1991 420SEL decision time... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BENZ-LGB · #1 12-13-2003, 01:02 AM

OK...I need some advice regarding what to do with my 1991 420SEL. Because of my emotional attachment to the car I find myself unable to make a totally rational decision.

My 1991 420SEL has 246k (almost 247K) on the clock. Lately it has been leaking a lot of oil (I now park it on the street, so as not to stain the driveway or garaage floor). The first clues that oil was leaking (other than the obvious oil stains) were: (1) having to add oil more frequently between oil changes (2) the odor of burned "something" whenever I idled for a long time (or drove the car at high speed) and (3) puffs of white smoke coming out from the engine compartment whenever I idled after a long freeway run.

I took the car to my mechanic and when he put it up on the rack I saw the source of the oil leak---the left head gasket is leaking like a sieve. (The left manifold gasket also looks like it is going to go soon).

Since my car has nearly 247K my mechanic suggested that I also do a head job. The cost is about $2300 to $2500, depending on what else he may find when the heads are removed. I am getting a lot of valve pinging due to car deposit on my valves (the car pings when the engine is hot--a tell tale sign of carbon deposits, plus the last time I had it smogged it barely passed, another possible sign of carbon deposits). So doing the top head job makes sense.

In addition to the head job he told me I'll need a new p/s pump (about $300) and new rear shocks ($250). These prices include parts and labor. Of course, once he starts taking things apart, he may find that more is needed, like replacing hoses, valves, lifters, etc.

In addition to the mechanical work, my car needs a new paint job. I had mentioned in previous posts that the paint on the roof was getting that milky-hazy look that indicates that the clear coat is going. Well, the trunk and hood are beginning to look the same. In addition, there are spots on the trunk lid where the clear coat has actually peeled off (looks like when one gets a bad sunburn and the skin starts to peel). Tthe cheapest quote for a paint job is $1700. The guy is a good paint man, he restores old Chevys and Fords and does a fairly good job. At that price he will sand the hood and trunk lid to the bare metal. At that price he will NOT remove door handles and other parts, those will be masked off. It is not a factory job, but it will make the car look "decent."

My mechanic says I can keep driving the car as it is and just add oil, but eventually I will have to pay the piper and get it fixed. For now, it gets embarassing whenever I stop in traffic and people say "hey Mister, your car is smoking." Also, the peeling paint is beginning to bother me.

In every other aspect the car is great. The interior is like new and except for a few interior squeaks and rattles, it would be hard to tell the difference between my car and a new one. The car is big, comfortable, safe and, even in its present condition, it gets looks. She is like a great old dame, a little past its prime and not as sexy as she once was, but still a lady all the way.

I like the car. I, like every w126 owner, have a certain attachment to the car that goes beyond the rational. If you own or drive a w126 you know what I mean.

I am trying to keep my decision out of the emotional realm and move it into the rational one.

My car, in its present condition is worth no more than $5k. If I fix everything that my mechanic says needs short-term attention (including the paint job) I am looking to spend nearly as much as the car is worth. Even if I repair everything that now needs attention, and sink $4500 to $5000 into the car, the car's market value will not go up much beyond $7000. For instance, I asked my insurance company what will they pay me if the car was totalled before or after the repairs. They said that the repairs will not add much to the botom line--I'd be lucky to get $5000 from them.

So, what to do? To sell it now, before things get seriously wrong or to sink money, drive it another 100K and hope that nothing else goes wrong between now and then?

Regarding the latter, my mechanic says that the transmission will need an overhaul within the next 20K to 50K (if I am really lucky or sooner, if I am not). The bottom end of the engine may last another 50K, again if I am lucky--sooner if I am not. The timing chain and rail guides were changed when the car had about 150K, so I may be due for another set of those.

I guess that the point is that repairs will be adding up in the near future. So the question is: does it make sense to put money into the car or do I cut my losses now and move to a newer Benz--something like a low mileage 1998 to 200 E320?

I drive about 2500 miles a month, mostly freeway miles. I am now average about 18 mpg (I used to get about 20 mpg).

I'd like to read your thoughts, comments, suggestions on this issue. I'd really like to hear from those of you who have recently faced this same situaton. What did you do?

Thanks in advance.

wbain5280 · #2 12-13-2003, 03:04 AM

Sorry to ask this, but can you work on it yourself?

Check Potomac German Auto or similar junk yards for replacement parts. That cuts the cost down.

Try adding some BG trans cleaner and then change the fluid.

Thomaspin took his 300SD to the paint shop and had the roof clear coat redone.

Thoughts?

BENZ-LGB · #3 12-13-2003, 09:57 AM

Warren:

While in my youth I was able to take apart a Rochester carb (blidnfolded) and put it back together without having any parts left-over, a DYI project is not really an option now. Basically a lack of time is the biggest obstacle.

There was a recent article in the Star magazine (by no less a luminary than Stu Ritter) that discussed this very issue. The example he used was a 1992 300E with only 150K. MIne has nearly double that mileage.

Basically it boils down to an emotional issue. People, like me, who drive w126 Benzes get awfully attached to them.

I suppose that I could keep the car, buy a newer E320 and gradually fix up the old gal until she is ready for my son to drive her. He is only 12 and if I take my time with the repairs he will have a real nice car by the time he gets to drive.

If I do not operate the car, I don't have to pay insurance for it and car registration is now (again) cheap in California.

This solution gets me a new car and it saves one for my son. I could not get him a better car for equal or less than the cost of repairing my w126.

Any thoughts?

Lebenz · #4 12-13-2003, 10:39 AM

You couldn’t replace the car for the cost of fixing it. Plus a newer Benz would be guaranteed an array of problems over it’s service life. So….. it seems an easy decision. Plus the best way to ruin a car is to let it sit unused for years.

