Decision Time: To paint or not to paint?
 

The 300d has been my trusty companion for 6 months now. To say I'm attached to it would be a gross understatement. My former daily driver, the X5, only moves when the weather sucks. On a whim today, I took a 200 mile round trip to survey tornado ravaged Greensburg, Kansas, giving me time to contemplate my 300d's future.

I got quotes from 3 local body shops today for an entire respray of the car, all ranging from 2.5-4 grand; that includes me removing the trim. No rust, just severe fading/oxidation and a crappy quarter panel replacement that cracked the paint at the weld point.

I managed to get some respectable shine out of her with mother's clay bar, but the Liberty Bell crack means all or nothing. If I leave this developing decay neglected, it will slowly destroy her. Nor can I spot fix the affected area without making the rest of the car look terrible.

My initial $2,000 purchase required an additional $1,000 in motor mounts, vacuum, front end, and AC work (all at the same time). She is now as close to perfect mechanically as a 23 year old, unrestored car can get. Additionally, *knock on wood* since the initial repairs she has behaved almost perfectly.

Here's the clincher. I have the opportunity to sell the car for my total investment to a high schooler needing a first car. Basically, its a death sentence to my new friend.

Do I spend $3,000 and make my car close to perfect, or sell the thing off and find a very nice original example for $6,000? I have a good feeling this is an excellent car, (perfect interior/meticulous records for 20 yrs) and if I take the plunge I will probably never sell it. On the other hand, you can't beat an all original survivor, but I risk trading a great car for a lemon. Also, my current 300d after a quality repaint and detail will probably look better than 95% of all the W123s out there.

Can you tell I'm going around in circles?


Decisions, decisions.

Keep it as is for another 6 months then re-evaluate the situation. In the mean time look for a new Mercedes. See what pans out. If after 6 months you don't find what your looking for repaint and you'll have no disappointment. You'll still be able to sell the 300d for what you've got into it. Hows the condition of the seals around the windows? Any leaks?

I think if your sold on Mercedes get another before you sell this one.

Bobo

Front and back window seals are both new, no leaks.

6 months and my 3 grand offer will go away; his 16th birthday is rapidly approaching and his dad will not leave me alone.

Remove the trim yourself and go to maaco. I have an sdl in now, base clear and some minor bodywork for under 1400. It takes less than 4 hrs to strip the car of trim, door handles lights etc.

The quotes include removing the trim myself. The nearest maaco is in Topeka, about 1.5 hours away. I also want this done right. Maaco presents an opportunity for mistakes to be made, especially with my liberty bell crack.

I'm gonna give you what I would do. Your milage may vary.

I'd spend the money and paint her and keep her forever.
No high schoolers first car for my baby. . .
Good luck on your decision.

The way I see it, you're going to be spending money either way, either to fix a car you already know and love and sounds like it has a lot going for it, or on a gamble that may be pretty on the outside but mechanically it could be a ticking time bomb. You know and love this car so just spend the little more to make it perfect and keep it till the wheels fall off.

Post an ad on craigslist for a body shop worker and see if you can get all the bodywork done on the side and possibly the paint as well. The workers don't make much and would love to work on the side for cash. I just had $1200 worth of work done for $400 by doing that and it turned out perfect.

Huck

Oh, what a great idea!
I may do that for the ding on my quarter.

just posted the ad.

http://wichita.craigslist.org/trd/578848761.html

Good luck.
Keep us posted!

Buy a 1980 and you'll have a royal flush!:D

$500 may be kind of low. The prep work is at least half the cost of a good paint job. Why don't you get your self some sanding blocks and prep it yourself? I was quoted $1000for paint from a reputable paint shop that often does work on Mercedes, if I brought the car in ready for paint.

Do you feel that the 3K is worth parting with the 300d??? Only you can answer that question.

How much is your time worth? How much is the piece of mind worth (you've got a benz that is up to your acceptable mechanical standards)?

How hard is it going to be to find a replacement?

Both of ones I've purchased I've traveled over 800 miles. (CA to FL, and WV to FL). Both purchased on eBay by the way.

Mercedes are going for a premium.

Good luck with your CL add. Guess your gona keep and paint it.

Bobo

If you keep this one you know what you have, if you sell and buy another for $6k you might just get a pretty face that needs a lot of hidden work. KEEP IT AND PAINT IT