Could I ever recover what I've spent?
 

I have been contemplating getting out if the diesel/wvo game. I bought my 1990 350SDL in August for $6K from a Indy Benz mechanic. Since buying it I've had to buy: cylinder head ($2500 for a brand new #22 head), shocks, guide rods, idler bushing, glow plugs, cd player, new MB mats, water pump, thermostat, a bunch of tid bits, and a Frybrid WVO kit ($1700). I have probably $11-12K+ into it and I cant believe it. I am so tempted to sell and get out from under it but I cant imagine getting close to what I have into it. The car has 238K miles, an 86 300SDL engine with 110Kmiles & new MB head. It has some minor rust on the drivers fender and could use a good detail. The WVO kit works well and is fully functional. Anyone have any idea what I could possibly get for it if I did try to sell it?

Vehicles are the worst investment. If the vehicle runs well finally, why not keep driving it until it falls apart (well that won't happen, but you get my meaning).

It's the 350 most people would like, 3.0L shortblock, updated head, PM done, etc.

It sounds to me like you've invested all of your startup money and its time to sit back and let the wvo kit prove its worth. Unless something else major gives out, like the tranny, I'd say you've got a great car and you should sit back and enjoy the free ride. Things like detailing are nice but are definately not a necessity.

I'm sure it's a nice car, but you aren't going to come close to your investment if you try and sell it. You should be able to drive it for many years without major $ investment, so just think of it as saving the $ you would be making payments with for something else.
And you don't have the rod-bender engine in there anymore, which is a plus for you.
Drive it, enjoy it.

i bought my 300D with the intent on running my biodiesel in it.. now im starting to lean more towards restoring the car and driving it an giving up on the whole bio thing.. but thats because ive been busy lately . i do want my car to look nice though i love my benz

I thought you were sold on biodiesel?

What happened? Save the rest of us from folly.

I think at this point I have to stick with it... Not only do I have it all setup for WVO, but I have several hundred gallons of the stuff and a biodiesel processor built and ready to go once the weather warms up. It just seems as I fix one thing something else goes but there has to be a point that things stop breaking... Looks like Im in it for the long haul:rolleyes:

Typically, owning a car is an expense. If you have a nice older car that you like, hopefully you can get some enjoyment from it. As I see it, if you buy a car with the intent spiffing it up, owning for only a short period and then getting all your money back (or more) however you can, then you are a used car salesman.

But, if your heart isn't into owning an old dieselbeast, maybe you'd have your best luck selling the car on a site of WVO enthusiasts-before the fad wanes.:(

Honeymoon is over
 

The honeymoon is over, reality has opened your eyes.
The question is, will you keep the car, now that the major issues are fixed.
It is a car, things wear out, break and fail.
You could have an auto accident tomorrow = total it, would you get enough to break even, or loose everything???
Review your insurance, do a search, and get advice from other members that have experience with insurance claims.
Be prepared.
Have a great day.

As Roy said, these are old cars their will always be something that is broken. You might as well keep it but if you really want out cut your loses and run.

However you will not get your money back, I see real nice 350SDL's go for over $10k all the time. But with a non original engine and WVO kit don't expect that.

Unless you sell the car to someone who not only needs one exactly like yours (with that engine, the brand new cylinder head, the WVO kit, etc) but is also willing to be fair by paying something good for it, you'll lose out big time. I'd say the most you can get for that car will be $6,000 - $7,000. Basically, just the original cost of the car to you can be obtained back. Add-ons are for your personal pleasure and potential buyers, in an attempt to get a good deal, can make you really feel like they don't care for the add-ons even if they do.

Generally speaking, when it comes to cars, you never get back what you put into them. Like someone said earlier, they are a very bad investment. Just keep the car or if you really want out, be prepared to lose thousands.

We need another viewpoint here guys...

I'm looking at it like this -

DUDE ! you have 350SDL ! you have one of the few good-running W140 diesels out there - The W140 is (arguably) the top of the diesel-s-class food chain in the US. Enjoy the car for what it is - a modern full-size luxury sedan with a (now) kickin' diesel engine in it. I'd love to have one for myself, but the cost of entry is too high for me.

-John

It's a 126, not a 140.

oops !
 

I'd still rock it...

Of course not, join the club. I suspect that very few people here could sell their cars and recover their investments. I know I couldn't. I think you're asking the wrong question, the better question is how your $12K investment compares with other $12K vehicles you could buy. At this point I think you either have to use the car long enough to "recover your investment" or sell it at a loss. As an alternative, you could sell your WVO equipment and just run petro diesel or BD.