New Shite Rolling Restoration **mercedes content**

[HMC]

I ended up slinging a late bid on a tired looking w124 estate. Despite having owned at least 10 w124s previously. I had yet to own a dizzler estate. By some piece of corrupted logic this therefore was worth a punt. A new battery and newish tyres meant that should the worse happen, parts and driving it over the bridge would see me cover my costs. Most at the lower end get snapped up for export. Theres quite a trade in low end mercs, off they go to Germany, and broken for spares. The Lady who put the listing on E bay was (unusually) brutal in her description, which put off most rival bidders. Its 367,000 miles may also have been a factor. Still,, it had tax and test. What could possibly go wrong!

 

The seller kindly offered to meet me at the station. A lady from a well to do family who evidently didnt really 'do' cars. From the listing I understood there was no service history, but out came a bound folder with most of the original books a fair few scraps of reciepts etc. Walking aound the merc everything looked pretty straight and solid. A little scrufffy here and there but nothing structural. Things were looking up. There was no coolant in the expansion tank, but filled it, and hoped for the best (where has it gone etc- ill probably find out soon I thought)

 

 

The other issue was a 'knocking under acceleration' which had turned most people away. I had asked some questions, and it seemed not as serious as it first sounded. The car was being used regularly and apparently a local garage had been dismissive. So- fired her up- the om603 3 litre 6 cyl lump coughed into life. A tad noisy. Largely because part of the exhaust had disintegrated. But no death rattle. A quick run round the block showed it was most likely a rear dif mount bush was transmitting a slight tap throught the body if you were heavy footed from a standstill. Better news again!

 

Those first few miles in a dirt cheap, bought without a thorough once over car are often tense. Lots of things to look over ands check. Warning lights? temperature? oil pressure? Is the guage faulty or is the engine knackered? etc... Well, 20 miles in and I started to relax. Not bad at all. No radio (I knew this already) Interior great considering the mileage.....

 

 

But I got home without trouble and as it sits on the drive. My initial thoughts over breaking etc go out of the window and already thoughts move to giving it a service and keeping it running......

[oman5]

I don't think you'll go far wrong with that. if they're kept serviced they pretty much go forever. A bloke where I work has one the same, similar astro mileage, apart from prop joints and a replacement diff he's not had to touch it. not sure if these are as long lived as the old w123 240/300D but plenty of them still around

[eddyramrod]

Well that looks like a handy result! Well bought sir, and thanks for remembering your camera!

[HMC]

Well, I had a bit of a look round today. Evidently the engine mounts are knackered, and the heavy old lump has settled lower in the engine bay slightly. At idle the engine makes the body shudder more than it should, even for an old dizzler. Its not an uncommon problem as wear and tear and plain old age mount up. Theyre not solid rubber, but partly hydraulic. (hope theyre not too pricey!!) This, a few blown bulbs and a badly blowing exhaust add to the neglected feel the car has. Wondering if swapping the engine mounts is a DIY job? I'll also get under the car and see if I can patch up the exhaust, I think with those things covered, and a good service, it should feel (and sound) much nicer to drive.

[dollywobbler]

Think I was watching this on Ebay at one point. Was sure it'd found its way to the export boat. Glad it's actually turned up here! Cor, some top NU SHYTE going on at the moment!

[HMC]

Used The Mercedes to go to work today. Starts well from cold. The shot engine mounts mean its not as pleasant as it cound be in stop start traffic. The back end rests fairly high. These estates have standard self levelling suspension for the uk market. I'm hoping its just the arm that corrects the ride height that has seized and not anything more fiddly or expensive (wishful thinking). Will have to get under and have a poke about I guess.

 

 

As you can see there are some former keeper DIY efforts with the Aerosol in a few places. Crappest 'repair' has to be the fuel filler flap and the base of the adjacent window. Just spray some white over the rust bubbles, over the window rubbers etc- lovely!

 

 

Interior not as raggedy as you might think for 370K. I'm missing the radio though!

We're due to go to Germany this next week. I had pencilled in my w126 s class. For a moment I did consider taking this but theres too much to do in the time and too many questions over this and that. Plus the political fall out over buying old chod would be too much to risk with SWMBO if we ended up on the hard shoulder in the belgian drizzle!!

[forddeliveryboy]

Most unlikely ever to be let down by a diesel 124. The height of the rear end looks ok to me - as if it has had some work at some point. There's a good chance the spheres have been replaced (it's a Citroen set-up, heavily disguised - although MB purchased a licence) and maybe the rear coils (which are there to prevent the rear end sagging when parked up) too. If you heat the fuel tank then they'll run on lard.

[Taff]

you know, i would be sorely tempted to keep that bus going. a set of engine mounts aren't going to cost the earth and as you said, she's comfy enough.

bung in a cheapo eBay stereo and job's a good 'un

[pandamonium]

Love it. I had a 1991 190E with 193k on the clock and it still felt solid and together.

You have to think that if a car lasts 2/300k and is still around that it must be a goodun.

[forddeliveryboy]

300k on a 124 is nothing. Problem being the Eenglish don't like spending on a car with mega-miles on, so loads of these are soldiered on with tar in the back axle, black stuff in the autobox and best of British nasty shockers. Find one which has been maintained correctly and 250k feels like a Ford does for a week or so from new. Love the way the older 124 autos set off in 2nd for a smooth start, unless you force your right leg deep into the insulation (which is about 5 inches in the front footwells).

 

This looks properly decent if you don't mind the interstellar gearing with the manual box: http://bit.ly/xgVth8, ending tomorrow evening. Easily good for another quarter of a million. But I prefer the shitty aerosol paint job and nasty rust for dragging the price down on yours brookjm.

