ps2cho

I like the updated cladding on the later 124's and was wondering if it would fit the earlier models or will it require some ingenuity to make it clip on?

Anybody know?

Thanks,
Robert

2PHAST

Yes, the rocker panels and lower cladding will bolt onto your vehicle. If I remember correctly, you might need to drill some holes for the rocker panels, but the lower cladding will all clip into place. Also, depending upon what year cladding you get, you may want to either change the bumpers or add the chrome strips, as most of the newer cladding has the chrome trim on it.

If you go to buy the lower cladding, make sure you get as many of the plastic clips as possible, otherwise, a full set of clips runs somewhere in the $200 range.

CDP

+1 on the plastic clips. That was the biggest b!tch while I took mine off and painted the lower cladding.

ps2cho

Ok cool. I saw a 400E at the junkyard today that had an almost perfect lower cladding so it got me thinking. I might go grab it tomorrow morning then.

Kinda off-topic: Chris what springs are you using on your E420 and have you rolled your fenders?

CDP

I'm on V8 Vogtland's and my fenders are rolled all around but I might have them pulled a bit if it's possible soon.

ps2cho

Well got all the pieces today. Any good place for clips?

neanderthal

Go back to the junkyard and just get em from the cars there. I think the clips are the same whether or not the car has a rub strip or the lower cladding.

JSe420

Damn, im pulling all my cladding off this winter... Didnt plan on an extra $200 expense for clips . But, will do what i have to do. I thought there was a real delicate way to pull the cladding off without breaking all the clips

2PHAST

In some places you can access the back side of the panels and with a needle nose plyers, press the little spring taps together and push them out. Sometimes they come out ok, sometimes they break

ps2cho

Yeh most of the ones were broken when I pulled the bottom off. I'll figure out a good way or just head back to the junkyard.

I'll post some pics when I put it all on.

ps2cho

Looks like autohaus arizona has the clips I need!
Part #0019884981 on their site.

Seems the top part of the trim is exactly the same as the old style and only the bottom clips need to be replaced. For what its worth, I'm just gonna order online and save myself the hassle of pulling door panels off and breaking half of them as they are so delicate.



I need 28 total so gonna order 35. $0.95/each

I gotta say I'm digging this cladding Gonna be a total transformation. Unfortunately somebody took the bumper off the 400E, so I'll need to get the one I got sprayed, but I took everything else from the car so its a complete set.

ps2cho

Shoot the little tiny plastic trim that goes right before the rear wheel arch is a different clip on both the top + bottom...



I found the part #'s on EPC net luckily. Gonna just get them @ stealership on Monday when I pick up my new door lock cylinder. Probably pay $10/$15 but that's the only thing I need now

I'll take some pics with a better camera once I put on the front + rear bumpers. Just got them sprayed and waiting for them to dry

neanderthal

That's a very nice transformation.


Just needs some lowering springs

ps2cho

Well camera doesn't do her justice. You can see how shiny the hood is -- well the doors are the same, but the camera doesn't pick it up well (iphone).

I'm gonna get a set of spring @ junkyard and cut 1.5-2 coils to make her sit nicely.

Also debating if I should keep these Lorinsor 16's or put the set of AMG Monoblock II's I have in the garage...

JSe420

that looks really good It will look like a whole different car with the front and rear bumpers on there. I say put the mono's on and put the lorinsors on the wagon.

ps2cho

Question -- are the stripes on the updated cladding chrome or stainless steel? Anybody know?

JSe420

they are chrome

bsmuwk

That's a very nice transformation! It really updated the look of the entire car. Looks.....dare I say, modern-ish.
Where'd you get that grill?

pifcat2

I'm surprised you didn't need the double prong clips for the offset receptacle. Maybe it only applies to wagon cladding...

ps2cho

Do you mean the metal ones that go along the top? If so, I took them off the one @ the junkyard as they just push to the side and come off so it was easy to take so I already had them.

The reason I ask about the strips being chrome/stainless steel is because they are scratched up quite some...so being chrome I think I'm SOL right? I'll have to keep looking everytime I go the junkyard for ones in better condition. I mean they aren't that bad, but not perfect.

The grill is an S600 one. I'm not sure if I wanna stick with it or go back to OEM yet...On the fence over it.

I got the bumpers on today and I get the correct clips tomorrow so you guys will get full pics with a good camera
I used some generic gray spraypaint for the front bumper and it matched pretty darn close I was happy. I was quite surprised. It was gold before. Rest of cladding is off the same car.

pifcat2

these go at one the end of the door, maybe sedans don't need them...

the trim strips have clips that twist, you can use a needle nose plier on the two holes.

I'm seeing more post '90 W124's, you're right about the condition as the yards don't really care about preserving the condition

I removed a painted letter with a plastic scraper, then light rubbing with an abrasive pad

ps2cho

Yeh I actually got it off really easy using some acetone and gently wiping it. Liberal amounts may begin to take off the clearcoat on the original paint so be careful. It worked for me though as I used as least as I possibly could.

^ That's the clip I was missing awesome! I thought it was a hole for screws... I'll have to get some at the dealership tomorrow. When I opened the rear door it would sometimes get caught on the edge of the front door. That would explain it.

2PHAST

Goof Off is what I keep handy, it removes everything, glue, paint, clearcoat, skin, and its wonderfull at disolving latex gloves Assuming you exercise caution, it works great at removing adheasive left over from emblems.

ps2cho

Will take side pics later today as its got heavy swirls right now from me using a bottle of quick detailer that had to have been 3-4 years old...Note to self

She's coming along...

Window Tint as soon as I figure out why the RL window only goes up and not down when the motor is fine, then rear shocks then lowering time

I'm still not sure about that S600 grill....What are your guys opinions? I definitely want black so its either OEM sprayed black, or keep this?

JSe420

Thats coming along very nicely With a second look i say leave the rims. Also leave the grill that looks good.

In my opinion, after you lower it i think you should consider the later style trunk lid and tail lights. The chrome strip on the newer trunk lid would really go well with the rest of your car.

But all in all im likin what your up to here. Coming along real nice

P.s.- Oh and i have an extra e320 trunk lid if interested