Re: [MBZ] Quandary
You also have to decide how much you like the car. I normally llike my cars well enough that I hate to part with them but I also enjoy the adventure of something different so I periodically have to give up an old one as I cannot keep them all. Nothing worse than putting a whack of money into a car and then deciding it must go as one almost never gets that money back. Randy -Original Message- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com]on Behalf Of LarryT Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 1:23 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Quandary I went through this with my 78 240D a few years ago - 1995 I think - and it basically came to $3000 needed to make it basically as new. I would have liked a new car at the time but didn't want to spend new car money. Then I looked at what I'd get for $3000 on the used car lot - it became a no-brainer. But before you start throwing money at the problem, go through the car again and find every thing needed to make it long term reliable and nice to look at, then go through the used cars price list... Good luck LarryT 91 300D -- From: Kathmandu kathma...@cableone.net Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 1:40 AM To: mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: [MBZ] Quandary I have a 1989 Mercedes 300 SE with 175,000 miles on it. I put the last 40,000 on it and it has been a really dependable car even though I have done a good bit of work on it. Thing is, the car is 20+ years old and it needs a paint job and the seats are cracked pretty bad. I had a front wheel bearing go out on it this week and spent the entire day today trying to get the right bearing turning a 1.5 hour job into an all day affair because all the car part stores in my area have the wrong bearings and seals listed on their computers. (This isn't surprising but it is an example of owning a relatively rare car ) Thing is, do I put any more money into it? It doesn't have a speck of rust on it but it has enough hail craters to make it resemble a golf ball yet I still get compliments on it. Just today a black lady said she really liked my car even though she was driving a $40,000 SUV. Upholstery shop wants $800+ to redo the seats, needs exhaust from the cat converter back, hail dents, oil leak and the rear springs are sagging. Do I put $4000 into a $2000 car to have a $2500 car or plop down $4000 on another, newer car? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
When setting preload, I do it with the wheel mounted. You can wrap the wheel with your hand and the resonance will change exactly when the preload is correct. I read this technique was used by a German mechanic. When I tried it on my 124 and compared with a dial indicator, it was spot on! With the preload correct the bearings look new when taken out for servicing or some other repair. When too tight, the rollers seem to turn brown. Regards, Brian -Original Message- From: Dieselhead 126die...@gmail.com Sender: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 00:09:59 To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Reply-To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Quandary Mercedes steering is more precise. The dial indicator is for precision. I have always done them the same way I did detriot iron. Over many 100s of thousands of miles, I have never had a problem, and never used a dial indicator. But I don't run on a track either. Just on ordinary American roads. If you run on European roads, you may need the precision more. (or roads in most of the rest of the world.) Ever seen the narrow roads, sheer cliffs with no railings and tight switchbacks? After driving my old 190Dc, a detriot car of the 70s feels like herding sheep. Fortunately Detriot iron has gotten better. My 84 Escort Diesel had rock and pinion and handled well. Dieselhead 126die...@gmail.com writes: I have not had to replace a wheel bearing on a 126, or 124, but on the older MBs, the bearings were the same as a plymouth, Dodge or Chrysler, and I think ford also The MB wheel bearings are nothing exotic. If that is the case, then why do you have to use a dial indicator on the MB bearings to get the pre-load set right, but on the detroit stuff you can just do the tighten until you feel drag then back off a little technique? Allan -- 1983 300D ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
Interesting I've never heard of this. Can you describe it a bit more? you rap on the tire and listen to the sound of it? How does the sound change as you go from too loose to just right to too tight? Allan On Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:20 +, Brian Toscano brian.tosc...@gmail.com wrote: When setting preload, I do it with the wheel mounted. You can wrap the wheel with your hand and the resonance will change exactly when the preload is correct. I read this technique was used by a German mechanic. When I tried it on my 124 and compared with a dial indicator, it was spot on! With the preload correct the bearings look new when taken out for servicing or some other repair. When too tight, the rollers seem to turn brown. Regards, Brian ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
