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-   -   Which to keep (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/off-topic-discussion/365802-keep.html)

TheDon 02-17-2015 11:01 PM

Which to keep
 
I have to get rid of one of my benzes. It's a rule I have, I can't have more cars than parking spaces. I currently have 3. The truck, 240D, and the '87.

The '87 300D is fast, efficient, and comfortable. It needs body work for a rear fender bender. paint, small interior refresh, and the suspension gone over.engine needs a gasket job just to stop some weeping oil, a good degreasing would probably help. Paid $3k

The 240D is classy, brown, manual everything with a near mint interior and decent body. However, it needs AC work,complete suspension overhaul, brake system refreshed, starter, right front fender, all body gaskets, and an engine refresh at some point. Paid, with transporting it home, $1200.

I'm torn between which to keep and sell. I have half a mind to swap the 603 into the w123 but I'd lose money selling the shell of the 300D but would get best of both worlds. I need the truck, it's just too darn useful to have around since I have no room for a trailer. Mrs.thedon likes her basket case of a w123 too much for me to consider selling it plus that car was also only $1100.

So, what to do?

JB3 02-17-2015 11:03 PM

If mrs thedon has that red 300d still, the choice would be easy for me. Sell the 240, you still have a 123 in the family. Keep the 87

TheDon 02-17-2015 11:19 PM

I'm trying to talk her into the 240D. I prefer it over the 300D. However, I'm going to repaint the 300D with the "$50 rustoleum " job this summer since the last owners paint job failed.

Stretch 02-18-2015 01:49 AM

Keep the W123 and do the swap - forget about the percieved loss of money. Think of it as saving the bit you like and getting rid of the bit that's about to cause you trouble. Part out the rest of the W124 to crabble back some cash if you must.

(Or alternatively think of the rustoleum idea as a really fast way to de-value the car!)

t walgamuth 02-18-2015 06:49 AM

The only trouble with swapping motors is it'll be a very big job and take two cars out of service til its done and it'll cost more money than you think. Swapping a 300 into a 240 is childs play by comparison.

TheDon 02-18-2015 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch (Post 3443484)
Keep the W123 and do the swap - forget about the percieved loss of money. Think of it as saving the bit you like and getting rid of the bit that's about to cause you trouble. Part out the rest of the W124 to crabble back some cash if you must.

(Or alternatively think of the rustoleum idea as a really fast way to de-value the car!)

the w123 300D will never be worth much so the rustoleum job doesnt phase me.

swapping the 603 into the w123 would be an undertaking. I did miss my first 240D 4 speed which is why I bought another.

JimFreeh 02-18-2015 09:43 AM

This may be heretical, but....
 
..given your current situation you are married and live in a mechanic unfriendly environment. I assume you are still employed full time...

Here's a thought.

Sell all the old MBs. Keep the truck.

Your description of the cars tells me that none of them are in good condition. Really, be honest. You may love them like a stray puppy, but these cars all need tons of money and time to bring up to spec. Time which you will have to value at zero $ to make any argument about spending it on the cars, and money you will sink into cars without hope of recovery.

Given your living constraints, sell all three of them and with your accumulated funds, buy ONE really decent MB diesel. You know the kind, one you can actually drive and not have to but a ton of money into repairs and cosmetics immediately.

You free up an unbelievable amount of time, space, and money that you are now spending on three needy cars.

You can buy a very decent W123 or W124 sedan for a lot less than you would spend bring even one car up to speed. Sell your current cars for whatever the market is, and roll that money and some extra into one nice car.

You can still fool around with it, accessorize it, and you now have space for another hobby car, when the opportunity comes around.

You'll be amazed how much weight is lifted off your shoulders when you make the transition.

Jim

t walgamuth 02-18-2015 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh (Post 3443533)
..given your current situation you are married and live in a mechanic unfriendly environment. I assume you are still employed full time...

Here's a thought.

Sell all the old MBs. Keep the truck.

Your description of the cars tells me that none of them are in good condition. Really, be honest. You may love them like a stray puppy, but these cars all need tons of money and time to bring up to spec. Time which you will have to value at zero $ to make any argument about spending it on the cars, and money you will sink into cars without hope of recovery.

