To colour code, or not to colour code

[Celicasaur]

I'm in the midst of a major overhaul of my W124 cabrio (Nautic Blue) and am about to embark upon the paintwork.

In terms of general desirability and to not ruin the cars resale value, would it be positive or negative if I colour coded the lower half of the body/bumpers? Normally they're a similar shade to the gloss half of the car and they're matte.

I actually prefer it colour coded (tbh I would like to have a colour coded amg bodykit too) but i wont do it if it makes the phone less likely to ring or if it gives tyre kickers an excuse to be horrid, once I put the car up for sale eventually, whenever that may be.

 

[stephenmercedes]

I am bemused at your query. I think it's wonderful that you desire to restore an older car, I'm a big fan of older. But if you want to simply sell it on, why not sell it as is? It's rare to get the money back in spending big on a 'major overhaul'. If you were keeping it, I'd applaud your efforts, however, trying to guess what a future buyer would prefer is a roulette spin. Best of luck whatever you decide...

 

[zipdip]

I suppose everybody who has restored a older car,has faced the problem of do I add something that was not original,in your case colour coded bumpers,I would suggest you get the car how you would like to drive it around ,I would colour code the bumpers and I am sure there are 124 owners who will scream and shout about that,but when you do come to sell it,if the restoration is a good one then the buyer who hates the bumpers than he will put them back to original,it will not stop a sale.

 

[merc amg]

definitely colour code

 

[Wolfie1]

If you like it you do it, screw what anyone else says. As for the resale thing thats like saying im not going to have lots of sex with my gorgeous girlfriend to keep her tight for the next person

 

[Deleted member 11979]

I have this same quandary, I have a tourmaline green one that’s colour matched top to bottom. I think it looks good, but, I am looking to repaint it in the next couple of years and will return it to factory spec because I like that too, and in years to come it may make a difference to resale.

Ref AMG kit, if you can find one then do, with the right wheels they look great!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

If you’ve got one eye on resale always go for factory spec with a classic car in my opinion.If not, do it exactly how you want it.

You got any photos?

 

[Celicasaur]

Thanks for the responses guys - for what it's worth, it's not a 'buy to sell' car...I've owned it for 2 years and always had the intention of restoring it to former glory...it's just that it's been pretty low on my priority list compared to my other cars.

However I think you all confused me more than when I first asked. I did though make a decision to remain with the stock colour scheme and leave it at that. I don't 'love' the car enough to have it colour coded. It'll be gorgeous though hopefully - it's going to have a flow-coated paint job (painted and lacquered, then wet-sanded down and re-lacquered one more time for a super deep, glassy finish).

The rear subframe is off and awaiting powder-coating, before having brand new MB bushings pressed in (sweet Lord they are so expensive!). The only non standard item will be the Bilstein B8 shocks all over, paired to the Eibach lowering springs. I have kept the original shocks and springs though, as well as a refurbed set of original stock wheels. I'll be running 18" monoblocks during the summer though

 

[Celicasaur]

Gents, would one of you kindly tell me how I can find the colour code of the matte looking lower portions of the body? It almost looks like it should be just basecoat without lacquer, but then again I feel that it's a few shades lighter than the top glossy area.

FYI the colour code that I have for the main body is 929 Mercedes Nautical Blue (NA13038 < whatever that is)

 

[Celicasaur]

 

[Celicasaur]

Old pic of my car before the re-spray to help identify the 'shade' the the lower trim/bumpers etc

 

[Celicasaur]

I'll pop to the main dealer and ask. If they can give me any insight, i'll report back.