I'm putting the final touches on a project for school and I figured that I would do a little survey before I submit it. Now I know something like this wouldn't be cheap but it's completely hypothetical so bare with me before everyone starts shouting about the complexity and dealing with modern computers....


Basically it would be a service that offers engine upgrades for older Mercedes-Benz and Land Rovers. Restoration would also be offered of course and later on I think it would be nice to master interior upgrades (Reupholstering the original seats with new colors and stiching leather to the dashboards for a nice modern touch)


The Mercedes-Benz, namely the 80's models, would receive more modern engines a la Roncallos M120 R107 project (Ok credit wheres it's due, that was part of the inspiration for the entire project...also the teacher said we should stick with what we know ) I think the M120 would be a good place to start but I think the M113 would be a really good paring for a W126/R107.

That Land Rovers would ditch their crappy Rover V8s for Mercedes diesels (Yes it has been done!) Series Rovers would be a good place to start with OM617s but the volume really isn't all there. So the original Discovery and Range Rover Classics would probably be a better cornerstone once its figured out how to get a 603 or 606 into one of them.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Citroen did this exact same thing at the factory during the 1930s in collaboration with its independent dealers. They de-coked the engine, replaced the mohair on the seats, did a tune-up and replaced the brake pads.

This kept them alive during the leanest portion of the Depression. There's a solid basis in history for at least part of your proposal. They also upgraded 1628cc engines to 1911 cc , what was called the 7 series conversion to 11BL.

If you need a reference to show your teacher, an engineer named Erpelding wrote a book called "Comment Réparer et Entretenir Une Traction Avant - 7-11-15CV, aka " How to repair/maintain the Traction Avant- 7-11-15 series cars."

I know because I am the guy who translated the book for various clubs.

He can give me a call if you need it to confirm that this isn't made up.

Overall, a great idea, with the true profitability a function of your strategic planning, marketing, operational cash flow and cash infusions. Good luck!

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

The point for choosing this as a basis is this......no one really does it, at least not in this country. I managed to find only one real competitor but they are in Germany and are subject to a 19% VAT tax. (Also just getting one of their cars into the US would certainly be quite a pain even if they are older then 25 years) Also they work on classic models that I literally would be afraid to breath on......

http://www.mechatronik.de/welcome-to-mechatronik-the-spirit-of-classic-specialized-on-mercedes-classic-cars.html

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

There is a company in the US that specializes in converting Toyota Land Cruisers to diesels. May want to check them out. Their work is not cheap.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Already went one better (Also I'm sticking with the two marques that I know best so I can also make things up as I go when I do my presentation)

http://www.seriestrek.com/109.html

OK technically he doesn't make them but he is located right here in CT and was nice enough to let me see his trucks in person and give me some information. Top notch work although he's still learning about the OM617 (I made sure to remind him about the valve adjustments and to keep an eye on the harmonic balancer)

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

I would love a range rover classic with a 603-606. Would I pay alot for one? No

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Most wouldn't but I'm allowing for variables. A full restoration would be very costly but as a service you can offer different packages based on the customers wants and needs. So for example-

1. Straight engine swap
2. Swap and some restoration
3. Swap and extensive restoration
4. Interior upgrade


(what would you consider to be a lot?)

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

That M-SL 430 is freakin' sweet!
http://www.mechatronik.de/en/engineering.html

Mercedes Resto-Rods!

I'll take a Series Rover with a 617, otherwise stock appearing, but with A/C.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Very. I'm also pleased to see that so far the numbers (As limited as the are) Are falling into place as I predicted. Mercedes= a much lower volume then the diesel conversions....although on this board there just might be a slight biased towards diesels

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

I will take a 500TE.



Where can I mail the check?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Check the return address on that load space cover that I sent you

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

320TcDi would do in a pinch!

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

In my presentation I'm actually doing a segment on the GL350 CDI so your optimism isn't too far off.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Well I'll be presenting tomorrow. On the good side of things on Monday the presentations done by a few of my classesmates were pretty much awful. I'll throw this in here now, we have known about this project which is worth 40% of the grade since September. Two of the people who went were good but the rest....well.....4 people didn't even show up and you cannot reschedule this, as for the other two....

One uncharismatic fellow just stood in front of the class and read from his paper. Now there is nothing wrong with a read presentation but if you don't have floor/stage presence just give up (I along with most of the class still have no idea what his idea was because we were so damn bored after about 1 minute.....) The real kicker was the last person who was scheduled to present. First he flat out said that he wasn't ready and needed another week. The teacher refused stating again that you cannot rescedule your time slot which we signed up for a few weeks ago. He had some sort of powerpoint half done (I saw his laptop screen as he walked passed me at one point) Well after a little class encouragement we said that he should go with what he had and the teacher gave him one last chance. All he needed to do was get his presentation from his laptop to the schools computer (For the projector) I don't know what he was doing but after about ten minutes of waiting someone said "Can I go home now?" and the teacher, no completly fed up, sent everyone home. Needless to say the professor was absolutely pissed which was a shame cause he's a really nice guy. (It was the first time we had ever seen him that angry) Its so sad that yesterday I wasn't ready to present but I still could have done an even better job then these last two kids.


So the good thing about all this? Even if I completly suck I'll still look better by comparison . I do have to say that the first person who did present properly pretty much talked numbers and suppliers for most of his presentation. If theres one thing i've learned when doing something like this is that it's a damn good idea to keep presentations bright, quick, humorous, and interesting. If you stand there reading off your slides people will loose attention. I say try to include the audience, ask them questions and keep them involved. Also I have a few quick videos so i'm going to really go all out with my presentation and bring my computer speakers and subwoofer into school to use in place of the craptastic units that the school supplies.

Here are a few of the photos that i'll be using.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

What would be "the virtue" of such a service? Does it provide the customer with some benefit that justifies the economic outlay?