What do you think?
 

I have this delima. I have noticed that we have a number of members own a very nice looking 300E, and I really like how the car looks and handles. My problem is that my 87 300E has over 260K miles on it, but I paid the price of a bicycle for the car. Since then I replaced the windshield, speedometer, and recently a aux water pump (all by myself). I have been thinking to restore this car from ground up, but have some basic questions I would like to get from you pros. Hope everybody will chime in so I can decide what to do. My plan is to fix my transmission leak this week. I already have any appointment for it. I will not do the major work myself, but will try to tackle anything I think I can do. The next immediate repair is my timing chain cover oil leak. Since they are going to take the cover off, I will have them replace another chain and all associate hardware. My question is, after the timing chain replacement, what will be the major component that will break that I should be aware of given the high miles. What about the head, valves and all of that? I also plan on getting a new radiator soon as well. If the chain is all I need right now, then it will be a go for the project to replace all shocks, wheels and the paint job. Any suggestions will be highly valued.
The car still runs very well, just don't know how much longer it will run.

Probably the first and most important thing to check is the engine compression. This will tell you the condition of the motor and weather it will last.

Here are some typical things you should expect to change if they haven't already been changed. This is based partially on experience of owning a 180K 190E and researching the purchase of a 92 - 94 W124. Check the motor mounts, these usually need to be replaced every 60 to 90k. Check also bushings throughout the suspension (sway bar, shocks, strut tower) The ball joints would be another area to look into, they tend to creak when they are getting bad. Check the flex disc in the transmission line, these will wear out over time and will create play in the transmission. Items on the inside of the car really won't prevent you from driving the car but if you want to make it perfect you should check the door checks as well as any electricals (Windows/Sunroof/Antenna)

My oppinnion is that if you love the car and your willing to take time to work on it then you'll probably appreciate the results and truly enjoy the car. Once you have take the time to understand the car you'll find they aren't difficult to work on and parts should be readily available for years.


Placo1

Replacing the engine mount is on the to do list. As I mentioned, there will be some modifications on the suspension and wheels, so those are on my list already. And since the car will be in shop for the transmission leak, I am going to ask them to check out the flex disc as well. I figure if I can get it all done at one shot, it will be one less thing I have to deal with. All electrical components work, but the sunroof just now acting up. I am not concern with that right now. I want to make sure the car will run. Do anybody know how much approximately to have the compression check? Swap out the engine will be the last resort, anybody know a good place to purchase a rebuilt? Just in case. I figure it will run me close to $10K for the project, not including cosmetic work but I would like to do engine-transmission-suspension work under $6K. Is this realistic? :)