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?

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

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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.

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!)

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

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.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

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.

..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

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

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.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

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

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)

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82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

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.

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

Are they all licensed and insured?

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.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

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

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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!!!

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.