Excellent video. Sorting a car out front to back is the best first step. Then it should be, if you do it properly, a cycle of more manageable maintenance and repairs. Sorting a car out properly is generally more expensive than most can appreciate but worth it. This has been my experience.
I think the real problem is these old Mercedes like the W123 have a reputation of being exceptionally well built so some owners think they dont need maintenance.
As an owner of one of those 30 year cycle cars, bought my 85 300TD in 2016 with paint like sandpaper and have spent the last 7 years working on and driving it. The 85 is presentable enough now that the next step would be massaging the sheet metal and getting paint which I'd rather preserve what's left of the now heavily polished original paint as it is now warts & all. Besides if I did I'd probably be afraid of taking it on 15,000 km road trips such as the one I'm going on in the next few weeks, which will be a good test of the rebuilt electronics of the cruise control. Always love the content Pierre.
I just picked up a 300D and had it gone over by a Mercedes specialist. The 30 year cycle is real. They blessed it, but told me that sorting the car would be a very expensive endeavor, since it was so far neglected. The first owner loved it for almost 2 decades, and then the cycle of dealers and auctions commenced. The last owner before me spent a ton of money on physical stuff like suspension, but didn't address the deferred maintenance and addressing mechanical issues or question why it runs and shifts like it does. I think Im up to about 3 miles of rotted vacuum tubing replaced. The differential fluid looked like mud. We'll see how the coolant and transmission fluid looks next week.
Once they sit for a long time and then start driving them all the rubber seems to fail at once because it became brittle. It's definitely frustrating. I did the lower ball joints in my 1984 300SD right after I bought it, and a few thousand miles later most of the steering ball joints are cracked or torn when they were fine before. It'll come together eventually, it just seems to take longer than you'd think.
@@Hedonistic0Frog Had similar luck with a 1987 300e. Replaced lower ball joints when I bought it and again 10 years later. We have harsh winters and they salt the roads, seems hard on everything Rubber included. Rubber components seem to be an issue for many aftermarket brands some won't last a year (Flex disks and engine mounts come to mind).
Talking about light globes failing, these can fail at any time, including brand new ones just installed. Each time I service my 450SE, I look around underneath to see if any bushings need replacing, or tie rod ends, along with ball joints, etc. I had a W108 years ago. Every 6 months I was under that car with the grease gun.
My first Mercedes was a 71 108 280S. This was pre internet and I knew nothing about grease fittings etc. Nor about torquing the steering box mounting bolts either... Car had dreadful squeaks from the front when low speed maneuvering and I'm pretty sure it never saw a grease gun in it's entire existence once it was out of warranty. I'd really love to be able to drive one that's been properly sorted and maintained.
one in a way good thing about maryland is, when you buy a car you need to have it inspected. The inspection in maryland is only once but it is very strict. So you can get a good idea what needs to be replaced.
I mainly specialize in classic land rovers which are usually pretty neglected for the most part but every Mercedes I’ve worked on is on par or much worse in terms of neglect it’s a shame because all the engineering and high quality material that is used just being abused to a point of no return
It seems like most luxury cars are like this. I actually had someone bring me a 2006 Range Rover Sport that needed both drive shafts, valve cover gaskets, coolant reservoir which I replaced, and parking brake module and what was likely a differential actuator that failed but wasn't addressed. Now I'm working on her 2008 CLK350 that needs an intake, camshaft position sensors, AC o-rings, brakes, rear window regulators, and shift linkage clip. Next up is her 75 Bonneville.
Hello Pierre... Great video series. I recently inherited a 1981 380 SLC. I'm trying to find a water pump and inlet thermostat housing. Is there a source you'd recommend? Having difficulty finding these parts. Your expertise is appreciated. Mike
Hello, Michael Lozano and thank YOU so much for your question(s), we want to answer you as quickly as possible. By signing in our Patreon www.patreon.com/thomaspolk page and making a donation of $10 your are assured of a 24 hour email response from Pierre. If you are already a $10 member please mention along with your question.
Just replaced the rear sway bar links on my 1990 300se! getting more and more comfortable taking care of my two W126's! Thanks to you!
Excellent video. Sorting a car out front to back is the best first step. Then it should be, if you do it properly, a cycle of more manageable maintenance and repairs.
Sorting a car out properly is generally more expensive than most can appreciate but worth it.
This has been my experience.
I think the real problem is these old Mercedes like the W123 have a reputation of being exceptionally well built so some owners think they dont need maintenance.
That's exactly it. I have always said that the worst thing that can happen to a car is a good reputation for reliability.
