Floobydust

Speaking of the vibration damper, it was shot on one of the cars I just looked at. I checked with the dealer and they want $675 for it! And it is back ordered to Germany to boot. Is there a better source for it or does one just have to suck it up. BTW, the MB part I found on Startekinfo for it is A 124 320 61 30.

Thanks again,

- FD

ds190

Yes, that is the correct part number.

Mine has cracks on the four inner rubber braces connecting the outer rubber wrapped chunk of lead to the mounting support, so there is movement that probably wouldn't be present on a new damper.

I took it off and bought a standard strut mount plate to replace it. I have not driven the Cab on the highway yet, but at city street speeds I do not notice any difference.

Floobydust

I am now the proud new owner of a 1995 Black/Tan E320 Cabriolet. It's a one owner, dealer maintained car with 96K miles. Everything works as it did from the factory except for the the driver's headrest (I've read the thread on that issue). The interior/exterior are very good (there is one small door ding). It even has the optional CD changer.

I just finished adding keyless entry and have ordered a newer MB Becker radio from Europe that supports D2B fiber optic so that I can add a Dension Ipod/Bluetooth interface to the car. I will need to work on some speaker upgrades later.

I would really like to thank everyone for their input/help with this!! It helped me find/buy the best car for my budget. I will post some pics once I have a chance to take them.

The car came with the OEM series 92 15" wheels/tires and new Michelins. It also came with a set of of AMG VI 5 spoke wheels from a newer CLK55 (staggered 17x7.5 & 1&x8.5). While they seem to fit fine, they really don't look "correct" on the car. But the OEM wheels are, well, just too boring. So I've been looking for alternate wheels. Of course, the classic Monobock Aero or Aero II are high on the list. But they are also low on the availability list.

It turns out that I can get a set of the "propeller" design wheels from an R129. I like this design and I think they are "period correct" (close to the monoblock actually). They are 17x8.25 ET34 all the way around. Does anyone know if they will fit a Cabrio? The "guide" says E500/500E, but being new to the W124 chassis, and the Cabrio in particular, I'm not sure what the differences (from the wheel/tires perspective) are.

Any info would be appreciated - the wheels may go to someone else if I don't say I want them soon.

Thanks again,

- FD

190E 16V

Congratulations!

I like the "propeller" wheels too, but...
500E500 wheels will have a lower offset - therefore they will not clear your fenders. They will be too wide and they'll rub.

Regular wheels are likely cheaper anyway.

RHW

Agree about the wheel size not going to fit w reasonable effort. I think I may have a set of the B&G springs I used on the white Cab, bought them for the wagon, installed them, and am second guessing myself right now. Wheel wise, til you lower it, new Michelins on stock wheels roll out fine.

When it comes time to look for a speaker solution...take a look at this thread.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-your-car.html

I have a friend who can for the moment obtain dealer cost price on these and they are, I think, worthwhile for their stealth improvement. I have them in my 3 regular cars now- the Cabriolet, Sportline and wagon.

Congrats on finding a nice example, love the description. Was it the car you described weeks ago?

And as my sig shows, even iPhone pics are better than nothing.

Floobydust

RHW -

Thank you! I have been lusting after a set of the Jehnert door panels! After I get the wheels taken car of, I'm going to look into them.

- FD

Floobydust

For better for worse (I'm not the best photographer), here are some pictures of my new Cab. Sorry it took a bit of time to post them, but it's pollen season here in New England and I needed to get some time when I could wash it and take pictures before it was covered with yellow tree pollen again!

I also included a picture of the Radio 10 upgrade I did today (In-dash CD + D2B fiber-optic CD control) and the MB switchblade style keyless entry I installed (no relays and controls factory alarm).

I love the car and am looking forward to being a member of the W124 community!

Thanks again everyone for your help.

- FD

Floobydust

Here is a picture of the extra AMG wheels/tires that came with the car (eventually, I plan to sell these).

vexed

Welcome to the club. I have the original 15" rims also but they were chromed and make me a bit queasy. I bought but have not installed a set of e420 5 hole rims from a W210 like these


I think they will work and I know they fit.

Floobydust

Well, I've always been good at ignoring good advice, so I went ahead a picked up the set of propeller style R129 wheels. I did this for two reasons -

1), I really like the looks of these wheels on the W124 (couldn't stand them on the R129); somehow they seem period correct for the W124.

2), the sticky post fitting guide showed that 17x8 ET 30 w/235/45R17 works for a regular (e.g., non-500e) W124. The wheel offset calculator says that for the R129 wheels (17x8.25 ET 34) the outside dimension is 1 mm less than the MB configuration. However, it also says that the inside clearance is 7 mm less, so I figured that if they didn't rub on the struts, they should be okay with the fenders.

Well, tried them on and everything seems to clear on the inside. Interestingly, I do get some fender rubbing during hard cornering (the wheels came with 245/45R17's), but it is so slight I suspect that fitting 235/45R17's or 225/45R17's (the 225 size exactly matches the diameter of the OEM wheels) will fix that. While changing the wheels I discovered also that my front fenders have been rolled already, but the rears are bone stock.

I really like the looks of them - what do you think? I'd be interested in comments.

Thanks,

- FD

RHW

They look real good- I've thought about them but had too many doubts to try them.

BTW, If you look at my (current) signature pic, the drop is due to a set of B&G springs. I am trying to lower a wagon too, and bought a set of the CAB springs to test on the wagon. (Net effect, lower than intended, not rubbing on et40 16 inch wheels, but more than I want for a utility vehicle.)

SO, I ordered a set of H&R springs specifically for the wagon, and am likely to pull the Cabriolet springs. I'd sell them for 60% of the best price you can find if this came to pass and you were interested. As I mentioned in another thread, I lowered the car SPRINGS ONLY first, then added bilstein sports...and the springs alone were a giant upgrade. I might still be on stockers if not for a lightly used set of bilsteins went by.

Floobydust

I finally decided to bite the bullet and go for some monoblock IIs. While I was at it, I decided to deal with the truck sized steering wheel too. The car is now rolling on monoblock II's with 215/50R-17 Sumitomo HTR A/S tires. I'm really glad I did it - it was like getting a new car all over again.

- FD

RHW

MMMMMonoblocks

(in my best Homer Simpson mmmm-donuts impression)

That is exactly what I am now running on my white cab, down to tire size. Isn't the little extra rubber nice at 215x50? (Be curb careful tho!)

And your car would look even better dropped an inch or so.

WDB124066

THAT IS A SMART LOOKING CAR MATE!

Cumberland Race

Well bought! Looks nice with the Monoblock II's. The other nice period factory-look audio upgrade for CD and iPog is the Becker 4602, essentially a Harmon Kardon Nav Pro private labeled for Benz. These are getting very hard to find, though.

bzliteyear

Beautiful car...congrats. I just sold my 1995 E320 Cabriolet and hopefully the new owner will enjoy it as much as I did. Mine had 85k miles and was in excellent condition, and it sold for about $12k. Considering the newer CLK55 cabs are going for mid-teens, I think that's saying quite a bit about the W124 cabs.
PL

BJaltima

Flooby, where'd you get that steering wheel?

watut

I want a cabriolet

Floobydust

I got it on ebay - paid $300 for it. For me, there are two things that make the W124 interior look "dated" - the home-made-looking-carved-out-of-children's-blocks climate controls and the big-enough-to-pilot-the-Titanic steering wheel. I haven't seen I good upgrade for the climate controls, but the smaller diameter wood, wheel and leather really helped.

- FD

BTW, is that Mt. San Jacinto in the background of your sig pic? Spent a year working in Palm Springs.