Think I have decided to sell my MB... should I fix up a bit, or sell as-is?
 

Some of you may know some of the problems I have had with my MB... maintainence neglect from the PO mostly. Well, since I have four other cars, I have decided that perhaps I should sell this car (as much as I hate to) and pass it along to someone that knows more about MB's and can give it the attention it needs- more of a DIY'er. I have recently did some work, such as plugs, air filter, steering box seals, etc.

It needs a thermostat, injector seals, rear brakes and soon to be in need of perhaps a camshaft, as the lifters are "chattering". Also, last timing chain replacement is unknown.

So, I am wondering, would I be better off replacing some of the simple items, such as the thermostat and rear brakes (which I already have), to perhaps be able to sell it easier, or sell it as-is and let someone else deal with all of it? If I had it done, I would be losing more money of course, unless I charged a little more (which may not be possible).

Just wondering what you have had better luck doing. Thanks!

As your car is fully depreciated at this point, the difference between selling after fixing and selling if you left it alone is a wash.Just take bluebook, figure out what it would cost to get all that stuff done and take it off the selling price. Disclose this as well.

Too many things left undone to deal with at this point. Take the loss and move on.

Now that its in my forum, lets see if we can't keep this thread on topic.:)

Clean it up, take a lot of pictures and list it on ebay. Maybe you will get $1k.

Thanks Hat! :)

That's an easy $2500 worth of work. Hat's eBay idea is good and try to sell it locally as well -- "Mechanics special"

Maybe it's not in that bad a shape. Since when does chattering lifters indicate you need a new camshaft? Who told you that? And why are you worried about the timing chain?

It sounds like you really need a thermostat and some brake pads....WOW... all of $50 in parts.

Obviously, I'm missing something.

Never change your oil, and save the EARTH and possibly your children's limbs or life!
__________
Thanks
240Joe

1980 240D Auto >300kmiles - never blown up!
1983 300D >150kmiles - also never blown up!
1987 300SDL >170kmiles- SOLD before I blew it up!

Certified ASS-HOLE (Automotive Secret Society - Head Of Logistics Engineering)

If it's the M116 motor, the cams are "soft" and get lopey. Even happened with my M117'er. Chain rails on a M116? Common probs with those M116/117's.

As Joe wrote, you could fix the safety probs and drive it into the ground.

I'm still trying to figure out why people are trying to make 20 year old cars perfect. Just fix what is keeping you from driving down the road safely.

If you want a car that is perfect, that's going to cost you. But if you can tolerate a bit of not being perfect, these are the vehicles for you.

Put in the new thermostat and pads you bought, and drive it til it drops, which will probably be many years away.

And when you can't get her to go and she needs major work, put it in the junkyard.

Never change your oil, and save the EARTH and possibly your children's limbs or life!
__________
Thanks
240Joe

1980 240D Auto >300kmiles - never blown up!
1983 300D >150kmiles - also never blown up!
1987 300SDL >170kmiles- SOLD before I blew it up!

Certified ASS-HOLE (Automotive Secret Society - Head Of Logistics Engineering)

But some kid might be playing in the junkyard and get caught on the broken chain, lose a limb. And the oil could spill out and contaminate the earth.

Thanks. Well, the main problems are not the thermostat or brake pads, its rather the injector seals (or so I am told my a MB mechanic). The car has an occasional missing problem, especially when the engine is cold and thereafter when it first shifts into 3rd and 4th gears, or idles when in park. I took the car to a MB specialist (so they say) and he hooked it to machines (one was huge and looked very 1980'ish). I am guessing it was one used on these cars when new. He said part of the miss was where I had platinum plugs installed. He took it upon himself and installed "regular" plugs and charge me $95.00 - strange, because it is still missing. Then he said my lifter noise was caused from what he thought was a worn camshaft and said he would check it when he replaced the injector seals, as the valve covers had to come off anyway. I forgot the exact amount, but to replace the injector seals, valve cover gaskets, thermostat was going to be something like $450. at that shop- then I would still probably have a worn cam- another what - $500+? Thats why I think that this car should go to a "DIY'er", as then it would not cost nearly as much to repair. The front suspension may need some work too, as it has that very well known "clunk" over bumps.

The body is still good (despite faded silver paint), good interior (MB-TEX), so I think it is still worth fixing up.

Injector seals, valve cover gaskets, and a thermostat will cost you about $80 bucks in parts and maybe 2-3 hours in labor as a DIY'er, tops. This is simple stuff you can easily do yourself with only basic tools and a couple of hours of time. Your pro MB mechanic will laugh all the way to the bank for such a simple job. Get your hands a little dirty and invest that saved $350+ bucks into some repairs that aren't so simple. $95 bucks for plugs and labor isn't to bad a price for a pro, but you could have done it yourself for $25 bucks and an hour labor.

Thanks. I know that part about the plugs. I actually changed them myself once before for $20 and took me about 25 minutes. Thats when I installed platinum plugs, which was supposedly a "no-no". When I took it to the shop, I simply wanted him to find out why it was missing. I left it there and when he called, he said he replaced the plugs. Strange, because I thought they (mechanics) were supposed to ask/let you know when they were going to do something to it. He told me $50 to check it, so when I went back and he said $95 and then he gave me the nearly $450 estimate, I was stunned to say the least. $95 of that was for the thermostat replacement. He had $45 parts and $50 labor. I can get a stat from here for $30.

I am not much of a DIY'er, which is one reason I think I should let this car go to someone who is. I would have no idea about changing those injector seals. I asked once here about what all was involved in changing, but never got a reply. Seems like the seals themself are only $2.45 each here on the site, but as mentioned, not sure what all else has to be replaced (if anything) when this is done, nor how its done. I suppose I could check with my regular mechanic (who works on all cars, but specializes in Volvos) if he can do this job. His prices are extremely reasonable, but he has admitted not to know too much about Mercedes engines. He was the one though that replaced my steering box seals in my MB for $50. Well worth it in my opinion.

If I could get rid of that miss, it would help alot. Its at the point now where I do not want to drive it anymore, but as of now, I am still driving it to work daily.