Thanks again for all the information on the 1970 300sel. I'm working on deciding if I'm going to make the trip down to pick the car up, or have someone else transport it for me.

In either case the car hasn't been started in many years, and the suspension is deflated. What is the best method for getting the car loaded onto a trailer or transport truck if the car cannot be started? The last thing I want is to have the car damaged in this process.

Even if you can get it started, if it's been sitting for years, there is probably at least one part of the air suspension that will make it undriveable - then there are brakes that will probably be rusted or have dryrotted hoses to the point of needing major work to get it roadworthy. It needs to be gently placed on a tow vehicle where all 4 wheels will be off the ground. I'm no air suspension expert but maybe you could place something between the suspension and the frame to keep the rear end up and keep it from rubbing on the body when getting it onto the flatbed.

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

Mercedes used to offer rubber blocks for that exact situation. I don't know if they're still available or not...

If no-one can lend 'em to ya (perhaps ask, via new thread) - I used wooden blocks just to move my leaking 112 300SE/c around the yard - should be adequate JUST to get clearance to JUST move on and off trailer - not drive. Jack it up (via something apparently solid, like the front sub"frame" channel or crossmember and forward rear subframe mounts or differential - Recommend NOT trusting jackpoints until you've confirmed that they're solid back and front - you may end up picking up the rockers while the rest of the car just sits there, smiling stupidly at you...) and fill appropriate spaces with soft wood, like 2x4 or 1x4 scrap.

Unless the seller can start it and get it pumped up - probably best to transport and start/work it at your leisure, so's not to damage something - lots of expertise here on how to gently restart something that's been sitting for a long while.
Absolutely concur with NOT driving it, due to possible rotted hoses, bad brakes, etc - see TomGuy's certified advice!

Hisssssssssss

Stan

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stanbabu@3bubbas.com
59 300d
65 250SE/Cpe
70 250/8
72 250C
78 280CE

Some other things to try:there is an air tank under the drivers side fender(at least thats where it is on my 72 .about 2 inches from the bottom of the tank is an air valve just like a valve stem on a tire.you can inflate the air susp. from there.you must however have a good air source .a plug in 12v compressor will just burn up.also try to jack the car up safely as to ease the pressure on the air bags before you inflate them.this will allow you to get the car onto a flatbed.dito when it gets to its destination.the following is the procedure from the owners manual.1 set the air suspension knob to central position ,car in park.2jack up the so the axles are fully suspended.(you can do them 1 at a time)3 at the front axles plug the four(2each side)aux rubber buffers(or wood blocks-my wording!)on the lower wishbones.4. on the rear axle,place the wood on the rubber bumper(you will see it) I have shortened the steps some but this is the gist of it.pm me with your # if you have any other questions.hope this helped

the guys on 6.3 6.9 600 site transport their cars all the time and have horror stories about incorrect shipping procedures.

post for advice at m-100.cc

RB29 has it right, but do you trust a transport driver to perform all those steps?

There is a thread on the http://www.m-100.net discussion board about these blocks. It looks like someone is looking for poeple to get together so that he can have some made. As I understand, a batch was made in the past and are exactly the same as the originals.

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With best regards

Al