WTB: Daughter's First Car in SoCal/Inland Empire - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

h3ffe · #16 09-10-2018, 08:23 PM

So you didn't buy a fully functioning car: you bought a car that needed a head gasket replacement, which is a 10-15 hour job, plus parts - too big of a $bottom line$ for most non-enthusiasts. With SoCal indy prices, that makes your $3200 vehicle more like $4500, and that is assuming you simply replaced the gasket and head bolts, and did not do any prudent work while the head was off (machining, valves, valve stem seals, valve guides, etc).

It will cost you upwards of $2000 to get the AC system rebuilt to where it will even operate as it did when new - not that their output when new is even adequate. Having owned 123 and 124 vehicles for years and living in Los Angeles, it is clear to me that the AC systems in these cars are barely up to the task of battling the brutal sun in the concrete jungle of West LA. It is even worse in the IE.

For perspective, I have a fully custom and converted R134 system in my W123 - every component and hose replaced, the biggest R134 parallel flow condenser that will fit in front of the radiator (W140 600SEL part), huge aux fan, and a rebuilt ACC unit.

I have a completely stock R12 system in my W124.

Both work as well as when they rolled off the factory line. Neither system cools as well as my completely stock 1995 Ford Econoline with 200K and (no service since 2010 except for new Schrader valves).

A $4000 Buick, Prius, Camry, Avalon, Civic, etc can be had with similar mileage, will consume less fuel, have ice-cold air, and have none of the problems an older Merc develops out of the blue. Does your daughter like being late to class or work while waiting for a tow on the side of the freeway in 105 F temps?

No one, including me, is bagging on you - just trying to help you consider all the possible outcomes is all. Glad she likes the car now and hope she learns to love it and its impending issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertFini

Thanks for following up; she loves the car and I have first dibs on it when she outgrows it.

Other than the cracked oil pan from taking speed bumps too fast and the AC being barely adequate in the face of 100+ degree weather (neither of which we can blame on the car), the only major issue has been a head gasket replacement, which we knew was coming when we bought it.

I can't recall how we found him, but care and feeding is being provided by Kevin at Inland Mercedes Service in Riverside, and we couldn't be happier with either his technical abilities or his bedside manner.

Best Regards,
Rob

97 SL320 · #17 09-10-2018, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertFini

Thanks for following up; she loves the car and I have first dibs on it when she outgrows it.

Thanks for rounding out the thread.

RobertFini · #18 09-10-2018, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h3ffe

So you didn't buy a fully functioning car: you bought a car that needed a head gasket replacement, which is a 10-15 hour job, plus parts - too big of a $bottom line$ for most non-enthusiasts...

... BLAH BLAH BLAH...

No one, including me, is bagging on you - just trying to help you consider all the possible outcomes is all. Glad she likes the car now and hope she learns to love it and its impending issues.

Thanks for your valuable insights about all the possible outcomes. And for bagging on me.

I'm not going to argue with you about the obvious differences between a $4000 Buick, Prius, Camry, Avalon, Civic, etc. and a 1993 190E Sportline LE; if you're that blind, you'll never see. All of those ****boxes are equally moneyholes, if not more so, and at the end of the day all you'll have is an overpriced $1,000 car waiting for a tow on the side of the freeway in 105 F temps.

Best Regards,
Rob

h3ffe · #19 09-10-2018, 10:20 PM

As SL320 said, everyone who has contributed to this thread has done so in an attempt to share valuable opinions on various options for this common situation, for the common good. It isn't just for you. Clearly you know more than the rest of us - makes me wonder why you posted in the first place.

I'm sure that you also have 15 years or more of experience and hundreds of thousands of miles of trouble free service with Toyotas, as I do, and thus your comment about "$1000 ****boxes" comes from a background of expertise with these vehicles.

If you are too immature to understand the difference between intelligent, experienced individuals striking up a friendly discourse (that you initiated) and someone bagging on you, then we can conclude this communication.

Enjoy your $4500 car!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertFini

Thanks for your valuable insights about all the possible outcomes. And for bagging on me.

I'm not going to argue with you about the obvious differences between a $4000 Buick, Prius, Camry, Avalon, Civic, etc. and a 1993 190E Sportline LE; if you're that blind, you'll never see. All of those ****boxes are equally moneyholes, if not more so, and at the end of the day all you'll have is an overpriced $1,000 car waiting for a tow on the side of the freeway in 105 F temps.

Best Regards,
Rob

97 SL320 · #20 09-10-2018, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h3ffe

As SL320 said, everyone who has contributed to this thread has done so in an attempt to share valuable opinions on various options for this common situation, for the common good.

The basis for my non MB suggestions in this thread was not so much the cost of repairs, it was ease of finding someone to do repairs plus being able to walk into any auto parts and get what you need.

I was also resistant to having an aged car out of reach ( thousands of miles away ) preventing the OP from doing any repairs.

From his post he has found a good MB shop to look after the car, this is a plus.

