Newbie W124 owner

[ZhanvW124]

Just bought a E220 auto 1996 W124
Needs
Tie rods , got some water leaks,left back window not working ,head rest button not working .interior needs a refurb door panels and seats .shocks
Awesome car though.

 

[WDB124066]

There is a left and right tie rod they are different one has a shock absorber in it the other does not the heads are slightly different sizes/colours if you want it original.

Head rest rail inside the seat will be stripped, they are available from the dealership modified so it does not happen again.

Get original shocks from the Dealership or Bilstien, you will not out drive the suspension so standard is fine and ULTRA SMOOTH. Do not lower it, it will not drive the same and most people who do this regret it . They roll and you will not stop that, you are better off to learn to cope with it and then try and get it to break loose; you won't by the way, not with proper tyres. Alignment after tie rod fitted; be very careful who/where you take it, your location will help others to get you into the right place to make sure it is done properly. A 124 requires very little input to change direction, and when you experience this is it is a joy, not a battle. Steering box may be loose be careful adjusting that it will change your ball point position that in turn will change toe out on turns which will be felt as having to oversteer on turn in, then the car falls into the corner meaning you have to back out right as you are turning in.
If you are good enough to experience this you must have the ball point position accurate to solve it, and then you will not need to measure toe out on turns. Measuring toe out on turns is not done by many at all, most alignment people do not even know about it let alone how to set their machine to do it, from memory it requires a fixture on the standard hunter machines. You may be able to machine a small amount off the steering arm from the box to lower it on the spline but NO MORE THAT 3 MM.

Good luck with it - a standard 124 320 will outperform a Ducati Street Fighter ridden in anger, [NO chicken strips] that is how good they can be. You'll need to do something to help it stop better though if you plan on thrashing it beyond 5 minutes.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

 

[mioba]

Welcome to the forum.

Stick around.

Nice car.

Where are you based.

 

[Srdl]

Welcome- interesting project!

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome

 

[A.J.]

Hi and welcome to the forum

 

[ZhanvW124]

Thank you

 

[ZhanvW124]

Jhb south africa

Welcome to the forum.

Stick around.

Nice car.

Where are you based.

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome

 

[ZhanvW124]

Hi thanks

 

[ZhanvW124]

Hello and welcome

Hi my car is in the thread

 

[WDB124066]

Good luck finding anything better, they do dye as well.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Zanvew124 Welcome yes looks nice and clrean .Bit of tlc and you will have a very nice W124 .

 

[ZhanvW124]

There is a left and right tie rod they are different one has a shock absorber in it the other does not the heads are slightly different sizes/colours if you want it original.

Head rest rail inside the seat will be stripped, they are available from the dealership modified so it does not happen again.

Get original shocks from the Dealership or Bilstien, you will not out drive the suspension so standard is fine and ULTRA SMOOTH. Do not lower it, it will not drive the same and most people who do this regret it . They roll and you will not stop that, you are better off to learn to cope with it and then try and get it to break loose; you won't by the way, not with proper tyres. Alignment after tie rod fitted; be very careful who/where you take it, your location will help others to get you into the right place to make sure it is done properly. A 124 requires very little input to change direction, and when you experience this is it is a joy, not a battle. Steering box may be loose be careful adjusting that it will change your ball point position that in turn will change toe out on turns which will be felt as having to oversteer on turn in, then the car falls into the corner meaning you have to back out right as you are turning in.
If you are good enough to experience this you must have the ball point position accurate to solve it, and then you will not need to measure toe out on turns. Measuring toe out on turns is not done by many at all, most alignment people do not even know about it let alone how to set their machine to do it, from memory it requires a fixture on the standard hunter machines. You may be able to machine a small amount off the steering arm from the box to lower it on the spline but NO MORE THAT 3 MM.

Good luck with it - a standard 124 320 will outperform a Ducati Street Fighter ridden in anger, [NO chicken strips] that is how good they can be. You'll need to do something to help it stop better though if you plan on thrashing it beyond 5 minutes.

Mine is

There is a left and right tie rod they are different one has a shock absorber in it the other does not the heads are slightly different sizes/colours if you want it original.

Head rest rail inside the seat will be stripped, they are available from the dealership modified so it does not happen again.

Get original shocks from the Dealership or Bilstien, you will not out drive the suspension so standard is fine and ULTRA SMOOTH. Do not lower it, it will not drive the same and most people who do this regret it . They roll and you will not stop that, you are better off to learn to cope with it and then try and get it to break loose; you won't by the way, not with proper tyres. Alignment after tie rod fitted; be very careful who/where you take it, your location will help others to get you into the right place to make sure it is done properly. A 124 requires very little input to change direction, and when you experience this is it is a joy, not a battle. Steering box may be loose be careful adjusting that it will change your ball point position that in turn will change toe out on turns which will be felt as having to oversteer on turn in, then the car falls into the corner meaning you have to back out right as you are turning in.
If you are good enough to experience this you must have the ball point position accurate to solve it, and then you will not need to measure toe out on turns. Measuring toe out on turns is not done by many at all, most alignment people do not even know about it let alone how to set their machine to do it, from memory it requires a fixture on the standard hunter machines. You may be able to machine a small amount off the steering arm from the box to lower it on the spline but NO MORE THAT 3 MM.

Good luck with it - a standard 124 320 will outperform a Ducati Street Fighter ridden in anger, [NO chicken strips] that is how good they can be. You'll need to do something to help it stop better though if you plan on thrashing it beyond 5 minutes.

Thank you for the detailed info, I am in south africa and there are a lot of mechanics and Merc guys . But I like UK owners descriptions and advice.
I would never lower the car my old car was a isuzu trooper , the benz is already way lower.
And I only have the e220 which feels like a beast compared to what I usually drive.
I really want this car for trips of over 1500km . Which I hope to do soon.

 

[ZhanvW124]

Good luck finding anything better, they do dye as well.

Thank you will try find it here , some people offer services to do it +- R5800.00

 

[ZhanvW124]

Zanvew124 Welcome yes looks nice and clrean .Bit of tlc and you will have a very nice W124 .

Thank you very much. Found some spares at a breaking yard . Playing catch up on maintenance like brakes and oil change and power steering and gearbox

 

[ZhanvW124]

Welcome to the forum.

Stick around.

Nice car.

Where are you based.

South africa jhb

 

[WDB124066]

Good on you cobber, I'm a Kiwi, or at least I think I am, such are the changes here ATM.

You can get suspension bushes, springs and shocks for the 124 series of cars that are specifically for rough roads. If you are anything like me you will like to take your Benz off road, or way out the back of absolutely nowhere , or both, in which case the extra ground clearance the rough road suspension option offers will be a great asset.

 

[ZhanvW124]

Good on you cobber, I'm a Kiwi, or at least I think I am, such are the changes here ATM.

You can get suspension bushes, springs and shocks for the 124 series of cars that are specifically for rough roads. If you are anything like me you will like to take your Benz off road, or way out the back of absolutely nowhere , or both, in which case the extra ground clearance the rough road suspension option offers will be a great asset.

Good day WDB124066.
Lol my brother and family are about to be kiwis . Any suggestions on brands and kits wouldn't mind making it a bit tougher. Our roads are getting really cruddy. Politicians usual problem here.