I wonder if I am the only person that makes a distinction between restoration and reconditioning. Our 300D will never be restored, but it is in the process of reconditioning it. Perfection will never be the goal for this car, it just needs to operate reliably and look reasonably well used at best.

I think when you say restore, it brings to mind images of putting everything back to the way it was when new, and that's just not something necessary for a daily driver. Reconditioning, on the other hand, is perfect for daily drivers. Reconditioning a car for daily use is, and always will be much cheaper than restoring one.

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- K.C.Adams

'77 300D Euro Delivery
OM617 turbo / 4-speed swap
404 Milanbraun Metallic / 134 Dattel MB-Tex

Current status:
* Undergoing body work

My '77 300D progress thread

It was a tough decision for me.

About 5 yera s ago my 240D/77 with 300K miles reached the end of its life, engine was smoking blue, floor pans rusted out, sheets of plywood acting as flloor boards, rusted door bottoms, and other rust spots here and there.

Time for decision, either repair everything or junk the car. Structurally the rust had not gotten to the suspension so there was hope. At that time the good old 240D was my daily driver for about 19 years and I just could not see myself junking this old baby.

So I repaired it, brand new motor from the dealer, complete body work and rustproofing, new paint job, new clutch, new radiator, new carpeting, this all cost me about $10K, that was 5 years ago, the car is running just beautifully, I get about 32 mpg on highway with this 4 speed manual.

Glad for saving the old mama, the only thing that I do not like about this car is the fact that it will outlast me real easy.

Vahe
240D/77 350K

Reconditioning, not restoring. You guys nailed it. About the only new car I like - style & equipment wise would be an Audi A4 - 3.2ltr, manual, quattro, S-line which runs $42G+. Granted I work for a dealer, let's say $35G's to me. Safe car ? Sure. Great driving car ? Hell yeah. But as I started off this thread with the dreaded Check Engine light dilemma, what do I have to worry about in a 126 ? I already have a body estimate from one of our vendor body shops - $6500. This included:
-Removal of all trim,bumpers,etc
-Taking it down to bare metal as it's been repainted once in it's life with shoddy quality, hence the horizontal panels looking like a bad case of sunburn peeling.
-Repairing the rust at the right tail lamp, the left side of the trunk rain channel and under the back glass (new rear glass included) The undercarriage is solid.
-Repaint the original Gray Anthracite with Glasurite.

He has a line on a new dash cap. A customer that bought it wound up gtetting the rid of the car before installing it. New headliner and rear package shelf. Reupholster the front seats to match the back (front are black. interior is gray). I'd rebuild/replace all 4 calipers. Steel brake & fuel lines are fine. Replace rubber brake & fuel lines, trans & oil cooler lines. Other than getting the body done at one time, the mechanicals I'd be spending my weekends doing. So I'd budget $13,000 on getting most of this done. Even on the outside chance I spend $15,000 over a year, there's no reason I won't get another 250K out of this car. Yes, the Audi will have a warranty, as "Elias" stated in my first post, I'd probably hop in the 126 to drive cross country before I did the new car.

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Sharing my partner's 2012 Forte 5dr SX til I find my next 123 or 126..
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Do I miss being a service advisor ???

[quote=
If you like your 300SD, spruce it up and keep on driving it - if you take reasonable care of it, you won't find a better car or a nicer car to take on an extended drive.[/quote]


I could not agree more. The way I heard it. The 300's are the most reliable cars ever built. They may not be for everyone, but if you like the car fix er up and enjoy it. It is the direction I'm headed with my SD. I feel good in the car and that means everything to me.

Years ago I bought a 72 LeMans for 50 dollars. Thats about what it was worth. It ran like a rocket but looked like crap. About a month after I got her she was totaled when a drunk driver ran into me. The Old car price guide listed her for $850 in fair condition and the insurance company paid me 700.

I've seen Ebay auctions close at well over 12 grand for old mercedes in near mint condition with low miles. Many sell for 5 grand or more in good condition. So refurbishing the car and documenting the process may go along way towards getting your investment back. Or at least a good chunk of it. Allstate even sells replacement value insurance, not sure what it might entail but maybe worth checking into if this is a concern of yours.

I'd still refurbish the car and assume the risk. I like my 300sd that much.

This reminds me of a funny story. If yall don't mind and OT post.

My boss purchased a brand new Lamborgeni . He paid 380,000 cash or some such fantastic number. About a month after he got the car he had a heart attack and drove himself to the hospital in the Lambo. He's on the hospital bed with monitors beeping and tubes sticking out of him. He beckons his son over soz he can whisper in his ear. His son is thinking he's gonna hear the last words his old man is ever gonna say, so he steals himself for whats to come. The old mans says " My Lambo is in the parking garage, find my keys and get it the hell out of there!"

He did make a full recovery and is now in retirement enjoying his ride.
Good Day!

Its takes about $20k to fully go through a W126. As soon as I get my car painted I'll have the paper work to support it. I don't bother keeping track of the hours, don't care, its a hobby.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I found my rust free 300SD82 on ebay as well. The listing said it needed TLC but I'd grade it as follows:

Ext: 8/10
Int: 7/10
Mech: 6/10 but maybe a better. I'll know more when it's driven more.

Best thing, I only paid 1050 for her. Not a speck of rust anywhere. A VA car.

I was searching on and off for 6 years, it finally paid off.