W124 plastic lower body panels

[5907]

My W124 estate is a 1995 model; so it has the plastic lower body panels.

These seem to retain mud and dirt, and may well increase the chance of rust on the sills. I was wondering if it would be possible to remove all the plastic lower side panels and replace them with the black plastic trim strips that were fitted to the pre-1990 cars.

AFAIK they attach to the same slots, so it should be possible.

I appreciate this is an unusual retro-fit, but what do you think?

 

[jibcl500]

Yes the rubber strips will fit in place of the side panels but finding some that arent 20 years and dont break when removing will be tough, MB still sell them but they are expensive.
Personally would remove the side and sill panels and make good any rust.

jib

 

[5907]

Yes the rubber strips will fit in place of the side panels but finding some that arent 20 years and dont break when removing will be tough, MB still sell them but they are expensive.
Personally would remove the side and sill panels and make good any rust.

jib

I think the strips for each front front door (the longest piece) were £33 each at inchcape. Not cheap, but not too bad.

I have a scratch on one of my plastic sill covers and looked at the price of a new one; £253

 

[television]

Back in 1991 the plastic side panels cost £1000 in primer, plus another £100 for the paint

 

[jibcl500]

Im breaking my 220TE in the middle of June so all my side panels will be listed on ebay, bet I dont get more than £10 the lot...

jib

 

[5907]

I had a look at the bits I'd need on the Russian site, priced them up at Inchcape and the whole lot comes to about £330. There doesn't seem to be much on eBay either.

Still a worthwhile job though I think; I'm not a fan of plastic covers for the aforementioned rust reasons, and I kind of like the look of the pre-1990 cars.

 

[QBSBear]

Sorry for jumping in on this thread but i'm kinda stuck how do the panels come off i have removed the screws but i dont seem to be able to remove the trims of mine as i want to repaint them in the colour of the car or as close to it as possible TIA

 

[Xtractorfan]

The panels are a slide fit into slotted cut outs on the panels, you need to gently and sharply tap the panels ..towards the rear of the car (If I remember correctly) open the doors, just off the latch, to stop the mouldings from fouling on the next panel....