the sum of my repairs so far
 

My Dad bought the car for me in May. He paid $3200. I paid him back $3500 for good measure. He and one of his friends completely rebuilt the A/C system with 134a. He also put new shocks, brake pads all around, re-sprung and re-covered the front seat, fixed a broken third brake light that was added by a PO(an original MB unit but not standard on my make and model I am told), bought a Die Hard Int'l for it, changed all the belts, changed diff fluid to synth, fixed the play in the steering.
I then flew down for a week or so, and we both changed the oil, trans fluid and filter, air filter, replaced the passenger side seatbelt, fixed the sunroof, and adjusted the valves. It came with the front end already rebuilt and new tires. Bonus!

I'll begin counting the costs here.
I get it back home to DC and immediately have to have both rear axles replaced, and brake fluid changed. $915. It's now back in the shop for an alignment, engine mounts, air filter brackets, temporary in-dash vac leak fix(check valve), coolant flush n fill, and idler arm bushings. $890.

This is getting expensive. However I haven't gotten buyer's remorse yet because the car rides so good. Am I a moron or what?

Also- the guy working on my car says I'll need some oil cooler lines in about a year. He told me since the cooler itself is aluminum and the line ends are steel, when removing old oil cooler lines sometimes the threads in the oil cooler get stripped out. True or false? He told me I'd more than likely need a new oil cooler. All in all he said to expect about a $1k job. Also- does the parking brake function independently from the regular rear brakes? The rear brakes already have new pads. Need to know if I'm being suckered here.

No worries, onward. Someday I'll have a good one on my hands.

Unfortunately older MB's can be expensive to keep if you don't work on them yourself. The problems come from a 20yr old car with (usually) lots of defered maintenence. I think you got soaked on the repairs in DC. They are all DIY's within the skill level of most on this board. You may not have the skill or the area to perform such repairs and that makes for an expensive day. The upshot is that once all the issues are taken care of and the car is up to standards it is fairly easy and inexpensive to keep it there. I had to do most of the things you listed on my 300D within a year of purchase. Since then I have had to do very little beyond basic maintenence to keep her running beautifully. If the car is in good shape don't worry about spending the money. It will outlast most other cars on the road and pay you back with solid reliability for many many years. You should however learn to do as much as possible on your own. Its fun, frustrating and satisfying all at once. RT

But the work your dad already did for you is worth a little fortune.

I'm spending some money now to; glow-plugs upgrade, complete new brakes in the front; calipers, rotors and pads, next week I'm going to replace the left upper control arm and both tie-rods and to top it off: I have my original Becker Mexico radio rebuilt ($$$) + a new antenna motor.

About the oil cooler lines; they are around $120 for both, just visit your dad, he seems to be a handy guy.

Dad was an F-15 technician before he retired so he can turn a wrench. We just ran out of time, and since we don't replace something we can't visually confirm is bad at the moment we don't replace it. The axle just started making noise about 200 miles after I left his house.
But yeah, can't really do much in the neighborhood I live in. All the houses here are worth like $2 million. I was replacing vacuum connectors the other day and people were watching me like 'why don't you just take it to a shop' or something. May even be some city ordinance on it who knows.

You & your dad worked on it. You are so fortunate.

Keep it forever - years from now you'll be glad that you did. Trust me, it's priceless.

My $0.02.

- Patrick

Timeless
 

Restoring your MB will be an adventure for you. I know picking up the PO's slack can be expensive. But, they do not make MB's like ours anymore, and never will. It is the last of the great classics. Junkyards are full of lesser automobiles. The fact that your Dad, though living far away, helped you with the car is priceless. You cannot buy that. My Dad helped me restore my first car, 1966 Ford Mustang. The car and my Dad are gone, but those memories and the lessons he taught me are still here today. The expenses will slow down in a while. And you will be left with something you brought back to greatness. I know that sounds obsessive, only because it is. Enjoy your ride and check back often.

PS, the oil cooler is aluminium and the hose ends are steel, they cannot rust together. With proper prep, squirting a lot of WD 40, and care, the lines should come off with no damage.

gosh sieze the opportunity while you can ! fill up the trunk with new parts and go right down there and be with your Dad and enjoy restoring the car together.
wish i did that when i had the chance..
life is too short.

In a word- Yes.
The regular (service) brake is a disc brake, easily seen w/ the rear wheel off.
The emerg/parking brake actuates a set of brake shoes (drum brake style) that are inside the center of the brake disc.
Not sure how often the parking brake shoes need replaced (how often do they get used ?) but you can make the mechanic show the "old" brake shoes to you once they are out, and they'll look worn down (or they wont...)


Getting expensive, yeah, MB work and parts can be pricey...BUT, how much is the monthy payment (not a lease payment, you OWN that MB) on any similary car from today ? 1980 Apples to 2000 Apples compares your 300D to a 2004 E320CDI (approx. $55k new...).
(we dont like to think how much it costs people to get thier 2004 MB's fixed...)

-John

That's what I'm talkin' about. No payments!

Side note, anybody seen one of those new Rolls-Royces made by BMW yet? There's one parked out in front of my office with diplomat tags on it. Trying to figure out whether it has the ballistics package or not. That would take it from $500k range to the $1m range.

Parking brake wear
 

It seems to me that if the parking brake is used only for parking, the shoes won't be worn at all. No movement = no friction = no wear.

Could be damged just from age and lack of use. This usually shows up as cracking. Doesn't really effect them when used as a parking brake. When used in an emergnecy though, it may.

I don't guess the owner is out there turning wrenches on it for "fun";).

A very handsome car. Diplomat was from the UK, of course. I saw him get in and it looked just like Jack Straw.

All the houses here are worth like $2 million.

For that price I'm sure the builder included a garage? :D
If you're to embarrased to work on it while these
people are looking just park it in the garage and
close the garage door. :o
What you do behind closed doors is your business and
your business alone. :p
Your neighbors don't like it, tought. :mad:

Louis.

keep the car. if your dad can wrench and you can visit with parts what a great vaca. my father died before i was born. if he had lived i would be a different person. more outdoorsman living in the upper part of the state, completely different. tell your dad you love him, for me.