New car! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cphilip · #1 04-24-2008, 05:47 PM

Well... drives like one anyway...

I took my 300D to the Indy and pretty much told him to go over it and anything questionable do it. Well... he sure did. Gulp! To the $1700 tune! But a lot of stuff. I knew of a good deal of it was needed and just bit the bullet. Mostly front suspension and motor mounts but some things we just kept adding an finding to do. As you would imagine. Problem with doing just this and that is you end up regretting it and taking some of that out of the way to get back to that one thing later. So I decided to just do it all.

I will list the things I can think of and add any I forgot... when I find my receipt... but its lengthy and what a world of difference. I mean like new too!

Valve adjustment and new Valve cover
Check Timing chain and related components - good
Check and adjust Transmission as needed. Moderator tweaked just a tad

Motor Mounts - both replaced
Motor Shock - replaced
Upper control arms - both replaced
Ball Joints - all replaced
Upper Body bushings (I forget exactly what you call them) -replaced
Tie Rods - all replaced
Checked tranny mount - good - not replaced
Front brakes - rebuild both calipers and new pads
Back brakes - calipers cleaned and were fine but put on new pads
Bleed and replace Brake fluid while at it. Check lines - good - not replaced
Flex Disc -replaced - slight cracking showing in old one

Leak check AC and charge the system. Works real good. This is a converted 134r system.

Check rear drive shafts and boots - good

Change rear diff fluid (I think... can't find my list right now)

What a difference. Expensive and I probably should have tackled a few of those myself but I feel good about the work he did. Amazing what reversing 25 years will do. I guess I can stand it since I don't have to do it for another 25.

Just need to take it to my alignment guy for a check. And we ready for the Summer.

JimFreeh · #2 04-24-2008, 07:39 PM

Well, you don't get something for nothing....

I've been through the same drill, replacing lots of perished parts. The upside is that you now have a very nice driver.

My 83 300D has had much replaced, probably costing more than the car is currently worth, but..... what's the value in having a car that you truly enjoy, and given the investment, what else could you have purchased for the same amount that would give you the satisfaction of an old diesel?

I drive my 83 most days to work, and I'm hard pressed to consider any newer car I'd like more.... Like an old pair of shoes, she is comfortable.

Just hope nobody whacks it...

Jim

cphilip · #3 04-24-2008, 08:47 PM

Once he and I convinced ourselves that the motor and tranny were strong and the body was rust free... then it just didn't matter what it costs vs what it is worth. It was all about really fixing it all the first time and doing it right. From that point on it was about making it reliable and safe. No turning back then. Daily driver it is so reliable and safe to drive it will be. I feel good about it. I am not even going to think about what it is worth. I am just going to feel better about how it drives like a new car and I can trust it in corners and braking and enjoy it. Price be dam!

I have come to realize that many times Piece Meal fixing costs more in the long run. Particularly when it comes to suspension work. And things like belts and things you have to remove to get to the next. Do em all... and be done with it.