Question, is there another source for the front sunroof seal?

Part # 124-782-04-98

Question 2, Since we don't use the sunroof, do y'all think the best solution is to have the sunroof completely removed and the opening made flush with the top?

Question 3, the original rubber seal for the doors and trunk are soft and show no sign of failing. Can these typically be removed and reused? Mercedes door seals are pricey.

Reason for asking:

Recently made a long driving trip in the E300D. Prefer it over the newer Prius due to comfort and quietness.

So we had a daily reminder that the appearance due to major clear coat failure needs improvement. 'Boss' tells me from time to time that even though I was born an 'okie' doesn't mean it's ok show it.

Feeling it's time to consider painting and keeping the car instead of replacing with a later model year. Also, the headliner needs to be done.

Part of the paint prep work I've been asked to do is to 'strip' the car as much as possible'. One place said the new clear coat edge needs to be in areas that are not susceptible to 'power washer' peeling 'so the trim has to come off '.

Estimated cost:

headliner labor & material $500 - $600

Paint hood and roof - $1,000

Paint hood, roof, trunk lid, plus body from ' pin stripe up ' $1,500

Paint entire car - 1st estimate $9,500 best shop
2nd estimate $3,500 good shop
3rd estimate $3,000 private guy with good rep

All use PPG paint

If younger I'd just sell the car ' as is ' with my spare parts and buy a newer low mileage car. Just don't want to go through the learning curve and mess with all the electronics and complexity and parts cost for the later model years.

Attached Thumbnails

         

Benzevo124 in the Parts for Sale section is parting out a 94 or 95 E320 wagon. I think it is the same sunroof?

check that!

__________________
dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

Dtf, thanks for the tip.

I'm starting to feel less love for the car. Being a daily driver little problems keep popping up and require a lot of time to research ' how to ' and parts at reasonable prices. Plus the good independent Mercedes mechanics are less and less available.

Sort of parallels my getting older, slower, and needing expensive repairs from time to time. Maybe it'll be like the Winchester Mystery House, where if I keep working on it, I might keep living.

I went through this exact calculus a couple of years ago with my '95 E300D, especially when dealing with the issues of the failing engine wiring harness and frozen, inoperative glow plugs. In the end, I decided I like owning a car that I could usually fix with a modicum of common sense and patience (and the enormous resource of this forum) and without a degree in electrical engineering. I like driving the Merc--it's a brick. I've dealt with some maintenance issues and have others still to contend with, but at 150,000K I think I've got lots of time left with this car.

I have had to deal with peeling top coat on the hood shortly after I bought it--$500--and now see the top coat peeling on both fenders. There are paint chips and small dings around the car. Haven't investigated cost for that yet but it bothers me to see it when I go out to the car. But the car's a daily driver and I don't want to spend a fortune on a paint job if I'm going to worry when I park it at the supermarket.

My headliner is sagging badly at the back and was a summer project that never got done. But the headliner isn't that bad and I can probably get it back up again. I have doors that frustratingly lock on their own upon closing, especially when you've left the keys in the ignition (leave a window down!), a problem I've been chasing for a year and which, according to the PO's maintenance records, Mercedes wasn't able to sort out either. I spent more than I should have (according to my wife) on having my OE non-functional radio rebuilt, rather than simply replaced with a flashy/trashy new one, and now can play my Spotify albums, through my iPhone, in the car. That's makes driving even more enjoyable.

Despite problems, when I get behind the wheel and drive it, I'm happy with the car and happy with it's performance. I've learned a little about the E300D over the past few years and, being a bit of an antique myself, don't want to start a new learning curve. For all of their conveniences that the Merc doesn't have, like gloveboxes and cup-holders, I've decided I'm don't really want a new (or even late-model) car. One advantage with owning this old car: I no longer need to wait in tedious lines to get it through New Jersey inspection.

Obviously, my situation may not be analogous to yours, and you may be more dissatisfied with aspects of your car than I, but think hard about your other choices before unloading what you have. I actually had to be pressed hard by a friend to buy this car, having never owned a diesel previously, but I can't tell you how happy I am to have it in my garage, issues and all!

Bottom line: Feel better about the car by spending the $500 to have the headliner done and $1,000 to paint hood and roof and then drive the car. Save the rest of the money for the maintenance issues that do crop up on cars of this vintage. Good luck with your decision!

How will you like the car if painted? You will soon forget about the $3,500. I would pull parts myself because non-Mercedes shops don't know how they come apart. That should also get you a discount or better paint job and no broken parts.

I have an 84SD that was painted with the sun roof seals in. IF the shop takes time, it will look ok left in - not perfect but OK. There shouldn't be any over spray.

Look around for how to install the seals and try removing one corner. The 123/126 seals are still available and work only to keep some wind out. Clear drains are what keep the water out. (do your own research for the 124.)

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.