Help me choose a pinstripe for a W124 Mercedes Benz

[Jrod511]

So here are some (the only) photos I really have of my hobby car, a 1988 Mercedes Benz 300CE.

I'd like to add a double pinstripe of some sort. The car is Diamond Blue over grey lowers, on factory polished CLK wheels. The windows are dark tinted and the interior is blue.

For those with some style sense; do I want to go with a single color double stripe or should I have a deviating color?

http://www.stripeman.com/mm5/merchan...n-Stripe+Rolls

If you scroll down there (or hit Ctrl-F and search for Two Color) you will see a bunch.

Accepting recommendations on sizing of the stripes as well.

I'm sort of leaning towards 277 here; Dark Blue over Charcoal Metallic but I have no real style sense.

http://www.stripeman.com/mm5/merchan...n-Stripe+Rolls

Maybe 216 on this chart (top of third row)
http://www.stripeman.com/mm5/merchan...n-Stripe+Rolls

Or is it begging for a different color altogether?
Champagne?
http://www.stripeman.com/mm5/merchan...n-Stripe+Rolls

[J-Tim]

I'd like to suggest something very radical so please, take no offence.
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Don't put any pin stripes and leave the car alone!

[hipster.]

No. Just no.

[kraut_pauer79]

Please don't. Pinstripes suck sh:t. Especially on timeless slab like the W124.

[under the radar]

lower it!

[Impeccable]

Please don't. Pinstripes suck sh:t. Especially on timeless slab like the W124.

That aint no slab this is

[bahnblitz]

I think this car would look great with a hand painted stripe or two. The body is a big slab and the stripe will help bring out the body line at the top of the fender. As far as color it really depends if you want something subtle or something with POP! How about a nice purple and light grey or dark grey combo. Blues would do well. Get crazy and do a bright green stripe. I see a lot of german cars with bright green striping and they look awesome (saw a black 2000 BMW 5 series wagon with green and it really made the car). Awesome color too BTW!

[08-Jetta]

While the colour looks great I think a pinstripe would definitely look good. I'm thinking a lighter grey. Also I'd say that european-spec headlights would look great on that car.

[borapumpkin]

as stock as humanly possible please.

[BRealistic]

The car is already two tone..... so you can't add any more exterior colors.

And honestly- I am not a fan of pin-stripping.

Do the local Pep-Boys not have stick on fender vents?

[BagelConsultant]

PLEASE no stripes, just the factory Sportline suspension. Great wheel choice, BTW

http://www.peachparts.com/sportline_suspension.htm

[Jrod511]

Do the local Pep-Boys not have stick on fender vents?

Probably. I saw a set in the Walmart Clearance section but they were placed there by accident. Retail for fender vents? Good Lord...

Also, not going to lower the car. My last hobby car was lowered and there were PLENTY of times I wish it wasn't. This is not a sports car; it is a very nice riding cruiser.

[Impeccable]

While the colour looks great I think a pinstripe would definitely look good. I'm thinking a lighter grey. Also I'd say that european-spec headlights would look great on that car.

Or he can put on refresh 1995 E320 headlights that will prolly be cheaper

[VR6boi65]

Or he can put on refresh 1995 E320 headlights that will prolly be cheaper

Go with the Euro headlights. Acquire a set of late model tinted 124 tails as well.

[Jrod511]

Or he can put on refresh 1995 E320 headlights that will prolly be cheaper

That requires a new grill assembly.

Honestly, when I first got the car I was contemplating doing all sorts of upgrades and small spoilers; etc. But the more photos I looked at the more I thought that stuff just looked goofy and not quite right. I like the stock, understated, un-molested look. I would actually prefer a lighter tint on the windows but I don't mind it too much.

I think a pin-stripe just below the crease in the bodyline would be the right place. Pinstripes seem to wake up the look of a car. My last Mercedes coupe had handpainted pinstripes and it looked fantastic.

[Jrod511]

Acquire a set of late model tinted 124 tails as well.

This I actually would consider and possibly removing the headlight wipers and replacing the fill panels below the headlights for them.

Also; my grill has a dent (can not be seen in photos). That bugs the **** out of me.

[zhenya00]

I say go for it. Pinstripes are very period-correct for this vintage vehicle. Lots better than folks who buy an 80's car and then try to modernize it with modern wheels, led's, etc.

I think my w201 looks great with its original pinstripe.

[zhenya00]

This I actually would consider and possibly removing the headlight wipers and replacing the fill panels below the headlights for them.

Also; my grill has a dent (can not be seen in photos). That bugs the **** out of me.

I'm currently having new solid fill panels painted after removing my headlight wipers. I only removed them though because I switched to euro headlamps, and the wipers and motors are different and very expensive. I kind of like the wipers.

My grille has a dent too in one of the narrow chrome pieces. It came with a replacement piece when I purchased it (available from the dealer), I've just not gotten around to replacing it yet. New grilles are not outrageously expensive either.

