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Hi there, I've been lurking in here for couple of years now, and finally was brave enough to introduce myself. I've got no mechanical abilities whatsoever, and I can only do basic maintenance here and there. With that said I can't see myself driving a modern car, so I bought a 1981 Mercedes 300D back in 2004. I knew, that they are as strong as they get, and easy to work on for a novice like me. Also they are very affordable here in the US. But thats another story. I will make another post about it. Few months ago i started itching for a new car - I haven't bought anything in a while. as i was driving through my neighborhood I saw a white 300se with for sale sign.  The car looked in ok shape, and the price was reasonable. I called the seller, and took it for a drive. I haggled a bit with him, and took it home. The plan is to learn to work on it, and drive it daily. I can't spend a lot of money - everything has to be very frugal.   The wood trim needs to be refurbished, rear windows don't work, needs a catalytic converter, and few other things, but not bad really. I want to learn on it, and then buy a 560 SEC. Few days after I bought it, the odometer stopped, so I got new gears and fixed it:     I also fixed the two rear windows - a $2.00 parts was only needed:     The bumpers need a respray, and there's a small dent on the rear door, plus one on the bumper. Everything else looks good - no rust at all ( it's an Arizona car)  Thank you for looking! Alex |
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Next i changed the shocks - i found these really inexpensive:   I don't have garage, only driveway - at least the weather is nice. I also fixed the windshield nozzles  Time for inspections - I found a inexpensive place and got a new converter put on. It passed the inspection, and I'm good to go for two years:    I didn't like the way the rubber steering wheel felt, so I bought a cheap leather cover, and installed it - turned out pretty well i think:   Next was a broken passenger mirror - found one from Ebay for $40:  It makes a very good dogie car:  |
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Last Edit: Feb 21, 2017 4:22:34 GMT by bahncard
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Next i change some links on the rear, so the clunking noise from the back disappear,  I also changed few suspension parts - ball joints, drag link etc. No it rides much better:  I lay on the long board and go underneath it:  It took me a while to remove the old link, but it was well worth it I also did all the brake pads, hoses and master cylinder.  Alignment done:  I just noticed one day, that the turn signal were different color, so i found some from China for $20.00:  Now its the same on both sides.  Also found this stereo for a really good deal. Its not the best looking, but its ok. My 5 year old boy likes it.  Got a F1 key chain:  Next I wanted to do air filter, spark plugs and wires:      The old distributor cap was pretty bad:  So far so good. Me and my boy love the car and take it everywhere!  Thank you for looking! Alex |
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sridgett
Part of things
the only way is Dagenham
Posts: 434 
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Cool project pal, gotta love a old merc. Will look forward to more updates
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Mk3 capri, escort xr3i, mk2 fiesta,mk5 escort rs2000
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Nice one. That's two new W126's on here in a week. Cracking looking machine. It must be so nice not having to deal with rusty body panels. What about the W123 in the background if that's yours we need a thread on that as well.
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Basic skills? Changing the cogs of the odometer? That sir, is more than basic knowledge! Lovely car. Did you have the windows tinted?
Nice to see another thread from someone over the pond.
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96 E320 W210 Wafter - on 18" split Mono's - Sold :-(
10 Kia Ceed Sportwagon - Our new daily
03 Import Forester STi - Sold
98 W140 CL500 AMG - Brutal weekend bruiser! Sold :-(
99 E240 S210 Barge - Now sold
02 Accord 2.0SE - wife's old daily - gone in PX
88 P100 2.9efi Custom - Sold
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Feb 21, 2017 14:08:16 GMT
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Nice one. That's two new W126's on here in a week. Cracking looking machine. It must be so nice not having to deal with rusty body panels. What about the W123 in the background if that's yours we need a thread on that as well. Thank you. I need to gather my photos from the w123 - its been 13 years now since i bought it. And yes - nor rust on both cars. |
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Feb 21, 2017 14:10:05 GMT
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Basic skills? Changing the cogs of the odometer? That sir, is more than basic knowledge! Lovely car. Did you have the windows tinted? Nice to see another thread from someone over the pond. Thank you. It came with tinted windows - it's kind of a must for Arizona, but i'm thinking of removing it. Not a fan of tint on an old car |
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Feb 21, 2017 14:15:00 GMT
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Man , love these cars. Expensive over here ! Always wanted one. They are so inexpensive over here - this one i got for $1200, and i could've paid even less, but when I was checking it out, another buyer came, and was breathing down my neck. Oh well - still not bad. |
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Feb 21, 2017 16:21:06 GMT
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Looks awesome! It's in really nice shape, certainly much nicer state than my w124 wagon haha
Are the plans to keep it fairly stock and just keep as a nice smart daily?
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Feb 21, 2017 16:32:25 GMT
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Looks awesome! It's in really nice shape, certainly much nicer state than my w124 wagon haha Are the plans to keep it fairly stock and just keep as a nice smart daily? I think stock is the way to go - I have to keep it cheap. Maybe monoblocks or pentas - I'm leaning towards the pentas, so I can use them on the w123. The plan is to drive it for a while, and then replace it with a 560 SEC. Next is removing and spray-painting the sun damaged bumpers, and giving it a good scrub in and out. I will also try to refurbish the wood trim. |
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Love the car, I am basically doing the same jobs to freshen it up and keep on top of maintenance.
I just realized in your photos that your car has a nifty tray under the head light knob! was this only avaliable on LHD?
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I am a huuuuuge fan of these! Great work so far, have bookmarked.
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May 29, 2017 17:21:35 GMT
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Love the car, I am basically doing the same jobs to freshen it up and keep on top of maintenance. I just realized in your photos that your car has a nifty tray under the head light knob! was this only avaliable on LHD? I have no idea about the tray. I guess it is for LHD cars. The car is doing very well - it has really good air conditioning, so the w123 is resting. The last thing i did is to replace the windshield. The rubber seal was old, and leaky, and there was also a crack on it, so i used my insurance for a new one. I need to paint the bumper now, and also buff the paint, but it is to damn hot - over 100 F! 
 Just a pic of the 300D:  |
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Last Edit: May 29, 2017 17:28:40 GMT by bahncard
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