removing W124 outside plastic body panels

[maxicab]

What is the trick to removing these lower body panels? I've scoured previous posts here for over an hour and can't find the relevant tip. But I can't be the first to want to do this!
And any tips for a source of the plastic clips that look like they hold the panels on, and tips for replacing of the panels without scraping paint? Thanks.

 

[wireman]

There are self tapping screws at the lower edge of the door panels, and maybe one or two at the front and rear of the top edge, remove them all and slide the panel about half an inch sideways, then pull and its off.
MB will sell you some fresh mounting clips, fairly cheaply.
Be carefull refitting them and the paint will be undisturbed.

 

[television]

Wireman has given you the perfect answer, the have key hole slots, sideways on

 

[maxicab]

Well thanks chaps. I struggled for ages with the nearside outside plastic door panel. Should have guessed something was amiss when there was no self tapper in the bottom rear corner as on the other door (no further self-tappers in either door by the way - this seems to be normal for the coupes). Eventually I got brutal and it finally came - BACKWARDS towards the rear of the car in case like me you've read this far and think that "sideways" could be forwards or backwards. So the "key hole slots" are a line of several door key shaped holes along the top margin of the plastic panel with the thin end of the key pointing forwards. When I got the panel off - complete with several small chunks of door paint, I realised that mine had been previously taken off and resited without using any of the correct lower clips by bunging dollops of some sticky black mastic like stuff between the door and the panel. Boy what a mess! Very difficult black mess to remove too. Any ideas for suitable solvents that won't ruin the paint?
I'm hoping fixing this properly might also cure the irritating door rattle now. I've left the panel right off for now until I get the clips (and screw). Thanks all again, david

 

[wireman]

If its behind the panel I would remove most of it by planing it off with a very sharp blade, leaving the last traces behind. Stanley knives and surgical scalpels come to mind. I cant imagine a solvent for unknown black mess to be kind to paint but you could try white spirit or meths.

 

[maxicab]

black goo

Thanks, yes I'll try both those ideas. Yes it's all behind the panel. Picking the black stuff off just removes the door paint with it, so I can't really do any worse than that!

 

[maxicab]

black goo

Well I got it all off eventually, mainly with the sharp knife. The solvents I tried didn't really work until there were only tiny traces of goo left (it seemed like solid hard black rubber, very well stuck to paint). Bought the clips from Mercedes - about £1.90 + VAT per 2 part clip set. Just need to touch up the paint first. Impressively the doors appear to be fully galvanised, so a bit of paint loss is easily repaired without much risk of later rust.
So should be good for the future -and I've cured the rattle - at least while the panel is still off!