W109 New owner, What have I done???? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

W109Driver · #1 09-10-2016, 03:44 AM

Hi guys.
New owner in the UK. First W109, First V8, first Mercedes.

Last week I bought a 1971 W109 3.5 SEL
Looked ok, Nice interior, Ran pretty good.
So I bought it.
Drove it home but then foolishly got a screwdriver out and stated poking it.
Oh Christ, sill jacking points are just filler.
I think I've paid too much! lol.

Two randon questions........ How do I load pics? And can I modify air suspension to make car sit down low, when parked?

Thanks guys,

ejboyd5 · #2 09-10-2016, 08:02 AM

Wait, rust will attack suspension points and car will lower itself.

muleears · #3 09-10-2016, 09:51 AM

Welcome to the forum and the world of vintage Mercedes! I don't know much about your particular car but I'm sure there are others here who do. Buyers remorse is common among us. You can't find everything there is wrong with a car during a brief pre-purchase inspection/ride. Just look at it as just one more little project! As to adding pics, if you scroll to the bottom of the posting page you will see a button that says "manage attachments". Select this and it will let you post pics from your computer. There are size limits though. There are other ways but this one will get you started. I, for one, look forward to seeing some pics of your new car!

Phillytwotank · #4 09-10-2016, 10:22 AM

Start an account at photo bucket or any other photo sharing service website. Upload your photos there and use their website to manage size then copy the direct link URL from there and paste it in your post here

Graham · #5 09-10-2016, 10:42 AM

To attach pictures if you don't have a photo sharing service, you can just scroll down below the message box to where it say Manage Attachments. If not already in, you need to click on Go Advanced below the text entry box. OK, I just did that here. Now I scrolled down using mouse and clicked on Manage Attachments. This opened a new window. Chose a jpg file stored on my hard rive, then clicked on upload. Closed the window. Now have smart1.jpg listed just above "Manage Attachments.

This forum appears to only allow one picture at a time using this method. But if you preview, then again click on Manage Attachments, you can add more. They appear as thumbs ate bottom of your message.

If you use file sharing site, then you can add more in same post in-line with text. (I use Dropbox - it is free, but any of others like Google Drive or Windows Onedrive will do same.)

97 SL320 · #6 09-10-2016, 12:19 PM

Did you buy from a dealer or private seller? If dealer they might have some product fitness responsibility.

Does the car have a recent MOT sticker?

alabbasi · #7 09-10-2016, 12:24 PM

Don't worry about rust, just pick up a copy of Practical Classics magazine and get some inspiration. It appears that all the British need to restore a car from a pile of red dust is a gloomy and damp lockup , clarke MIG welder and lots of cups of tea

As far as modifying the suspension to get the car to sit low when parked? My W109 does exactly this and as a favor, I'll gladly trade the air valves in my W109 for yours.

werminghausen · #8 09-10-2016, 03:30 PM

Welcome.... I know the shock when I drove my 'new' 3.5 home 10 years ago and the next morning it sat on the oil pan and after inspecting the rocker panels and jack points I was in great despair..... It is a mental exercise... try mediation or so to get your blood pressure down...after you accepted the challenge it is starting to get good. However you need a lot of time, a MIG welder and many tea bags. It took me more than a year to get my poor car rust free and waterproof. I even welded a new front cross member in because mine was eaten up. And well air suspension is just what it is. The system is fabulous if it works according specs.... and no Citroen features here. The car stays up at all time.... ideally.

Martin

meltedpanda · #9 09-11-2016, 09:30 AM

Jack points are concerning if they are rusted out. Typically that means the whole rocker is gone. Unibody cars like these ol gals make it hard to repair. There. Now that I said that and made your day

I took one out of a barn ,been sitting 15 years rust just about in every corner and got her good as new. Lots of making body parts and a little creative bondo, riveting and such. Have fun!

W109Driver · #10 09-11-2016, 05:16 PM

So it begins..........

W109Driver · #11 09-11-2016, 05:28 PM

Struggling with pic loading but bear with me.
Thanks for the encouragement. Gonna need it.... put the kettle on! lol

meltedpanda · #12 09-11-2016, 08:42 PM

Oh my

Idle · #13 09-12-2016, 10:33 AM

I don't think there is a way to make it sit down. The system is designed to keep this from taking place.

You can adjust the ride height and your owner's manual should tell how to do this. But when it is sitting flat it usually an indication of a leak in the air system, usually a bag or a rusted out pinhole in one of the many, many air lines.

I am sure you could rig up something to evacuate the air through the air tank which is located under the front fender, behind the headlight area and in front of the tire. There is a Schrader valve there for filling the system when the air had leaked out.

So going through this valve.....

But why?

And check to see if there is a skid plate under the front to protect the oil pan. They really hang down there and all it takes is hitting one large pothole to smash the bottom out of it.

W109Driver · #14 09-12-2016, 03:41 PM

Hi. Yes I was going to ask about that. I've got the brackets but the skid plate is gone.
Anyone got pics of how it sits and made of?

As to low suspension. I just like the way it looks. I've got this car for fun, after all it ain't the most practical is it! And (imo) low old cars look cool when parked.
Where can I get a good diagram of the suspension layout/workings?

Tony H · #15 09-12-2016, 04:22 PM

If you want adjustability you would be better off with an aftermarket system. it will probably be less expensive than maintenance on the existing system anyway. You already have 109 lower control arms which fit bigger bags in front.