What Mark said !! .
I rarely pay over scrap value and I always seem to $pend far more than the vehicle will ever be worth .
-Nate
Mark wrote :
>
> Do/ask whatever you need to in order to satisfy yourself about the condition of the car. A seller who balks at your requests should be low-balled or you should remove yourself from his presence.
>
>
> I can get a pretty good idea on the condition of prospective projects by driving them (if driveable) and getting on my hands and knees with a flashlight. I have little fear of rust because 1) it's pretty rare around here and B) I have successfully tackled some advanced rust projects and have some confidence around it. It does require a decent plasma wire welder, disc cutter and hand grinder, and, of course, patience and time.
>
>
> One good thing about the older/more collectible Mercedesez is that many of the body parts are available new from cottage (and not-so-cottage) folks.
>
>
> http://www.kkmfg.com/catalog.php
>
>
> If one had the time and money, one could build a brand new 190SL. Same is true of '56 Bel Air, or '65 Mustang.
>
>
> (Unfortunately, most of the cars discussed on this list are not considered collectible. Much the pity....)
>
> As a general rule, approach every car as an unknown quantity that will require EVERYTHING. Think worst-case scenario. And don't be afraid to walk away... (especially including from car dealers).
>
>
> Mark in Lakewood, CO
>
[diesel_mercedes] Re : comment about Older Mercedes & ? about inspection
[diesel_mercedes] Re : comment about Older Mercedes & ? about inspection
_ALWAYS_ ask before you go look , if it's O.K.to get it up on a hoist and have a Mechanic look at it .
Any other response than : ' why yes , of course ' means it's junk or the seller is crooked .
I do my own inspections and a flashlight and crawling underneath is fine , you can alaus carflly drive to side wheels up on a curb to lift it and get more crawling under neath space .
Last week Tom and I stopped to look at a Jublieee Edition 1979 MG Midget , it looked pretty darn good for a car left sitting for a decade or more , the flors were cherry rockers bubble free etc.
etc. .
Then I crawled underneath it to view the spiders , I mean to remove the special 3.72 ratio ' high speed ' pumpkin and saw gaping rust holes on the inside of the rear body/frame " kick up " arch that goes over the rear axle ~ fixable yes but who wants to put a $3,000 rust repair on a non running $900 car ? .
Point being : LOOK HARD and BE SUSPICIOUS .
-Nate
Brad Asked :
>
> I have seen at least one '60s merc convertible offered for $65k+/- around here in the Northeast. A couple winters ago, a guy was selling a 180d here for about $900; it had a rusted out rear shock mount..... a little more of a repair than I am willing to take on.
>
> There is a series of episodes called "Wheeler Dealer" from Discovery or BBC, many of which can be found on YouTube, where a couple of British guys fix up classics and resell them...pretty entertaining.
>
> When you guys are trying to decide whether to buy a car, do you ask the owner if you can get it on a garage lift? I guess I'm asking if this is a reasonable question....I'm not going to buy a car, but I was wonderin' In the past I've just tried to look at the underside using a flashlight lying on my back.
>
>
Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re : comment about Older Mercedes & ? about inspection
Mary (195K) Martha (280K)
1983 w123 300d's
From: john public <brad_macaboy1234@yahoo.com>
To: diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 5:46 AM
Subject: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re : comment about Older Mercedes & ? about inspection
I have seen at least one '60s merc convertible offered for $65k+/- around here in the Northeast. A couple winters ago, a guy was selling a 180d here for about $900; it had a rusted out rear shock mount..... a little more of a repair than I am willing to take on. There is a series of episodes called "Wheeler Dealer" from Discovery or BBC, many of which can be found on YouTube, where a couple of British guys fix up classics and resell them...pretty entertaining. When you guys are trying to decide whether to buy a car, do you ask the owner if you can get it on a garage lift? I guess I'm asking if this is a reasonable question....I'm not going to buy a car, but I was wonderin' In the past I've just tried to look at the underside using a flashlight lying on my back. --- On Mon, 10/8/12, Nate <vwnate1@yahoo.com> wrote:
|
Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re : comment about Older Mercedes & ? about inspection
As a general rule, approach every car as an unknown quantity that will require EVERYTHING. Think worst-case scenario. And don't be afraid to walk away... (especially including from car dealers).
From: "john public" <brad_macaboy1234@yahoo.com>
To: "diesel mercedes" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 6:46:42 AM
Subject: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re : comment about Older Mercedes & ? about inspection
I have seen at least one '60s merc convertible offered for $65k+/- around here in the Northeast. A couple winters ago, a guy was selling a 180d here for about $900; it had a rusted out rear shock mount..... a little more of a repair than I am willing to take on. There is a series of episodes called "Wheeler Dealer" from Discovery or BBC, many of which can be found on YouTube, where a couple of British guys fix up classics and resell them...pretty entertaining. When you guys are trying to decide whether to buy a car, do you ask the owner if you can get it on a garage lift? I guess I'm asking if this is a reasonable question....I'm not going to buy a car, but I was wonderin' In the past I've just tried to look at the underside using a flashlight lying on my back. |
[diesel_mercedes] Re : Rubber Exhaust Donuts
so I am ok using the chain ones on the forward 2 spots then? Rear seemed easy to install, front/mid one was not...so i paused ;)
Forget safety. Live where you fear to live.
Destroy your reputation. Be notorious.
I have tried prudent planning long enough.
From now on, I'll be mad.
- Rumi
Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re : comment about Older Mercedes & ? about inspection
I have seen at least one '60s merc convertible offered for $65k+/- around here in the Northeast. A couple winters ago, a guy was selling a 180d here for about $900; it had a rusted out rear shock mount..... a little more of a repair than I am willing to take on. There is a series of episodes called "Wheeler Dealer" from Discovery or BBC, many of which can be found on YouTube, where a couple of British guys fix up classics and resell them...pretty entertaining. When you guys are trying to decide whether to buy a car, do you ask the owner if you can get it on a garage lift? I guess I'm asking if this is a reasonable question....I'm not going to buy a car, but I was wonderin' In the past I've just tried to look at the underside using a flashlight lying on my back. --- On Mon, 10/8/12, Nate <vwnate1@yahoo.com> wrote:
|