I want to change yet. Trunk/glove box are both red now.
Last edited by Saijin_Naib; Nov 25, 2008 at 08:19 PM.
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From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
I think my alternator may be dying, the car's lights dim quite extremely while the car is idling or sometimes while driving. This behavior is sometimes accompanied by a cyclical squeaking noise that when it stops, the lights go back to being normal brightness.
http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,23,AL0169X
Will this Bosch AL0169X alternator work on my 300ce? It's for the 1993 300ce which has the same m104 as I do (I think), so it should be bolt up, right?
http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/prt,23,AL0169X
Will this Bosch AL0169X alternator work on my 300ce? It's for the 1993 300ce which has the same m104 as I do (I think), so it should be bolt up, right?
I've done this upgrade to 4 different W124's now, it is WELL worth the effort!! I just completed the 150A install into my 1993 300D yesterday. On this latest install, I left the stock battery terminals and power distribution block (in previous upgrades, I changed those items). I'll update that thread with the new photos in the next few days.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Thanks for the reply dave
Do you notice any drag on the engine due to the increased size of the more powerful amps? My CE is precious slow to begin with and I really don't want to be robbing more HP with an amp I won't even use to the fullest. I don't plan on a beast stereo and I don't think one more neon will screw me. But yeah, any advice is welcome. I think my car has the 90amp one?
Do you notice any drag on the engine due to the increased size of the more powerful amps? My CE is precious slow to begin with and I really don't want to be robbing more HP with an amp I won't even use to the fullest. I don't plan on a beast stereo and I don't think one more neon will screw me. But yeah, any advice is welcome. I think my car has the 90amp one?
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From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
Thanks for the reply dave
Do you notice any drag on the engine due to the increased size of the more powerful amps? My CE is precious slow to begin with and I really don't want to be robbing more HP with an amp I won't even use to the fullest. I don't plan on a beast stereo and I don't think one more neon will screw me. But yeah, any advice is welcome. I think my car has the 90amp one?
Do you notice any drag on the engine due to the increased size of the more powerful amps? My CE is precious slow to begin with and I really don't want to be robbing more HP with an amp I won't even use to the fullest. I don't plan on a beast stereo and I don't think one more neon will screw me. But yeah, any advice is welcome. I think my car has the 90amp one?
But to answer your question, no, there's not a detectable difference in engine power. I assume the larger alternator probably uses an extra HP or three, but from behind the wheel, you can't feel it. I believe the M103 never came with anything larger than 70A or 80A, which has the plug-in style connector. Everything 90A and larger has threaded post connectors.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
I believe my CE is the early m104 (24v DOHC) with 212hp, but I am unsure of the alternator size. If you say that there is no noticeable loss, then I trust you. I will have to look into the prices as I'm rather strapped for cash right now and really want to get the swaybars upped first :P
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
I believe my CE is the early m104 (24v DOHC) with 212hp, but I am unsure of the alternator size. If you say that there is no noticeable loss, then I trust you. I will have to look into the prices as I'm rather strapped for cash right now and really want to get the swaybars upped first :P
http://www.w124performance.com/image...eo/alternator/
Are you planning to do the normal Sportline sway bars, or the "Sportline Plus / stage 2" setup with a limo front bar & 500E rear bar? The cost is near double for the latter, though... $450-$500 vs. approx $250 for the standard stuff. (I have the bigger ones on my car, btw.)
Last edited by AMGDave; Jan 2, 2009 at 11:24 AM.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Will a used one put out the rated amperage? I think that is what is up with mine... It's just worn out. Granted, a 150 or 143a alternator worn out probably puts out more amps than my 60a (?) on it's best day... Harumph, decisions.
What, if you don't mind, is the power distribution block? Do I need (for safety's sake) to replace the cables and block? I don't want to mess anything up, I do that plenty on normal days lol.
I am gunning for the + setup with the LWB front and 500e rear. I think I got it priced at 375$ with bushings so it seems fairly reasonable. At least the car won't flop about like a dick with E.D anymore, or so I hope. How big an improvement did you notice? Would the H&R Sports + Bilstein Sports be a bigger improvement? I plan that anyway but my god is that costly.
What, if you don't mind, is the power distribution block? Do I need (for safety's sake) to replace the cables and block? I don't want to mess anything up, I do that plenty on normal days lol.
I am gunning for the + setup with the LWB front and 500e rear. I think I got it priced at 375$ with bushings so it seems fairly reasonable. At least the car won't flop about like a dick with E.D anymore, or so I hope. How big an improvement did you notice? Would the H&R Sports + Bilstein Sports be a bigger improvement? I plan that anyway but my god is that costly.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 890
Likes: 4
From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
I am gunning for the + setup with the LWB front and 500e rear. I think I got it priced at 375$ with bushings so it seems fairly reasonable. At least the car won't flop about like a dick with E.D anymore, or so I hope. How big an improvement did you notice? Would the H&R Sports + Bilstein Sports be a bigger improvement? I plan that anyway but my god is that costly.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
This is true.. There are PIAA 27w ones (only 6 watt more than stock) or Polarg ones which have a convex lens at the end of the bulb. Both are supposedly better than the standard ones. There are also the Putco Luxeon LED bulbs @ 5w that are supposedly (actually) brighter than standard 21w filament bulbs. Urgh, confused.
Last edited by pifcat2; Jan 26, 2009 at 10:18 AM.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
I'm not sure I want to use LEDs for interior light as I'm not sure it will be nice even light like filament bulbs throw out. I'll keep on finding these festoons that are red despite the annoyance :P
