GermanTrucker

I am thinking of purchasing a 1990 Mercedes Benz SL300 from a woman in Laramie, WY. I haven't had the chance to see it yet, but she said it runs great, just has a rust/rot problem. I'm postings pics up for your viewing, and would like advice/assistance on what to do about this, and possibly what the parts are that are rusted out.














She's asking around $600 for it, and I really WANT a Mercedes, being the German that I am, and don't have a lot to work with here. Thanks for all of the help in advance!

SL-ML-C

that kind of rust is so expensive to fix it would be at least twice what you would pay for the car, but I personally wouldnt mind driving a 80's benz around with that amount of rust as its actually fairly minimal.

something else to look for, this has chrome fender arches, usually the under side of those are just caked with rust.

the car is not a SL300, it is a 300SE.

interior looks very nice, and if it has been kept up, I would say its well worth $5-600

GermanTrucker

Thanks for the information. How much would it cost to repair such damage? Are these "Uni-Body" or do they have a Frame so to speak? If it's got a frame, I could do a complete frame swap from a Mercedes 300D at the Junkyard, as I planned on making it a Diesel anyways.

SL-ML-C

actually repairing that would cost 2 or 3 grand if done properly, getting a good fairly rust-free rolling chassis from a W126 should only cost $6-700

as far as swapping a 300d, the motor will go in, but the 300D is a W123 not a W126 so you will have a nightmare of wires to contend with (glowplug relays, etc)

I suggest, just buy the car and drive it with the gas motor until it stops working, then buy a nice rust-free W126 300SD, 300SDL, 350SD, 350SDL.

my
$.02 worth

GermanTrucker

I just spoke with the owner, she mentioned something I didn't see.. She said the Strut Rod is missing on the suspension, does she mean the shock obsorber that sits in the middle of the coil springs? Are they typically sold seperately from the coils? Where can I find decent parts for Mercedes? Does anyone have any website recommendations for parts? I noticed the coil springs in the photos, but I didn't know this car came with Struts, I just assumed they were to be Coil only. Hope to hear from ya'll soon! Thanks again for the assistance that was given thus far.

SL-ML-C

that car has torsion bar rear suspension, and McPherson strut in front, I doubt its missing struts, but if it is, just go get some $40 ones from your local auto parts store, or go to the MB dealership and get some Bilstiens.

in this car, the strut is not inside the coil in a Coilover configuration.

GermanTrucker

Where is the strut located on this car then? How would I know if there is even anything wrong with this car suspension wise by these photo's alone?

SL-ML-C

the struts are big black things that run vertical near the springs in the front.

you can not tell by the pictures if they are worn or not, but you can tell if they are there or not.