You guys where right I was wrong my 108 is dead. - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Nik_the_barber · #46 03-19-2009, 05:08 PM

Well, I cant get anyone to come out with out paying and a local shop said they run at 85 an hour and said it could get up to 500,000 to do an engine swap. That sounded absurb and no one in hell could I dream about doing that. They did say they could hold the car as caleteral while I pay on the labor, and said they could work something out. But I would like to do that idea with someone on here for as cheap as possible. They also said they had a lady who they are going to tell that it's not worth fixing her car as she has a 280 sel also that they cold sell me the car for 200 or so dollars that still has a lot of good parts. But I'm running out of options. I really would like someone to come over and help me figure out what to do. I know I sound desperate but it's because I' am desperate for any help.

mercmad6.3 · #47 03-19-2009, 05:43 PM

You should step back and have good think about this for a moment.
The engine has probably run a bearing.
A rebuild ,no matter how it's done is going to cost you money.
When doing anything on a car you have NO CHOICE BUT TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY .
And that means spending money now,not later when the cheap job backfires.

I can buy used mercedes engines anywhere here in OZ for next to nothing so I can only guess that the situation is the same in the USA.
To swap in a M110 twin cam engine is a job which takes about 2 days on average so I can only assume the person who quoted you 500,000 is only trying to get rid of you.

If it costs 'call out' time to get an expert opinion ,pay it and get a real opinion rather than have us on here give you advice based on your description.

Or...you could sign up for a course on engine rebuilding at a colledge near you and learn how to rebuild your engine and learn a new useful skill which could make you money.

I know lots of folks who do their own engine rebuilds on their mercedes,and it may surprise you to learn that these are not technically minded folks,one is a vascular surgeon.another,a mining engineer who spends his days on computors not in a mine.Another is a IT specialist,again not a job where you get grubby.And so on.

JonL · #48 03-19-2009, 07:44 PM

I'm going to reiterate my unpopular opinion here. This is not the car for you at this point in your life. This is not the car to learn about cars on. It is too expensive to repair and maintain. It has too many idiosyncrasies. Given your budget and knowledge, it will never be reliable enough for your needs. My harsh advice is to sell it and recoup as much as you can. Chalk it off to a lesson learned. Buy something reliable... like an old Toyota. Have someone show you how to change your own oil. Then learn to change your own brake pads. I'm sure even a reliable Toyota will give you opportunities to learn about repairing cars along the way as you own it. The Toyota won't break your bank and won't leave you stranded nearly as bad as that old Benz. The old Benz is a nice hobby for when you are established in life, have spare time, spare money, and a spare car. Not for now.

IMO, anyone who tells you that "you can do this" is delusional. Frankly, you barely know how to use a hammer. You can't fix this car yourself, even if you could you couldn't afford the parts. The "help" you need to fix this yourself is really getting someone to do it for you while you watch and hand them wrenches. That's a great way to learn, but it's gonna be tough to find someone willing to do that much work for free.

Sorry to be so harsh, but sometimes we all need a good slap in the face.

Lexxani · #49 03-19-2009, 08:09 PM

im with jon on this one. Nik, I bought my Lexus as a pre owned and in my 6 years of ownership Ive had to replace 1 part, a fuel dampner, $100 from Lexus. Toyota's (lexus is a devivitive of them) makes a great reliable car to drive with very minimal up keep costs. It is an avenue worth pursuing.

I bought my '78 SL-C when I was 19. It was a 26 year old 1 owner car with all original parts. About 2 years into ownership, using it as a daily driver, I started to realise that major mechanical issues were impending. Fortunately, I had the resources to park my MB someplace where she would be safe untill a later time when I could invest the time and money required to bring her back to her former glory. I bought my first diesel suburban to hold me over in the mean time. When things shaped up for me and I was in a better financial position I took up rehabing my car, and look at her now, bellisimo!

Now isnt the time, park your MB untill a you are in a better place in life then it will be a great hobby on a car that will last you a lifetime.

meltedpanda · #50 03-19-2009, 10:10 PM

Nik,
I think everyone is right on track here, tough as it is, either park it and wait till you have the $ to work on it, sell it as is, part it out, or pay someone to do it. Those are your only options.
I think someone with some knowledge can give you a diagnosis for not much cash or perhaps for free, however once know, your options remain the same

Nik_the_barber · #51 03-19-2009, 10:13 PM

Not to be a smart ass, But I know how to change my oil and brake pads, spark plugs cable's and filters. But out side of the basics maintaining of a car is where I'm not inclined. Like i said I'm not getting rid of this car. My grandma cashed out a life insurance policy to buy me this car and I promised her I would take care of it. I refuse to get rid of it. My plan is to get the engine replaced if need be. Anything problem after that would be small compared to it. That is if my engine really need's fixed/replaced. Like i said all I need is someone to come out and give me an expert opinion so i can take my next step.

JonL · #52 03-19-2009, 10:37 PM

I apologize for minimizing your mechanical abilities. My point is still valid, though. There is a lot to learn -- A LOT -- between basic maintenance on a typical car of the last 20 years or so and major repairs on your old Benz. The engine will not be the last thing that gives you heartache, nor will it necessarily be the most complex. I'd overhaul that engine sooner than tackling the rear suspension or transmission or injection pump for example. If you really want to take care of the car properly, park it someplace until you have the resources to take care of it properly. Resources that include time, money, and knowledge. Or perhaps park it and work on it slowly, maybe start by fixing up the body and interior. That way you'll be actively maintaining and improving the car and keeping your promise but not getting in over your head so fast.

I've offered my opinion (too many times now) and I'll say no more about it.

450slcguy · #53 03-20-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nik_the_barber

Like i said all I need is someone to come out and give me an expert opinion so i can take my next step.

