Official Luxury Abstract W140 Build Thread

If you recall about 4-5 months ago, I picked up a low mileage two owner, 1992 500SEL. New to the VIP scene, I was uncertain of which way I wanted to take this build, and was advised by many of you to read and ask questions prior to pulling the trigger on anything in haste.

Well, I took your advise and read, and asked and looked. While doing so, I started doing some preliminary adjustments to the car like getting it back to factory fresh. Now the door closing units work, new cooling system, and fuel system, to name but a few. 

In my opinion, what's the sense of having a W140 and not having all the original options work. Well about 7k later... almost all the hiccups are just about fixed. The drive-train is solid as is the interior. Its the exterior that needs help. Looks like the previous owner did a single stage peach paint job...LOL. But I can easily see the diamond in the ruff.

Another 5k dropped on all exterior molding, grill, door handles, emblems, antenna, lights (rear).... No expense spared and every replacement part genuine MB and brand new. I get a wholesale discount from the dealer... I can only imagine if I got "Joe Shmow" pricing.

What to expect next:

Luxury Abstract Stella-X: 20x10 +15 front, 20x11 +2 rear (about 2 weeks out from delivery)

Luxury Abstract Projectors: (4 weeks out from delivery)

Luxury Abstract Pillars / Plate Frame: (In design phase) 

Luxury Abstract Curtains: (In design phase)

Junction Produce Body Kit: (On the boat from Japan as we speak)

Accuair / Airrex suspension: (To be ordered soon)

I will keep you posted with pictures as items arrive and as the project unfolds.

YES!!

AlWays nice to c another merc being modded....

legit!

Whoooaaaa......gonna be SICK!

So I started verifying I had all the moldings and trim pieces. The only things not in this picture that I was too lazy to cart out of the garage was the grill, front & rear window trim, and entire tail light assembly. After wholesale discount, total out of pocket expense. $5100.00


[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/b3khkx.jpg[/IMG]

great job on the resto work.

[QUOTE=OG;441648]great job on the resto work.[/QUOTE]


Thanks OG. In my humble opinion, I didn't have a choice. If you're gonna do it, its gotta be done right... PERIOD.

It just sux that when its said and done, I'll have more $$$ in resto work than I will in mods. Heck, I have more money invested in molding and trim pieces than I will in my entire suspension... I guess its the price ones gotta pay if you want to do retro VIP the right way!

Staying tuned to this thread!

It's money well spent. The smallest details make the biggest difference.

Here's an example of what final fitment will look like.

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/jijsk4.jpg[/IMG]

Sounds very promising :biggthumpup:

yay @ JP w140

Niceeeee.

Looking forward to see more from this build!  And like OG said--- The details make all the difference!   Keep up the great work

[QUOTE=208Soarer;442327]Looking forward to see more from this build!  And like OG said--- The details make all the difference!   Keep up the great work[/QUOTE]

I appreciate it. I'll definitely keep you all posted as this build progresses. According to Agim, wheels should be here sometime next week.

Got a pic of the car in its current state?

Also, the trims you posted ^ are they original trims?

[QUOTE=z168;442360]Got a pic of the car in its current state?
 
Also, the trims you posted ^ are they original trims?[/QUOTE]
 
All the trim is genuine Mercedes Benz parts purchased brand new from my local dealer. I will post up a couple of pictures of the cars present state sometime over the next day or so.

OE Trim?  Baller indeed!

[QUOTE=speedaddict;442378]OE Trim? Baller indeed![/QUOTE]
 
It's funny you say that... I really wish there was another way... but there's not. Well, not if I want it done right that is. 
 
That being said, I just added up what I've currently spent at the MB dealer on genuine parts and trim. My jaw nearly hit the ground... I've spent $11,840.76
 
And I can certainly say I have at least another 3-4k left to still aquire.

man...that's a huge no no when building your car.  NEVER EVER add up what you spend/spent!!!  :smiley-rofl:

[QUOTE=speedaddict;442396]man...that's a huge no no when building your car. NEVER EVER add up what you spend/spent!!! :smiley-rofl:[/QUOTE]
 
Yeah, no kidding... The folder is already as thick as a Steven King novel...

Here's just a couple of quick iphone pictures. As you can see... nothing special. Basic big body S-Class.

