Wagon Chat - Advice/Pics/Kick the Can/Whatever...

[ps2cho]

Originally Posted by epowers777 Thats what Im gonna do. My buddy cut his and loves the ride!! do you have a self leveling system? He must do. I am interested if cutting the springs have had any effect on the SLS. Is it still functional?

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[epowers777]

ps2cho Im not sure if itll effect our sls my guess is adjust that lever to drop ur rear end just a little then just cut ur front. Ur black car defently cut those and it will look sweet. pm me for more info my buddy used to own his own shop.

[MitchMaryland]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...%3AMESELX%3AIT


check it out

[Chappy]

On the quest for better tunes....

I've had my Rainbows in for a while now and they sound much improved over stock. Lately, I've had some issues with the head unit (intermittent on/off, etc.) which has been solved by taking out and putting all the fuses back in.

.....but it got me thinking about HD radio, Satellite, MP3, CD, Bluetooth.....

LOTS of neat gadgets out there now. Since my cassette deck is caput on the factory radio, I'm tempted to upgrade the the system, beginning with the head unit. I've gotten positive feedback from mbenzman regarding Alpine decks, and have found one with lots of upgrade options and built-in capabilities. I'm currently pondering the Alpine CDA-9886 desk and looking into expanding the options to include iPod, HD radio and perhaps XM or Sirius.

I'm not planning any subs, but hoping to have a lot more choice in the kombi music-wise in the coming weeks.

[Ameen]

I added spacers in the engine mounts, moving the pan up a bit, so anything that does scrap isnt really much to worry about..

the car rides GREAT in the rear..

however i think the front left shock is blown, so whenever i go over some ridiculous bumps (which we have alot of in houston) it bounces a bit which gets annoying. However it rides smooth as hell on the highway. I plan on either bagging it or adapting coilovers off another car to fit. Still waiting on my headlights to come in.. ill snap some pics when i got them on.

[roach_juts]

WOW THATS LOW!!!

[epowers777]

Ameen Good to here from you thought u left. that looks sweet. Look at my link got rims but rub. I only cut 2 coils. Did you have to lay ur coils down so the spring is straight?

[Chappy]

Settled on a new head unit: Alpine 9887 and ordered the HD radio module too. Hoping to get it installed in the next week or two.

[Chappy]

New headunit is installed. It's nice having a CD player in the kombi! The Alpine CDA-9887 really produces a great sound with the CD player through the upgraded Rainbow speakers installed in the dash and rear doors. I'm still running stock subwoofers in the front doors.

I also had the HD radio module installed....still getting used to it. When it's tned in, it really does blow away analog radio. I also bought the hi-speed iPod cable and rigged up an MP3 input as well. Wasn't ready to spend the coin on XM/Sirius subscriptiopn as I wanted to try the HD radio first. There's even a Bluetooth module I can add that will run all calls through the headunit.

I'll get some pics up soon.

[Saijin_Naib]

Sounds like a very nice setup.

Was wiring an issue or was it plug and play?

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by Saijin_Naib

Sounds like a very nice setup.

Was wiring an issue or was it plug and play?

Thanks!

I bought the unit (Head Unit and HD tuner) from Crutchfield and had mbenzman do the install. It came with a Crutchfield wiring harness - which worked well - except for one wire that was crossed. I mentioned that to Rich as he was getting started and he was able to pinpoint everthing before crimping the wires. Only other issue was the crappy antenna adapter they supplied...cheap! You have to plug the antenna wire into the adapter, then into the HD unit to get the signal, since MB/VW/Audi antennas did not use the standard "Motorola" male plug.

It makes a big difference in having clean sound, plus having the option to use the new digital formats of WAV, MP3, etc.

I don't even own an iPod yet, but will be shopping for one soon, I'm sure.

[Saijin_Naib]

Very nice. I'm looking to get a Becker unit (as I think they look the best and certainly fit the car seeing as I'm using an older one already ;P) but I need to wait until they support USB and UMS/MSC for players and not just "iPod".

I've heard HD radio is amazing, but I've not yet had the chance to try it out. Do you feel that particular module was worth it? You get RDS with that too, right (RDS = track/song info)?

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by Saijin_Naib

Very nice. I'm looking to get a Becker unit (as I think they look the best and certainly fit the car seeing as I'm using an older one already ;P) but I need to wait until they support USB and UMS/MSC for players and not just "iPod".

I've heard HD radio is amazing, but I've not yet had the chance to try it out. Do you feel that particular module was worth it? You get RDS with that too, right (RDS = track/song info)?

So far, when the HD channel is locked in, the FM sound is fantastic.

