puchak

There is a local 400E near me and I'm thinking about restomodding it to some degree but still keeping it period correct.

It has some ~100k miles when I peeped in the window.

Please let me know if my price is crazy low, crazy high -- or if I'm just crazy in general for wanting to do this.

Budget: $40,000
Goal: Build a period correct, naturally aspirated and generate around 350bhp, refreshed car

I have a couple questions:

• Can you redye the dash and other pieces on the interior of the car? For example, take the palamino dash and turn it forest green.
  • I'm guessing: strip the color or remove the material and put new leather over it?
• The W124 is historically reliable, how does the 400E hold up?
  • What should I expect to fix or replace mechanically?
• What can I do to improve power?
  • I'm thinking about doing an ITB conversion via: https://rennsportfactory.co.uk/product/m119-itb/
  • I would definitely sneak in any E500/500E parts I can find, recommendations welcome!
    • I understand 400E start in 2nd off the pull? Something like that.

Here is what I have planned for the build:

• Car ($5,000)
• ITB conversion: https://rennsportfactory.co.uk/product/m119-itb/ (~$10,000 all in)
• Paint match lower cladding, chrome, and grille to black. ($3,000)
• Interior overhaul in green leather and green suede (~$5,000-10,000)
• Upgrade suspension and lower the car (~$3,000)
• 18in Brabus Monoblock III (~$3,000)
• European Bosch headlights and amber corners ($500-1,000)
• AMG Momo steering wheel (~$1,000)
• Redo wiring harness (???)
• General mechanical fixing ($5,000???)

I'm probably being generous on some of these prices, and not everything would be overhauled at once. Let me know what you guys think.

Exterior inspiration:


Interior inspiration but green:

khomer2

Seems like you have money to burn (literally) for the love of it?
Period correct modifications?
Everything you listed is not period correct for a 400e 420e.
You' re trying to create a 500e+ on the cheap.
Best to go look for a 500e itself (but not on that budget...) and then spend time stocking up on many of the nla components you'll need as a safety net.
Starting is easy to say.... finishing is another matter. Not many do. Simply===> lose interest, lack of funds, parts, life gets in the way.
Not deterring you - just the reality and stats. stats dont lie.
w124s and w201s - same old multiple rhetoric yearly.
GL and prove me wrong.