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#1
07-16-2009, 01:56 PM
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Throw in the towel?
Daisy's Details:
Florida car, not very well taken care of (from what I can tell) Had it for two years this October. Paid $3000 cdn for it. (certified) Still broken: -Aux pump -One of the rear window actuators -Sun roof borked -4 way switch wonky -Stereo is horrible (all speakers blown?) -Locking system broken (vacuum leak) -Shifts hard (vacuum leak) -Pedal rusted off, I just push on the metal rod -Odometer intermittently works -Doors have to be slammed to close properly -AC may or may not work (cant tell with the aux pump broken) -Drivers seat needs work Work done so far: -New filters everywhere -New lights all most everywhere -New PROPER(!!) Battery -New key ignition lock -New diesel return hoses -New shocks at the rear -Installed block heater -Completely Refurbished Fuel Tank -New control arm -New wheel boots (?) -New hoses here and there -New passenger side window -Brake / Coolant / Tyrany flush -New tires all around Posting this because I just got hit with: -New brakes + pads all around + new brake hoses Should I throw in the towel here? Did I buy a money pit? Or have I just gone through the first 5000 miles of hell that used cars tend to have. (this is my first car ... ) I love the old girl but man she seems like a money pit / lemon and I should just sell it. However, I'll probably keep her to be honest... but I would like some input from you guys.
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Name: Daisy, or Bertha ... depends on the day. Details: US 1985 W123 Mercedes 300D Turbo. 227,000 Miles, and still strong. Runs on Diesel in the winter, and B20 in the summer. History: She was run on French Fry Oil by a previous owner, which really borked the fuel system. Now fixed. Previous owner held the car together with Duct tape, spit and whatever he could find at the local pepboys for under $5. I am now paying for his lack of caring for the car.  Ottawa Ontario Canada 
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#2
07-16-2009, 02:09 PM
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Having already paid too much for it, then started your repair odyssey and you like the car, it seems to me that you should finish up the remaining work as time and money allows; provided that the body is rust free.
Also, if you spend time on this forum learning and you can do some of the work, most of what you need to do is not difficult or very expensive These old cars need TLC and it will be your personal pain tolerance and corresponding satifaction return that will determine the value of it.
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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD 2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily
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#3
07-16-2009, 02:13 PM
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If you do your own work, most of the problems sound pretty minor.
If it is really a Florida car, the biggest reason to keep it would be lack of rust, compared to everything else you're going to find up there. If you don't feel comfortable doing brakes, take it to a good shop with parts you buy online. Should not be very expensive, unless you need new calipers. Everything else can be done by a 4 year old with good arm strength, or a semi-incompetent DIYer (like myself).
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I-------------------------------------1981 300TD, Thistle Green, 140K------------------------------------I
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#4
07-16-2009, 02:16 PM
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Quote:
I appreciate the advice though.
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Name: Daisy, or Bertha ... depends on the day. Details: US 1985 W123 Mercedes 300D Turbo. 227,000 Miles, and still strong. Runs on Diesel in the winter, and B20 in the summer. History: She was run on French Fry Oil by a previous owner, which really borked the fuel system. Now fixed. Previous owner held the car together with Duct tape, spit and whatever he could find at the local pepboys for under $5. I am now paying for his lack of caring for the car. Ottawa Ontario Canada
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#6
07-16-2009, 02:21 PM
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Quote:
 Seriously, it sounds like you have a driveable car that you enjoy. Keep it and fix the other stuff as you have the time, money, and inclination to do so.
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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar. 83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles 08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles 88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
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#7
07-16-2009, 02:31 PM
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That's a long list of deferred maintenance. Brake jobs are routine maintenance and shouldn't factor too much in the price of a car or sell decision, IMO.
I'd sell it and find one a little more sorted out. Rusted pedal? Gotta slam the doors? For $3,000 you can find a better w123 with service records and no deferred maintenance.
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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold) 1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles 1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles 2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)
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#8
07-16-2009, 03:13 PM
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I have performed nearly every maintenance item on your list and it is not that expensive or difficult. Most of the stuff is "optional" meaning it is not impacting the ability to safely drive....except for your pedal-rod. These brakes are EASY (as others have stated) compared to other cars I have worked on. Slip on, slip off. They are also very cheap compared to normal jobs, the w123 non-vented rotors are only like 10-15 bucks a piece. Reman calipers and some $20 pads and you're all set. Hoses are fairly cheap too and might as well replace when you're in there. I did all 4 in a day and a half plus wheel bearings. Vacuum and electrical issues are solved with diligence, not money.
