Advice for newly acquired E420
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Advice for newly acquired E420
Hi guys, a few questions regarding my "new to me" E420...
I got this car handed down to me from my Dad since he got a new car. I really love the ride, the power, etc. and it's in great mechanical and interior condition (for almost 119K miles - all highway) but the exterior paint is in real bad shape....he didn't really keep up with its maintenance
I keep reading about the devaluation and considerable expense of a repaint, but I'm at the same time hesistant about the idea of trying other methods such as color sanding, high-speed buffing, claying, etc to try and restore the original paint job. Also there's consideration for the expense of a good detail ($300-$500?) that good be used toward a new paint job.
The big problems are the hood and rear view mirrors. The hood is largely covered with cracking paint and spots where there is considerable fading and some pitting (I'd say an area of 8-10 inches in diameter). The rear view mirrors are very faded and have some serious loss of the upper layers of paint. The rest of the body has quite a few scratches and imperfections (swirls), but I can live with those if I can restore the hood and mirrors.
I know the only real way for me to know whether or not someone can help me is to take it to a detailing shop that does this sort of work and get their impressions but, based on my description, what do you guys think?
I'm torn bewteen a total repaint and a good detaling job in terms of resale...I'm not in love with the current color either, though (emerald green).
Thanks guys! Looking forward to being a part of this community!
I got this car handed down to me from my Dad since he got a new car. I really love the ride, the power, etc. and it's in great mechanical and interior condition (for almost 119K miles - all highway) but the exterior paint is in real bad shape....he didn't really keep up with its maintenance
I keep reading about the devaluation and considerable expense of a repaint, but I'm at the same time hesistant about the idea of trying other methods such as color sanding, high-speed buffing, claying, etc to try and restore the original paint job. Also there's consideration for the expense of a good detail ($300-$500?) that good be used toward a new paint job.
The big problems are the hood and rear view mirrors. The hood is largely covered with cracking paint and spots where there is considerable fading and some pitting (I'd say an area of 8-10 inches in diameter). The rear view mirrors are very faded and have some serious loss of the upper layers of paint. The rest of the body has quite a few scratches and imperfections (swirls), but I can live with those if I can restore the hood and mirrors.
I know the only real way for me to know whether or not someone can help me is to take it to a detailing shop that does this sort of work and get their impressions but, based on my description, what do you guys think?
I'm torn bewteen a total repaint and a good detaling job in terms of resale...I'm not in love with the current color either, though (emerald green).
Thanks guys! Looking forward to being a part of this community!
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 138
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville Alabama
'00 E430, '83 Porsche 928S
It is easy to remove the mirror covers and have them repainted.
I would try detailing the hood first. Depending on what color your E is, you may want to try clay to clean it and a "color enhanced wax". If you can find someone who is good with a buffer (probably to the cause of the swirls on the other parts of your car), they can have a try at the hood. Good Luck.
I would try detailing the hood first. Depending on what color your E is, you may want to try clay to clean it and a "color enhanced wax". If you can find someone who is good with a buffer (probably to the cause of the swirls on the other parts of your car), they can have a try at the hood. Good Luck.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 588
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'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
Get some Meguiar's ColorX cleaner/polish/wax (AutoZone sells it) and work on the hood. Use a cloth applicator and plenty of elbow grease. ColorX won't help the cracking, but it should restore color to the faded areas.
From my experience, an okay paint job will probably cost $2,000; a good one over $3k.
From my experience, an okay paint job will probably cost $2,000; a good one over $3k.
Last edited by lexrex; Sep 19, 2005 at 05:25 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 152
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Base on your description, your hood and mirrors need to repaint. and then rest of body just go to some detail shop to have them fully detail(about $300)
Don't worry about the resale value if you have new paint on a 8 year old car. It won't make different. Or repaint the whole car ($3500-$5000) if you decide to keep the car more than 4 or 5 years. My E420 in black still have nice paint because I keep inside the grage all the time. Wax every 3-4 month. Detail every two years.
Don't worry about the resale value if you have new paint on a 8 year old car. It won't make different. Or repaint the whole car ($3500-$5000) if you decide to keep the car more than 4 or 5 years. My E420 in black still have nice paint because I keep inside the grage all the time. Wax every 3-4 month. Detail every two years.
