Its a lot harder to be a Dieselhead out here! (These are my feelings only.) The local culture is a little different.
First, there aren't a lot of junkyards out here in the limited real estate. Even NYC (Queens) was a bargain hunters paradise. At my home in NJ, there were at least 6 within easy reach.
Second, the local economy doesn't support it. They only have Schucks, Napas and a few Autozones, and not much else. They dont cater to specialty cars like the W123. There aren't a lot of hardware and tool stores and machine shops out here and unlike other areas, there are only a few stores per square mile. Its not high density shopping, so you have to go quite a ways to get to Sears or the mall.
Third, the area is "greener" and the houses are closely spaced, almost like townhouses. Try lighting off your compressor in the middle of the night out here. You will get in a lot of trouble. I can hear my neighbor in his backyard building his shed and it sounds like he is right next to me in my bedroom.
Well these are my feelings only. Sometimes things are a matter of Attitude also. I may be a little fatigued and the newness of being here is wearing off...

That area is loaded with tree huggers too, if I remember correctly. Just go biodiesel with one of your projects and they'll love you for it no matter how much noise you make.

I agree, though, big east-coast cities with large (or at least formerly large) industrial bases seem to be better places for good bone yards. Zoning issues make it hard to run a scrap yard in newly developed areas, as you pointed out. These days fewer people are do-it-yourselfers anyway, it seems. Good luck.

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Gil

2004 ML350
1984 300CD; Ivory (sold)

You see any 116 SD's at those boneyards in Queens?

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1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

In NJ I bet its 90 degrees and sunny hot. Its 62 and chilly wet here

ah Washington state.. soo depressing

Hey, stop dumping on Washington. Seattle gets less rain than Boston or Providence. There is also a city on the Olympic Peninsula, Sequim , which only receives 16" of rainfall a year. They are in the rain shadow of the Olympic mountain range.

http://www.google.com/maps?q=Sequim,+WA,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title

Chris

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

It is odd how many old diesels are on the roads here, yet how very few of them end up in local junkyards. Normally there are 3 w123 240D's with manual trans in under one block walk from my apartment, yet I've only seen two w123's in the years in the past year. Lots and lots of 190D's and E's though.
I do notice that I have to drive quite a ways to get the car parts I need in Seattle. Its just a function of land values and the way this city is built I think.

Where are you exactly? There are a couple German auto parts stores around Ravenna/ Lake City and a few more on Aurora. Most of the new parts I get are mail ordered. There are a few machine shops in Ballard. I know there are several Mercedes specific full-service junkyards, and I think that is why we rarely see the cars we want in the pull-your-own variety.

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1971 280 SEL
1981 Volvo 242Tic | 1980 Bertone Coupe

can't be that bad. there is one mercedes only junk yard where i've ordered stuff and had it shipped here to Mass. they are excellent:
http://www.auroraaw.com/
they seem to be on 9217 Aurora Avenue North

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1974 240D, 125K mi, B100 now, SOLD
1980 300TD, 115K mi, 4-speed stick, roll-up windows, greasecar with two tank conversion (daily driver)
1985 300D, 220K miles, greasecar with two tank conversion, SOLD
1993 300D 2.5turbo, 158K miles, green/tan, B20-B50

Way overpriced!

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

We may get less rain in terms of inches, but we get a lot more dark, drizzly, damp days than other parts of the country...

In any case; if you're in the greater Seattle area you should visit Abe at MBMW at 81st and Aurora right next to Greenlake, he's great. Also, in South Seattle there's a place called Benz Friendz who have enough old Mercedes hulks you could literally rebuild a fleet of the things with all the parts.

You have it sweet compared to up here. Just try even seeing another Benz up here......

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79 300SD - $50 out of pocket purchase
03 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD
2003 VW Jetta TDI

I don't see what the problem is. It rains, it stops, no problem!
I like the NW. Rarely do I see temps go above 90 which I don't like. The rain takes care of all the watering and keeps things green. It's those rainy days that gets me out of doing yard work. I then get to work on the cars in the garage.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

SHHHHHHHHHHHH! It rains everyday and it's an awful place to live, remember. No one should ever move up here.

Chris

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Shussshhhh, and don't tell the folks that are already over there that the rest of the US exists......shoot, if they find out about WV we will get Starbucks and folks who don't like li'l bambi killers......

Keep all the politically correct, yuppie, tree huggin', latte slurpers right where they are.....they are happy with each other, and are not bothering the rest of the USA......

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

WV is looking like paradise right now.The sun must be so Brighttttttttt streaming down through the Shenandoahs. I used to get wanderlust in the summer on those really bright days and on weekends I would get in my car and shoot down to WV from NJ...

I never realized how much turbo HP I was getting from the sun. All those huge projects, changing out engines, painting my car, rebuilding engines, were done in the summers and falls and springs. Now I basically do 2 things--go to Work, come home and Sleep.........maybe I am stretching it..I hung about 7 flourescent shop lights in my garage and I am still plodding along...