Just do all the work yourself and save the labor, and you will be fine.
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TC Current stable: - 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL - 2007 Saturn sky redline - 2004 Explorer...under surgery. Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth
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#9
07-16-2009, 03:27 PM
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There is nothing more expensive than a cheap MBZ, period. But if you enjoy the car and do the work yourself then MBZ cars are the cheapest car to run and maintain.
Another proviso is to have a junk yard in the area. Apart from consumerables, I try to pull all parts from junk MBZ gassers. My running costs on my cars are very low. I always prioritize my repairs, safety first, functionality 2nd and cosmetic last. I try to get to them one job per week if possible. If the engine or tranny is a goner then it is the end of the line for me as I cannot handle them. Good luck with your repairs.
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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.  W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html 1 X 2006 CDI 1 x 87 300SDL 1 x 87 300D 1 x 87 300TDT wagon 1 x 83 300D 1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.
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#10
07-16-2009, 03:31 PM
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keep it only if you like it. I paid too much for my car and have done some expensive stuff to it in the past three years. As of this month I have put a voltage regulator on it and right now its in the shop getting probably new fuel pumps and motor mounts and a new window regulator. $$$ I asked this same question earlier this month, and I decided that my car is what it is. It will never be nice, but it still rides and in my opinion, looks fantastic. I did also decide that I ws gonna keep it and just fix mechanicals and drive it for a few more years. I am going to use it for all its got. Soon its getting a roof rack so I can haul a couple bikes around. I almost pulled the trigger on my car, but I just cant. Partially because I have so much vested already in it and partially because that car does its job so damn well on the highway I enjoy every mile in it. Just look long and hard at your situation and make a careful decision.
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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino 1989 560SEC 2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual 1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual
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#11
07-16-2009, 04:02 PM
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A full day of working steadily could fix just about everything you listed there....
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-  '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
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#12
07-16-2009, 04:13 PM
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Once upon a time.....
I, too, fell under the spell of a car.....
It was a 1976 240D..... I paid too much; it had rust; I had to rebuild the engine; replace the front rusty doors...the list goes on and on... But there were benefits...I learned...Boy, did I learn. I ended up driving the car for over 10 years... Now I really know what to look for in a used car.... I think it was worth it.... The Tenor Man
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Currently Driving..... 1987 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo - Daily Driver. 2004 Buick Rendezvous...Smaller than it looks! 2005 Mitsubishi Galant - Not bad for a tin box...Lousey Seats Past Vehicles..... 1994 Dodge B-250 Van- GAS HOG..Succumbed to rust! 1989 Mercedes Benz 260E - Totaled but no one injured. 1977 Mercedes Benz 240D - Loved it, but SLOWWW! - Succumbed to RUST! 1976 Mercedes Benz 240D - Same as above! - 1975 Mercedes Benz 240D - Same as above!
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#13
07-16-2009, 04:27 PM
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Yeah, I bought a rust bucket whose transmission crapped out about 6 months after I bought it. Once I'm done fixing it, I'll be a champ at welding/body repair and I'll know everything about manual transmissions. Engine's solid.
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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold  1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition
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#14
07-16-2009, 05:23 PM
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Quote:
My 78 240D is a rust apocalypse with lousy compression and all sorts of problems. A lot of people would say it's a waste of money, and technically, it is. But it's my hobby. What else would I do if I didn't have it to tinker with and curse at? When I look at the list of stuff I've done to it, and what I've learned, I really don't think I've wasted anything. Plus, everything I learn on this car is something I can apply to my 87 300D, which has been a part of my family since I was five and would like to keep on the road as long as possible. Bottom line: It's a hobby, not an investment. Enjoy the adventure and the learning process, and don't worry if a few people think you're crazy.
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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles 1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles 2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles 1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles 1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)
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#15
07-16-2009, 06:55 PM
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[QUOTE=kolwrath;2248470]Body does have cancer though. Rear quarter panels and both front doors have holes. Some molding is coming off here and there too.
anything with rust holes is a parts car. You will spend much more time and money than it is worth fixing a rusted body. Find a rust-free 123 with mechanical problems, (and there are alot of them out there)then just install your drivetrain. The swap can be done in a long weekend and you will have a much nicer car.
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