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What did you do to your 126 today?

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#14,921 · (Edited)
One last post and I am done. When a Florida Man rear-ended my SEC back in 2022, it was discovered that I had an improperly repaired drain plug from an old accident, with water pooling in bad places, resulting in my passenger rear quarter being f***ed. Rust. The only real solution would be to find an NOS quarter and go big. No half-assing would do.

I and a friend imported rear quarters from... You guessed it... Lebanon!! :ROFLMAO: (one for me, one for my friend) and it was not fun. Not At All. We are talking about a nearly one year long process. But I searched and searched could not find an NOS quarter (outside of one on eBay in Germany for nearly ten grand shipped) so what choice did I have? It was the right call. Hell, it was the ONLY call!

My cost for the quarter will end up being about 2 grand (a bargain compared to 10). It's now in storage, waiting for the big day. I'll need to set aside about 10k since I want some additional paint work tackled at the same time.

Epic. ;)

Oh yes, Jesse found me a nice NOS reservoir tank. It looks sooooo nice in there.

Pics of the SEC are taken before a detail. It had not been cleaned in A YEAR!

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#14,924 ·
@1783pictures - WOW!!!! What an update, you sure have been through it with this car, but I must say your stories encapsulate what it can be like from time to time (or in your case ALL the time) being a 126 owner, but as you know, it is surely worth all of the BS. The wheels and seats really look great, my apologies for the issues you had with the springs and installation -- I really thought they would bolt up. And the final post being the worst about your accident and the rust. Big props for going big doing it right -- I hope you have some help on the insurance side of things.
 
#14,925 ·
1783pictures said:
This (and the next one or two) threads have been a long time in coming. I've just been so overloaded with work, there's been no time to post. I have a new exhaust, which was completed by Whooops Motorsports in Melbourne, Florida earlier this year. The Timevalve gent was supposed to do it and my car waited for him, down in FL (I live in NC), for months and months, when he suddenly decided, nhaaaa. I'm not doing custom jobs anymore. I was not pleased. That's where my guy down there, Jesse V (who works with Pierre Hedary) came to the rescue and said he would find me someone. Whooops cost me, but it was worth it.

No Cats. I do like the system and removing those old watermelon cats (they were huge!!!!) has reduced running temps by about 2 or 3 degrees. The system is not loud, but has a nice gurgle at idle. By having kidney beans any drone is greatly reduced.

I went with mild steel to achieve that warmer sound. Stainless would have cost a bit more, but that was not taken into account. It was all about the sound. I'll be dead before this starts rusting.

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Looks great, where did you get those exhaust tips? I looked high and low for them a couple years ago and couldn't locate any and ended up with round ones that look good but I would prefer the square ones as they match the boxy look of the rear of the car.
 
#14,926 ·
bflobob8 said:
Looks great, where did you get those exhaust tips? I looked high and low for them a couple years ago and couldn't locate any and ended up with round ones that look good but I would prefer the square ones as they match the boxy look of the rear of the car.
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My buddy down in Florida found them on eBay. I myself had been looking for the same ones, but could never seem to find them. One day he called and said, I got them! They really do look cool.
 
#14,928 ·
@1783pictures Matt, I am tickled pink (and I have never used or written that phrase before) that your long hegira is over and has ended so well. You did not give up, man. I look forward to seeing you and that gem on your next trip this way. Cheers.
 
#14,929 ·
ianrandom said:
Square like that looks so much better to my eye.
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Agreed! Until I figure out side exhaust (suggestions welcome!), these will have to do. I have a source for these tips if anyone is interested.

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#14,934 · (Edited)
I guess I never updated everyone on why I am not really on the site anymore so here goes. A while ago I sold my car since I am getting older and wanted it to go to a good home. None of my kids were interested and I just put too much work in it to let it turn to mush sitting in a garage. As most of you know almost everything was changed, $30,000 in parts plus my time. Yes much of that cost was my vanity, like spoilers, Euro bumpers ets, new new SACH’s shocks, cams, valve job, all front end parts etc took a pristine CA car to almost new. It was quite a ride and I have to give my thanks to this forum. I could never have figured out that German engineering without the support of this group. At any rate I put the car on Bring a Trailer, sold it and the transaction went as smooth as they can I guess. What I will tell you though is a stock car gets more money than one with AMG parts. Well except for WB’s. Well about a month after I sold it I get a notice that is was in an accident and totalled. Fudge!!!!!!!! I thought of buying it back but just did not have the heart to go through that again. It looked like an easy fix but the title would always be salvage so…. Who ever did get the car, whether a person or yard certainly got a lot of new parts. Someone would make a bunch parting it out. At any rate, that is why I have not been active. Take care all
 
#14,935 ·
Stutz said:
I guess I never updated everyone on why I am not really on the site anymore so here goes. A while ago I sold my car since I am getting older and wanted it to go to a good home. None of my kids were interested and I just put too much work in it to let it turn to mush sitting in a garage. As most of you know almost everything was changed, $30,000 in parts plus my time. Yes much of that cost was my vanity, like spoilers, Euro bumpers ets, new new SACH’s shocks, cams, valve job, all front end parts etc took a pristine CA car to almost new. It was quite a ride and I have to give my thanks to this forum. I could never have figured out that German engineering without the support of this group. At any rate I put the car on Bring a Trailer, sold it and the transaction went as smooth as they can I guess. What I will tell you though is a stock car gets more money than one with AMG parts. Well except for WB’s. Well about a month after I sold it I get a notice that is was in an accident and totalled. Fudge!!!!!!!! I thought of buying it back but just did not have the heart to go through that again. It looked like an easy fix but the title would always be salvage so…. Who ever did get the car, whether a person or yard certainly got a lot of new parts. Someone would make a bunch parting it out. At any rate, that is why I have not been active. Take care all
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That is so sad to see!
 
#14,936 · (Edited)
"That is so sad to see."

But also so understandable. Unlike @Stutz however, who had finished up with a gem for the Trailer people, as I get older, I seem to have neglected a bunch of basic maintenance issues i.e. fix broken check straps and clean/dye leather seats, etc. Maybe I will get to them, maybe not, but I continue to thoroughly enjoy the car and will post when there is news.

Meanwhile, my appreciation to @Stutz for your many posts, the advice you provided over the years and most especially your bright red valve covers.
 
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#14,937 ·
Oh no... How in the heck did that happen? I am assuming they were wearing their seatbelts.

I am insanely paranoid when I drive my car and maintain huge following distances (which has the unintended consequence of other drivers constantly jumping into that space, which is stupid dangerous).
 
#14,938 ·
Well, back to it. The tires still hit the fenders a little bit with the 235/50r17 they still rub a little. Last year I rolled the fender lip to get extra clearance for them but there is still a little more needed. the passenger side front hits a little more than the drivers but only when the passenger seat is occupied. So I’m going to shape the wheel well just a little more. It might be a little easier since the temperature in the garage is warmer I don’t have to use a heat gun to warm the paint. So I can do it in without anyone helping. that means I can take my time. I just have to figure out hoe to keep them even. More later.

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