I have a tough decision to make. Part him out or sell whole. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

muleears · #1 08-26-2010, 08:18 PM

I think the time has come. Fritz, my '87 124, has developed blow by so bad that I am having trouble keeping oil in him. I think the time has come to say good-bye. I have to decide if I should just sell him as is or part him out. Help me make this decision. It still runs and is drivable but has a low RPM miss and is not as strong as he once was. The AC works (weakly), no rust (or paint), fair to good interior, seats both work, good stereo, E-codes (Depo), sunroof motor is dead, passenger windows are questionable, tires are fair, trans. works fine (has had regular fluid/filter changes) #17 head, repair records for the last 190K miles. I'm leaning toward just selling as is. It would be much simpler than parting out. Could I get $500 as is? I know the E-codes should be worth at least $100, I also have a new (reman) AC compressor on it too.

What do you guys think?

compu_85 · #2 08-26-2010, 08:32 PM

Sell it whole, let someone else deal with fixing or chopping it.

-J

LoosBenz · #3 08-26-2010, 08:41 PM

My idea of a parts car is one that is rotted beyond repair. Yours sounds too nice to break up. If I had a place to put it (and a wife that wouldn't kill me), I'd likely give you $500 for it if you're dead set on getting rid of it.

muleears · #4 08-26-2010, 08:42 PM

I tend to agree with selling it whole. The only thing stopping me is I'm sure I could get more parting it out. But then I'd be left with the carcass...

The car doesn't have any rust and I even have a spare front fender.

glenlloyd · #5 08-26-2010, 11:46 PM

You could try running thicker oil in it!

jonbobshinigin · #6 08-27-2010, 12:00 AM

That is so common with us Benz lovers; we can make a lot more parting it out, but we would rather see someone take it whole and put some TLC into and drive it. I bought an 81 300D a while back that had been rotting for 5 years, just so I could see it back on the road. Turned out the guys dad was original owner and he had service records ALL the way back. 250K on the engine and it runs like a top. Interior is dead though...I will prolly wind up in the hole a bit, or sell it for what I have into it minus labor. Yet that is still satisfying!

compu_85 · #7 08-27-2010, 02:12 AM

That is a good point, before you give up on the motor you might try a little auto rx to free up the rings. If it doesn't work you're only out $50 for so for the oil and additive.

-J

weird beard · #8 08-27-2010, 03:19 AM

I have a similar problem. Some of the parts cars I have been looking at are really nice (others are rotten). I can't really use all the parts and most of them are totally repairable. Problems range from head gaskets, blown engines to transmissions. If I could, I would buy up a bunch of them and part out the worst one into the others. Sell off the fleet for a profit and go again.

The interesting thing is the smashed up and rotten ones are more than the good ones???

The unfortunate thing for one in the near future is that the interior matches mine and is in great condition, I'm also going taking some body work off it. Unfortunately the driveline doesn't match and will end up going for scrap with the rest of the car. It seems like a shame to me, but my car needs parts and these cars are soooo cheap it only makes economic sense.

It's a shame that in these times everything is so disposable.

muleears · #9 08-27-2010, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

That is a good point, before you give up on the motor you might try a little auto rx to free up the rings. If it doesn't work you're only out $50 for so for the oil and additive.

-J

Auto rx? Not familiar with it. I have to add about a quart every 100 miles. Don't know if it would be in it long enough to do anything. I did a Marvel Mystery oil soak a couple months ago. Let it soak about a week. May have helped a little but I'm not sure.

I forgot to mention I have a bunch of maintenance parts for it too, belts, hoses, brake pads etc.

layback40 · #10 08-27-2010, 04:52 AM

Some one had a motor less the head they wanted to sell a while back. It would be a good partner for what you have. 100 mile to the quart is a lot of oil !

weird beard · #11 08-27-2010, 05:58 AM

Quote:

100 mile to the quart is a lot of oil !

This is normal in old cars. Every time you go to the service station, check the fuel level while you fill up the oil.

dannym · #12 08-27-2010, 07:52 AM

Where are you located?
I think there are plenty of people here who would want it. Valve seals can't be that hard to replace.

Danny

muleears · #13 08-27-2010, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannym

Where are you located?
I think there are plenty of people here who would want it. Valve seals can't be that hard to replace.

Danny

You think valve seals are the main problem? I would consider a repair if I could verify that were it. How would I check?

layback40 · #14 08-27-2010, 08:41 AM

compression test & leak down test will show what the motor is like. It would be worth making sure you dont have a turbo oil seal leak.

vstech · #15 08-27-2010, 09:08 AM

you're not TOOO far away from me. any chance you drive this way much? let us know what it does after a leak down test. with a 17 head, the motor has serious value I would think. how old is the head? blow by is not usually valve seals, that's usually just for burning oil.