Well, I spent hours here combing an ABC thread last night, particularly regarding the ABC hydraulic damper hose repairs. Today I met with a guy in the back lot of the MB dealership who was at the end of his rope and ready to give up on his S600. His had ruptured the hydraulic damper hose, and he was staring at the $2800 repair quote from the dealer, after paying them over 4k for a new pump 3 months ago. I gave him just $2700, and I now own a pretty clean 2004 S600 TTV12 with 78,000 miles, new wheels and tires, and a ruptured hydraulic hose. A score, I think.
I'm having it towed to my house tomorrow, and I'm ready to get started. Thanks to Howard, Nick and the others, I think I can do this, and have a brilliant car for the same money as a tired Corolla of the same vintage.
It's going to be an adventure, and the car will either be brilliant, or ****e. Feel free to wish me luck.