looking at one '66 230S in particualar, questions fo course. - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

joshhol · #61 06-21-2004, 02:00 PM

I think door seals will leak if not in good condition. My door seals are in good shape but someone attempted to stop a leak in the front door with silicone as it looks like the seal didn't seat properly or the glue wore out in one spot. That said, it still leaks a little bit.

j9fd3s · #62 06-21-2004, 03:25 PM

the mercedes seem more robust, but the older rx7's leak at the door seals beacause the door/window frame bends out over time

mike

WANT '71 280SEL · #63 06-22-2004, 11:18 PM

Well, I think I'm going to buy this car if I can just sell my SD. my dad wants me to sell mine before I get this, but I don't think it would work out like that.
Thanks
David

wbain5280 · #64 06-23-2004, 06:44 AM

What's the matter with the 300SD that you would want to replace a 25 y/o car with a 38 y/o car? The 230S has less room, parts are harder to get and has lots of work to do on it?

WANT '71 280SEL · #65 06-23-2004, 10:23 AM

My car has some rust but mainly becasue I want a neater car. My car isn't unique enough. My car has nor oom in the back seat as it is. Actually, I think the 230S would have comparable leg room in the back. The front depends on how much you move the seat. I like that the 230S is simpler. This car will have to be my daily driver though. I don't plan on going hog wild with this one though. I think I went over-board on my SD and ended up just chasing my tail when trying to fix things. ALWAYS on a test drive after fixing something, it seemed like something else would go wrong. Then again, I am the kind of person who fixes EVERYTHING on a car. If a car has a particular option, it bugs me if it soesn't work. THe 230S doesn't have much so I'll be a happier person. I certainly don't hate my car, it will be very hard for me to let it go. I just think that the 230 is more up my alley. I will give my car credit, it never left ME stranded, but it did once to my dad when it was -12 and he had to have it towed to an MB dealer to have it set in a garage to warm up so it could start.
Thanks
David

norbtx · #66 06-23-2004, 10:30 AM

As if buying these old Mercedes are logical in the first place, if he wants the 230 more power to him. Its a beautiful car in a unique color.

joshhol · #67 06-23-2004, 11:46 AM

Quote:

As if buying these old Mercedes are logical in the first place, if he wants the 230 more power to him

I second that. But he must be aware that until everything is up to snuff on that 38 year old car, he will have to be prepared to arrange alternate transportation when the thing is down for repairs. A 79 SD is not that old when you think about it and is actually probably a lower maintenance vehicle.

My diesel never lets me down, and it's a good thing I have it cause the fintail has sat for months at a time while things were worked out. It didn't have to be that long, but if money is an issue, then it can be. It's almost a 40 year old car and what car that old is really expected to be up to the job of running day in and day out without problem. Granted a Mercedes fintail with the bugs worked out can handle the job.
Basics like brakes, exhaust, cooling and drivetrain.

Mark DiSilvestro · #68 06-23-2004, 12:40 PM

Speaking as someone who has always had old cars, a 230S can be a good daily driver but I would never have it as an only car. You mentioned rust on your SD. If it isn't badly rusted already, snow and salt will eat up that Fintail. I've always had at least 2 old cars so if one needs repair (or the weather is too horrible to drive the 'nice' one), I can drive the other. If you can't keep both cars, don't get rid of the SD until after you're sure about the 230S reliability.

Happy Motoring, Mark

norbtx · #69 06-23-2004, 12:41 PM

Hmmm, I don't get it, I was under the impression that most of these vintage cars are not daily drivers? Mine certainly isn't, its more of a weekend/hobby car. I have a newer MB and I can't even replace the brake pads without having to go to the dealer and hooking it up to the computer!

Mark DiSilvestro · #70 06-23-2004, 01:05 PM

I drive my '60 Fintail as much as 4 or 5 times a week if the weather is nice and I've taken several highway trips in her, some up to 200 miles, since I got the car in 2001. On the other hand, if I need the AC or it's snowing, I drive my Honda Accord or Isuzu pickup. My Fintail is already rusty so I'd like her to last. I'm not paranoid about driving in the rain but in the winter she might sit for a couple of weeks until the roads clear of salt and slush. Otherwise, she's more than a weekend car, just not my only car.

Happy Motoring, Mark

P.S. I just changed the brake pads on a friends '99 Mercedes and I didn't need a computer.

norbtx · #71 06-23-2004, 04:34 PM

Mine has SBC.

j9fd3s · #72 06-23-2004, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by norbtx
Hmmm, I don't get it, I was under the impression that most of these vintage cars are not daily drivers? Mine certainly isn't, its more of a weekend/hobby car. I have a newer MB and I can't even replace the brake pads without having to go to the dealer and hooking it up to the computer!

i've driven mine almost everyday since i got it, i like driving it so much i didnt want to finish putting the motor in my rx7.

now that the 7 is done i can, take the mbz down and paint it

WANT '71 280SEL · #73 06-23-2004, 09:35 PM

Well, I shouldn't say it would be my only car because I'm still in high school so I still always have my parent's car, etc. As it is now, 2 out of 4 of my family's MB's are down. 420 suddenly won't even fire and the 190 was driven 12 miles without a serp belt, now it needs a main seal becasue the old one destroyed the old seal. So I always have alternate transportation. I take it though I shouldn't take the car on long drives like from IN to NC like I did in my SD?
Thanks
David

Mark DiSilvestro · #74 06-23-2004, 10:30 PM

I wouldn't rule out long trips. I've made a few 200 mile trips in my Fintail. Right now it needs a new driveshaft flexjoint and a set of tires so no more highway driving till then. I learned how to fix cars on my firt Mercedes, a '61 Ponton 180b and it was simple and reliable transportation for many years, including a trip from Alexandria Virginia to saginaw Michigan (of course that car was only 12 years old when I got it) It all depends on how good a condition that 230S cars is in (or how good a condition you can make it)

Happy Motoring, Mark

WANT '71 280SEL · #75 06-23-2004, 11:38 PM

ow is the parts situation with these? Are there any good online catalogs for them? Fastlane doesn't really list anything, so I assume worldpac is pretty useless. Are parts usually more expensive for things like master cylinders, etc.? Where do I send the brake shoes to be re-lined? I've heard that new shoes are WAY expensive, just how expensive? What abour brake pads, calipers? Any advice in this area would be much appreciated. I plan on doing the usuals: all fluids, belts, hoses. I'll probably have to do the rubber brake lines. Are these carbs a pain to synchronize/tune? Can most people get them running pretty good? For instance, I have an uncle who owns a car dealerships, he is one of those people who could build an engine with their eyes closed and can tune Chevy carbs, are these much different from say a holley? I know there are different models, but can most people tune these?
Thanks
David