I'm spending $4000 in paint/rust repairs on my W115. Am I crazy?

[bipolardave]

I bought my first Mercedes earlier this summer. It looked in great shape for an East Coast Benz and has records going back to the day it was bought in 1974.

However, the more I toyed with it the more problems I found.

For instance, what I thought would be a quick respray and replacing the rocker panels yielded a whole of lot of rust that was hidden beneath body filler and 40 year old undercoating. It's too late to turn back and what's rotten will be fixed. I'm stubbornly stupid like that.

The way I see it, if I like and enjoy the car then there's no reason to *not* continue throwing money at it. Even if I lose money on the sale years or decades down the road, I've at least done my part to preserve a small piece of history.

I still have some work to do after this (fuel lines, shocks, tires, and possible IP rebuild) so it's fair to say that I'll have to spend $8-9K on top of what I paid for the car.

Am I the only financially foolish one here? Would anyone else continue throwing good money after bad to the point where they could have found a mint condition car for what it cost to restore their run down one? Surely $10k would have yielded a nice So Cal 220D with more charm than my 240D, no?

[1980sd]

If your car makes you happy, make your car happy.

[MTUpower]

You are not crazy, you are bipolar.

[bipolardave]

Originally Posted by MTUpower

You are not crazy, you are bipolar.

That should be with a capital "P". Bonus points if you can figure out what that really means

[bribarn]

I'm a few thousand upside down in my '81 240D, but I like the car and I'm happier when it runs great and looks good. It's still a whole lot less expensive than a new car with a whole lot less personality. If the car makes you happy and you have the money, go for it.

[caspermj]

Originally Posted by bipolardave

That should be with a capital "P". Bonus points if you can figure out what that really means

You've been to both Poles? As for the car, about 15 years ago I deciced to only buy cars I loved, that way spending money on them wouldn't get me down. Never been happier. $4000 sounds like a lot but what can that get you in a new car? Some people spend half that or more on tires. Go for it!!!! 115's are awesome!

[rscurtis]

I'm considering this on my rust-free '83 300D, as the original finish is crazed beyond repair. Yesterday, I got an estimate of about 4K, which involves stripping the current finish, two coats of primer, color, and clear coat. I have a creased (possibly repairable) RR door, the repair of which would necessitate painting the whole car. It's a low mileage example (122K) and everything works except the cruise control. The jury is still out on my decision. The car is also garaged and driven about 3-4K miles a year, so any paint job would last a long time.

[bipolardave]

Originally Posted by caspermj

You've been to both Poles? As for the car, about 15 years ago I deciced to only buy cars I loved, that way spending money on them wouldn't get me down. Never been happier. $4000 sounds like a lot but what can that get you in a new car? Some people spend half that or more on tires. Go for it!!!! 115's are awesome!

ding ding ding!

Agreed. I'm not knocking the W123s and 124s, but I think the 115s have a uniqueness that sets them apart.

Also, driving one is like therapy on wheels. You reset your entire mindset. Instead of getting there in a hurry, just stay in the right lane and enjoy the world as it goes by.

[bipolardave]

Originally Posted by rscurtis

I'm considering this on my rust-free '83 300D, as the original finish is crazed beyond repair. Yesterday, I got an estimate of about 4K, which involves stripping the current finish, two coats of primer, color, and clear coat. I have a creased (possibly repairable) RR door, the repair of which would necessitate painting the whole car. It's a low mileage example (122K) and everything works except the cruise control. The jury is still out on my decision. The car is also garaged and driven about 3-4K miles a year, so any paint job would last a long time.

If I lived anywhere but WV, where the labor is relatively cheap, I'd be out easily double what the work costs. There's seriously that much Bondo to be knocked out and metal welded in place.

[Junkman]

Not crazy if $4000 paint will solve the rust issues. If not, search out a $1000 southern car with lower mileage and fix that one. Shiny paint top side without getting to the root will not be worth it. How competent is your body man? How much integrity does he have? It doesn't matter how much you pay if you enjoy it enough so you're happy with the price.

[lutzTD]

if you dont mind spending 10K on a car you plan to keep, thhen you should do it. 10K with an absolutely known history is much better than a 10K "pristine" car that may surprise you later

[alabbasi]

Is the rust worse then this?

[otto huber]

I don't know how much you spent to purchase the car, but if it was $2,000.00 or less, I would sell it and try to get half of what you spent on it, then wait for another W115 to come up. I know that it's hard to think rationally with the scent of old horse hair and leather wafting through the air.

[gatorblue92]

I know I will end up spending something in that ballpark on bodywork for my 240D but it's been in the family since new. That being said I would most likely do the same thing if I just bought the car and I liked it enough.

[bipolardave]

Originally Posted by alabbasi

Is the rust worse then this?

Wow! That is serious.

Fortunately mine's not that far gone. Only 1/3 of the passenger side, front floor pan in my case