Allan, Yes. Just pound the tire with your fist - its just a very audible difference all of a sudden. I would pound, tighten slightly, pound tighten slightly and repeat. With the wheel mounted and the preload correct there should be a small amount play if you grab at 12 and 6 o'clock and rock back and forth. Regards, Brian -Original Message- From: Allan Streib str...@cs.indiana.edu Sender: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:02:43 To: Mercedes Discussion Listmercedes@okiebenz.com Reply-To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Quandary Interesting I've never heard of this. Can you describe it a bit more? you rap on the tire and listen to the sound of it? How does the sound change as you go from too loose to just right to too tight? Allan On Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:20 +, Brian Toscano brian.tosc...@gmail.com wrote: When setting preload, I do it with the wheel mounted. You can wrap the wheel with your hand and the resonance will change exactly when the preload is correct. I read this technique was used by a German mechanic. When I tried it on my 124 and compared with a dial indicator, it was spot on! With the preload correct the bearings look new when taken out for servicing or some other repair. When too tight, the rollers seem to turn brown. Regards, Brian ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
I went through this with my 78 240D a few years ago - 1995 I think - and it basically came to $3000 needed to make it basically as new. I would have liked a new car at the time but didn't want to spend new car money. Then I looked at what I'd get for $3000 on the used car lot - it became a no-brainer. But before you start throwing money at the problem, go through the car again and find every thing needed to make it long term reliable and nice to look at, then go through the used cars price list... Good luck LarryT 91 300D -- From: Kathmandu kathma...@cableone.net Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 1:40 AM To: mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: [MBZ] Quandary I have a 1989 Mercedes 300 SE with 175,000 miles on it. I put the last 40,000 on it and it has been a really dependable car even though I have done a good bit of work on it. Thing is, the car is 20+ years old and it needs a paint job and the seats are cracked pretty bad. I had a front wheel bearing go out on it this week and spent the entire day today trying to get the right bearing turning a 1.5 hour job into an all day affair because all the car part stores in my area have the wrong bearings and seals listed on their computers. (This isn't surprising but it is an example of owning a relatively rare car ) Thing is, do I put any more money into it? It doesn't have a speck of rust on it but it has enough hail craters to make it resemble a golf ball yet I still get compliments on it. Just today a black lady said she really liked my car even though she was driving a $40,000 SUV. Upholstery shop wants $800+ to redo the seats, needs exhaust from the cat converter back, hail dents, oil leak and the rear springs are sagging. Do I put $4000 into a $2000 car to have a $2500 car or plop down $4000 on another, newer car? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
Good advise. And have a close look at those valve guides too if it's the inline 6, it is getting up there with 175,000 on it. They may be the deal breaker for you if they need attention, and you factor that cost in. Ed 300E On 14 August 2010 15:22, LarryT l02tur...@comcast.net wrote: I went through this with my 78 240D a few years ago - 1995 I think - and it basically came to $3000 needed to make it basically as new. I would have liked a new car at the time but didn't want to spend new car money. Then I looked at what I'd get for $3000 on the used car lot - it became a no-brainer. But before you start throwing money at the problem, go through the car again and find every thing needed to make it long term reliable and nice to look at, then go through the used cars price list... Good luck LarryT 91 300D -- From: Kathmandu kathma...@cableone.net Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 1:40 AM To: mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: [MBZ] Quandary I have a 1989 Mercedes 300 SE with 175,000 miles on it. I put the last 40,000 on it and it has been a really dependable car even though I have done a good bit of work on it. Thing is, the car is 20+ years old and it needs a paint job and the seats are cracked pretty bad. I had a front wheel bearing go out on it this week and spent the entire day today trying to get the right bearing turning a 1.5 hour job into an all day affair because all the car part stores in my area have the wrong bearings and seals listed on their computers. (This isn't surprising but it is an example of owning a relatively rare car ) Thing is, do I put any more money into it? It doesn't have a speck of rust on it but it has enough hail craters to make it resemble a golf ball yet I still get compliments on it. Just today a black lady said she really liked my car even though she was driving a $40,000 SUV. Upholstery shop wants $800+ to redo the seats, needs exhaust from the cat converter back, hail dents, oil leak and the rear springs are sagging. Do I put $4000 into a $2000 car to have a $2500 car or plop down $4000 on another, newer car? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
