As an MB enthusiast, I'm sad to see how many restorable cars are being parted out. I can see where rust has made a car beyond repair and it makes sense to part and scrap. But, good-bodied cars with mechanical issues could very well be given new life.

When selling an older low cost, but retorable car, I prefer to sell it to someone with a restore and preserve attitude, rather than an ebay parts vulture.

What do you think?

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1961 220SB Hydrak
1966 230S - Too Good for Parts
1981 300SD - now in Oakville

I clearly understand and do see your point. However, the problem is taking an older MB, for example 1985 300 turbo diesel that has some rust and needs a suspension system, tranny rehaul plus what it cost to purchase the car...etc. Your talking about parting it out because the cost to repair it would out way restoring it. Unless you've got lots of money to pour into it. If you've got that much money, then why don't buy one that's in excellent condition.

Funny you should post this today..., another forum member and I will be parting out (as in strip to the bone) two cars today, a 300D non and a 300SD. The 300D has an EXCELLENT interior, but the trans is questionable and the engine is blown (bought it that way.) Was going to rebuild (or replace) the engine and do anther 4spd convert on it, but don't have the $'s or the time for it. The body has some rot, mostly at the front and back wheel wells and the front lower stone guard, but it would last another few years, just not a restorer.

So...., another one bites the dust!! (To see that MANY others will live on!)

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1984 300D Turbo - 4-speed manual conversion, mid-level resto

1983 300D - parts car

1979 300TD Auto - Parts car.

1985 300D Auto - Wrecked/Parts.


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"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there". Lewis Carrol

Some people don't really do it for profit..... I just like taking things apart and MBZ are my hobby. Believe me, taking a car apart is not that much profit as others tend to think. It's just VERY fun.

You also have to look at it in a different way. Where are all the good parts going and what are they used for ? I just throw them on ebay and they HELP to resotre other BENZEZ. Now there are more good diesels on the road with less problems.

-kamil

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Audi TT

Yes, I cringe when I see this happen however there is a bright side to this.

Its all about supply and demand.. When parts & parts cars are scarce it will be more lucrative to restore most anything within reason.

Let the market takes it's course.

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79 240D my current toy
42 years a Diesel addict

240D sold
250SE sold
220D sold
280C sold
280S sold
300D (2) sold
300CD sold
300DT sold
300SD sold
380SL sold

If it wouldn't have been for donor organs my Mercedes would be still sick.

Thanks for your feedback -

Its nice to see members like mespe taking preservation into consideration in his business.

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1961 220SB Hydrak
1966 230S - Too Good for Parts
1981 300SD - now in Oakville

I bought 1 parts car several years ago to use the engine for rebuilding and the transmission to use immediately. I've taken a number of other parts and will continue for years to come. Having the ready availability of these parts is IMHO the best way to go if you have the place to keep one. It beats buying used parts online because it's paid for, it fits, you can have it right now, you can't get ripped off and still cheaper in the long term. Plus, I've started to make test rigs by clipping off pieces of the electrical harness that mate to individual components, so I can diagnose problems easily

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

I too hate to see someone buy a good car solely for the purpose of parting it out. I'm not talking about rust cases, collision damage, etc. I'm talking about good bodied cars that need might need a couple little things, might need a trans or even might need an engine. If the car is in great shapoe overall and all it needs is an engine, those can be had resonabley and it can be put back on the road, maybe even introducing someone new to MBs. I hate it when I see cars in good shap bought solely to part. Those that say there's not really any money in it are full of it. That is usually the sole driving reason to parting a good MB. There are enough rust cases, collision cases, etc. around to supply parts for the rest of us.

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85 300CD
83 300TD
78 240D (daughter)