Here's the problem... the car is black and in Florida. Both auxiliary fans are bad. The condenser is leaking... and the vehicle was "converted" to R-134a without the owner's knowledge.

M-B dealer installed a new evaporator, compressor and suction manifold as goodwill (due to compressor seizure from lack of oil) but the service statement makes no mention of the type of refrigerant and oil used. Firestone saw the vehicle a year ago for a leak check and the bill only lists dye and R-134a. Yet someone slapped on an R-12 to R-134a Schrader valve conversion kit. No conversion sticker was placed on the car. The type of refrigerant oil presently installed is unknown.

Anyway, the owner wants maximum cooling capability, which mandates the use of R-12. A factory condenser is close to $500 but cost is not really an issue. The desire for COLD air is. In theory, a PF condenser sounds like the way to go... but no hard data exists for this model.

Since the condenser has to be replaced anyway, what's the recommendation? Is a PF condenser worth the installation trouble?