C107's 300TE

[c107]

Latest on the 300TE was fixing the tailgate struts. This is a pain to do, but worth it as you can. I joined a tech day to get this job done.

You can read more here:

S124 tech day

Today I joined an informal group of S124 owners for a technical day. There was an expert in these cars visiting from Victoria, so it was an opportunity for

www.classicjalopy.com

300TE Tailgate struts

Like a lot of wagons and hatchbacks, the 124 wagon uses gas struts to hold up the tailgate. Unlike most vehicles, these are completely hidden in the structu

www.classicjalopy.com

And some photos:

 

[Patrick_R]

Congratulations on getting them done Bryce, and thanks for the top read.

 

[BenzBoy]

Hmm - initially I looked at the blue Estate and thought that the amount of stripping to replace tail gate struts was perhaps a trifle excessive....
Regards,]
Brian

 

[Patrick_R]

I have to admit, I’m with you on this Brian.
Big job.

 

[BenzBoy]

Indeed - but I jest. In all seriousness, Benz Estates are probably the best balanced design that MB has ever produced. There is an elegance to the lines that is superior to many of the sedans.
Regards,
Brian

 

[Michel]

I have to admit: I have never seen so many Benz wagons in one place!

 

[Patrick_R]

Indeed - but I jest. In all seriousness, Benz Estates are probably the best balanced design that MB has ever produced. There is an elegance to the lines that is superior to many of the sedans.
Regards,
Brian

Some wagons/estates can be very odd, but yes, these and other Benz, were designed as a wagon/estate, not a sedan turned into a wagon, which of course some looked truly odd.

 

[c107]

last few days I have been working on the Instrument cluster:

Refurbishing a W124 instrument cluster – Part 1: Lubricating the speedo cable

Ever since I bought my W124, there have been a couple of things about my instrument cluster I was not very happy with. It had the dreaded 'white spot' dise

www.classicjalopy.com

Refurbishing a W124 instrument cluster – Part 2: W124 outside temperature display

In this series I am refurbishing my W124 instrument cluster. In the last part, I removed the cluster and lubricated the speedo cable. For this part, I a

www.classicjalopy.com

Refurbishing a W124 instrument cluster – Part 3: Changing the housing

In this series I am refurbishing my W124 instrument cluster. In the first part, I removed the cluster and lubricated the speedo cable. For the second pa

www.classicjalopy.com

 

[c107]

Taking the 300TE on a road trip, so did some preparation:

Preparing my 300TE for a family road trip

In January, I'm taking my family to Tasmania on holiday. Instead of renting a car down there, I'm driving down and taking the Spirit of Tasmania. I'll c

www.classicjalopy.com

 

[c107]

A few pics from the drive to Geelong today.

 

[c107]

I just got back from a 4,344km family road trip in the W124. overall it went pretty well.

Driving down to tassie:

Sydney to Launceston Road trip

I'm currently in Tasmania on holiday with my family. Our goal on this trip is to tour around Tasmania so a car was a must. On a trip like this, I had

www.classicjalopy.com

Some of the good roads:

Touring Tasmania in a classic car

I've been touring Tasmania in my 1990 Mercedes 300TE this last week and a half. While there are regular classic events here like Targa Tasmania I've been qu

www.classicjalopy.com

Passed 380,000km on the trip too.

 

[BenzBoy]

Inspired photography. Did that little wallaby (?) approve?
Regards,
Brian

 

[c107]

Inspired photography. Did that little wallaby (?) approve?
Regards,
Brian

I think the little fellow was happy to see a car in an actual colour and not monochrome.

 

[c107]

Had an interesting thing happen to the 300TE recently. its happened twice now.
After starting the car, the starter will disengage from the ring gear but continue to spin. It spins loudly and even removing the key doesn't do anything. Even disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes and reconnecting it didn't do anything. Hitting the starter with something eventually got it to stop.

I've taken it on two weekends away recently though, and other than that it has gone very well Just did an oil change and SLS flush at 382,000km.

 

[Patrick_R]

Just sounds like a sticky solenoid on the starter. These are usually sold separately mate.

 

[c107]

Its a brand new starter/solenoid, but I think you are right.
It looks pretty much part of the starter.

 

[Patrick_R]

I’m not too familiar with the Mercedes one Bryce, but solenoids used to be able to be replaced.