As an owner of one of those 30 year cycle cars, bought my 85 300TD in 2016 with paint like sandpaper and have spent the last 7 years working on and driving it. The 85 is presentable enough now that the next step would be massaging the sheet metal and getting paint which I'd rather preserve what's left of the now heavily polished original paint as it is now warts & all. Besides if I did I'd probably be afraid of taking it on 15,000 km road trips such as the one I'm going on in the next few weeks, which will be a good test of the rebuilt electronics of the cruise control.
Always love the content Pierre.
I just picked up a 300D and had it gone over by a Mercedes specialist. The 30 year cycle is real. They blessed it, but told me that sorting the car would be a very expensive endeavor, since it was so far neglected. The first owner loved it for almost 2 decades, and then the cycle of dealers and auctions commenced. The last owner before me spent a ton of money on physical stuff like suspension, but didn't address the deferred maintenance and addressing mechanical issues or question why it runs and shifts like it does.
I think Im up to about 3 miles of rotted vacuum tubing replaced. The differential fluid looked like mud. We'll see how the coolant and transmission fluid looks next week.
Valuable advice...
Although my lack of resourses I try to keep the routine maintenance in order, constant oil changes, checking leaks etc...
I'm stuck In an indefinite cycle of repair on my 3 old Mercedes, getting them all sorted seems like a pipe dream.
Once they sit for a long time and then start driving them all the rubber seems to fail at once because it became brittle. It's definitely frustrating. I did the lower ball joints in my 1984 300SD right after I bought it, and a few thousand miles later most of the steering ball joints are cracked or torn when they were fine before. It'll come together eventually, it just seems to take longer than you'd think.
@@Hedonistic0Frog Had similar luck with a 1987 300e. Replaced lower ball joints when I bought it and again 10 years later. We have harsh winters and they salt the roads, seems hard on everything Rubber included. Rubber components seem to be an issue for many aftermarket brands some won't last a year (Flex disks and engine mounts come to mind).
Like anything in life, look after it, it will look after you.
What oil do you recommend? I've been using Liqui-moly.
It's great
My 1984 123W 280 E AUTOMATIC was standing for 30 years , without driving it ! It cost me a lot to get it running again !
Talking about light globes failing, these can fail at any time, including brand new ones just installed. Each time I service my 450SE, I look around underneath to see if any bushings need replacing, or tie rod ends, along with ball joints, etc. I had a W108 years ago. Every 6 months I was under that car with the grease gun.
My first Mercedes was a 71 108 280S. This was pre internet and I knew nothing about grease fittings etc. Nor about torquing the steering box mounting bolts either... Car had dreadful squeaks from the front when low speed maneuvering and I'm pretty sure it never saw a grease gun in it's entire existence once it was out of warranty. I'd really love to be able to drive one that's been properly sorted and maintained.
Thank you matey,Beautiful!
one in a way good thing about maryland is, when you buy a car you need to have it inspected. The inspection in maryland is only once but it is very strict. So you can get a good idea what needs to be replaced.
PREACH!
Some people are just ignorant. My late wife and my son treat vehicles as though they need no maintenance.
love you pierre and alos love my w140 ;P
Great content
Keep calm and do the "Benzes" maintenance for more 30th years of good ride and lot of smiles.
I mainly specialize in classic land rovers which are usually pretty neglected for the most part but every Mercedes I’ve worked on is on par or much worse in terms of neglect it’s a shame because all the engineering and high quality material that is used just being abused to a point of no return
It seems like most luxury cars are like this. I actually had someone bring me a 2006 Range Rover Sport that needed both drive shafts, valve cover gaskets, coolant reservoir which I replaced, and parking brake module and what was likely a differential actuator that failed but wasn't addressed. Now I'm working on her 2008 CLK350 that needs an intake, camshaft position sensors, AC o-rings, brakes, rear window regulators, and shift linkage clip. Next up is her 75 Bonneville.
Hello Pierre... Great video series. I recently inherited a 1981 380 SLC. I'm trying to find a water pump and inlet thermostat housing. Is there a source you'd recommend? Having difficulty finding these parts. Your expertise is appreciated. Mike
Hello, Michael Lozano and thank YOU so much for your question(s), we want to answer you as quickly as possible.
By signing in our Patreon www.patreon.com/thomaspolk page and making a donation of $10 your are assured of a 24 hour email response from Pierre.
If you are already a $10 member please mention along with your question.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Let's say deteriorated..
Used, ridden, and just deteriorated.
All wearable items in any 30yr cycle needs to be replaced.