I've been a lurker here periodically for the last few years, and it's been my go-to spot for any questions about my 300SDL since the day I got it.

Two days ago I finally decided to do something real about the 1987 300SDL that has been sitting in my driveway for the last few years.

I picked the car up in New England in 2009, and after having it looked at by a mechanic, drove it to the west coast without issue.

The engine has always persistent knock that diminishes once it's been running for a bit.

I drove it around as a daily driver (30 miles/day maximum) for about a year, before I moved back to New England, and shipped the car here.

For most of 2010-11 it was a semi-daily driver, but it's been sitting in the driveway since the winter of 2012, and has only been started a handful of times since.

I am extremely mechanically inclined, although I'm inexperienced in many areas, and I lack the tools and time I'd need to perform a lot of work on the vehicle myself.

I've decided that I'd like to restore this car to it's former glory, and I'm able to commit around $1000/month to this project for professional repairs, in addition to whatever minor work I'm able to complete myself.

After destroying the yellowjacket nest that in the drivers side door cavity (only stung 3 times!), and getting the hood open despite the fact that the interior hood release lever is gone (thank you PeachParts!), I've put a new battery in, and now I need to determine what to do next.

I know a lot of you folks have extensive experience with restoring the w126, and I thought I'd reach out for suggestion as to where I should begin, and what I should examine first.

I'm going to post some pictures here of the interior, exterior, and engine compartment in a few minutes, and hopefully chronicle the entire process.