Unless you personally know a competent mechanic that makes house calls, chances are no professional mechanic is going to help you out for free.

Your best bet is to make arrangements and have the car towed to a shop. They can diagnose the problem, determine what your options are, and then estimate the costs to repair.

But the first thing you need to do is divorce the emotion from the reality. Emotion has a very powerful influence on rational thought. Few amongst us can say they haven't made bad decisions based on emotions.

If you don't have the money to fix it, I would hope you have access to another car to drive while you save up for the repairs. If you do eventually get this car back on the road, be prepared to spend thousands more to keep it on the road as a daily driver. If this is what you want to do, then go for it.

JimFreeh · #54 03-20-2009, 09:54 AM

Nik,

In reading this thread, I feel compelled to ask you to rethink your position.

A smart man is is one who realizes he made a mistake.

When you are without a job, have a wife and kids to support, and are trying to resurrect an old smoker like this car, you need to step back and rethink your position.

Yes, I know your grandma gave you some money to buy this car, but do you really think you are doing her a service to let it consume you?

It's clear that you you lack the ability and the resources to get this car back on the road. Take the seasoned advice that's been given to you, and step back and rethink your position.

Take emotion out of the equation.

Regards,

Jim

wolf_walker · #55 03-20-2009, 10:43 AM

I don't blame you for not wanting to get rid of it, especially because it's not worth much monetarily if it's not functioning(or otherwise, which is why you bought it, and why a lot of us buy them). Do you have another car to drive? Can you afford to have it sit with the money you have in it already? If yes, it's just a matter of time and money to fix it. It isn't rocket science, but with resources like this forum if you take it real slow you cna likely figure it out. But it is not going to be a quick fix, or a cheap one. If my little 280's motor went poof, it'd be parked for a good long while. This is why I have half a dozen other random old cars around, I've found it a good way to make sure I can get to work.

You likely can find a forum member here or elsewhere that can come give you an educated first hand opinion for the price of lunch and beverages. Join the MBCA, I'm sure there is a member directory with locations. A "professional mechanic" isn't going to know a lot about your car anyway other than the basics it shares with all other vehicles.
I don't know what your situation is and it's your business, but you NEED to have something else to drive while this old Merc business get's sorted out. You are by far not the first person to get in over there heads on something like this, the guys saying to get out really do have your best interests, and that of the car, at heart.

Skippy · #56 03-20-2009, 08:51 PM

I'm in agreement with Wolf Walker. I wouldn't dare have an antique Mercedes as an only car. With two or three of them, there's a much better chance of having one that's usable at any given time.

If you have a place you can park the 280 while you get the money to fix it up, and if you're willing to learn to do much of your own work on it, then by all means keep it. Otherwise you would be (and have been) well advised to let it go.

I'll give you an example from my own life. I started helping my dad check fluids and do other little stuff on cars when I was eight. I got my first car at 16 and from a combination of his teaching (Dad was school-trained in mechanic work but has never done it for a living.), reading the Chilton manual, learning what I could reading Hot Rod magazine, and wrenching and making (and fixing) my own mistakes, I got to be a semi-competent basic mechanic. Then when I was 17, a friend was selling his '63 Dodge Dart sans engine and transmission. Inspired by a project in Hot Rod, I decided what I needed to do was buy that car and drop a big V-8 in it. I eventually did, but between high school and work I didn't have a whole lot of time to put into it at once. It ended up taking me a couple of YEARS to get together all the parts I needed (including having to design my own engine mounts and draw them out for a machinist to make) and assemble them into a working automobile. I made plenty of mistakes along the way, and the end result was a fun (360 V-8 in a 3000 lb car) but never reliable ride. I ended up selling it after I joined the Navy and realized I'd need a reliable car and wouldn't have time to make the Dart into that, even though the Navy had just trained me as a mechanic. I think I'm starting to ramble, so I'll try to get to the point. Project cars are a great hobby and a great learning experience, but they really suck if they're your only way to get around.

Tony H · #57 03-20-2009, 09:26 PM

Nik,
I truly feel for your predicament. We are all here because we love our vintage MB’s. I spend many hrs dreaming about getting mine back on the road but I am not going to rush my project and sacrifice the end result. I believe you will find the means to get your car repaired. I hope your 280SE was not your only means of transportation-decisions made under duress may not be the best. Hang in there.

meltedpanda · #58 03-20-2009, 09:35 PM

how far are you from Louisville, Ky?

nobby · #59 03-20-2009, 11:41 PM

New to this thread, but not to life's problems.

Please, Nik, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Doesn't sound like you are dying or stuck in a wheelchair.

***** or get off the pot. Inform yourself, read, research....stop depending on everyone to get an old,beaten, tired and not running car to work for you.

It is beyond your capabilities (as presented) and your finances (also, as presented)....cut your losses and buy something more practical for your current situation. Park the benz until you get your life's priorities straight.

Good luck and remember...it's only a car........

ja17 · #60 03-21-2009, 12:57 AM

Nick,

Pour the oil out of your drain pan carefully, look carefully to see if you have metallic particals remaining in the pan. Use a flashlight to check the pan for metallic particals. This may tell you the situation and save the rest of the trouble.

A good used engine is still your best prospect if yours is blown. Jim has a M130 280SE great engine with history as mentioned it has been rebuilt by me some years back with not many miles and it is correct for you car but it may be out of your grasp financially.

Most shops will want you to be ready to do the work when they recieve the car. Cars laying around outside for long periods of time are an invitation for more problems and deterioration. Most places will not take on that kind of liability.

Watch for a rusted car on Ebay with a good engine for a few hundred bucks, maybe you can even drive it home! I'll keep my eyes open around here.

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