[HMC]

I did have a look at that white manual, briefly considered listing mine for spares/ export. Then my love of a rolling project kicked in and I started to make a list of what parts I would need (likely to get bigger as I work my way through)-

 

Engine Mounts

Transmission mount

Engine oil/ filter

Fuel filter

Transmission oil/ filter

 

The front wings (obligatory tired w124 rot spot) have been stuffed with filler and are bubbling up nicely. I've decided these can stay at the moment to keep the cost down. The sunroof whirrs away to itself but doesnt budge, so I think the drive gear may have stripped its threads. Again, I'm not going to even look at this for now. Same for the drivers window, as 19 years and 360K of use has worn out the quadrant that lifts the glass. Another issue is the exhaust, which I may just bodge for a quick fix, depending on how bad it is (yet to yet under and have a proper look) And finally, there is a weep from the fuel tank. Again, not had a proper look yet. Could be a loose or split pipe, but there's definitely rot at the filler neck/ tank join where road crud sand blasts off the paint. A repair may be possible, I see a new tank can be bought on E bay for 400, which is cheaper than the 700 or so that I believe MB may want! Ouch!!

[AndyW201]

Top buy! It's wearing its mileage well. Good to see you ploughing on with it as a rolling resto rather than a scrapper, pretty much the same decision I had to make when I got my current 190.

[HMC]

andyw201- cheers, what did you have to tackle with your 190? Have you got some recent pics? Sportline 2.6s are rare beasts arnt they?

[Barry Cade]

Brilliant! I white W124's. Specially ones with lorry engines. Love it!

[Pete-M]

Impressive. Misery spec cloth trim, white paint, coat hanger for the aerial and a tractor engine with a gazillion miles on the clock.

 

Livin' the AS dream.

[AndyW201]

andyw201- cheers, what did you have to tackle with your 190? Have you got some recent pics? Sportline 2.6s are rare beasts arnt they?

 

They are! Supposedly a lot rarer than the 16 valvers. Had a few 190 1.8s and 2.0s but the m103 engine is the dog's very bollocks, thirsty but worth it! So far I've had to tackle quite a few rot spots, and a few previous owner bodges, but it's getting there. I've been meaning to put up a thread with the before, during and after pics, so keep an eye out.

 

Loving the S Klasse too by the way.

[HMC]

Decided the budget wont quite stretch to a replacement tank just yet. Has anyone tried any of the putty repair stuff or similar on a fuel tank? if it just buys me a few months this could be a way forwards!

[Pete-M]

I used some years ago on a Mk2 Escort tank and it worked a treat.

 

However, that was a simple metal petrol tank with a clean hole - I'd fitted an RS rear bumper and accidentally screwed a self-tapper into the tank. I don't know what the result would be with a rusty diesel tank.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Patched a hole on the bottom of my rusty tank with Plastic Padding Leak Fix. Only last month so I can't vouch for longevity, but I'm pleased with it. Filled up with petrol and didn't have to drive home with the windows open, also my shopping doesn't reek of petrol when I take it out of the boot, so I judge it a success.

[dollywobbler]

Patched a hole on the bottom of my rusty tank with Plastic Padding Leak Fix. Only last month so I can't vouch for longevity, but I'm pleased with it. Filled up with petrol and didn't have to drive home with the windows open, also my shopping doesn't reek of petrol when I take it out of the boot, so I judge it a success.

 

Hmmm. Must do similar with our Mini. It's a bit whiffy.

[HMC]

Had a productive weekend on the 'shed' Kicked off by changing the engine and transmission mounts. They were well shot, and with the car on ramps I could have a quick survey of the structure, which is all sound down below, i'm relieved to discover.

 

The mounts has failed and sunk under the weight of the hefty old diesel unit, did a quick comparison before fitting the new ones......

 

 

After these, I did an oil and filters service on the engine and autobox. Everything has a pleasing solidity to it, such as the separate alloy housing for the oil filter cartridge. The test drive was great. So much better without the engine rattling the body at idle. The autobox changes smoother, but it still occasionally flares on the upshift. Had a go with the tank repair putty. Drained the tank and cleaned up the affected area. Unfortunately a big patch of the tank is rusty and weeping, so I did a will do for now repair and decided a replacement was best. So although it still looks just as neglected, the car now runs and drives a whole lot better!

[eddyramrod]

although it still looks just as neglected, the car now runs and drives a whole lot better!

 

Perfect combination! You should now be confident enough to use it daily, yet you'll have no worries about where you leave it, the odd trolley scrape won't matter. Also, a car that looks dog-rough is probably less likely to be stolen. Win all round!

[HMC]

Been using the estate for a few trips, collecting some bikes, a replacement interior for my rover p4, taking crap to the tip etc. Its impressive how well it still functioned despite all the neglect! Last week the exhaust system, bodged up over the years finally let go, and with nothing left to patch a repair to, I bit the bullet and sourced a replacement system, and whilst that was being tackled, got the leaky tank repaired by a specialist. My local mechanic replaced the snapped front coils, and I also swapped the paper thin front discs and pads.

 

 

A slightly flattering picture as the front wings have plenty of filler, and the bonnet has no laquer!

 

I took the 90s tastic blaupunkt stereo out of my s class just before I sold it (miss it already!) and so now have some music as well. Averaging 32-35MPG at the moment, which, for what it is, Im happy with and on a par with the mb factory figures.

[Shep Shepherd]

Looks pretty clean now

 

Which Blaupunkt do you have in it? The Volvo currently has a Melbourne (a £20 eBay snip) which had previously resided in a mid-1990s E-class