RobertFini · #21 09-10-2018, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h3ffe

As SL320 said, everyone who has contributed to this thread has done so in an attempt to share valuable opinions on various options for this common situation, for the common good. It isn't just for you. Clearly you know more than the rest of us - makes me wonder why you posted in the first place.

I'm sure that you also have 15 years or more of experience and hundreds of thousands of miles of trouble free service with Toyotas, as I do, and thus your comment about "$1000 ****boxes" comes from a background of expertise with these vehicles.

If you are too immature to understand the difference between intelligent, experienced individuals striking up a friendly discourse (that you initiated) and someone bagging on you, then we can conclude this communication.

Enjoy your $4500 car!

My apologies - I was clearly out of line asking a Mercedes-Benz enthusiast community to help a fellow Mercedes-Benz enthusiast find a decent car in an area of the country to which I did not have ready access. Shame, SHAME on me: I here and now vow to you that it will never, ever, EVER happen again. I have learned my lesson from YOU, oh wise sage! Thank you for stooping down to spit your wisdom on me. I had no idea that my interest in spending MY money on a car for MY daughter was in reality something so much larger than my money and my daughter; thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your spittle of wisdom toward the greater good of humankind.

The only direct experience I've had with any Japanese cars was a 1992 Toyota Corolla bought brand new from a dealer, which ****box's exhaust manifold cracked in half with less than 50k miles on it and the dealer expecting me to be happy to allow them to pay only half of the repair costs; my only indirect experience was a next-door neighbor who bought a Honda 1990-something Accord brand new from a dealer, which ****box's engine expired just out of warranty, and my idiot neighbor being happy to trade the nearly-worthless remains on a newish Civic from the same dealer because that's all he could afford, what with the loan balance he had on the nearly-worthless Accord and nobody else willing to offer him a penny for it. The only success stories I've personally witnessed about Japanese cars are from people who trade them for a new one every four years.

So yes, you are correct - my experience with Hondas and Toyotas does not cover hundreds of thousands of trouble-free miles, and in that way you are far superior to me; thank you for making it so evident to me and the 10 or 15 other people subscribed to this thread.

The only friendly, intelligent discourse I initiated was to ask this Mercedes-Benz enthusiast community to help a fellow Mercedes-Benz enthusiast find a decent car in an area of the country to which I did not have ready access. Shame on me - I have truly learned my lesson.

Best Regards,
Rob

400Eric · #22 09-11-2018, 09:00 PM

Hi.

Is this car still on R12 or has it been converted to R134a? If it's still on R12, may I ask how and/or where the recharges are coming from? My reason for asking is that I am in the Riverside area frequently and I have a nice 110,000 mile 92 300E that needs an R12 recharge. I don't want to convert it to R134a. (The really sad thing is if this car were just one measly year newer it would have came with R134a from the factory!)

RobertFini · #23 09-11-2018, 09:58 PM

The car has R134a, but I suggest you call Kevin with Inland Mercedes Service at (951) 278-8193 and ask him about your car; he's very personable and extremely knowledgeable, and I'm sure he'll point you in the right direction if he can't help you. Tell him Leesa's dad sent you.

Best Regards,
Rob

400Eric · #24 09-11-2018, 10:20 PM

Thanks Rob!

Regards,
Eric

ah-kay · #25 09-11-2018, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertFini

The car has R134a, but I suggest you call Kevin with Inland Mercedes Service at (951) 278-8193 and ask him about your car; he's very personable and extremely knowledgeable, and I'm sure he'll point you in the right direction if he can't help you. Tell him Leesa's dad sent you.

Best Regards,
Rob

I doubt any stealership would be using R12 unless he does it on the side. He would just recommend you to convert to R134. My R134 conversions have been very good and cold even on the hottest days. I am afraid you just have to take my words for it.

400Eric · #26 09-12-2018, 12:03 AM

"Inland Mercedes Service" sounds like the name of an indy shop to me.

How much did your R134a conversions run you?

ah-kay · #27 09-12-2018, 12:31 AM

I did all my conversions and it is dirt cheap, less than $70 per car. $20 for receiver drier, $10 or less for the Schrader valves adapters, $12 for ester oil and $25 for R134. You charge it to 3/4 of the R12 weight. I have an extremely good ( science lab grade ) vacuum pump and all the tools. In reality, any good vacuum pump would do. AC is a must for me in SoCal. Rollguy has seen all my cars and he knows the AC works when we went to meets, just doesn't know how cold and comfy it is.

400Eric · #28 09-12-2018, 01:01 AM

I just went to your threads started page to see if you have a thread on this topic....... You have seven pages of threads! May I please ask a quick question? Do you have a thread on this topic?

ah-kay · #29 09-12-2018, 01:22 AM

Sorry, I don't have a thread on AC as I am not a guru just an average DIY guy. My training is in software. AC is very simple but you need to take safety precaution. R134 conversion is easy, you can even get a kit from Interdynamics from any Auto retail shops. It would do the job and you will get cold air but probably not as good as the 'proper' way.

400Eric · #30 09-12-2018, 01:40 AM

My main concern is getting every trace of the old oil out, which, as I understand it, is downright toxic to the new R134a and the oil we are supposed to use with it.