Given your living constraints, sell all three of them and with your accumulated funds, buy ONE really decent MB diesel. You know the kind, one you can actually drive and not have to but a ton of money into repairs and cosmetics immediately.

You free up an unbelievable amount of time, space, and money that you are now spending on three needy cars.

You can buy a very decent W123 or W124 sedan for a lot less than you would spend bring even one car up to speed. Sell your current cars for whatever the market is, and roll that money and some extra into one nice car.

You can still fool around with it, accessorize it, and you now have space for another hobby car, when the opportunity comes around.

You'll be amazed how much weight is lifted off your shoulders when you make the transition.

Jim

This is good advice. I am on the cusp of doing the same with my old benzos and getting something like that late model CDI Jim has.;)

TheDon 02-18-2015 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh (Post 3443533)
..given your current situation you are married and live in a mechanic unfriendly environment. I assume you are still employed full time...

Here's a thought.

Sell all the old MBs. Keep the truck.

Your description of the cars tells me that none of them are in good condition. Really, be honest. You may love them like a stray puppy, but these cars all need tons of money and time to bring up to spec. Time which you will have to value at zero $ to make any argument about spending it on the cars, and money you will sink into cars without hope of recovery.

Given your living constraints, sell all three of them and with your accumulated funds, buy ONE really decent MB diesel. You know the kind, one you can actually drive and not have to but a ton of money into repairs and cosmetics immediately.

You free up an unbelievable amount of time, space, and money that you are now spending on three needy cars.

You can buy a very decent W123 or W124 sedan for a lot less than you would spend bring even one car up to speed. Sell your current cars for whatever the market is, and roll that money and some extra into one nice car.

You can still fool around with it, accessorize it, and you now have space for another hobby car, when the opportunity comes around.

You'll be amazed how much weight is lifted off your shoulders when you make the transition.

Jim


the w124 isnt that bad, it just needs some cosmetic work. The truck needs work too, the front tires are wearing on the outer edge so I need to look into that too.

the wife drives an '83 300D so she needs a car regardless.

Im leaning towards keeping the '87

JamesDean 02-18-2015 01:09 PM

The answer is clear. Keep them all.

The great Karl Benz frowns upon those that do away with his children! Herr Daimler will seek revenge.

(If it were me the 240D would get the boot. The 124 is just awesome)

:D

TheDon 02-18-2015 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean (Post 3443602)
The answer is clear. Keep them all.

The great Karl Benz frowns upon those that do away with his children! Herr Daimler will seek revenge.

(If it were me the 240D would get the boot. The 124 is just awesome)

:D

I have a vented W124 fender ive been itching to install. I might just repaint the '87 myself this summer too. I've done body work for close up quality props before, can't be much different.

Skid Row Joe 02-18-2015 06:26 PM

How many cars and trucks in total do you have??

Are they all licensed and insured?

tbomachines 02-18-2015 06:32 PM

Which to keep
 
Sell the least reliable one, or the one that needs most work, judging from your other posts it sounds like you're already super busy. The last thing needed is probably another project.


I know the feeling, same problem here.

TylerH860 02-18-2015 09:33 PM

It's so nice to have turn key examples in the garage that can be repaired reasonably as things pop up... not a never-ending journey that makes zero financial sense when you purchase a project. MB diesels aren't worth enough to justify it.

You could sell all three benzes and have enough coin to buy one excellent example to preserve and enjoy. Although it would be tough to preserve if your wife is driving it to work, roasting away in the Florida sun.

The 300D is red... Red is the first to start fading in the sunlight. The rustoleum job will only last a year or two as well. That's just the way it is.

I would not put my wife in a 240D stick, especially with all the nut job Florida drivers. She needs enough power to get out of the way.

M

TheDon 02-19-2015 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines (Post 3443743)
Sell the least reliable one, or the one that needs most work, judging from your other posts it sounds like you're already super busy. The last thing needed is probably another project.


I know the feeling, same problem here.

that would be the 240D, but I suppose I could sell both and upgrade to a '95 E300D or potentially a W210 with its glow plug snapping fun.

But honestly, I do have time, I just seem to have a lot going on. and having a spare vehicle like the truck makes having a car down for a few days due to work being done to it on my end is ok.

We are saving up and will need to recover from a trip to Japan this summer so any car shenanigans are on the back burner, until I win the lottery.


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