NZ Benz - 7/27/2006 6:30 PM

Well I installed my star just now. I'm sure it's bigger than the origional one. Looks good. The problem I had was because my car has been repainted from black to silver the paint thickness was what was screwing it up. I had to chip away a little of the paint under the star so it would fit well. Still good to have my star back and now I have done my first bit of DIY. :cheers:

1996_S500 - 7/28/2006 12:47 AM



Really? Your car started out as a black car. Interesting. I actually prefer silver than black. Silver really looks good. So, you are saying the star is bigger? Does it cover up that chip under the star? I hope it does. Any pics? Have you driven your car around yet. Just keep cleaning the dirt off of your new star, and it really stays shiny. Maybe once every 1 or 2 weeks, because that way, the dirt doesn't build up on your star, and make it look dull. That is what I have been doing ever since I got my star, and it is still sparkling as if I just installed it today.

NZ Benz - 7/27/2006 10:40 PM



No the base is the same, that chip is way too big to cover up which is a shame. I think the star itself is a bit bigger. Yea my car was 199 metallic black. It even still says that on the paint plate which is also painted silver. The problem the car has about another 2mm of paint over the origional.

1996_S500 - 7/28/2006 9:39 AM



Is it MB Original Paint, or aftermarket? or do you not know? Your silver looks really good. Maybe it is original MB?

NZ Benz - 7/28/2006 2:23 PM



I dunno it looks really well done and is very shiney. Its almost a blue silver though and I don't know if MB ever did that colour. :confused:

1996_S500 - 7/28/2006 6:15 PM



hmm, I don't believe MB did a silver/blue paint job either. My 1997 S600 was Silver, and the MB paint name was "Brilliant Silver" It didn't have any blue to it though. Just Some very Brilliant Silver.

W140's really look nice in Silver. I really love the silver ones. And yours is one of the best, especially with it's Special Options and everything. Never sell your W140, NZ Benz. It is too cool to give to anyone else. :cheers:

NZ Benz - 7/28/2006 4:44 PM



What I want to do is within the next few years is buy a 1990s BMW 7 series either a 730iL or a 735iL, and what I will do is keep the W140 at home to use over teh summer as it has about 120,000 miles on it and have teh BMW to use for the rest of the year. I am saving a wee bit now but my parents are not keen on helping out with a 2nd car which is fair enough as I only really need one.

NZ Benz - 7/28/2006 10:57 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yea I like the E38 I will start saving a little soon. I want to pay cash rather than finance it.

1996_S500 - 7/30/2006 1:32 AM



That's a good idea. that way, there is nothing to worry about. How much does a nice one cost in NZ?

NZ Benz - 7/30/2006 12:35 AM



Depends what you want to pay. Here are some examples of cars that are about the same but the prices are hugely different:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=63498825&key=322107

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=63924406&key=322107

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=64007276&key=322107

Photoman - 7/30/2006 4:51 PM

and save even more money to fix it he he he
you think the 140 is expensive to run.....

NZ Benz - 7/30/2006 4:37 PM



I can't say I have begun research on what the costs are like. Are they really that bad? Hmmm perhaps I might just go for an E class or something. :ahhh:

1996_S500 - 7/30/2006 8:37 PM



How about.................................

a 600 SEL??????????

no seriously though, maybe a W124? They are very safe, nicely built, and I have heard that they are not too much maintenance. Although, a lot of times, It depends on the actual car, not the bodystyle... :cool:

NZ Benz - 7/30/2006 7:05 PM



Thing is though I love my big cars. Mind you it's a long way off and I actually need to save soem money to do it. There is no way I am dipping into my savings acount to buy a car that will go down in value.

Photoman - 8/3/2006 4:17 AM

Get a 124. They are awesome!
If you really want another big car look at a 126... don't buy a B M Trouble You. They are very very expensive to maintain down here in NZ.
Even look at a 210. They are getting cheap as now in NZ. I saw an E320 for only 12k on Trademe.
There is a great buy on Trademe at the mo. It's a 124 300E 24 for under 7 grand. A car like that will complement your 140 well. Thing is it is way way way way way (get my point he he he) faster and better handling. Plus you can see what I mean by they are the best built Mercs he he he.
I'm buying another Benz. Where does one go from a 140... easy... a G Wagon

I finaly got myself out to Startech and bought a new star. Problem is that it is so shiny that I now need to keep the rest of the car clean ha ha ha.