Should I save it or ditch it? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

danielevioli · #1 06-20-2017, 01:19 PM

I recently signed up to post some questions about my new ride.. now.. before really reaching into my wallet to keep it on the road, I've been having existential types of doubts. This may be a long post.. but props if you can help me make a decision.

THE QUESTION: Will I be investing into this car only for it to leave me stranded or eat all my cash trying? I picked it up a few months ago for $600. Dash reads 130k. Salvaged title, I've registered it, I've been driving it, really enjoy it (aside from it's few issues) and now it needs a new transmission. It's become undrivable.

At the moment I'm looking at $750 for a tranny from a junk yard (a bit of a gamble... but found what may be the exact model nearby) + $7-800 of labor quoted from a competent mechanic.

I don't mind the idea of spending a few grand in the long run (thinking $3000 tops over the next few months) so long as it remains the stylish thang that it is, but becomes a smooth reliable daily driver. Is that too much to wish for? Perhaps, if it's lucky enough, it'll get finished off one day with a fresh coat of paint...

THE GOOD

The engine seems strong. When it shifts hard and gives the engine the chance to accelerate fully, it seems to have plenty of power.

The interior is awesome.. the story goes that some old man was maintaining it and pimping it out for wifey, then something happened, and they donated it to charity, it went to auction, some guy bought it, rode it around a bit, didn’t wanna have to deal with it, that’s where I come in.

The front seats are from a newer SL (with electric controls) and tan, the rest is dark red interior. The the upholstery is in great condition, the dash is doing pretty good, carpeting clean and seemingly redone, steering wheel nice, maybe glove compartment a bit bent but still good, wood trim still looks clean and smooth, sunroof and all but one power-window work, one door lock leaks (but they stayed locked), vibrates a bunch and needs an engine support rubber thingy.. seems like simple stuff I can deal with till I take care of it sometime in the future.

Also it came with two aluminium wheels off a newer SL, I was told they’re worth a bit.

THE BAD

The transmission needs to be changed.

The alignment seems a bit off, drives straight but tends a bit to the left, mostly only when accelerating and braking. This shouldn't be too expensive to get done by an expert, right? Could it also be bushings or bearings? Also brakes might have something to do with it. Brake light flickers/comes on from time to time.

It leaks oil. It used to leak a lot of oil, leaving a nice black piss puddle wherever it parked. After an oil change and washer installation it started leaking less. Still leaks a bit.. seems like a non-issue aside from the stain at my office parking spot...

Need to put money into getting the exterior looking good. Wanna eventually put on matching wheels/hubcaps. Clear coat is peeling.. some panels are completely without clear coat, other panels it’s peeling off. Might consider getting the paint job retouched if it isn’t ridiculously expensive.

CONCLUSION

At this point.. It’s no longer drivable due to the transmission. I’m already stranded and back on my motorcycle.. so it's probably either invest in keeping it on the road or buying a boring reliable car...

Junkman · #2 06-20-2017, 01:37 PM

What are the reasons it needs a new transmission? For example, hard shifts, early or late shifts and flares frequently are caused by problems not related to the trans.

Can you wrench? Pics look good. I wouldn't scrap it because of a trans or anything else that I'm capable of repairing. I wouldn't consider it if I couldn't wrench. Where are you located?

Edit: I just re-read. You will own a money pit if you can't wrench. All of the front end bushings and ball joints need to be replaced. Brakes are probably in disrepair etc. Shops charge too much for these to be economical unless you're looking at it as a hobby and can wrench.

danielevioli · #3 06-20-2017, 01:48 PM

Transmission is most surely shot. I've adjusted the vacuum controls and even tampered with the modulator pressure. I got it shifting pretty acceptably. Then as I started driving it further it began having the chance to warm up, once warm, it started slipping/flaring, like, really bad. It started getting worst but it was still pretty drivable up to last weekend. Since it seemed a problem that occurred only when hot, I was going to change the ATF and filter but noticed this tranny doesn't have a drain plug.. so before getting too invasive I thought I'd try some Lucas tranny fix (replacing a quart by sucking it out the dip stick hole and then pouring lucas) that was the last straw. It now slips irreparably. Can't even drive it around town anymore. It even started slipping in the lower gears, before it used to slip more 2-3 and 3-4. It's like somebody hits a clutch when I go over 1/4 throttle.

