I dodged a bullet yesterday on my A/C system...
I figured it was time to see what was wrong and took my 1980 300D down to my local shop to have the AC system checked out. Expecting the worse I was ready to bite the bullet and look at compressor, hoses, dryer, etc but to my surprise they returned the car after "topping" it up with R-12 and replacing a leaking schrader valve. Total cost was $180.00.
Man R-12 is expensive...$3.00/oz.
But what a relief to walk away with a reaonsable bill for what could have been a nightmare.
A word to the wise, have your system checked before making the plunge into the abyss of replacing the whole system to convert to R-134.
You may just get lucky like I did.
