I have a lovely 1980 300SD, the interior is near perfect 9.5 out of 10, the wood shines like it was new. I have spent close to $5000 in repairs in the last year including timing chain (and all that is associated with this), brakes, rotors, tie rods, etc. All that is left now is the body, which has rust bubbles in a number of areas. I was quoted at $4000-$5000 to take care of the rust and repaint the entire car by a very reputable shop, although the shop owner recommended just scrapping the car for a non-rusted one. So the dilemna is, to take his advice and consider the $7k already spent as sunk costs or to go ahead and spend the $5k for paint? What do you guys think?
Thanks!

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'86 500SEL 43k miles-sold
'82 240d-sold
'82 240d#2 200k miles simply beautiful
'80 300SD 184k miles "Sheikh Diesel"

Do you have pictures of the rust?

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

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'86 500SEL 43k miles-sold
'82 240d-sold
'82 240d#2 200k miles simply beautiful
'80 300SD 184k miles "Sheikh Diesel"

I do not have pictures of the rust, there are about four 2-3 square inch rusted areas on the back of the car and little bubbles on the doors around 1 square inch or less. The car is not a total rust bucket, but it has little rust spots all over.

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'86 500SEL 43k miles-sold
'82 240d-sold
'82 240d#2 200k miles simply beautiful
'80 300SD 184k miles "Sheikh Diesel"

Definitely get pictures. You may be better off just replacing parts that show rust than trying to repair, from good southern cars.

Unfortunately, IMO, you did it backwards... Should have gotten a feel for the repairs required and costs prior to repairing the mechanical stuff...

It can always be that you have a great parts car to create a new one from... But that is also $$$.

Get pics so we can get a more accurate assessment.

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

You used the term "sunk costs" which has a very specific meaning. You be the judge. Will 5K get the car to where you want it? Would 5K plus whatever you'd receive for selling the car as is get you a better car? Are you willing to start over? Are you willing to drive it as is? Answer those questions and spend the $$ or sell the car.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

As I see it, you're looking at a total cost of $11k to achieve something providing a driving experience not available from any new car at any price. Also keep in mind that you'd be putting that SD into a condition approximating nearly new with the potential to last several decades. I say spend the five grand.

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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.

It depends on how bad the rust is. The price for repair seems high. How many miles on it?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

It is just under the 200k mark right now, I had a compression test done and all cylinders were great, minimal blow back, she runs great just has some rust.

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'86 500SEL 43k miles-sold
'82 240d-sold
'82 240d#2 200k miles simply beautiful
'80 300SD 184k miles "Sheikh Diesel"

I'm quickly approaching this same point with my 82' 300TD. My theory is if you keep driving it over time and not a car with car payments, then you win in the end. You don't *have* to do anything to the body. The answer to your question depends what the car is intended for. I plan to keep driving my diesel as long as I can as my daily driver because it makes more sense than car payments. Repairs on these cars are super-simple and DIY but newer cars aren't as easy to work on. My car looks like crap but I love it so that's why I continue on!

I am dealing with a similar situation with my 82 300Td, i put some $ into it, it runs awesome and i know what i have mechanically, however, it has some rust issue. I find that any classic car i get it always needs something, either mech or body. if you fix the rust, you'll know exactly what you have. perhaps get another quote or do it in stages. these cars are super over built and can last a long time with 'some rust'. i also say fix the rust, you can't buy a sorted car for 5k, well maybe.

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1982 Mercedes Benz 300TD Wagon
1969 BMW 2002
1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado

Hmmm? I'll probably be putting my 79SD up for sale in a few weeks, 122k, rust free. Don't think I'd be willing to put $5k into paint work if it needed it.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I pretty much spend whatever it takes to keep my SD in excellent shape, because it is massively cheaper than any comparable car....and I wouldn't want anything else. Our company cars at my work are PT cruisers....and every time I drive one it reminds me what a POS/soul-less junk most modern cars are....

Consider what a beautiful class/simple/reliable vehicle you have compared to what that 5k(or even 13k) would get you in "new car".

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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)

Drive it like it is. How will you prevent rust in the future?

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RT


1984 300D---Sold
1995 E420 - 106K - Brilliant Silver Metallic/Orion Gray --- Sold
1984 300SD - 151K Manganese Brown Metallic/Mostly Black --- Sold
1982 240D - 79K - Manila Beige/Palomino---Sold

That's a pretty good looking car Forat2. Anything made of steel or iron is pretty much gonna have some kind of rust after three decades. This car is a survivor! Try to head off whatever rust you can and enjoy the fruits of your investment and labor. You've earned it.

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Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)