True cost of ownership, daily driver - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vonsmog · #1 03-21-2018, 09:50 AM

For what you have into your one car I have restored two at half the cost! You need to do all the repairs yourself in order to make this a wise choice of ownership! Both my cars are now worth over $20k each, but If I had to pay someone else to do all the work, I would almost be into 6 figures on them.

OM617YOTA · #2 03-21-2018, 10:02 AM

It's no secret that these aren't the best option if one's goal is basic inexpensive transportation. To make sense to keep one of these, you really have to like it.

This is true of most transportation options.

marco5 · #3 03-21-2018, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vonsmog

For what you have into your one car I have restored two at half the cost! You need to do all the repairs yourself in order to make this a wise choice of ownership! Both my cars are now worth over $20k each, but If I had to pay someone else to do all the work, I would almost be into 6 figures on them.

Wow Vonsmog! Your cars are gorgeous, literally showroom condition level. I'm in a condo and don't have the same luxury but I'm willing and aware that the maintenance cost, of taking it to a shop instead of doing some things myself. I don't mind spending a few thousand a year to drive my car and consider the mileage I do!

Just curious vons, where do you source your parts for the TD? Could you give me a breakdown of things/costs you've done just so I can compare? Do you source parts at salvage yards to keep overall costs down?

vonsmog · #4 03-21-2018, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marco5

Wow Vonsmog! Your cars are gorgeous, literally showroom condition level. I'm in a condo and don't have the same luxury but I'm willing and aware that the maintenance cost, of taking it to a shop instead of doing some things myself. I don't mind spending a few thousand a year to drive my car and consider the mileage I do!

Just curious vons, where do you source your parts for the TD? Could you give me a breakdown of things/costs you've done just so I can compare? Do you source parts at salvage yards to keep overall costs down?

Most parts that I put into it came from the 81'TD that I parted out, which I paid only $500 for. The car sat stored inside for 24 years with only 84k miles on it. Rear trailing arm rusted out, so they parked it. The motor is now in the coupe, which was in storage for 25 years with a seized motor. Front vented brakes are off of a 90's W126 that were like new, that I found in the local pick-n-pull. Rear brakes are new. I also put new axles in it, and replaced the AC setup. as well. Paid $1300 for the wagon to start, last owner put about $3500 into it in a few years. So much was done already. The big cost was the color paint job ($1500) the BBS rims and tires ($600) new AC ($800)

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