Restore or ??Trash?? 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rhodes2010 · #1 07-04-2006, 03:36 PM

Attached is a photo of the 300D that sits in my backyard.
I thought I was done with it and am moving soon so figured it would go to the wrecking yard.

Well, I have all the parts, it came to me from the original owner with 106,000 miles.
It needs a hood, frame pulled out a little (I think I can do it with a port-a-power), and the right front fender can probably be fixed.
Needs new grill too.
I have an engine on the stand that needs rings, and I'll finish up the engine regardless of what I do with this shell.

I like doing the work and have all the tools needed to get the job done.
What I can't decide is if the vehicle is worth saving.
It has very little to no rust at all (even though it came from New York).

Even though I scavenged it to restore my 1980 300D, I figure I could slowly gather together needed small items to get this back on the road.

Would any of you consider this kind of restoration ?, or would you all agree to throw it away ?

Thanks for the input.

rhodes2010 · #2 07-04-2006, 03:37 PM

Second Picture.

#3 07-04-2006, 03:49 PM

It would cost alot less and take alot less time to go find a running one in decent shape.

Sad but true.

TheDon · #4 07-04-2006, 03:49 PM

id probably just leave it alone.. to me that looks like too much work. find a different w123 that isnt that far gone and restore that to factory perfect

JimmyL · #5 07-04-2006, 03:52 PM

My parts car is in a whole lot better condition than that, and I wouldn't really consider fixing it. All I need is a NA 5 cylinder though...... Hmmmmm......
Your's looks pretty far gone.

Jim B. · #6 07-04-2006, 05:13 PM

From the two pictures, it looks too far gone to bring back. You could find a nicer one to rebuild.

There are lots of other fish in the sea (Jacques Costeau)

rhodes2010 · #7 07-04-2006, 05:34 PM

Well, then. I value the expert opinions on this board.

The vote is in.

I have passed up a few still running cars for not much money.
This will go to a local Mercedes only wrecking yard.

t walgamuth · #8 07-04-2006, 05:35 PM

it doesnt look all that bad to me.

but you are in california, the land of the rust free cars. here a rust free shell is a special thing.

a hood and fender and some labor and that body would look pretty good. the engine if rebuilt would be tip top. of course you will have four or five in it when done but it will be worth that with a fresh motor.

just me.

i fixed one for my son twice that was a lot worst than that.

and it had rust. but it ran nice and was a stick. that my friend is the perfect first car for a teenager. not too nice cosmetically and excellent handling brakes and steering with no speed available. excellent in a crash too.

tom w

blueranger · #9 07-04-2006, 07:14 PM

the only question for me is rust....

any car that is rust free is worth saving...

get it running and leave it ugly.... sell it as a runner to someone willing to
do the body work...

Hatterasguy · #10 07-04-2006, 07:46 PM

Looks to far gone.

Off to Japan/Korea to return as a good car!!

mybenz123 · #11 07-04-2006, 08:08 PM

If you have the ability to restore it by all means
go ahead.
If the body is in good shape then it might be worth
saving although some parts will be expensive to get.
(Headlight doors just to name one)unless you get junk
yard ones.
You can also keep it as a beater and/or as a back up
just incase.

Louis.

Mustang_man298 · #12 07-04-2006, 10:58 PM

You are in California Rhodes? What part?
I'm in nor-cal...could use some good rust free metal, preferably a whole nother body,but metal would do too.
-Chris

PatricdeBoer · #13 07-05-2006, 05:38 AM

I dunno, a Mercedes in that condition would take a lot of work to restore to it's former glory. No rust isn't really sayin' much over here on the left side.