Maintenance Cost per Mile: Here's Mine, What's Yours? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#31 10-22-2009, 11:45 PM

That looks nice; mine is pretty worn but I don't want a really small diameter wheel, or the big Nardi wooden ones. The stock W123 wheel is about 15.5 inches (390 mm), I'm afraid I'll block the instruments if I go much smaller than stock.

Brian Carlton · #32 10-22-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

That looks nice; mine is pretty worn but I don't want a really small diameter wheel, or the big Nardi wooden ones. The stock W123 wheel is about 15.5 inches (390 mm), I'm afraid I'll block the instruments if I go much smaller than stock.

It's a concern of mine as well............this one is 14.5" and I'm really hoping that it's not too small for the instruments. But, I'll live with it..........anything so that I can get a place for my hand at 3:00.

#33 10-22-2009, 11:58 PM

That size sounds like it might work. How about some photos when it gets installed?

Brian Carlton · #34 10-23-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

That size sounds like it might work. How about some photos when it gets installed?

Will do.

The adaptor is delayed...........apparently out of stock.

pawoSD · #35 10-23-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

18 months.........let's not exaggerate..........

Let me see..........

Guide rod mounts
Guide rod bushings in LCA
Painted LCA's
UCA's
LF LCA bushing
Stabilizer bushings in UCA
Painted stabilizer bar ends.
Bearing bracket bushings (L and R)
Spring pads, 1 nub, front
Steering damper
Front calipers
Front pads, Akebono
Front brake hoses
Front brake pad lead wires.
Repack bearings
Rotors
Grease seals
Radiator
Grille
Hood Star
Tires, Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S 215-65-15's
Wheels, 15 hole, 15" professionally painted
Chromed lugs
Painted battery tray
Painted coolant tube from water pump to monovalve
Auxiliary water pump, Bosch
1A fuse for Auxiliary water pump
Nardi black leather steering wheel
Combination switch
Oil and filter

..........so..........put up............I'm ready for more Italian.............

It took two years to do that?

I've done over half of those things in one day before.

But, I have to be fast....since I am maintaining 5 (and soon 6) of them at daily driver level.

My cost per mile for my SD is probably somewhere around 23 cents a mile or so.....

For my 300E its around 45 cents....still need to climb the miles-since-purchase....to drop that number.....

Brian Carlton · #36 10-23-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

It took two years to do that?

I've done over half of those things in one day before.

But, I have to be fast....since I am maintaining 5 (and soon 6) of them at daily driver level.

One day, you'll get old too..........we'll see how fast you are at that time.............

And, NFW you do the front end components in one day............unless you cut a bunch of corners. It takes most of the day just to get it all apart.

pawoSD · #37 10-23-2009, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

One day, you'll get old too..........we'll see how fast you are at that time.............

And, NFW you do the front end components in one day............unless you cut a bunch of corners. It takes most of the day just to get it all apart.

When I said "over half" I excluded all front end component jobs.

I've done a full engine/trans swap in two days before in a W126. (mine, this past August)

I've also done an entire W124 brake job + front brake job on my W126 in the same day.....

I do suspect I will get slower as I age. Either that or I'll take 6 Aleve and head into the garage.

TylerH860 · #38 10-23-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Show me any W126 and I'll point out at least $2k worth of work it needs; don't care how nice it is.

I'm running out of things to fix on Ingrid. (knock on wood

)

Hatterasguy · #39 10-23-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

yeah even after the previous owner dumped 21k into it..

I still need paint, some interior work, redo the front suspension, maybe a new exhaust(original looks crusty), and some other things.

and when I redo the front suspension everything is getting powdercoated... that and everything thats in the engine compartment.. This w126 is going to be my money pit

haaaa

I left some stuff for you to do. Another $10k and she is done.

Brian Carlton · #40 10-23-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

When I said "over half" I excluded all front end component jobs.

Yep..........I sure understand why.

Working on the front end without a lift is no pleasure at my age..........and I can't do it for more than about three hours.

I actually began work on the SD in May...........it was out of sight and out of mind for about 1 year.

I also don't work any weekends.............and I don't work when it's 90 degrees outside...........and I don't work after dark because I can't see well enough.

Hatterasguy · #41 10-23-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

I'm running out of things to fix on Ingrid. (knock on wood

)

Good! I don't want another needy W126.

pawoSD · #42 10-23-2009, 12:13 AM

Youth is nice.....my longest record of working on my car was from 9AM or so....to around 2am the following morning.....with maybe 1.5 hours worth of break in there for eating and human activities.

#43 10-23-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

One day, you'll get old too..........we'll see how fast you are at that time.............

And, NFW you do the front end components in one day............unless you cut a bunch of corners. It takes most of the day just to get it all apart.

I've gotten both old and lazy. I just had a fraction of that list (and rear springs/shocks) done by dropping the 300D off at the indy for 3 days and then handing him a pretty big check.