I have not had to replace a wheel bearing on a 126, or 124, but on the older MBs, the bearings were the same as a plymouth, Dodge or Chrysler, and I think ford also. If you had enough of the old bearing race left to get the bearing number, any bearing shop should have it or be able to get it for you. The MB wheel bearings are nothing exotic. FLAPS books are often wrong, and it is not just foreign cars. They have lots of mistakes on domestic cars also. I have a 1989 Mercedes 300 SE with 175,000 miles on it. I put the last 40,000 on it and it has been a really dependable car even though I have done a good bit of work on it. Thing is, the car is 20+ years old and it needs a paint job and the seats are cracked pretty bad. I had a front wheel bearing go out on it this week and spent the entire day today trying to get the right bearing turning a 1.5 hour job into an all day affair because all the car part stores in my area have the wrong bearings and seals listed on their computers. (This isn't surprising but it is an example of owning a relatively rare car ) Thing is, do I put any more money into it? It doesn't have a speck of rust on it but it has enough hail craters to make it resemble a golf ball yet I still get compliments on it. Just today a black lady said she really liked my car even though she was driving a $40,000 SUV. Upholstery shop wants $800+ to redo the seats, needs exhaust from the cat converter back, hail dents, oil leak and the rear springs are sagging. Do I put $4000 into a $2000 car to have a $2500 car or plop down $4000 on another, newer car? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
Dieselhead 126die...@gmail.com writes: I have not had to replace a wheel bearing on a 126, or 124, but on the older MBs, the bearings were the same as a plymouth, Dodge or Chrysler, and I think ford also The MB wheel bearings are nothing exotic. If that is the case, then why do you have to use a dial indicator on the MB bearings to get the pre-load set right, but on the detroit stuff you can just do the tighten until you feel drag then back off a little technique? Allan -- 1983 300D ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
Mercedes steering is more precise. The dial indicator is for precision. I have always done them the same way I did detriot iron. Over many 100s of thousands of miles, I have never had a problem, and never used a dial indicator. But I don't run on a track either. Just on ordinary American roads. If you run on European roads, you may need the precision more. (or roads in most of the rest of the world.) Ever seen the narrow roads, sheer cliffs with no railings and tight switchbacks? After driving my old 190Dc, a detriot car of the 70s feels like herding sheep. Fortunately Detriot iron has gotten better. My 84 Escort Diesel had rock and pinion and handled well. Dieselhead 126die...@gmail.com writes: I have not had to replace a wheel bearing on a 126, or 124, but on the older MBs, the bearings were the same as a plymouth, Dodge or Chrysler, and I think ford also The MB wheel bearings are nothing exotic. If that is the case, then why do you have to use a dial indicator on the MB bearings to get the pre-load set right, but on the detroit stuff you can just do the tighten until you feel drag then back off a little technique? Allan -- 1983 300D ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
I'd say do whatever you feel is the best for you. If the car makes you happy, comfortable, and you know it well, then fix er up and run her till she's golden old and ready to be retired. If it's just a means of transport, sell and buy another that still fits your lifestyle. Walt, who is $3K into a $100 truck, $250 into a $300 truck, and loving every second of it, even the ones that make you want to pull your hair out. On Aug 8, 2010 1:41 AM, Kathmandu kathma...