Thursday I'm going to drop it off and have a competent expert take a look at it, diagnose the controls, and he's gonna let me know if he agrees it needs a new tranny.

Can I wrench? You mean could I swap the transmission myself? Given I had the time, maybe, but I don't have time to, so I would be entrusting it to a proper mechanic.

t walgamuth · #4 06-20-2017, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielevioli

Transmission is most surely shot. I've adjusted the vacuum controls and even tampered with the modulator pressure. I got it shifting pretty acceptably. Then as I started driving it further it began having the chance to warm up, once warm, it started slipping/flaring, like, really bad. It started getting worst but it was still pretty drivable up to last weekend. Since it seemed a problem that occurred only when hot, I was going to change the ATF and filter but noticed this tranny doesn't have a drain plug.. so before getting too invasive I thought I'd try some Lucas tranny fix (replacing a quart by sucking it out the dip stick hole and then pouring lucas) that was the last straw. It now slips irreparably. Can't even drive it around town anymore. It even started slipping in the lower gears, before it used to slip more 2-3 and 3-4. It's like somebody hits a clutch when I go over 1/4 throttle.

Thursday I'm going to drop it off and have a competent expert take a look at it, diagnose the controls, and he's gonna let me know if he agrees it needs a new tranny.

Can I wrench? You mean could I swap the transmission myself? Given I had the time, maybe, but I don't have time to, so I would be entrusting it to a proper mechanic.

You sure you're not low on tranny fluid?

Turbo190D · #5 06-20-2017, 02:19 PM

I wouldn't scrap it, but if you aren't able (or don't have the time) to fiddle with it, then you should probably sell it to someone that does have time to fiddle with it. I've got 2 80s vehicles with >250k on them, and there's always something to do. It's not a big deal if you have a reliable car sitting around for when things need to be tended to, but as your main car it's probably not a great idea.

If you really like it and can afford it, hang onto it and pick up a reliable vehicle to use when your 300 needs work.

danielevioli · #6 06-20-2017, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

You sure you're not low on tranny fluid?

I drove it for thirty minutes then checked the tranny fluid from dipstick with car running.. it was actually above the line.

danielevioli · #7 06-20-2017, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbo190D

I wouldn't scrap it, but if you aren't able (or don't have the time) to fiddle with it, then you should probably sell it to someone that does have time to fiddle with it. I've got 2 80s vehicles with >250k on them, and there's always something to do. It's not a big deal if you have a reliable car sitting around for when things need to be tended to, but as your main car it's probably not a great idea.

If you really like it and can afford it, hang onto it and pick up a reliable vehicle to use when your 300 needs work.

I have a motorcycle and live in a city where Uber/Lyft can get me anywhere at reasonably cheap... so occasional down time isn't too much of a problem.. so long as it's reasonable. I would also like to have it to take some trips out of town from time to time though... when these things are running is it a bad idea to do hundreds of miles at a time?

Diseasel300 · #8 06-20-2017, 02:27 PM

Change the tranny oil and filter before moving forward. You'd be surprised how much that can change the shifting characteristics. My SDL had old fluid that looked and smelled fine, but would shift so hard it would bark the tires through 3rd. Every shift, especially 1-2 felt like someone ran into the back of the car. Changed the fluid and filter and it was immediately better, after driving it for a few hundred miles it's surprisingly smooth.

If you have a bunch of sludge and crap in the fluid and the modulator is clogged up with varnish and debris, your cold shifting will be firm. If you try to overcome that by messing with the modulator, you're going to be slipping and flaring like crazy once the fluid heats up.

One thing is for certain: If you keep on driving it like it is now, you WILL need a transmission. From the sound of it, you need to service the one you have and set it up PROPERLY instead of just fiddling with things arbitrarily.

Turbo190D · #9 06-20-2017, 02:32 PM

Ah ok, so it sounds like you've got options for transport. I'm a new member of the Benz club but know a few local guys that have had them for a long time. They're a lot of the reason I wanted one. I'd be sure to give it a good once, twice, and three times over on critical systems before doing any serious mileage so you're familiar with any failure or maintenance points. Other than that just be prepared for typical old car problems like hoses going bad, bushings wearing out, etc..

