W123 280e Bad front wheelarch / Newbie help please

[jamie280e]

Hi All,

Just bought a lovely old 280e (w123) which Im in love with.
Its in cream and generally really good condition apart from a few issues which I wonder if you might be able help with (any advise appreciated!)

1) Smells a little fumey inside -Not bad but any ideas - Probably coud do with a service which leads me to the question of if I should tackle it myself and where I could get the service parts.

2) Front wing is rotten - I see I can one at Beavers but does anyone no some where close to Sussex who might fit and spray it for me (and idea of costs that might be involved?)

3) My chrome and rubber side strips are a little dented and Id like to replace these - Where can I get new ones from (ideas and cost ideas would be good!) Any idea how they attach ?

4) Can I get a MB Club UK sticker ?

Thanks people - Really would appreciate any help you can give me getting her shipshape!

Jamie

 

[grober]

1. if you mean you can smell exhaust fumes you may have an exhaust or exhaust manifold leak. The other thing you might smell is an oil leak burning off on the hot engine.
2. don't know if the wings on these are bolt on but if they are then that should reduce repair costs. The painting is probably what will cost depending on the colour [ metallic V solid] These cars can rust very badly so don't be surprised if there are other areas requiring attention.

3.Have a sit down before enquiring about trim prices-if you can get them - breakers /secondhand may be your only recourse.

4. A few posts in and your sorted.

GOOD LUCK with the new car lots of free advice here.

 

[jamie280e]

Hi Graeme,

Thanks for that - I can see that the wing is bolt on and its a solid colour so fingers crossed it can be sorted failry inexpensively -
Think the wing will be cheaper than the amount of filler I would need!

Ill see what others suggest also and try and check for oil leaks and blows - Engine is quite grubby but I bought some autoglym cleaner and have made a start. Amazed how well that stuff works!

Next need to do all the door shuts etc and get those sorted.
Most of the car is rot free and the paintwork came up really well using a claybar and some polishes etc.

Cheers again for your help Sir!

Jamie

 

[jonnyboy]

get the carpets up and see if they are damp or the floor is.

iirc w123 manifolds are renowned for cracking.

 

[EDZ649]

Hi Jamie, where abouts are you? If you are close to Hastings/St Leonards I can recommend a very good bodyshop

 

[jamie280e]

Hi there,

Im in Haywards Heath but can travel a bit.

Jamie

 

[219]

Hi Jamie ,

sounds like you have got yourself a nice car . I've had a few W123's over the years , they are excellent cars .

As you've already discovered , the wings are bolt on and they're really easy to fit - the most awkward part is getting access to the bolts down the A pillar which are barely reachable round the open front door , there are also fixings in behind the headlamp/indicator and down where the bottom of the wing meets the valance below the bumper .

I'd reccomend using genuine MB wings , not through snobbishness , but because they are MUCH better quality and a better fit than aftermarket ones . I haven't bought a 123 wing in a while ( they used to be about £90 or £100 , but I guess they might be more now ) I bought a wing for a 190E about a year ago and that was about £90 . You used to be able to get pattern W123 wings from places like Eurocarparts for £20 or £30 - they could be made to fit but you usually had to work a bit at it and the metal was thinner , however if you're on a budget and they are painted properly should last you a few years .

Do check the condition of the inner wings , particularly in behind the headlamps and around the bonnet hinges ( siezed bonnet hinges are a fairly common W123 foible , so give yours a good clean up and lube when you have the wing off as you can only access part of it then ) . Also check the drain holes at either side of the scuttle are clear as they can fill up with leaves etc , leading to rust .

THE UK expert in all things W123 and pretty much universally recognised as 'the guru' is a guy called Mark Cosovich in Swansea ( Tel 01792 846888 or 07714 089936 ) , Mark has a business servicing , restoring , breaking and supplying new parts for W123's ; he is one of the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic people you will ever meet ( although a bit of a perfectionist ) and will be able to answer any questions you may have on your car .

Re service parts , pretty much EVERYTHING is still available from the dealerships , just go in with your chassis/engine no and they'll be able to look everything up . Some parts can be expensive this way , especially things like the garnish mouldings you mentioned , but a lot of the day to day stuff is quite reasonable . There are aftermarket places like Eurocarparts or GSF who will supply a range of parts , some OEM , some what they call 'alternative quality' ( with ECP , an 'O' at the end of the part no designates an OEM part ) - the OEM stuff is absolutely fine , like ATE brake parts , Bosch or Hella electrical or lighting products ; the other stuff is , well , cheaper . Usually , BUT NOT ALWAYS , there's a cost saving over dealer prices - it can pay to phone around first .

Your side strips are usually just pressed in with plastic clips , the clips often break when you pull them out , but these parts are all still cheaply available from the dealers - even for my 1950's and 1960's cars !

Good luck with it .

Please post some pictures when you get a chance .

 

[EDZ649]

Bit of a trek for you but if you don't mind, details as follows;


They are called Ridgway and the guy you need to speak to is Troy. His number is 01424 430567, tell him Leigh put you in touch with him.

Hope to see you at one of our local GTG's sometime as you are not too far away

 

[jamie280e]

Thanks for your help guys - Ive been in Vegas for a few weeks so havent got many funds left - I think Ill attempt sorting the wing myself if its bolts - I have a bit of time next weekend and Im not in a rush - I can then get a bodyshop to have a look at painting for me. The inners on the front are in ace condition from what I can see and Ive taken time with the autoglym cleaning under the bonnet and all door shuts etc.
The rear arches dont look as bad initially but may be a little more seriously rusted -Im gonna see how bad they are properly.
So I have a few more questions that you might be able to help me with..
1) If I kick down within five minutes of using the car theres a huge cloud of black smoke - Handy if I have an enemy behind. Think a service and clean plugs and oil should resolve quite alot of this - hasnt been done for a long time I think!
2) What polish shouild I be using ? Ive used all sorts of autoglym and the shine looks great for a few days then dulls down quickly.
Thats all I can think of for now.....Loving the car - Ive had quite alot of mercs and they never dissapoint!
Do you guys meet for shows near me ?

 

[EDZ649]

Not sure about the other stuff but we have a local GTG here in Bexhill every so often, you are more than welcome to come and join us next time!

 

[Smiley]

Before you start spending money it might be worth having an independent specialist give it the once over - at least you would know the overall work to be done - otherwise there is a danger you start to do the bodywork and something else rears its head......

 

[Canis Benz W123]

" 2) Front wing is rotten - I see I can one at Beavers but does anyone no some where close to Sussex who might fit and spray it for me (and idea of costs that might be involved?) "


Front wings from Beavers are cheap but far from perfection... ( made in Taiwan )
However with little adjustment you can fit it easily - looks good but sounds funny ( thin sheet metal )

I've done it my self on w123 230ce coupe.
Bought it from Beavers , just undercoated ,
so did conservation from inside ( essential thing to do ! )
at least 4 coats, while wings were out I wash wheel housing with jet wash + a bit of sand blasting
then did conservation underneath of wing section and all around,
adjusted ( easy thing to do )
went to Brighton to my friend mechanic ( Tomas ) paid only xxx (don't know normal price but I think it's something between 350/400) pounds for both wings 2/3 of bonnet
both doors painted in half , all of this to lose new paint on old one.
All front and sides look perfect ( Deep Blue Metallic )

I did a lot my self it's quite easy - got little garage with necessary kit in Lewes area if u need something I'm happy to help.
07873133295 - Chris

Fetor's Team