@cableone.net wrote: I have a 1989 Mercedes 300 SE with 175,000 miles on it. I put the last 40,000 on it and it has been a really dependable car even though I have done a good bit of work on it. Thing is, the car is 20+ years old and it needs a paint job and the seats are cracked pretty bad. I had a front wheel bearing go out on it this week and spent the entire day today trying to get the right bearing turning a 1.5 hour job into an all day affair because all the car part stores in my area have the wrong bearings and seals listed on their computers. (This isn't surprising but it is an example of owning a relatively rare car ) Thing is, do I put any more money into it? It doesn't have a speck of rust on it but it has enough hail craters to make it resemble a golf ball yet I still get compliments on it. Just today a black lady said she really liked my car even though she was driving a $40,000 SUV. Upholstery shop wants $800+ to redo the seats, needs exhaust from the cat converter back, hail dents, oil leak and the rear springs are sagging. Do I put $4000 into a $2000 car to have a $2500 car or plop down $4000 on another, newer car? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
One must be the Ram 50300D with $3K into it. What's the other $300 truck? Kevin with No Mercedes Diesel, but I have a few RC trucks and a good size truck payment (07 Dodge Diesel) ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
The other is an 88 long-bed gasser ram50, which at $300 is an absolute steal. What I thought was just lifter tick turned out to be a suprise timing chain guide in the oil pan... No damage except some abrasion from the chain slapping the timing cover. Turns out the last person in there neglected to put the anti-slap oring on the hydro tensioner, and it slapped the drivers side guide clean off... Ended up doing the lifters, chain, guides, oil pump, oil change, antifreeze, and gaskets/front seal. Was a fun learning experience for sure though. Seems I end up buying parts in 40 buck increments... ~40 for lifters, ~40 for timing chain and tensioner, ~40 for pump and filters, ~40 for gaskets, ~40 for oil, antifreeze, and rtv... it's just plain weird. Walt, who needs to part out a plymouth horizon by september to make room for another ram50... On Aug 8, 2010 2:41 AM, Kevin Kraly kr...@comcast.net wrote: One must be the Ram 50300D with $3K into it. What's the other $300 truck? Kevin with No Mercedes Diesel, but I have a few RC trucks and a good size truck payment (07 Dodge Diesel) ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.ok... ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
You could do some junkyard cruising for seats, or buy some new from the parts purveyors, which would be a lot cheaper than paying someone to do them. Not that hard to do. Or buy some sheepskins and cover them up and ignore the cracks. That other stuff is not that hard to deal with either (except for the hail dents, but that just adds to the patina). An oil leak, well, that is just part of the deal, no? But on a 20+yo car, you're gonna have stuff like that all the time, just part of the package. --R On 8/8/2010 1:40 AM, Kathmandu wrote: I have a 1989 Mercedes 300 SE with 175,000 miles on it. I put the last 40,000 on it and it has been a really dependable car even though I have done a good bit of work on it. Thing is, the car is 20+ years old and it needs a paint job and the seats are cracked pretty bad. I had a front wheel bearing go out on it this week and spent the entire day today trying to get the right bearing turning a 1.5 hour job into an all day affair because all the car part stores in my area have the wrong bearings and seals listed on their computers. (This isn't surprising but it is an example of owning a relatively rare car ) Thing is, do I put any more money into it? It doesn't have a speck of rust on it but it has enough hail craters to make it resemble a golf ball yet I still get compliments on it. Just today a black lady said she really liked my car even though she was driving a $40,000 SUV. Upholstery shop wants $800+ to redo the seats, needs exhaust from the cat converter back, hail dents, oil leak and the rear springs are sagging. Do I put $4000 into a $2000 car to have a $2500 car or plop down $4000 on another, newer car? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
You will be plopping down that $4,000 either way - do you want to keep spending it on the car you know, or on a different one? My experience is that when I buy a $4,000 car, I put in another $1,000 to $2,000 getting it up to snuff. I traded off a great SDL because the paint was in really bad shape, but otherwise it was very sound car. I just couldn't bring myself to spend $2,000 or more on a decent paint job that only made it look better. My wife hated having it in the drive as it was. Your experience with the bearing is one reason we have more than one car for me to drive - there's no pressure to get it fixed today - I have the luxury of ordering parts from Rusty -- On Sun, Aug 8, 2010 at 12:40 AM, Kathmandu kathma...