Golden 1992 W124 project

[Dano]

Its been awhile since I've posted anything with this w124 build, probably nothing ever since I sold me civic wagon. But any's I bought this Champaign Golden big yacht 300e from my father its been 2 1/2 years since I've owned it and has been a love **** relationship with this piece of German turd even though I still managed to figure most of the "things that could go wrong with it." Literally I wen through this thing inside out, its insane how much issues a old European car could have, and a lot of the parts are special orders. I still a few things to figure but nothing like the list of things I had to knock down to get it properly running. I have it listed up for sale but still am tempted to bag it since I picked up a 1970 Mercedes-Benz 250 and kind of want to focus on that. But I guess we'll see with time.

[Dano]

work in progress

So I Started going mechanical things since my father has not done anything to it, Got my waterpump, thermostat, heater sensors, and other stupid stuff that was acting weird on it. Btw way I didn't have a special tool to take off my water pump so I had to unbolt my throttle body just to get to the bottom bolt of the water pump, pain in the ass

[Dano]

put everything back, recoated my valve cover and the air filter metal cover. Replaced the valve cover seal, upper timing cover seal, cam seal. Finally this thing is dry and doesn't spill oil.

[190Evan]

oh lord that m103 is clean. Any plans yet suspension and wheel wise?

[Dano]

My buddy has a German wrecking yard and I spotted a 400E that I will use the stock springs and cut them for now because their are no suspension really that I know of that are out there for sale to make to the low I want them to go and probably get shorted struts to make it work. Also I actually picked up a set amg aero monoblock 3 piece by oz racing wheels found these at pick-n-pull on a late 90's sl. Actually legitimate wheels stamped and mark in the back. I was really surprised to run into them at a local yard. It was like finding gold in your garden. lol. Super stocked about the find. But I have 4 sets of wheels e320 bottle cap looking wheels, and AMG star looking wheels. But we'll see where it takes me when I lower it.

Btw I test fitted the MonoBlocks the fitment is insane. the rear fit pokes so much. haha

[Dano]

heres another picture of the rear poke,

[190Evan]

Scope my build thread for possible suspension set up's. Other than that if you don't want to go super low get R129 front shock towers, Bilstein B8 front shocks, 400e cut springs, and for the rear I ran Saab 9-3 shocks with swift 6 inch 65mm ID 34K springs on E36 spring adjusters. It was super comfy and I had crazy adjust ability. but if you don't want to be super low I would go with some 7 or 8 inch ones. Also e36 front coilovers work on the front suspension with w124 camber plates.

[Dano]

thanks for the info, ill definitely look into your build and set-up you're running. I do want to bring it to a reasonable low so I could tuck me tire at least. But we'll see where it takes me when I start tearing it up.

[FearNLoathing]

Dont listen to Evan. Hes crazy he is right about the Swifts tho with the coilover adjuster. I run cut stockers in the front on my 300, terrible thing to do because of the sagging problems. Its about a 75-85mm drop with 2 coils chopped and the B8s are too long. Maybe an inch of travel if that. Running e36 shocks with a stiff spring is the way to go. My rears I have Vogtlands with one coil cut and Ford Ranger shocks. Setup is pretty stellar but the shocks are kinda weak. They do hold up tho and theyre like $30-40 for a set. I know people have had issues with the SAABs blowing out. Ion know how low you trying to go but Vogtlands will get you the lowest without cutting, bout 2 in the back and 1.6 or so in the front.

The different between the 2.8 and the 3.2 in mine are crazy, you woulda thought it was a completely different car.

[Dano]

So how low did you bring your car w124 down, because the stock height instance on these. All of that lowering I could imagine what it does to the struts, not much travel spongy or stiff ride running on bump stops in the strut. Air ride would be the best choice for this thing bit I'm cheaping out right now.

Dont listen to Evan. Hes crazy he is right about the Swifts tho with the coilover adjuster. I run cut stockers in the front on my 300, terrible thing to do because of the sagging problems. Its about a 75-85mm drop with 2 coils chopped and the B8s are too long. Maybe an inch of travel if that. Running e36 shocks with a stiff spring is the way to go. My rears I have Vogtlands with one coil cut and Ford Ranger shocks. Setup is pretty stellar but the shocks are kinda weak. They do hold up tho and theyre like $30-40 for a set. I know people have had issues with the SAABs blowing out. Ion know how low you trying to go but Vogtlands will get you the lowest without cutting, bout 2 in the back and 1.6 or so in the front.

The different between the 2.8 and the 3.2 in mine are crazy, you woulda thought it was a completely different car.

[190Evan]

Dont listen to Evan. Hes crazy he is right about the Swifts tho with the coilover adjuster. .

He's right...I am crazy BUT my w124 drove beautifully and handled decent for the boat it was. I forgot to mention you need to run reducers with the SAAB shocks and that's why people blow them out so often, I loved the SAAB's over the rangers by A LOT. My rangers had horrible dampening and I wanted more travel to raise it. The ranger shocks will only let you slam it to the ground. P.S FearNloathing do we follow each other on Instagram or how do you know me lmao? Just from SW?

[Jorgen]

He's right...I am crazy BUT my w124 drove beautifully and handled decent for the boat it was. I forgot to mention you need to run reducers with the SAAB shocks and that's why people blow them out so often, I loved the SAAB's over the rangers by A LOT. My rangers had horrible dampening and I wanted more travel to raise it. The ranger shocks will only let you slam it to the ground. P.S FearNloathing do we follow each other on Instagram or how do you know me lmao? Just from SW?

What are the reducers exactly? I need a good setup for my W124.

[P78]

you scored on the wheels

just make sure there aren't any hidden faults or cracks.. these wheels are prone to that

[Dano]

He's right...I am crazy BUT my w124 drove beautifully and handled decent for the boat it was. I forgot to mention you need to run reducers with the SAAB shocks and that's why people blow them out so often, I loved the SAAB's over the rangers by A LOT. My rangers had horrible dampening and I wanted more travel to raise it. The ranger shocks will only let you slam it to the ground. P.S FearNloathing do we follow each other on Instagram or how do you know me lmao? Just from SW?

I know the stock springs especially on the front are freaking huge, how the heck did you get them out without that thing shooting through the roof. Even with the spring compressor looks like it will be a bit hard since they are big and in an uncomfortable position. The rears I'm not even worried about. Did you ever think about airing your ride?

you scored on the wheels

just make sure there aren't any hidden faults or cracks.. these wheels are prone to that

I sure did, I was surprised they were just chillen at the yard. Really... so I'm going need to check them out really carefully or might have to have them clean up and checked out by a wheel repair guys here in town. Btw I picked a few more sets from local folks in town. just to have a variety of sets to see which one of them fits right when I lower it to the height I want it at.

[Dano]

So my moon-roof broke on me, on one side the aluminum bracket just snapped. Went to pick-n-pull to hunt down a w124 where I could take of the moon-roof to fix mine btw my headliner is disgusting it started sagging so I decided to go after it as well. Went to fabric depo and got chocolate brown fashion leather to wrap my all one with. Since I have a friend in the interior auto restores I gave the headliner to him to fix meanwhile I get the moonroof rebuilt.