It took me about 3 years of diddling with my pickup to get it to the point where I'd feel safe taking it on long voyages. I've driven it on several multi-hundred mile trips now and plan to take it cross country to Moab in the future. Just keep a toolkit and replaceable items like fuel filters, some duct/gaff tape and hose clamps/zip ties with you. When I take my truck on long trips I usually put a gallon of coolant in there with me as well just in case.

danielevioli · #10 06-20-2017, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

Change the tranny oil and filter before moving forward. You'd be surprised how much that can change the shifting characteristics. My SDL had old fluid that looked and smelled fine, but would shift so hard it would bark the tires through 3rd. Every shift, especially 1-2 felt like someone ran into the back of the car. Changed the fluid and filter and it was immediately better, after driving it for a few hundred miles it's surprisingly smooth.

If you have a bunch of sludge and crap in the fluid and the modulator is clogged up with varnish and debris, your cold shifting will be firm. If you try to overcome that by messing with the modulator, you're going to be slipping and flaring like crazy once the fluid heats up.

One thing is for certain: If you keep on driving it like it is now, you WILL need a transmission. From the sound of it, you need to service the one you have and set it up PROPERLY instead of just fiddling with things arbitrarily.

Ok... so a little more back story. The tranmission fluid is black and smells burnt after a ride.

I didn't so much fiddle arbitrarily... when I first got it it would shift very late, but the quality of the shift was all right. I bypassed all the vacuum control and adjusted the VCV to spec. It would run well until hot.. then started slipping. Then I tried to increase modulator pressure by turning it clockwise, a little better, but then over time got worst. Fluid is black and smells burnt. As mentioned, I was going to swap the transmission fluid and filter. Instead, I put lucas in, and the day after I put the lucas in it got A LOT worst. Since I replaced a quart of fluid with lucas it started slipping/flaring REALLY BAD, became dangerous to drive.

Since it's going to cost about $100 to swap the fluid and filter (and I've heard that fluid change can cause unwanted damage on old transmission) I'm thinking it might be a waste of money, seeing how badly it's slipping...

I've also had a hard time finding the proper filter.. this tranny has no dedicated drain plug... the plug goes to a banjo bolt and hose to somewhere.

mach4 · #11 06-20-2017, 03:06 PM

These old Benzes are kind of a paradox - they are incredibly reliable and economical, but require lots of attention. That attention, if you value your time at $0 (read hobby), it's fun and because parts are available and relatively cheap, economical.

If you have to pay someone to do the work, the labor will eat you alive....unless of course you're independently wealthy with sufficient disposable income and your passion is old diesel cars (as opposed to boats, second homes, expensive travel, airplanes, race cars, gambling, art, antiques, collectibles or girl friends...or combination thereof)

Not everything breaks....some things just decompose from age (rubber parts, paint,hoses) or corrode (rust) and require replacing.

Don't know what your situation is, but hopefully this helps clarify the issue so you can make an informed decision.

mach4 · #12 06-20-2017, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielevioli

...I've also had a hard time finding the proper filter.. this tranny has no dedicated drain plug... the plug goes to a banjo bolt and hose to somewhere.

Huh? Pictures and tracing the hose would help a lot. Where does it go and what's on the other end?

Turbo190D · #13 06-20-2017, 03:13 PM

It only cost me about $70 or so for the transmission fluid and filter change on mine. IMO that's worth a shot, especially with your fluid being so nasty.

ah-kay · #14 06-20-2017, 03:41 PM

If I read the post correctly, you are $600 into it. Scrap it for $150 and you are then only $450 in the hole. If you are willing to dump $3000 into it then I am sure you can pick up a reasonable shape driveable W123 for the same money. There are just too much uncertainty and unknowns for now. What you see is the tip of the iceberg. I am sure you have made up your mind either ways but you just want affirmation from this forum to back up your decision. Good luck.

OM617YOTA · #15 06-20-2017, 04:05 PM

If you can and want to turn a wrench and are willing to do so regularly to maintain reliable transportation, and(most importantly) genuinely love these cars, they can work just fine.

I personally would never daily drive one. Just about any Japanese 4 cylinder gasser made in the last 20 years will get better mileage with hugely less maintenance, on fuel that is most frequently less expensive than diesel.