Yay, proper headlight(s)

Got the Depo euro headlights.  Here is a pic of one installed (passenger side).  I think it's a hair low, so I'll have to fiddle with it a little and work on the alignment when it gets dark out.  Finally a proper look and safer night driving.

Alignment goodness

Just got the car back from having a proper alignment done at Tru Line in Seattle.  Not cheap at $197, but these guys do a very thorough job.  The discovered that the camber on the rear is off, and can't be adjusted without some adjustable arms.  However, it's not too bad at 1.8% and 3% L&R respectively.  Everything else aligned right.  They did find that the steering damper was on backwards (I matched the old one's orientation, so someone put one on wrong a while ago).  Also that the motor mounts were pretty fried and one is cracked badly.  Fortunately this car doesn't really notice it much.  I'll do them soon, but it's not a huge priority.  They did note that the subframe is slightly tweeked, and that the diff is a hair off center, but they indicated that it wasn't far enough off to warrant any concern or worry that it would affect the driveline.

Overall very good news.  I was worried that I had missed the significance of the frame damage, but my assessment seems to have been spot on.

Needless to say she drives much better with the alignment right.  Handling feel is much better and more solid.

I did order a set of Euro headlights, which should be here tomorrow.  I also finally fixed the rear side marker light so I no longer have the bulb warning light.  At least until I turn the headlight(s) on, but the passenger one is fried so that's an easy fix when the new ones arrive.

Cost:
Alignment: $197
Headlights: $185
Marker Bulbs: $4

Back from the shop

Big props to the Mercedes Garage in Bellevue.  They did a bang-up job, did just what I wanted, no more, no less.  They said the throttle body was sticking, so the adjusted that, tuned the mixture, and put proper resistive plugs in the car (who knew that Bosch plugs were crap these days...bummer).  Runs like a top now.  Also got the brake fluid flushed.  I'll be running injector cleaner through it for a while, but for now that's all the engine should need.

After installing the Sportline springs, I've determined that the front is too high, so I'm going to put the #1 pad back on up front.  The dealership did get the wrong springs in, they got the longest ones, rather than the ones I ordered.  But it's easier to cut these or run a thinner pad than deal with returning them.  Since the rates are the same on all of those springs, it should be fine.

I did notice this weekend that the rear toe is way off.  Expected, given that I put the new control arms on.  I was hoping to wait until I did the front control arm bushings to get the alignment done, but it needs it now.  I have an appointment for Thursday, so I need to do the spring pads now.

Cost: $225

Fixes and off to the shop

Haven't had much time to tinker on the car.  I did pull the H&R springs and give them away.  I got a set of factory Sportline springs, unfortunately they sent the wrong part and I got long ones up front, so I'll have to cut a coil or two.  I also installed the O2 sensor, plugs, and plug wires, but the duty cycle still seems pegged at 83%.  So I've decided to drop it off at the local Mercedes shop for proper tuning.

Control Arms

Forgot to post a pic of the bent control arms.  It was only the thrust arms that were bent, but here is a shot of the bent one compared to the new one.

Parts score

The stumbling on accelleration is getting worse, so I'm going to tinker with it.  I went ahead and ordered new plug wires (as one is stuck and will get damaged pulling it off) and oxygen sensor.  Once the wires/plugs/sensor are installed I'll set the duty cycle.

I also managed to score some parts from a local guy parting out a 300ce.  Got a new left tail light, all new trunk carpet (in brown), a replacement trunk plastic trim cover, new plastic skid plate, and a replacement jack.  All for $65.

I had planned to work on the engine this weekend, but didn't get around to it.  Did get the trunk carpet installed, I'll have to take a pic of that.

Cost:

• Plug wires: $125
• O2 sensor: $85
• Misc bits: $65

Can't live with the H&R springs anymore, just ordered a set of factory Sportline springs.  Also, the cars has a bit of a stutter on acceleration.  I'm told this is a mixture issue, I'll check it out.

Cost:
springs: $380