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/24g7rxe.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/211qf4j.jpg[/IMG]

Any updating to corner and taillights...

ball so hard ... cant wait to see this one ! :biggthumpup:

[QUOTE=JUICEDW140;442758]Any updating to corner and taillights...[/QUOTE]

I just sent them up to Agim. He should have them either today or Monday latest. Then it will be about a 2-3 week turnaround. I'll keep you posted.

I am glad you are replacing all the trim.  Can't wait to see this complete

As for the headlights, the retro can be done relatively quickly but the corners will take more time than that.  I will keep you posted via email once they arrive and we can figure out how many hours it will take

Is there something besides clear corners...daumnnnn

[QUOTE=AGI@LuxuryAbstract;442789]I am glad you are replacing all the trim.  Can't wait to see this complete

As for the headlights, the retro can be done relatively quickly but the corners will take more time than that.  I will keep you posted via email once they arrive and we can figure out how many hours it will take[/QUOTE]

Sounds good Agim. I'm really curious on what type of configuration he can come up with.

DOPE!!

Yooo! Idk if you ever visit the mb forums but on the early 92s.. they say the engine harness wire will corrode and flake out. Just giving you a heads up if you are going to re-do everything just to make sure the wires have been updated.

[QUOTE=hellah fresh;443109]Yooo! Idk if you ever visit the mb forums but on the early 92s.. they say the engine harness wire will corrode and flake out. Just giving you a heads up if you are going to re-do everything just to make sure the wires have been updated.[/QUOTE]


Yeah thanks for looking out, but already on top of it. We checked it out and believe it or not, it was the one thing that was actually good in the car, because it seems like I've replaced just about everything else!!!

Just got the word from Agim... Wheels are shipping tomorrow! Here's a pic off of Luxury Abstracts FB page. Those are my Stella-X's on the right! Test fit on Saturday morning... Check back for pics.

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/amqd4x.jpg[/IMG]

Damn...that's beautiful....

iono, really not feelin the rims

can't wait to see this put together!!!

Finally had some free time in my schedule to do a quick test fit. Below are a few iPhone pics of both front and rear.

Rear

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/jikyft.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/2093u6g.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/35c33ia.jpg[/IMG]

Front

[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/15h2101.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/lcmmb.jpg[/IMG]

Coming together one step at a time...:biggthumpup:

Dang!

Look at that wheel gap, man you should have gone like 26's haha. j/p Cant wait to see it with tires and dumped!

Mounted some tires today.


[IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/34688di.jpg[/IMG]


Front: 225/35's

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/34xnvjl.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/6rqxzp.jpg[/IMG]


Rear: 245/35's

[IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/r9ij9c.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/5l2cmg.jpg[/IMG]

Clean and crisp...no road chips/scratches yet...=)

What were the widths, 10&11?
Def. gonna be an interesting build:biggthumpup:

[QUOTE=Juzzo;445973]What were the widths, 10&11?
Def. gonna be an interesting build:biggthumpup:[/QUOTE]

Yes Sir! 10's & 11's.

[QUOTE=JUICEDW140;445928]Clean and crisp...no road chips/scratches yet...=)[/QUOTE]

Hopefully there never will be any either....

hot

cant wait to see these on!!! ^_^

Wheels look so badass in person, so much CNC maching detail!!

I'm liking where this is going.  What's your time line looking like?  Can't wait to see this thing on air w/ the wheels.

[QUOTE=slvrstrk;446110]I'm liking where this is going. What's your time line looking like? Can't wait to see this thing on air w/ the wheels.[/QUOTE]
 
A realistic completion date to include interior will be on or about 04/01/2013.

My ADD is definitely going to kick in by then.  LOL!

[QUOTE=slvrstrk;446215]My ADD is definitely going to kick in by then. LOL![/QUOTE]
 
I hear ya!!

[QUOTE=Insert Cool Name Here;446209]A realistic completion date to include interior will be on or about 04/01/2013.[/QUOTE]

12-21-2012 aliens are coming maybe they can speed up the process...=)

[QUOTE=JUICEDW140;446275]12-21-2012 aliens are coming maybe they can speed up the process...=)[/QUOTE]

Haha... Sure we can speed it up, let me hold like 25k and we'll bang it out by mid summer! :biggthumpup: