6.9 with hydraulic suspension removed?

[diametricalbenz]

Is this possible without suspension modifications?

I thought the M-100 motor would be too heavy for conventional springs and shocks.

Has anyone driven a 6.9 that has had this sort of conversion done?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6331&item=4538926473&rd=1

[Emmerich]

The motor is not that heavy. I know a mechanic who did such a conversion and he said it was a PITA. A guy on the M-100 list cut one out (I am guessing quickly). he said he saved 200 lbs of weight. A guy in Australia sells a kit to convert to springs/shocks.

VIN is a 6.9. Dash is 6.9 (annoying if that red suspension light is ALWAYS on). Being a euro, I am not sure if the ashtray and shift console should have wood on it, my US car does. Looks like the glove box has different wood than the rest of the dash.

It has euro bumpers but US headlights. The right side of the front bumper is pushed in, obviously the valenece is missing and he mentions it. I would ask how all that happened.

[gerryvz]

In my view, it's not a true 6.9 without the suspension. Certainly a properly-done traditional suspension can handle the weight of the drivetrain, but it won't handle nor ride like a true 6.9 would. In addition the value of the car is severely diminished without the OE suspension. I think the car is worth $1,000 as shown in the auction.

Cheers,
Gerry

[Emmerich]

These days it is hard to diminish M-100 value

It would not ride like a 6.9 normally would, but with the proper springs/shocks you could have a nice setup that you could adjust to a a variety of conditions. I would doubt it was done here though. My uneducated guess would be the owner was facing a suspension rebuild and somebody sold him on this conversion as a cheaper alternative. So they probably didn't go for the $5000/shock setup.

[gerryvz]

Originally Posted by Emmerich

These days it is hard to diminish M-100 value

Good reason #52 not to own an M-100 At least for me. I was lucky to escape with selling my 6.3 for significantly MORE than I paid for it.

I lost about $3,000 on my 6.9 sale price from what I paid for it, which was significantly improved over when I obtained it. I think all told I lost about $15K on that car, perhaps more.

6.9s are definitely bottom of the heap right now for sales prices. Either they are one of the greatest bargains around (actually I think 560SELs are far better bargains given what you actually GET) or one of the worst quagmires that an owner could get themself into. I violently disagree with the premise of one member of this forum expressed that ALL 116s are worth saving...

Cheers,
Gerry

[Emmerich]

I would definitely agree all 116's are not worth saving. I love the look of that body style though. With a nice paint job, particularly in black, they look SHARP.

[alabbasi]

I think its a labor of love, if they can be saved by switching to conventional suspension or using bondo, then why not. Just keep them going.