[VadGTI]

Or he can put on refresh 1995 E320 headlights that will prolly be cheaper

Needs a new hood for that.

Besides, the older euro lights with the Euro dark orange corners look great.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk 2

[Son]

Great choise of wheels. The things I'd do:
1) Euro headlights
2) Late model clear corners
3) Late model tinted/red taillights

[Jrod511]

I'm currently having new solid fill panels painted after removing my headlight wipers. I only removed them though because I switched to euro headlamps, and the wipers and motors are different and very expensive. I kind of like the wipers.

My grille has a dent too in one of the narrow chrome pieces. It came with a replacement piece when I purchased it (available from the dealer), I've just not gotten around to replacing it yet. New grilles are not outrageously expensive either.

Would you mind detailing the removal process of the wipers just so I don't break something! I have looked at new grilles and so many are aftermarket. Are they just cheap Plasti-Chrome like for a Chrysler 300 or the real deal? I am inclined to show the grille to my PDR guy, or remove the grille and bring it to him; if it can be worked out that would be the optimal solution.

Any suggestions on stripe color or colors?

[Jrod511]

Great choise of wheels. The things I'd do:
1) Euro headlights
2) Late model clear corners
3) Late model tinted/red taillights

Eh, I like the lights how they are. I'm not running out to spend close to $1K on OEM stuff to look like a newer car. Some $20 stripes will make me happy.

[AHFlynn]

silver over dark blue. boom roasted.

[AHFlynn]

btw, sexy whip. one of my buddies is huge on mb. his dad has a w140 s500 coupe and hes got a c43amg.

[zhenya00]

Would you mind detailing the removal process of the wipers just so I don't break something! I have looked at new grilles and so many are aftermarket. Are they just cheap Plasti-Chrome like for a Chrysler 300 or the real deal? I am inclined to show the grille to my PDR guy, or remove the grille and bring it to him; if it can be worked out that would be the optimal solution.

Any suggestions on stripe color or colors?

Wipers are a pretty simple removal. There is one (I think 8mm?) bolt that holds the wipers to the motors. Pull the wipers off, then the motors are attached to the headlight housing, accessible from inside the engine bay. I can't recall for certain, but I think you can remove them (with some effort), without removing the headlamps entirely. If not, the headlamps come out fairly easily as well.

There is a pump on the washer reservoir that you'll at least want to remove the electrical connector from. You can also purchase a plug, part number W0133-1643497 that can take the place of the pump.

Where is the dent on your grille? I don't have any experience with the replacement grilles available, I just know that an entire new assembly is listed at something like $125 from reputable suppliers. Decent used ones should be pretty cheap.

My inclination on the pinstripe is that, since the car is already two tone, to go with something that accents the existing trim color - so a single color charcoal, silver, or something. Needs to be bright enough to stand out, but I don't think you want an obvious 3rd (or 4th) color. I like the 8/32" double line stripe on this page http://www.stripeman.com/mm5/merchan...n-Stripe+Rolls

[Jrod511]

My inclination on the pinstripe is that, since the car is already two tone, to go with something that accents the existing trim color - so a single color charcoal, silver, or something. Needs to be bright enough to stand out, but I don't think you want an obvious 3rd (or 4th) color. I like the 8/32" double line stripe on this page http://www.stripeman.com/mm5/merchan...n-Stripe+Rolls

Thanks for the wiper motor write up!

http://www.stripeman.com/mm5/merchan...n-Stripe+Rolls

Pewter maybe?

[zhenya00]

Here's a sample of another car from TCL's favorite site. (nice wheels, lol)

[Jrod511]

Daycrew bump

[DZD]

I would paint the lower body panels to match the paint color - then maybe - MAYBE - add pin stripes. Actually - I know I would not add the pin stripes - my preference.

I also like the flat AMG wheels on the black sedan a few posts up - get those in the original silver tone and you'd be good to go.

Whatever you decide - good luck and keep us posted.

EDIT: Just found a pic - not quite monotone but imagine that it is

[IMG][/IMG]

[Jrod511]

The lower plastic cladding has a slight texture to it; it would never look quite right painted body color. And these are original colors on the car. I like the two tone. I'm leaning towards a champagne or gun metal colored stripe to match the lowers. I'd possibly do a two tone with a thin burgandy lower stripe to really set things off.

[scoTT la rock]

Well if you're going to do it, I'd get a subtle dark grey to match th lower plastic body moldings

[bzcat]

The CLK wheels is making me uncomfortable. Like the scab on my knee... I have uncontrollable urge to rip it off.

[crookedarm]

pinstripes....get with the times, you want something cool, right?

[Egz]

Why not on the trunk:



More exciting than a line down the side.

[Son]

Eh, I like the lights how they are. I'm not running out to spend close to $1K on OEM stuff to look like a newer car. Some $20 stripes will make me happy.

I didn't mean you should make it look newer. That'd be just the byproduct. I just don't like the multitude of colors in lights and the late model lights would fix that. Anyway, I understand they're quite a lot of money.