PortAxePlayer1 June 2020 Winner - MBWorld.org Forums

Dec 17, 2019 | 12:07 PM

PortAxePlayer1

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Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 211

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'97 E200, '06 E350 & '23 E350

PortAxePlayer1 June 2020 Winner

Screen name or real name: PortAxePlayer1
Car Info: 1997 Mercedes-Benz E200 Elegance

Stock Options:

Exterior Color: Green Black Metallic (189U)
Interior Color: Anthracite Leather (Not MB-Tex)
Car doesn't even have a trunk release switch as this was an option yet has the Climatronic A/C which is the only noteworthy option this car has along with the auto-dimming interior mirror.
Came with 205/65R15 Alloy Wheels, not even 16".
Inline 4-Cylinder 2.0, no kompressor & matted with the 5-Speed Auto. Produces 136 hp & 190 Nm of Torque. As fast as it sounds

Modifications (all factory original parts):

Retrofitting Option code 612 (Xenon headlamps) almost 15 years ago
Adding the wooden gate shifter
Adding a wood steering wheel .
Added the leather-stitched armrest from the facelifted W210, feels and looks much better than the original vinyl.
Adding a Mercedes Audio CD Player with CD-R, AUX & Bluetooth support from car-radio.de (Car came without a radio, only pre-wired for one)
Hood Pad installed (car doesn't come with one) along with metallic undershields (car was naked under the engine)

Other than that I made sure to keep it 100% stock and not add one item that wasn't a factory part, I don't like messing with the original vision.

Future plans:

Treating start of rust on rocker panel, either replace or fix if possible.
Driver door lock probably needs replacement, or the door needs adjustment, started suddenly not to close easily. (Fixed, door adjustment solved it)
Radiator fan rattles when running at high speeds, looking to change the assembly. (Fixed, new fan assembly was added)
Acquiring a NOS or mint Anthracite dashboard for fitting.

Other info:
The '97 E200 has been in my family ever since I was a child and I've always had a weak spot for it. It was also the first car I ever drove and to this day I still drive it daily.
Around a year and a half ago a motorcycle smashed my right headlamp and bent the right fender outwards. At this point I had seen how old it has become and if I were to continue driving it I would have to restore it back to factory condition as much as I could or just part it out & get me a new one. Most parts were sourced directly from the dealership, others from Pelican Parts & FCPEuro when the price gap was significant. NLA items were sourced from eBay with a NOS status (Door rail, central console wood, speakers and a few other cosmetic things). All Parts were exclusively Genuine Mercedes.

Restoration Details:

Cosmetically:

Car given a full factory repaint in its original color (code 189)
4 New OEM 15" Alloy Wheels (came with them from the factory) with new hubcaps, air fill locks and lug bolts.
Two brand new front fenders.
Rear parcel shelf was rusted through (leaky rear window), new part was acquired, replacement was welded in, painted and sealed. Window seals were all replaced.
The boot received new carpet everywhere, new plastic edges, new rubber seals and new locks all around.
Front headlamps received new OEM lenses and new bulbs for high/low beams and the turn signals.Two new fog lamps were also installed.
Rear Taillights (Main and Secondary) replaced on both sides.
Third brake lamp was also replaced along with its electrical base.
Driver and passenger mirrors replaced including mirror housings painted from the factory.
Roof rails and molding above and below the windshield were replaced.
Ceiling was redone and so was the padding.
Rear parcel shelf's cover had turned to purple, it was refitted with new black texture and the original foam layer along with two new speaker covers.
Scratched/dull wood was sent for resurfacing (center console was the only thing that needed it), new dash wood strip was installed.
All AC vents were replaced and their light vent replaced.
New tinted Windshield installed along with new interior auto-dimming mirror.
Hinges on front doors replaced and painted along with new door checks.
Acquired a new genuine Elegance grille to replace the (admittedly) better looking Avantgarde one.
Velour & Rubber floor mats from the factory.
New hood struts.

Mechanical Updates:

2x New Lower Control Arms (LCA) + All screws, bolts & nuts (noticed a small fracture on the right LCA, stopped driving the car and parts were ordered.
2x New Ball Joints
2x New Upper Control Arms
4x New Shock Absorbers
New Springs on the Front & Back
New Metal Undershield for Engine Oil Pan + New Plastic Undershield at the front
New Alternator
New AC Compressor
New AC Dryer + Line To Condenser
New Water Pump Pulley
New Belt Tensioner Pulley + Shock Absorber
New V-Belt
New Water Pump Pulley
New Plastic Molding under hood for AC intake.
Front Right Spring Perch Replacement (Left was deemed in perfect condition)
Transmission Service
Rear Differential Service

Interior:

Front Right Door Trim was replaced with new door card, wood, pocket, leather, handle & lock.
Driver side A-pillar cover replaced along with plastic speaker grill
Retrofitted leather armrest from facelifted models + completely new center console.
New tumbler for key & glove box
New Interior Mirror
New Visors + French Warning Labels

Exterior:

All door handles replaced
Replaced all door rubber strips.
New tumbler on driver's door
2x New IR Keys.

I learned how to use EPC, WIS & even ASRA during this year-long endeavor. I would love to restore old Mercs for a living, it was so much fun!

Just Before Its Grille Replacement

Seats are in excellent condition for 245K Km, but will cleaned and given proper treatment.

Added the type badge on the left, new taillights all around!

Fresh Michelin Tyres, Brand New Alloys, Screws, Central Caps & Pressure cap.

New Wood, Switches & Gates All Around!

The Elegance Grille as it should be.

The 24/7 and the Rescue Team QR Code!

Miss the backlight on the newer cars.