Does anyone here own a 600? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

schwarzwagen · #1 05-25-2004, 06:43 PM

Just curious I guess. What are your thoughts on ownership.

cth350 · #2 05-25-2004, 07:05 PM

yeah, actually, I got one last year. It hasn't moved an inch since I got it though. But I have 13 other cars that need more attention. -CTH

schwarzwagen · #3 05-26-2004, 03:45 PM

If you don't mind me asking.... how much did you pay for it and what kind of condition is it in? And, how much do you plan on spending to get it in working order?

Thanks,

cth350 · #4 05-26-2004, 07:06 PM

Funny you should ask that. I paid 9,250$ for it.
I asked Karl if he wouldn't mind taking a look at it to quantify any brake/hydraulic/running condition problems, and he said "give me a 15,000$ deposit". That isn't going to happen.

I will spend whatever it takes to make the car a driver with working hydraulics, 6.3 drive train and correct outward appearance. It might take 20 years, but that's OK.

I already located a parts car, I'm trying to get the price lower than what I paid for mine, since my car is a drivable car (once the brakes work) and the parts car is a glorified shell with an engine.

-CTH

j9fd3s · #5 05-26-2004, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cth350
yeah, actually, I got one last year. It hasn't moved an inch since I got it though. But I have 13 other cars that need more attention. -CTH

good lord, and i thought i was nuts! i would have 13 cars if i had the room

do you restore these for a living, or do you have a day job? if you dont mind my asking

mike

schwarzwagen · #6 05-27-2004, 01:16 AM

-CTH

I'm pretty much of the same philosophy. I don't mind the prospect of piecemeal restoration with the end result being a nice 'driver.' I also don't think I would feel comfortable taking out a pristine car for a nice drive to work or a movie, so what would be the fun in that?

I guess since Karl is the "only game in town" as far as the 600 goes he can dictate whatever prices suit his fancy at any give time, but a $15K deposit would spoil the experience for me. At least given my current cash position, now if I became the CEO at some point... well now a call to Karl would probably be in order.

cth350 · #7 05-27-2004, 08:33 AM

I'm a software developer for Bloomberg,LP. It pays the mortage, feeds me, the wife & our son (and four cats), but most importantly, it funds my little projects that absorb whatever spare time is left after work hours.

My counter offer yesterday to Karl was for me to hand him 1,000$ up front and he can call me within 12 hours of work to tell me if:
- What needs to be done to the brakes, if anything.
- That the car starts when you put a battery in and turn the key.
- That the hydraulic system is operational after disconnecting and plugging the line to the trunk lock (it's a 25$ plug).
- That the front, passenger side tire had its slow leak fixed.

It remains to be seen what will happen.

-CTH

#8 05-27-2004, 03:11 PM

How are the cosmetics?

j9fd3s · #9 05-27-2004, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cth350
I'm a software developer for Bloomberg,LP. It pays the mortage, feeds me, the wife & our son (and four cats), but most importantly, it funds my little projects that absorb whatever spare time is left after work hours.

My counter offer yesterday to Karl was for me to hand him 1,000$ up front and he can call me within 12 hours of work to tell me if:
- What needs to be done to the brakes, if anything.
- That the car starts when you put a battery in and turn the key.
- That the hydraulic system is operational after disconnecting and plugging the line to the trunk lock (it's a 25$ plug).
- That the front, passenger side tire had its slow leak fixed.

It remains to be seen what will happen.

-CTH

hmm interesting. theres a fellow around here whos a surgeon and in his spare time he does diesel benzes, really nice guy

mike

#10 06-05-2004, 11:04 AM

Just a WAG but wouldn't it be easier in the long run to upgrade hydraulic piping to a modern standard with custom made parts from a truck shop? You wouldn't think there would be a lot of these cars just sitting around for parts......

cth350 · #11 06-05-2004, 02:34 PM

Keeping the car original is what makes a 600 "fun". The hydraulic system itself is simple. The hard part is the intricate specialized stuff for the door locks, seat adjustments and the climate control.

The car has this lovely feature of closing the doors and trunk for you. Similar hydraulic bits adjust the seats. Remember this is long before, small, strong and efficient solenoid and motors.

You can see the car at http://vrx.net/cth/600.html.

Karl decided he didn't have room in his schedule for my car. A fellow from the mercedes veterans list who's a former Paul Russell gullwing/600 mechanic will be spending two days working on it next week, presuming I can get the car to his place in the window of time he gave me. -CTH

j9fd3s · #12 06-05-2004, 08:46 PM

i'm jealous! thats a big undertaking though

mike

cth350 · #13 06-06-2004, 01:01 AM

My wife was just telling me how all the moms that drop their kids off at school arrive in various SUVs or station wagons. The Lincolns, Caddies, Accuras, M163's are pretty thick. She feels humble in her little beat up chevy lumina (she killed her last benz and refuses to drive another one of my old babies because of it).

So, if this car gets healthy next week, it will be used to ferry my son to school for the last two weeks of school. The hard part will be to find an adult male to drive both my wife and son in each day and pick them up. But, I think I know the right guy for the job.

-CTH

WANT '71 280SEL · #14 06-06-2004, 09:59 AM

I would absolutely love to have someone pick me up from school in an older 600. Even though I drive to school, I still wouldn't mind being picked up that day.
Thanks
David

cth350 · #15 06-09-2004, 11:42 PM

Just spent the day with Les Blumner waking the car up from its slumber. We'll actually attempt to start it and deal with brake & hydraulic issues in the AM.

It's a fun car to do the valve clearances on. We had to pull the A/C compressor to get valve cover off on that side. There are four 8mm allen keys to be removed from the bottom of the compressor. One is so close to the frame rail, that you have to lift the motor about an inch. That might be due to a colapsed engine mount. We'll be checking that in the morning.

Also, we can't turn the engine on its crank pully easily, because it's not a normal bolt. It's a screwy thing that looks like a rook from a chess set (the castle). I have a socket+blade I hand crafted for an M189 ages back to drive a similar bolt, but to use it steadily on the valve adjustment job is murder.

I really look forward to spending about 5,000$ to have Heritage woodwork refinish the 60+ pieces of wood in the car. The six or seven pieces of leather that need replacing will be fun too. At least its all an easy to match black.

-CTH