Were it me I’d solve the mechanical issues, and maybe even add a freshening of the suspension to the list, so that in the end the car will ride (feel) better than it does now. You get tangible improvements for results as in addition to merely the absence of smoke. Once you get the mechanical issues sorted out, then look at painting it.

Personally I don’t prioritize how my cars look. I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but if they get washed every few months I’m okay with that. Other things are way more important and I simply don’t have a lot of time to clean them other than the windows, headlights, and mirrors. By painting the car you are opening the door to hours lost for cleaning/polishing it, plus the inevitable desire that will come to freshen up the inside to make it look as good as the recently painted outside. Plus, no casual respray ever satisfies the car owner. You will find scores of flaws after the work is done. In short, painting it becomes the overture for a maintenance trap of a different order.

Also, look into a factory rebuilt engine/transmission. With the number of miles on the car, and knowing nothing about the longevity of 126 drive line, I would guess that any number of components could be expected to fail sooner rather than later.

The other side of this is if you don’t mind the expense, go for a new or newer car. You put all the problems behind you – for a while -- in trade for 4x to 6x the cost of a fix up.

Also, I have a 3” thick stack of repair logs done on my former ’91 300E wagon. After the 2nd time fixing some stuff, and too many billable hours lost due to maintenance issues, I got rid of the car. The ultimate problem was the inability to ever make the car reliable for more than a couple of thousand miles – cost be dammed.

But after selling the car I dearly missed the ride…..so ended up buying another 124 even after getting my formerly shiny new ML.

The point being that a) if you love the car, you won’t get over it. And b) if but for over-due maintenance your car is basically reliable, you can’t possibly do better than to fix her up.

jpb5151 · #5 12-13-2003, 10:49 AM

Kinda curious, why are you concerned about making a rational decision? Even if it weren't rational for you to keep the car, what's wrong with keeping it just because you like it?

BenzOnline · #6 12-13-2003, 11:22 AM

My 126 has about 500 000 km on her now and is also in need of a valve job and is leaking a bit of engine and tranny oil. Paint was a problem but just had it all redone now in the summer aswell as new shocks put in.

Its like a new car and I know what you mean about the emotional attachment to the 126 or any Benz for that matter.

tabasco85331 · #7 12-13-2003, 11:27 AM

I had a complete engine overhaul this year, everything, top and bottom. Cost? About six grand. Spent another grand on other things. New windshields, new grill, new lenses for lights, new floormats, tint, tires, etc... I love this model. Same as yours-1989 420 SEL. I didn't want another car! I will get it painted next year. You won't be able to replace it for the money you will spend fixing it. You probley wouldn't be as happy either. Some Pics of mine. Good luck!

tabasco85331 · #8 12-13-2003, 11:56 AM

front

tabasco85331 · #9 12-13-2003, 12:04 PM

I love this site! Takes a few seconds to load. My car is in- Gallery/owners. www.geocities.com/w126s/

BenzOnline · #10 12-13-2003, 12:13 PM

tabasco.........paint looks fine to me why would you want it redone?

Nothing beats factory paint on a car.

tabasco85331 · #11 12-13-2003, 04:29 PM

The paint really is good. No oxidation, just a couple of very minor imperfections. Maybe I'll wait longer. You have a beautiful car also. Very nice! Thanks

732002 · #12 12-13-2003, 05:46 PM

I would look for a good used mid 90's MB. Maybe a diesel
since you drive so much. It will be hard to sell you car for
$5k with the high miles , bad engine and paint.

Maybe you can get a engine+transmission from a junk yard
car with low miles?

Good luck! Dave

91 190e 2.6
73 bmw 2002 malaga
96 outback wgn

stephenson · #13 12-14-2003, 07:38 PM

High risk, high reward scenario is to look for same model engine and transmission from a junk yard or rebuilder ... swap 'em out and roll ... solves both problems. Likely hard to find, but might be worth the effort.

BENZ-LGB · #14 12-14-2003, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SP0CK
I sure do miss my 126 but I am not sure I will want another one considering the cost to repair. I am not the type to wait until something leaves me on the side of the hwy so I'll either buy a new car or 126 and fix questionable components. This leads to spending a lot of money. I wouldn't mind spending the $$ if the car were valued as such after an accident. If I spend $15,000 on a car worth $5,000, I may love the car but God help me if it gets into an accident, and there is no insurance that after I put that kinda money in the car it will be complete.

First, thank you all for your input. By reading these posts I can see that there are lots of w126 lovers who are willing to spend money to keep their favorite cars running.

But Mr. Spock makes a perfectly good point and one that I faced with a previous car. It was a 1972 Chevy Malibu...absolutely primo. In my younger days I owned a 72 Malibu. I put a lot of money into it. You guys should have listened to the 8-track...when I played my WAR tapes it was a sweet time...Anyhow, some jackass rolled through a red light and t-boned my car right smack in the middle. Like many drivers in California (who come from other countries--enough said!) he had no driver's license and no insurance. My car was damaged beyond repairs (I was OK,however).

My insurance company gave me top blue book (because I did my homework) but I never recovered the full value of the money I had put into the car. So Spock's scenario is not so far fetched.

I have not made up my mind yet...though to be honest I am leaning to selling it and buying a newer E320. I test drove a 1999 with low miles and I was pleasantly surprised with the quick acceleration and assured handling of hte car. It, however, lacks the vault-like feeling of the 420SEL--not to mention the limo-like room of my car's beack seat.

So I am still pondering the issue and will let you guys know how it eventually ends...