Adala, my 1988 W126 300SE

[owm]

I thought I would start this thread to share updated pics of my W126 plus some write-ups on my DIY projects carried out on the car.

I believe there are quite a number of W126 owners here and I hope to increase the knowledge base of this classic, remarkable car

This is a pic of my engine bay:

My battery is undersized from what I know so will change it to a DIN100 unit once the current 65mAhr Hyundai battery dies on me For those whose economy gauge is not functioning properly, check the 5 channel 'spider' connector just in front of the firewall where the fusebox is. It has probably hardened with age and no longer holding the vacuum lines tightly, causing a vacuum leak.

I have stripped open both the A/C wood trim and gearshift panel to change out blown #74 bulbs:

This is so as to achieve full OEM light output as so:

Only my air flap control knob is not lit up as there is something wrong with the control unit which warrants further troubleshooting. Supposedly the hazard light switch should be in the center cavity. Will be putting it there in the future.

No idea why the driver window switch is so brightly lit compared to the rest!

The headlight switch should light up as well:

The knob will only light up when the fog lamps are on.

My new steering wheel (OEM with zebrano wood trim) that I am expecting shortly:

[g8crasher]

Adala... the helper that took care of me when I was young was named Adela.

You're nuts to start on another project like this you know that!!!

[Roland500SEL]

OWM - a little correction - the light knob only lights up, when the REAR fog light works! You´ll have to pull it twice, when full headlights are working. First pull switches the front fogs and they work both with city lights or with full light. German laws say, that the rear fog lights only are allowed to be used, if the fog reduces the sight to 40 m. If it brightens up, you´ll have to turn them of. So the bright yellow light in the knob is there to warn you. The fogs are brighter than the brake lights and its not funny to drive behind such a car.

[owm]

Whoa...you had an exotic helper when young? Reminds me of the helper in Meet the Fockers

Eh what project? This? This is nothing, just a precursor to my Honda NSX dream

Adala... the helper that took care of me when I was young was named Adela.

You're nuts to start on another project like this you know that!!!

[owm]

Ahh...understood. I can't tell now as my headlight switch internal plastic has completely disintegrated thus I cannot even engage my fog lamps properly using it! Which is why I am looking for a replacement knob

I don't really like to drive with fog lights on as like you said, they can be blinding but I just want to know that it works

OWM - a little correction - the light knob only lights up, when the REAR fog light works! You´ll have to pull it twice, when full headlights are working. First pull switches the front fogs and they work both with city lights or with full light. German laws say, that the rear fog lights only are allowed to be used, if the fog reduces the sight to 40 m. If it brightens up, you´ll have to turn them of. So the bright yellow light in the knob is there to warn you. The fogs are brighter than the brake lights and its not funny to drive behind such a car.

[owm]

As requested, some pics of Adala as she currently looks:

MB doesn't make cars like these any longer. She is 24 yrs old but still young at heart!

[owm]

My first DIY on Adal was to pull out the instrument cluster to:

1. Improve lighting by cleaning up the bulbs, prisms and plastic shroud

2. Replace my spoilt economy gauge. The spring had disappeared

3. Determine if my odo gears were destroyed. Yup, they were. Waiting for new acetal (indestructible) types to arrive then will install

The easiest and most non-damaging way to remove the instrument cluster is to take out the dash speaker cover, remove the speaker and then reach your hand in and push out the cluster from behind. It is held under tension and will pop out with some force.

My parts cluster on left, the first W126 part I purchased, costing me a princely sum of RM50 and the one off Adala on the right:

The mechanically vacuum operated economy gauge is the brass unit:

Fragments of the odometer gears:

Refurbished left-side cluster:

[kepiting1sg]

Labor of Love ! SALUTE!!!!!

[g8crasher]

Labor of Love ! SALUTE!!!!!

Unfortunately this is something we can't do to most modern day MBs.

[owm]

Photo of cabin through the sunroof:

Gotten rid of the yellowing around the seat fabric using a combination of Woolite/Fabric Softener/Vanish. Worked a little on the door handle but something more powerful is needed.

