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DavidMichaels 11-14-2007 06:01 PM

Weighing it out
 
I have a 1988 300TE. Overall cosmetic condition is fair to good. It was a basket case when I got it for $700 and I put about another $600 into it so far with me doing the work. It is at least drivable now. It has 187k miles on it and there is still a lot to be done. I'm trying to decide whether or not it is worth sinking more $$$ into. Here is the short list of what else needs to be done.

At least 1 lifter replacement
Rear differential replacement
Drive shaft flex joints
Shocks all around
Rear bushings (it sways around a little)
Climate controls non functional
ICV and hoses
Complete emergency brakes (everything is missing)

The cars intended use will be a daily driver averaging 330 miles a week. Give me your general opinions. Thanks

t walgamuth 11-14-2007 06:22 PM

How many miles? Is the car in good condition? Body? Rust? Interior?

The items you mention add up to possibly more than the car is worth, but a couple of them make me wonder. Why is the lifter needed? What kind of oil are you using? The oil is critical for the hydraulic valve adjusters. Too thick or the wrong type can make them stick. Also the diffs are very very long lived. I would suspect something else first.

Tom W

DavidMichaels 11-14-2007 07:18 PM

The miles is 187k as mentioned above. No dents or rust. paint is almost new due to the car having been a wreck repair on the front end. The oil had 3 gallons of gas in it when I got it. Whoever had the car had hot wired the fuel pumps not realizing that only the relay was loose and tried to continuously start it with a broken rotor so no spark. Hence filling her up with gas.
I changed the oil after rewiring the pumps correctly and replacing the fuel distributor due to a worn piston seal as well as cap and rotor and ran the car for 500 miles. Now there is Mobil 1 synthetic 5w-30 in it and a bad valve tap has developed. I won't run any "magic potion cleaner" in the motor because the residual gas in the motor oil after the first change was more then enough solvent and the motor is clean.
As for the rear diff, this may be my first benz, but definitely not my first rodeo when it comes to differentials. I haven't measured the actual backlash yet, but there is more than an eighth of a turn of play. A diff is a diff is a diff and this one is garbage. There is a car in the junkyard near by with a tight diff in it, but I don't know yet whether mine or the other is a 210mm or 185mm ring gear. I don't want to have to mess with the speedo if I can help it.

nissanzx1 11-14-2007 07:31 PM

Well, you have to think who you're asking:D We are all a bunch of crazy MB fans~~~So you know what we are going to say! Fix It and keep it!!

That is, providing it won't be a financial strain on your family keeping the car up. The world is full of lots of $1500 cars that require less $$ in upkeep than an MB. If you have a little play cash, this could be a GREAT car to keep. The only thing that is a major issue as I see it, is the climate control.

Otherwise, sell it to another MB fan. Sounds like a pretty nice car, would love to see some pics...

Good Luck!

-GH

t walgamuth 11-14-2007 09:09 PM

Now you are thinking the gas in the oil cleaned everything out really good? I guess maybe I would question that thinking. I am not an oil expert and there are some here who could probably say for sure (I am assuming you are not so if you are I apologize).

Sorry, I looked and missed the mileage before.

As for whether to fix or keep, there probably is never going to be a clear simple answer to that one. We all have gotten tired of a car from time to time and sold it on.

After having about a hundred, I can say that there are only two or three that I look back and say that I should not have sold. And i currently own two that I sold before and decided to buy back! So that only leaves one I guess that I regret selling.

Since there is no clear answer you probably should go with your instincts.

Good luck.

Tom W

DavidMichaels 11-14-2007 09:21 PM

Now the make or break issue. A friend of mine came over and listened to the motor run. What I thought could be a collapsed lifter he thinks is actually a bad wrist pin because the motor is not missing. Do the engines miss when they collapse a lifter or could it really be the pin?


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