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Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

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Comments

  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,471
    edited March 2013
    I'd guess a really minty 123 or 126 would be one of the safer old car bets out there - they are just so solid.

    That is what would cause me to consider trying to find a replacement for my 126 despite my misgivings about hidden issues. The solidity, and the quality of the switchgear, simply delight me.

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    In the gas engine variety, I think a W126 is a much better car. The W123s went through some very shaky emissions technology.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    I was thinking if I don't buy my lease or lease again - maybe buy a nice 123 or 126, 1983+ turbo model especially. I still like 126s a lot, and 123s have enough of a cult that they will always be around.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Maybe a W123 turbo diesel, sure. But not a gas engine. You'd be sorry I think.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    Yeah, the only gas 123 sold here was the 280E, which is kind of old fashioned now. Diesel is the way to go for a 123. For a 126, smarter money would be on a later M103 I6 if not a diesel, the big later V8s are tempting, but maybe getting too thirsty for modern times.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Depends on how much you drive it. The difference in $$$ between 16 mpg and 26 mpg isn't so bad if you are only doing a few thousand miles a year.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    On the highway the V8s apparently do as well as the 6s as they can loaf along. But in town, maybe not so good. Of course, a loaded 560SEL/SEC is the ultimate non-tuned 126.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Yeah but a 560SEL is also the ultimate money pit. Most of them I see are real beaters.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    edited March 2013
    I saw a sad neglected 560SEC today - was obviously not firing on all cylinders, and was smoking.

    The engine must be more maintenance than the I6, as they are almost identical otherwise.

    Another decent one might be a final run (98-99) S320, they seem to be pretty durable, no teething problems of the earlier ones, tons of presence, cheap...but nice W140s are harder to find than nice W126s.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    300E was a good car.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    Speaking of 300E, here's one heck of a frankencar project
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,896
    Interesting, lots of hours there for sure!

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    there's kind of a fascinating madness behind the whole thing.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    Swedes, they do crazy things sometimes. The most insane W210 E55 AMG I know of is also in Sweden.

    I wonder how much work would be needed to simply drop the 300E I6 into a fintail. Plenty of room, for sure.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Probably not too much trouble to fabricate the motor mounts. You need to weld in some transmission mounts or a frame cradle no doubt, and then get the driveshaft from the 300E to mount up to the differential (or maybe you'd need the 300E differential, and then things start getting complicated.). Then you'll need to re-work the cooling system to match up to the engine, and re-invent the gas tank for fuel injection, then install the 300Es engine management system, fabricate a new exhaust system.

    Probably an afternoon's work :P
  • omarmanomarman Member Posts: 2,702
    Is the owner saying that this is the second resto/rebuild on his car over 10 years? First was a stock (maybe cosmetic) rebuild and then the second version is the total wild thing transformation in the pics? I don't believe I've ever seen anything like that.
    A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,494
    long winters, lack of sunlight, and too much grog can make a man do odd things.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Pretty neat VW oddball, but worth that much?

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3659435705.html

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    Oh it just needs a transmission and paint---that shouldn't cost too much:

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3712969728.html

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    You know, not bad, not bad:

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/3710155470.html
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    I'd love to see the "proof" on this one!

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/3708920569.html

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    We need a reality check on Aisle 6!

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/3714888556.html

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    The engine bay is not encouraging:

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3709162242.html
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    just the kind of friendly seller you'd rush right over to meet!

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3713976067.html
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    Alas, you shoulda drove it while you owned it, pal:

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3714934987.html

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    Obviously all that money did not go into the seats:

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3711016878.html
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    VW is cool, but he's trying to get his parts + labor back. Good luck.

    560SL - you can get a very nice one for 12K, or one that probably needs 8K in work for 9.5K. Decisions decisions.

    Never seen skirts on a 59 Ford wagon.

    Funny for the seller of the 280SE - there's only one kind of offer on a W108 sedan, and that's lowball. When pristine ones struggle to hit 5 figures, you know there's disappointment.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    Yep, it appears the car had maybe a cosmetic restoration before it was frankensteined. Cool idea, I like the idea of a hot rod fintail, but more than I would ever dare want to attempt.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    Oh, man, I want that rambler wagon! Ugh, damn you California!

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well you can fly out to SF International, take the airporter up to San Fran, and drive 'er home. What state are you in?
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    NJ... just a tad far. He says drive anywhere, but c'mon... that's pushing it. I'd almost be tempted to transport that one... but that's gotta be like 50% the purchase price, yeah?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    You could get some college coeds to drive it out for you :P

    Let's see -- plane ticket one way maybe $200 bucks, then $20 for airporter, then about $700 for gas, maybe $500 motels and meals.

