Decision Time: To paint or not to paint? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 02-18-2008, 11:19 PM

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.