In the middle of a complete overhaul of 560SL

[Richard1]

I have Don Pool Mercedes doing a complete top to bottom ovehaul of my 560sl...everything from timing chain to exhaust, to suspension. Wish me luck.

[Bruce Hat]

Goo$ Luc$. LOL. Let us know the progress and outcome.

[Richard1]

We're at $4200 and still counting. Doesn't make any financial sense, i know, but I couldnt' bring myself to sell it.

[DavidSoine]

Makes great sense - if you own the shop!


-ds

[Tom McMenamin]

Don is the man in your area!

[Richard1]

It' done...picking it up today. As for whether this made sense financially, any car I'd consider buying today (with the exception of a 500E/E500) is going to depreciation about $4k per year.

[Bruce Hat]

My opinion is you did the right thing. The 560 is such a great car and is almost now a timeless classic. Pictures please.

[Richard1]

Got it back. I forgot how f'ing fast this thing is when it's properly tuned.

A/C still isn't great but works (it was converted), the handling after having the stearing box tightened, new shocks, subframe moutns much better, no more little rattles.

What to do next? I was going to go to 16 inch rims and tires but not sure now....the handling is really tight with the 15s.

[Richard1]

Oh, I forgot to mention, I'll post pictures after the re-paint...about two months ago, i got hit by a suburban and the rear is getting some body work and paint (minor dent).

[G-Benz]

This is the forum where folks who spend $4K on resucitating a 20 year old car can get approving nods!

My 300E is getting long on the tooth, and by next year, I plan on doing a full-circle 150K-mile freshen-up deal on it...probably not dismantle the motor, but certainly, replace what's not working...suspension pieces, interior wood and upholstery resto (especially the console), and rim and tire upgrade.

I too look forward to your pics of the end results!

[Richard1]

Thank you. I really was ready to buy a new car but when I look at most cars, they look very outdated after 10 years. Look at a 10 year old audi, for instance.

[G-Benz]

Originally posted by Richard1
Thank you. I really was ready to buy a new car but when I look at most cars, they look very outdated after 10 years. Look at a 10 year old audi, for instance.

I love that new-car smell...but I can live without the technical wizardry that permeates modern offerings!

I rather enjoy using a wrench instead of a laptop as the tool of choice when working on these cars...

[Richard1]

Brief update, having driven my overhauled 560 for about 150 miles...simply incredible....handling is 100% improved, engine is smooth again, no little rattles, A/C is OK, as long as car is moving, though still not great at idle. A much better use of $$ than buying new. My 560 was really falling appart and now drives like a new car (should, since everything made of rubber or plastic is now replaced).

[Richard1]

Wagonworks in Alexandria, VA did a super job on the repaint of the rear end (hit by an suv). The 560 now drives and looks like it did when I first got it in 87. Next will be the rims, which I'm planning to get refinished rather than buy aftermarket, and the seats, which I'm having Budz Benz in Atlanta do.

[BobK]

Spending the bucks and repairing the car was a great thing to do. The 560's are great cars. When I bought our '88 SL for my wife, I knew it had some issues but drove and ran ok. Plan was to slowly catch up on maintenance and bring the car up to snuff. Previous owner took ok care of it, but didn't really maintain it like an MB should. Half way thru fixing the smaller stuff and have two bigger issues. Still, had it up on lift for inspection for upcoming StarFest and was pleased to see it is really in good shape. The car is just flat out well made. After 16 years, it looks better than a lot of other cars of half the age.