Tips about an 85 380se

[elolson]

Got snookered. Did not know what I was buying and was ignorant about what to look for in a benz. Yep, you summarized it very well. It was a POS with decent paint and body. It was a disaster mechanically. But I have put it back together. I would put it up against anyone's car at this point for mechanical soundness. I am still working the list but it is down to a very few items. Replaced the check ball in the fuel pump and have the other plastic latch on the back lids on order to be painted to color match. Still not convinced the front ride height is correct after the spring and pad replacement but will have that discussion after another month of settling time. I do enjoy driving the car and have become a better person due to the adversity.

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[elolson]

I had all 4 springs and rubber spring seats replaced. Front had to be done twice. Started with thickest seat and ended up with smallest. You would not believe the difference 10mm makes. There must be more to it. Ride is now factory height all the way around. Had the remaining plastic latch mechanism on the back shelf replaced in the rear pax side.

I was looking back at earlier photos and I have to say that the front is a little higher, the biggest difference is in the rear. That had sagged quite a bit over the years, it is probably 1.5 inches higher than it was.

I was checking out the Dutch Royal families 380sel convertible online. Man what a ride. I was salivating over the interior, what a great job of restoring that car.

I have made arrangements to do both rear axle boots, the metal/rubber pumpkin mount in the center and both rear body to frame rubber bushings. Will also take care of the axle seals at the differential as long as it is all apart.

Car is still running pretty good. I have not had any performance issues in a long time and the ride gets better and better. I'll post some pics if I get a chance.

[benz rider]

Originally Posted by elolson

Got snookered. Did not know what I was buying and was ignorant about what to look for in a benz. Yep, you summarized it very well. It was a POS with decent paint and body. It was a disaster mechanically. But I have put it back together. I would put it up against anyone's car at this point for mechanical soundness. I am still working the list but it is down to a very few items. Replaced the check ball in the fuel pump and have the other plastic latch on the back lids on order to be painted to color match.

Still not convinced the front ride height is correct after the spring and pad replacement but will have that discussion after another month of settling time. I do enjoy driving the car and have become a better person due to the adversity.

I thought so but just wanted to check. you scared me..lol..because I'm in the market for a 300SE,SEL or 420SEL...definitely something in w126 or w140 and I've been looking for 2 years and almost everything I come across is a total POS or a total Pristine dream and I can't seem to find the middle ground..LOL

[elolson]

I just did something that you are NEVER NEVER suppose to do. I added up all my receipts and now I have a very sick feeling.


Supplier Action Date Cost
Purchased 09/01/07 5000
Radio 09/21/07 609
Group 1 10/11/07 6000
BAP Cap/rotor 10/15/07 66.57
BAP Gearbox/Shocks 10/17/07 1333.29
Midway RR AC/Gear 10/22/07 1265.33
Hoy-Fox Seatframe/pad 10/23/07 427.76
Special T WUR 01/21/08 265.45
Glass doctor windows 02/11/08 469.53
Hoy-Fox Lots 07/19/08 5970.63
Specialists R/R speakers 07/25/08 281.57
BAP Exhaust 07/25/08 806.02
BAP Exhaust 07/30/08 49.67
MBT condensor pad 08/02/08 17.5
MBT Heatshield 08/07/08 35.62
Craigs 08/08/08 485.77
Craigs 08/22/08 515.62
Craigs 08/29/08 697.51
BAP 09/08/08 42.43
Craigs 09/12/08 498.34
Craigs 10/03/08 1683.75
Craigs 12/02/08 1263.4
Craigs 02/23/09 41.39
Craigs 03/13/09 727.1
Craigs 04/24/09 139.99
Craigs All ac diaphrams 05/12/09 1626.32
Craigs 07/31/09 142.08
Craigs Rebuilt A/C 08/10/09 1987
Craigs 08/14/09 128.84
Precision alignment 09/11/09 85.5
Madera concepts 09/29/09 352.5
BAP CC actuator 10/03/09 286.47
Craigs 10/23/09 359.6
Craigs Fuel pump relay 12/03/09 333.97
Craigs 01/08/10 496.33
MBT 01/16/10 2046.41
Firestone Tires 01/29/10 435.73
MBT new injectors 02/16/10 2651.32
MBT 08/27/10 375
MBT sunroof motor 09/11/10 968.53
MBT 01/03/11 458.56
MBT back plastic catches 02/11/11 134.27
MBT back plastic catches 03/24/11 325.1
MBT rear boots 04/21/11 2129.38
MBT new door latch/ac work 06/29/11 1659.41
MBT carrier bearing 07/27/11 667.24
MBT vacuum pump 08/12/11 656.89
MBT window reg 08/26/11 526.05
MBT 30k mile mtx 09/23/11 782.51
MBT Anti-lock 10/07/11 1257.28

Total spent 49565.53
Cost per month 1011.54

50 grand!!!! unbelievable. I still have a POS worth 3.5k in the driveway on a good day. For all those of you shopping for an old MB, just say no. OMFG, i should have bought a killer restored tri-five chevy or whatever. What a waste. Guys, it all adds up. Do not, I repeat do not do what I just did. Just smile and enjoy your cars and don't think too hard about it.

On some semblance of a positive note, it rides like a brand new car, of course the original sticker was only 49.2k, so it better. I fixed everything on this car but the paint and the interior. Interior priced out at 7k for carpet and upholstery by a top shop. Wife says no more, oh well, almost made it.

E

[elolson]

Here are some pics:

[elolson]

here is the horror in all of its gory detail. So to all of you posters with, gee I have this erratic idle but it runs fine otherwise, or seems like it is missing, or it dies when I slow down, or the vents don't quite work right, or why is that anti-lock light on, or why is it damp by the rear axle seals, or why is there an oil stain on the driver side of the engine block, or why does that pump in the trunk keep running longer, or gosh my reception on the radio is kind of crummy. Well, boys and girls, let papa olson tell you, you have no freakin idea just how many things can go wrong with these cars. If you are asking those simple questions, then you are too naive to own a MB, just put it up for sale for 10 or 20 dollars, or better yet, free to good home, and save yourselves a fortune. Consider the purchase price a relatively cheap price to pay to dodge the much more expensive hail of bullets coming your way.

I wonder what a restoration would have cost, probably would have been cheaper. Something to consider. All the griping aside, it is a nice car to drive when running right, has very classic looks, has an A/C system that will freeze you right out of the car which, in Tucson, is a very good thing. Parts were not that bad in hindsight, no more than any new car, but the labor is a mother. There are no cheap shops in my area that do good work. That will be real important for you if you intend to take the intrepid plunge.

I could not upload since the file was too big, I'll try something else.