@cableone.net wrote: I have a 1989 Mercedes 300 SE with 175,000 miles on it. I put the last 40,000 on it and it has been a really dependable car even though I have done a good bit of work on it. Thing is, the car is 20+ years old and it needs a paint job and the seats are cracked pretty bad. I had a front wheel bearing go out on it this week and spent the entire day today trying to get the right bearing turning a 1.5 hour job into an all day affair because all the car part stores in my area have the wrong bearings and seals listed on their computers. (This isn't surprising but it is an example of owning a relatively rare car ) Thing is, do I put any more money into it? It doesn't have a speck of rust on it but it has enough hail craters to make it resemble a golf ball yet I still get compliments on it. Just today a black lady said she really liked my car even though she was driving a $40,000 SUV. Upholstery shop wants $800+ to redo the seats, needs exhaust from the cat converter back, hail dents, oil leak and the rear springs are sagging. Do I put $4000 into a $2000 car to have a $2500 car or plop down $4000 on another, newer car? -- OK Don Panic! (the national past time). ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Quandary
If you really enjoy the car, and $4000 buys you another 5 years or so, that less than a thousand a year to drive a car you enjoy. If the car truly is sound and dependable, spending 4000 to bring it up to a really nice level would be worth it to me. Also, do to age and mileage, preventative maintenance becomes very important. If if things look ok, once they have a certain number of years and miles on them, best to just change them, especially if safety related. Bonus too, you will have confidence in the car, and it won't leave you stranded somewhere. Order up your parts in advance, and make small weekend projects of it, so you're always on top of it. Nice car, a lady in my area had one that was in excellent condition! Ed 300E On 8 August 2010 11:27, OK Don okd...@gmail.com wrote: You will be plopping down that $4,000 either way - do you want to keep spending it on the car you know, or on a different one? My experience is that when I buy a $4,000 car, I put in another $1,000 to $2,000 getting it up to snuff. I traded off a great SDL because the paint was in really bad shape, but otherwise it was very sound car. I just couldn't bring myself to spend $2,000 or more on a decent paint job that only made it look better. My wife hated having it in the drive as it was. Your experience with the bearing is one reason we have more than one car for me to drive - there's no pressure to get it fixed today - I have the luxury of ordering parts from Rusty -- On Sun, Aug 8, 2010 at 12:40 AM, Kathmandu kathma...@cableone.net wrote: I have a 1989 Mercedes 300 SE with 175,000 miles on it. I put the last 40,000 on it and it has been a really dependable car even though I have done a good bit of work on it. Thing is, the car is 20+ years old and it needs a paint job and the seats are cracked pretty bad. I had a front wheel bearing go out on it this week and spent the entire day today trying to get the right bearing turning a 1.5 hour job into an all day affair because all the car part stores in my area have the wrong bearings and seals listed on their computers. (This isn't surprising but it is an example of owning a relatively rare car ) Thing is, do I put any more money into it? It doesn't have a speck of rust on it but it has enough hail craters to make it resemble a golf ball yet I still get compliments on it. Just today a black lady said she really liked my car even though she was driving a $40,000 SUV. Upholstery shop wants $800+ to redo the seats, needs exhaust from the cat converter back, hail dents, oil leak and the rear springs are sagging. Do I put $4000 into a $2000 car to have a $2500 car or plop down $4000 on another, newer car? -- OK Don Panic! (the national past time). ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
[MBZ] Quandary
I have a 1989 Mercedes 300 SE with 175,000 miles on it. I put the last 40,000 on it and it has been a really dependable car even though I have done a good bit of work on it. Thing is, the car is 20+ years old and it needs a paint job and the seats are cracked pretty bad. I had a front wheel bearing go out on it this week and spent the entire day today trying to get the right bearing turning a 1.5 hour job into an all day affair because all the car part stores in my area have the wrong bearings and seals listed on their computers. (This isn't surprising but it is an example of owning a relatively rare car ) Thing is, do I put any more money into it? It doesn't have a speck of rust on it but it has enough hail craters to make it resemble a golf ball yet I still get compliments on it. Just today a black lady said she really liked my car even though she was driving a $40,000 SUV. Upholstery shop wants $800+ to redo the seats, needs exhaust from the cat converter back, hail dents, oil leak and the rear springs are sagging. Do I put $4000 into a $2000 car to have a $2500 car or plop down $4000 on another, newer car? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