Here's the specs on the Alpine I got. It pretty much blows away the factory setup. I paid a little over $500 shipped, including the HD tuner.

http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_5...ine+9887&ssi=0

"plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs, including discs loaded with MP3, WMA, and AAC music files (except Digital Rights-protected files)"

compatible with: Alpine iPod adapter, Bluetooth® adapter, satellite radio, HD Radio™ tuner, CD changer
inputs: optional aux input
outputs: three sets of 4-volt preamp outputs (subwoofer output has bass level control)
compatible with most factory steering wheel audio controls (adapter required)

24-bit Burr-Brown digital-to-analog converter
digital signal processor includes a 7-band equalizer (switchable to 5-band parametric mode), 6-channel digital time alignment, and high- and low-pass filters
Alpine's Imprint MultiEQ sound tuning technology (requires an external tuning module)

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by Saijin_Naib

You get RDS with that too, right (RDS = track/song info)?

Yes, built-in. PLUS, iTunes tagging on HD radio!

[Saijin_Naib]

Very, very nice.

[ps2cho]

^ That's the updated model from mine. I gotta say it just "looks" right in the W124's. Its not overly colorful or flashy. No fancy ricer buttons. I love mine.

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by ps2cho

^ That's the updated model from mine. I gotta say it just "looks" right in the W124's. Its not overly colorful or flashy. No fancy ricer buttons. I love mine.

Nice!


Couple questions:

1. Did you have the same issue with having to use an antenna adapter?
2. Is AM/FM reception the same after changing out your factory head unit?

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by ps2cho

He must do. I am interested if cutting the springs have had any effect on the SLS. Is it still functional?

My SLS is operational, sits on cut OE springs and has a 500E rear sway bar.

[ps2cho]

Originally Posted by Chappy

Nice!


Couple questions:

1. Did you have the same issue with having to use an antenna adapter?
2. Is AM/FM reception the same after changing out your factory head unit?

I'm not entirely sure as bestbuy installed it for me. That was a good 4 years ago when I knew nothing about cars at all...

When I installed my Alpine IDA-X200 in my 260E, I did not use any adapters.
I don't ever listen to the radio, but I guess its about the same.

[darren_benz]

Hello Gents,
sorry to cut in. I just need a little help from the MB wagon enthusiasts.
Any of you encountered problems with your SLS pump?
Mine is leaking. I had it serviced (replaced seals etc.), but its still leaking. The leak is not substantial. Maybe a teaspoonful everyday, but its irritating to see the lining of the hood wet with hydraulic fluid.
The whole SLS seems to be working fine except for this leak.
Any suggestions? Should I replace the pump?
Thanks guys.

Darren

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by darren_benz

Hello Gents,
sorry to cut in. I just need a little help from the MB wagon enthusiasts.
Any of you encountered problems with your SLS pump?
Mine is leaking. I had it serviced (replaced seals etc.), but its still leaking. The leak is not substantial. Maybe a teaspoonful everyday, but its irritating to see the lining of the hood wet with hydraulic fluid.
The whole SLS seems to be working fine except for this leak.
Any suggestions? Should I replace the pump?
Thanks guys.

Darren

Sorry, no experience with this issue. Good luck with the repair - keep us updated.

[MB_Fahrer]

How difficult is it to swap and engine from a 500e into a 300te wagon? Yes, big project I know, but as long as the wiring harnesses will behave I'm guessing its entirely possible?

[ps2cho]

Going up to Big Bear this saturday in the wagon for some snowboarding action! Last time I went I got 20mpg round trip when my average runs around my town were getting me 14-15mpg....so now that I am getting 17-18mpg average I hope this run will net me like 22-24 that would be awesome.

vroom vroom!

[pifcat2]

Originally Posted by MB_Fahrer

How difficult is it to swap and engine from a 500e into a 300te wagon? Yes, big project I know, but as long as the wiring harnesses will behave I'm guessing its entirely possible?

Aside from the parts costs, a swap would merely take 100's of billable hours if performed by a capable shop or time and determination if performed by yourself. If you search enough Benz sites you'll find folks who've done or are in the process of 500E swaps to sedans, coupe, and wagon. It's not for a beginner without deep resources or for a practical person. You'd have to love the W124 and plan to never sell it or look at the receipts.

It would probably be cheaper to cut the back ends off and weld the wagon tail on a minor rear ended but not totaled 500E...

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by MB_Fahrer

How difficult is it to swap and engine from a 500e into a 300te wagon? Yes, big project I know, but as long as the wiring harnesses will behave I'm guessing its entirely possible?

Yes, possible - as is installing a V12.