    Oh yeah, better to ship it!
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    just checked one place and was quoted $1077.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    That's on an open trailer no doubt.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    Yes. I figure, for $2500, it can't be in the kind of condition that requires a closed trailer. Closed is over $1800.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    "300E was a good car."

    I've always liked the 300E a lot, but I imagine that it would be difficult to find a good, unmolested one that isn't miled up. I'm sure there are still a few out there, but not many good ones for sale. For whatever reason I see more 123s, which I also like.
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    That would be far, far more expense than it would be worth, in my estimation. Better to just look for a nice 300E.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    Mine is going up for sale soon. :P

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    Year, mileage, history, condition, price?
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    edited April 2013
    '86.
    ~95k miles. Interior is ridiculously clean. I've seen 2-year-old cars that aren't this nice. Zero rust. It shines up, but it does demonstrate a problem with the paint typical to this generation. I'm not sure how to describe it but it looks like hairline cracking throughout.. I think its called crazing(?). You can't feel it, as it is under the clearcoat, and there is nothing to be done about it (other than a full repaint). Its just there and you can see it when you get close. In any case, its actually very minor compared to some others I've seen. It was evident on every w126 I looked at when shopping. Maybe fintail knows more.

    Guy who had it before me was incredibly anal. When I bought it, I shared somewhere around here how this guy actually had 4 small pieces of carpet in his garage for the tires to park on. During his short time with it, he had every fluid changed, the injection pump rebuilt, and more.

    I've gotta fix a few things on it now, which is why I haven't put it up for sale yet (and I'm waiting for winter to REALLY be over). I have a new underhood insulation pad to install. It also has a small oil leak that I believe is the timing cover. I have a new timing gasket set and valve cover gasket to install. I also have a new air line for the cold start valve, which I know is cracked and I believe may be the cause of an off-idle stumble it has when cold. Oh, and the cruise stopped working. Also a common problem, so I gotta pull the board for that and check for cracked solder joints.

    As for price ... I haven't quite figured that out. It depends on how it all comes out in the end. I'll probably be asking about $4500 for it, I think. Tough to find one with miles and interior like this. Considering I got $2k for my 190E with near 160k and horrible exterior, I feel this has to be worth double that.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    I couldn't resist. I just emailed the seller for more pics and info.

    I showed my wife the ad and, as I predicted, her response was "ewww!" So convincing her I need it may not come to fruition.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    Interesting. Did you buy it from the original owner?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    That is not an encouraging first response. Maybe you should have shown her a picture of a Zimmer first, and then when she recovers her composure, you can "compromise" with 'something more practical'. :P
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    No. He bought it from the original owner ... the proverbial little old lady who had it sitting in her garage not being driven. He wasn't mechanically inclined and had the bright idea that he could purchase a well-kept 25-year-old german car and use it as his daily and only car... hence the maintenance money he put into it to try to make it reliable. I believe it was about 18 months before he realized it wasn't the best idea.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    I figured she'd call it a big banana.

    She did say she liked the front end .... but "that's about it."

    I'm hoping the interior is literally something to write home about. If it really is nice and rust free, I might have a talk with her about using this as my 40th bday gift instead of the Skip Barber school.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    In comparison, here's what I think is the nicest one on Seattle CL - looks good but twice the mileage
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    Good idea, I'll show her this! ;)

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    So I think that means mine is too cheap. Guess I should ask for more. ;)

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    ...has me looking at more local stuff.

    I like this.

    Pretty classy. Wonder what the reserve is.

    Light on details.

    LOVE this. But I'm sure he wants more than I can part with.

    If this is a mint interior, I'd hate to see his personal cars.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,701
    That "300S" - I wouldn't have thought they put a 2bbl in a "300"...

    That Ford - what's with the "427" badges? It's a 390 :confuse:
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    edited April 2013
    My guess is they came with the Cobra air cleaner. :P

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    Your price is probably fair if the car is relatively pristine (have you tried to cut and polish around the paint patina?). W124s have a cult, so there is demand, but it is a cheap cult.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    The car polishes just fine. Clear coat is in very good shape. The crazing is deep in the paint. No amount of work with a buffer would remove it (well, unless you buff right on through to the metal).

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    That's odd, but maybe someone who knows the cars would understand. So long as the clearcoat is OK, the car should look decent. What's the exact color again?
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,927
    gold

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,471
    I have a question about the 300E that you posted. It looks like the badge on the other side of the trunk says "2.6". Isn't that a decontented model of the 300E? Does it have a smaller (2.6 liter) engine?

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    I don't know if it had much less content inside, but the engine is a lower spec, yes (while still a M103 like the 3.0). It's a base model car. I'd expect less power, but maybe not terribly so, as they even put it in W126s in Europe.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,131
    Oh yeah. I think I once looked at a late W126 300SE with that same issue. It wasn't too bad, not noticeable unless you really inspected it.
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