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#1
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Keep & Restore '95 E320 -- or Replace with '02 E320
I have a mechanically excellent '95 E320 but am noticing small to medium paint blisters covering rust where metal window and trim clips meet the underlying sheet metal. Otherwise, I have no issues with the car and love the body style.
I am wondering whether it makes good sense to keep it and spend, say, $4K-$5K on paint/body work and minor mechanicals; or just spend about $9K on a clean '02 E320. Suggestions?
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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite ------------------------------------ Gone but not Forgotten: 2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal 1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey 1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black |
#2
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You probably already know that this is more an emotional decision than a logical one, as spending considerable $$$ into a depreciating asset is not a wise move.
I had been down that road with my '93 300E, and much time and money was spent getting it to "cream" condition until.... ....WHAM! Met an untimely death with a Tahoe! Damage didn't appear too bad, but the structural damage required more than actual value to repair. So I took the insurance check and ran! After that accident, I reassessed how much money I was willing to spend refurbishing an old vehicle in the future. Point is, you are now in the territory where you will spend more than it's worth to get it the way you want...but in the end, should the unthinkable happen, you will only get back what it's worth. Either get it appraised and insured for what you are investing, or leave it be and look for something newer.
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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle 2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car 2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver 2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car |
#3
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It depends what you want; if you care about the economics, you are probably better off going with the newer car. If you lake the older can and don't mind spending a little money to keep it nice, hold on to it.
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#4
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The economics are a no-brainer. With almost 250K miles, your 124 is worth perhaps $1500. At that value, I can see spending 100% of its value to keep it mechanically sound and on the road. But 300% of its value on cosmetics - no way. Drive it until you're done with it. But any money you spend on it is sunk cost with no return when you dispose of the car.
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#5
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Quote:
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#6
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My $4-5K number is higher than what I'd actually put into it. $3K or so is more feasible. (And I have not spent close to that amount, in total, on maintenance/repairs in the past 5 years.)
Again, I like the body style, the engine is near spotless internally, and there are no significant issues mechanically. And it gets 28mpg highway. And it's fast. My only problems are the aforementioned small paint blisters. Barring accidents, if $3K would buy me another 5 years of bliss, I would gladly spend the money. But I do like the idea of another, and newer, end of model year/bugs worked out car like the 02 E320. Other than that, I could just go ahead and get a current model -- and see what a new one feels like for a change (but I am not willing to take such an immediate depreciation hit).
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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite ------------------------------------ Gone but not Forgotten: 2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal 1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey 1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black |
#7
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Quote:
It all comes down to how much $$ you are willing to spend.
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2009 ML320 Bluetec 1985 300CD 1981 300TD Past Mercedes 1979 300TD 1982 300TD 2000 E320 4Matic Wagon 1998 E430 1984 300SD 1980 300SD |
#8
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Eric
You know the new car smell's not worth ALL the Lesser Quality of a New Mercedes.
Just consider ALL the "Stuff" we can never work on that they've built into the Newer Chassis.....
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'84 300SD sold 124.128 |
#9
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Quote:
When I do get a new one it will be an S400 hybrid -- saw one last week and I am in love.
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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite ------------------------------------ Gone but not Forgotten: 2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal 1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey 1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black |
#10
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Buy another 95 E320 for with low mileage and start all over. Use the one you got as a beater and to keep the salt off the nice one.
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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k 1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k 1980 240D Stick China 188k 2001 CLK55 AMG 101k 2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! |
#11
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Quote:
I would only get another if it was one of those way under-priced Cabriolets that pop up occasionally.
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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite ------------------------------------ Gone but not Forgotten: 2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal 1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey 1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black |
#12
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on my dealer wholesale there's a white one in Jersey with 138k. Looks nice for 6k.
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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k 1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k 1980 240D Stick China 188k 2001 CLK55 AMG 101k 2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! |
#13
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That's about half-price (if not less).
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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite ------------------------------------ Gone but not Forgotten: 2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal 1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey 1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black |
#14
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Red one on Craigslist DC:
$8500. 139K Miles http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/2455130959.html
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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite ------------------------------------ Gone but not Forgotten: 2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal 1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey 1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black |
#15
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W210's are nice and at that special point where they are cheap yet still kind of newer.
I'd find a mint one and go with it. E55 AMG's can be had in that vintage for not much more...
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1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
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