Driver seat:

Cabin changes to be made include:

1. New 400mm OEM steering wheel with zebrano trim

2. New gearshift wood trim panel

3. Chrome gearshift surround

4. Chrome gauge rings

That's the extent of interior bling/mods I am doing to maintain the elegance and understated beauty of the interior

[owm]

I also have plans to improve on the audio setup on the car which is now currently obsolete running a Kenwood tape deck with a 10 disc CD changer (not working) connected to a Kenwood amp and full Kenwood speakers (which sound terrible).

As I wish to keep the layout stock and not looking for all out SQ, I have opted for the following components:

1. Front dash speakers - Infinity Kappa 462.9 4x6 coaxial speakers

2. Rear parcel shelf speakers - Infinity Kappa 62.9i 6.5inches coaxial speakers

3. Speakers to be mounted together with equivalent sized XTC foam baffles:

4. Speakers will be powered through a STEG K-401 amplifier:

5. Head unit will be a modern piece that will still blend in with the 80s cabin look, a Nakamichi NA200R:

\

USB input (finally!), ability to match the illumination with the soft amber lighting of the W126 console, decent SQ

I may install the setup on my own once I figure out the wiring in the current system since I will likely use the same cabling (if possible).

[Roland500SEL]

Every s-class is a like a lady - treat her this way! Love her, tread her good and buy her, what she loves the most

NEW SHOES ^^

These are Adala´s new shoes...

They still need a little work and i´m waiting for the bolts. When i got them, they are gonna be shipped

[owm]

^^Looks great! Can't wait to get them fitted. Will need new rubbers as well. Any recommendations?

[owm]

The flex disc that mounts between the transmission -> drive/propeller shaft -> differential, a wear and tear item (just like engine and transmission mounts) that need to be replaced when necessary to protect the drive train from vibration, noises and strain:

[owm]

Another part that may be neglected as can be seen here is the fuel filter (2yrs or 40,000km which ever comes first) and fuel pump (not sure of schedule as yet but I think every 5 years or 100,000km should be safe). I believe they have never been changed before based on the condition and what came out of the filter when it was removed:

Brand new bits:

[owm]

Found out that the W126 seats had a shell made of coconut fibers which explains the mess under after 20 odd years:

Supposed to be very long lasting, natural and healthy?

[chershen]

camping here - classic car with true love. SALUTE!

[owm]

^^Thanks, bit of a lull period now while I wait for replacement/maintenance parts to arrive.

Re-arranged the position of the switches so the hazard light is right smack in the center and moved the A/C switch way to the right (reason is to provide more slack for the fiber optic cable to the rear window defroster):

The cracked gearshift wood panel is getting to me. Waiting for a good condition used panel to arrive then I will attempt to strip the lacquer of this piece, re-stain and re-lacquer it and either keep it as a spare or sell it to fellow W126 owners

Photo of the elusive oil pan tray that is missing from all W126s I have seen:

It is an OEM factory part that is still being manufactured but in small batches. Purpose of this is to channel cold air through the radiator down the oil pan and push out hot air under the transmission tunnel. It also helps to keep the oil pan clean and safe from debris plus prevent squeaking of the belts that will be exposed to water when driving in the rain.

[owm]

Took the dame out for a spin and here are some photos at my summer palace

Grand entrance:

The reason why I bought the W126, it is as long as the palace is wide

Driveway to my home:

Delusions of grandeur I have

[HYM]

Hmmm that's looks like the iskandar area for public/civil servants

[owm]

Yeap, it is the Kota Iskandar Regional Government facility. Where else can one take photos of a classic car against the backdrop of palaces and other grandiose architecture?

Not sure if I was authorized to be around the 'parade square' area so dared not take too much time positioning the car and waiting for optimal conditions to take photos

[HYM]

It's Ahad. Semua orang either tak kisah or dah balik tidur. You could've taken all the time in the world lol

[owm]

mendapat pengawal keselamatan, takut leh

Duly noted. Will go again either later or next week to get better shots!

[keltanky]

why not some of us go there and have a big photoshoot out??

[leftfield]

Adala is so mafia but I like. Camping here for more pictures!