I've been thinking a lot about getting a Texas auto salvage license and starting a quasi-official' Mercedes-Benz™ used parts business. I'm acquiring come property where I could store 'inventory', I'm not a total doofus when it comes to wrenching and I'm pretty good at setting up and maintaining web stuff. I envision it as primarily a web-based, mail-order, e-business arrangement.

It wouldn't be a primary source of income for me (I have a 'day job') but might be a way for me to justify a bigger shop and some snazzy tools. At the beginning, I'd probably focus on the stuff I know about- W115, 123, 126 chassis and maybe branch out into gassers later on.

Observations? Comments?

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

With your skills in wrenching, and your abilities to find vehicles/parts on the cheap, and your available real estate for storing said vehicles/parts, it seems like a perfect fit.

My only recommendation is to try not to let it get out of hand. You can accumulate quite a bit of "stuff" if you aren't careful. All that "stuff" will require considerably more time to manage.

But, you could always store some of it at Greg's.

I guess rural Texas does not have any fancy zoning or hazardess waste laws to prevent another fix-it block jalopy yard from springing up... Do consider that at some point you (or your heirs) will be responsible to remove said wrecks for proper disposal when enough yankees move into town....

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Bill Reimels
Now down to one:
1972 300SE 3.5 W109 (Euro delivery)

R Leo, what a great idea. If you have space, time, and money, it would be perfect fit for you. Maybe early retirement?????

PS: A significant discount for all forum members,,,,

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1984 300D Turbo Sedan (Hilda) 272,115 miles.....
Anthracite Gray/Palamino Leather, I am 3rd owner

2001 Dodge Stratus (Silver) (wifes) 55814 miles...

1982 280TE Wagon Astral Silver Metallic/
Anthracite Velour
260,512 miles (Eva)

1969 230 Sedan Olive Green/Black MBTex
4 Speed Manual
84,213 miles ????
Haus Frau


2004 Boreem Ninja Pocket Bike
Highly Modified 49cc (Ling Ling)

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

Yeah, I sure wouldn't want live at a dump or, to put a burden like that on anyone (heirs ets...); that's one of the reasons for a Salvage license. Makes dealing with the carcass, carcasses, carcai (??) simpler...

A long time ago, I had a TR-6 and frequently got parts for it out of a high-end foreign car parts (no Japanese, Euro only) operation in San Antonio. They were a class act...had a neat shop where the cars came in and were tested (engines run if they could) and the usable parts pulled and cataloged. I'd only do it if it could be operated in that fashion.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

You hit the key to success right there. Keep the security of the day job and make some money with your hobby. Tax rules are always changing, but you can still show a loss for a few years while acquiring tools I think

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

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

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

Jeez, I always liked contaminated drinking water, until those dumb tree hugging Yankee's put a stop to it!....

That seems like a good fit for you. From what I can tell so far, you appear to be a competant honest person, with the skills and knowledge to pull it off. From what I've heard, you also get an amazing amount of things done. Not only would I be happy to support your business, I have the kind of car you would want folks to have. ONE ALWAYS IN NEED!
I'm also close enough to help you on a weekend here and there, should that be helpful for you.
Plan carefully, prepare for it, and give it a good shot!

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

No way Jose ! With your HoneyDo list and you about to become a Farmer... you will not have time to do anything anymore. It will be tractors in implements needing fixing all the time...

R Leo, sounds like a good possibility if well organized. Success seems tied to personal integrity more than most suspect. Specialized yard is better than general yard these days anyways. What a ploy to get all our old mercedes diesels. Hope it does not keep you up at night although it should. Actually provides a good and needed service on the other hand.

I suggest you invest in LOTS of shelves

something I need to do, my place is a mess.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

R Leo,

What a great idea. Almost makes me want to reconsider moving out of the AO. The concept really stirs my imagination.

Twenty-five years ago, they had garages where you could rent space and tools by the hour. One idea would be to have a MB DIY for profit club concept where a member paid a subscription price (capital for you) and then an hourly fee.

A member could then put their Stuttgart iron on your (yet to be agreed to, researched, approved, paid for or installed) lift, utilize your 3 piece HAZET valve adjusting wrench set and other obscure and esoteric tools and smash their knuckles at will.

I can picture you and Leathermang inspecting the members handiwork and leaning against door frames, coffee mugs permanently fused into your hands telling old stories, like a couple of old Master Sergeants or Senior Chief Petty Officers.

And, on the rare occasion, breaking out a bottle at day’s end and sharing a wee dram with the boys.

Great idea.

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Anders

1995 E300
2015 VW TDI Sportwagen 15K
1977 240D (197K)
2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon (115k) (Wife's)
Gone but not forgotten:
2005 Buick LeSabre
1998 C230
1984 300D
1983 240D
1981 300SD
1974 240D
1974 Fiat 124 Spider
1968 Triumph TR250

I say go for it R Leo.

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Jim

This area is in dire need of some used MB parts sources, as I discovered while searching for 240D engine parts last year. AAA Furrin Car Parts in Foat Wuth used to be a good resource, but it has changed hands and now they wouldn't know a 123 if one hit 'em in the head.

I hope you open up shop pretty soon, I need some stuff for the 240D.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

I think it would be a great idea if you offer good prices.

There is a place here in Denver called "Al's ********" (Correct spelling) that wants some big bucks for parts ($800 for a 210K mile 617 w/o turbo ). They do have some VERY nice MB 300xD's for $ale!