Got me a new car! Should i say stole? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mytmousemalibu · #1 07-07-2010, 01:38 AM

Finally got ahold of a diesel MB ive wanted for some time! Here a week ago, my dad (car dealer) snatched me up a pretty clean 87 W124 300D Turbo car! He thought he'd try bidding on it but figured it would go too high, well the other bidder was lollygaggin around with the auctioneer and not on his toes and he got the gavel dropped on him.......Success! I only owe what it cost him, a very cool $1500 bucks

Ive been wantin a W124 for some time, the old SD is gettin tired and eating my wallet, and frankly needed a better car. The 300D he nabbed turns out, in amazing shape for what we gave! It still needs some odds and ends, heck its 23yrs old but overall in real good shape! I went through the service invoices in the glove box... Bought new in wyoming which the owner didnt have long, accuired by the last owners from the Topeka, KS area where it was till i got it. I think it was a new car trade-in. Anyhow, they took real good care of this car by its records. It looks it too, not a hint of blow-by, not any smoke to speak of, lots of regular maintnace, looks clean inside the valve cover, new filters in the trunk, etc. Runs and drives superb even with 229K miles! Has New Goodyears on it! Miles better than my tired SD.

Far as stuff it needs: Few oil leaks, some rattle on the RR, centerlink and align, some HVAC tid bits, cruise cont inop, washer pump grommet, some trim and upholstry work, and some rust/paint/trim work. Overall its not bad at all. Im a european car tech, so labor and know-how it free and i get parts cheap. Already fixed a few things, fan clutch was hosed, removed and converted to electric, ALDA adjust, air filter, B-pillar wires to LR window. Im gonna get it back like new and take care of it! Love this baby!

Aquaticedge · #2 07-07-2010, 01:49 AM

Nice car, and a pretty decent buy, I love the red interior, though they are not for everybody

mytmousemalibu · #3 07-07-2010, 01:57 AM

Thanks! I was a bit indecisive on the burgundy at first too but it is pretty, i like it! Real good upholstry shop down the street from my workplace that has done work for us. Ill have them quote fixin the seats for me, few small tears in the fronts.

Oldwolf · #4 07-07-2010, 09:24 AM

I have one almost like yours and I love it. Good buy!

BrianCostello · #5 07-07-2010, 09:43 AM

nice find!!

I love the red leather (my 87 is grey exterior with the red interior)

Check the vacuum pump. it it does NOT have 4 bolts on the face (i.c its totally flat) its the old pump. you will need a new one.

it also may be that the seals in the IP were never changed. The ULSD we now burn can cause some IP leaks. in my case the PO did the top seals, so now it leaks a little out the bottom.

mytmousemalibu · #6 07-07-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianCostello

nice find!!

I love the red leather (my 87 is grey exterior with the red interior)

Check the vacuum pump. it it does NOT have 4 bolts on the face (i.c its totally flat) its the old pump. you will need a new one.

it also may be that the seals in the IP were never changed. The ULSD we now burn can cause some IP leaks. in my case the PO did the top seals, so now it leaks a little out the bottom.

Exellent! Thanks for the tips! Im suprised the IP is dry on it. Ill look into the vac pump. I need to take the underpaneling off, clean and degrease everything and go from there. Fairly dry from up top, but was wet underneath but hasnt dripped either. I suspect theres some leaking hoses.

Jeremy5848 · #7 07-07-2010, 11:52 AM

Jump on the rust before it gets worse (where are you?) and make sure you look thoroughly, behind and under and all that...

When you get the repairs in hand, look into Euro-style headlamps to clean up the front end.

And consider a different set of wheels. These are ten-hole 16" wheels from a W210 car and there are others. With 205/55/16 tires the diameter is within half a percent of stock so the speedo is not affected.

Keep us informed of your progress.

Jeremy

vstech · #8 07-07-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mytmousemalibu

fan clutch was hosed, removed and converted to electric, ALDA adjust, air filter, B-pillar wires to LR window. Im gonna get it back like new and take care of it! Love this baby!

OK, we're gonna have to see details of this fix!
the overheating possibilities of this fine engine are legendary, so if your fix is a good one, it may be a post worth putting in the wikki!

TylerH860 · #9 07-07-2010, 01:22 PM

I wouldn't be using the tilt function of the sunroof if I were you.

I wouldn't say stole, but a fair price on a driver. Which auction was this?

mytmousemalibu · #10 07-07-2010, 01:25 PM

Thanks Fellas! The centerlink and rust are high prioritys too me. Im in Kansas so it needs to be fixed, the right way. I imagine KS is where it started rusting in the first place, where its been most its life. Luckily, alot of folks i know including myself are well versed in autobody repair. I wont half-@ss anything, its my baby! Wheel wise, im not fond of the stockers. I plan on putting my pretty CLK lightweights on it soon. I really like how they look on W124's.

Far as the elec. conversion goes, its just a universal electric fan. The clutch was locked when i got it and rather than buy a new clutch and 606 fan, i nabbed the electric fan off my dormant race car. Works well so far! Runs cooler than before. It comes on when i turn the key on for now, till i get a temp switch. Mounting was tight, only millimeters from the water pump pulley. I made mounts that hold the fan from strap alum. that go right in the old fan shroud mounts and 2 screws on top, very simple, sturdy, and effective!

mytmousemalibu · #11 07-07-2010, 01:26 PM

Im gonna try to not use it tyler, id rather not have to fix it later, it does work though!

From I-70 auto auction in Topeka!

babymog · #12 07-07-2010, 02:59 PM

Use the tilt.

Clean and lube the cable and slides, but the tilt is much better on the 124 than some of the earlier efforts.

mytmousemalibu · #13 07-07-2010, 03:26 PM

Ya having a sunroof that works is nice, fixing them....not so much. I dont like fixin Bimmer sunroofs, and there some of the easyier ones to work on.

Other things i want for this car, euro lights, sport suspension work, and somthing body kit wise. An AMG or sportline style kit would be perfect, but i dont want a crap kit either, any ideas on those guys?

Skid Row Joe · #14 07-07-2010, 04:29 PM

Nice car.

You must be in heaven since your Dad's a dealer and you can buy @ auction.

I like the Oxblood color interior of that time period. Looks very rich.

I believe the W210 wheels look ghastly on that model W124, FWIW.

Check to see if your engine mounts need replacing - that may be one source of rattling.

Keep us posted on it's progress - we're all diesel-heads here.....

mytmousemalibu · #15 07-07-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Nice car.

You must be in heaven since your Dad's a dealer and you can buy @ auction.

I like the Oxblood color interior of that time period. Looks very rich.

I believe the W210 wheels look ghastly on that model W124, FWIW.

Check to see if your engine mounts need replacing - that may be one source of rattling.

Keep us posted on it's progress - we're all diesel-heads here.....

Not gonna lie, it sure is nice! Ive always gotten every one of my vehicles through the family biz. Myself, would feel very wierd buying elsewhere exept an individual. Getting things at cost is awsome! That and parts accounts, conections, etc. And working in a shop, labor for myself is free, i have tools and again discounted parts. The CLK wheels on my SD will perfect on this one.

The engine mounts are like new. The rattle is from the RR when goin over a bump. Also a very minor brake squeak. Speculating maybe somthing in the RR park brake came loose? I put it on a lift the day i got it to eyeball it and didnt see anything that stood out but ill find it

Thanks for the tips!

Ill be workin on it tonight, snap some photos again