1995 Mercedes-Benz E280 - Dropped!

[Jez]

Hey! I thought you guys might like to see my latest project - Papa Burgundy, a 1995 Mercedes-Benz E280 (W124-type).



I know 1995 isn't exactly retro, but in my defence it's the last of a model introduced in 1985(ish?) and designed in the late seventies!

I've owned the car since late 2007 and used it as my daily driver while my Passat variant was my custom show/weekend toy. Running two cars was getting a bit much though so the Passat is going in to hibernation soon, meaning the Benz can fulfill both roles. Bring on the modding! ;D

First of all I fitted a set of clear side repeaters. Not very exciting, I know, but it always bugged me that when Mercedes facelifted the W124, they changed the front indicators from orange to clear, but not the side repeaters. A slight oversight in my eyes!

Then I went wild and removed the rear badge ;D An option when new, I disagreed with the original owners' choice to have the badge.

And so to the wheels. The standard 15" 8-hole alloys and balloon tyres really weren't doing it for me. Especially as the lacquer on the diamond-cut faces was in a really bad way.
I wanted to go for something bigger and wider to achieve a nice euro stance. I'd decided on 17" as an optimum size for looks and to retain a bit more comfort and side-wall than 18" or 19" rims would allow.
Brock B1's and RH Cups were originally in mind, but then I found these 'Ankaa' wheels from a newer E-Class fitted the bill at 8.5" wide. I'd always loved the simple design and concave dished spokes, so the deal was done.

That's about it for now. Here's some pictures from the trial fitting of the wheels:















;D

[bigperm]

ive had a few sets of those ankaas, nice rim,be careful with the wheelstuds though!!

[Jez]

Why? Because it's easy to damage the lacquer you mean? I've found that with the original wheels!

[bigperm]

later e class (w211) where those rims originate have shorter,fatter wheel studs,if you fit those rims with the wheelstuds off your polished 8 holes you will damage your parkbrake shoes, i have in some cases also seen a lot of damaged threads in front hubs,where the longer studs are screwed all the way in until theres no thread left on the bolts!!

[bigperm]

heres one i made earlier!!.(well about 4 years ago!!) drop me a pm if you need any info mate!

[Jez]

Ah right, yeah I realised that when I did the first trial fitting! I nipped up the bolts and the wheel could be pulled about 15mm away from the face of the hub.

Then I realised the wheels are designed for R14 bolts but my car takes R12. Got the right R14 ball-seat, R12 thread short bolts now

pm coming your way!

[Ether]

Papa needs to get low

Looks nice, mate. What tyre size are you planning on?

[Jez]

Thanks Matt! I've gone for 205/45/17. Stretch was essential to clear wishbones, ARB, shocks, arches... everything really!

That size works out a tad smaller than stock too, which also helps with clearance. And low!

Speaking of low, that will happen some time soon. I've seen a Cobra 60/40mm spring kit on POTN which I like the sound of. I'm going for stance over outright lowness!

[Jez]

Well, I have the wheels on the car now! Sorry the pics aren't up to much. Better ones will follow when I get to grips with my new camera...







Jobs to do:

Drop
Rear spacers
Rust spots on door and boot
Delete headlamp wipers
Euro plate surrounds
Relocate front plate lower down
Fit bumper in-fill

[UtterPiffle]

Looks lovely Jez. Just a healthy dose of stick now, and it'll look x10 better

w124's are eeeeasy to lower as well

[MiniDave]

Looking good, fair bit of stretch on that rubber though! I can't help but think that it needs some other big change, to save it looking like 'just' an old Merc on new rims. Maybe the drop will fix this...

[Ether]

G's up, nose down:

[Jez]

Thanks chaps! ;D

Well as Matts chop proves, the drop will be the real difference. Thanks man!

Piffle, everyone says W124's are easy to lower, but I don't have one of those fancy 'thru-the-middle' spring compressors! I think i'll just see if my regular ones will make enough space to chop the springs in-situ.

Bizzareatheist - i know what you mean but hopefully the drop will do the trick. I think moving the front plate will help change things up a bit too, and maybe some all-red rear lights?

[UtterPiffle]

Is your car leather?

If not, I've just found this for super cheap money - would look spot-on with the burgundy paint!
cgi.ebay.co.uk/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110355982052&category=10398

Never seen a dark interior with light carpets before...

[tigran]

Looks cool already, will look very sweet with a drop.

But leave the rear lights - the smoke n reds are dope as hell.

[Colonelk]

They're nice wheels those! Got some on the Senator......



Plans sound ace too! Hope you can drop it as low as the 'shop.... as that would be AWESOME

[Jez]

Piffle, that interior is crazy, never seen anything like it!!! Mine is cloth so I may consider that interior. Cheers for that!

Tigran you reckon keep the rear lights standard? I was thinking the red would go with the euro kinda style I have in mind. Seen them on a few 190's and C's and the look cool.

Colonel, cheers! They look ace on the senator, that thing is awesome! I doubt i'll be quite as low as the 'shop as I want to keep it practical for daily (ab)use. We'll see how it goes tho

[Jez]

There's not much to report on the car front (except some euro plate holders) but I thought I'd post a few shots I took with my new SLR camera:









Before anyone mentions lowering, I have grinder and spring compressors in my possesion now. I was actually going to start this evening but it started raining just as I left work

[Colonelk]

heh thanks man,


and you car is going to look gooooooooooooooooooooooood when its dropped. Cant wait to see the finished result!

[llamaboy]

Thats a rather nice motor you got there.

It's gonna look even better dropped. *schemes about lowering my car*