Budget Mercedes ride

[JasonP]

Everything works!

I think we need to put that to the test.  Somebody should go and see it for the lulz and try turning on the A/C.  Prior to doing this, feed the seller a steady stream of b/s about how lovely the car is, so much nicer than it looked in the pictures, "that'll buff right out", etc.  Then when the A/C surely doesn't work get really angry and start accusing the seller of being a dishonest liar, storming away in a fit of fury.

That's hilarious. I doubt I could pull that off without cracking up.

[ZCarFan]

I guess that's sort of like the club registration we can get here, but presumably yours can be driven whenever?

Well the legalese states, "A vehicle registered as historic cannot be used for general daily transportation, or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways.  It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses."

I have no idea how they might enforce such a law, since the wording is a bit vague with "primarily" and "occasional".  Unless they set up watch on somebody which seems ludicrous.  I have a few cars registered, so it's perfectly reasonable to assume I don't drive any given one of them more than a few times a week, but for most of my history, I've only had one and never had any questions.  Been pulled over plenty too many times usually for speeding, including a couple times carrying massive loads in and on top of the car; never once were the antique/historic plates brought up.

I reckon if somebody did bring it up, I'd have an "oh I don't usually drive this car, just gotta get it out on the road every so often" ready to blurt out.  If the car is altered in ways I'd like to, e.g. swapping a gas for a diesel engine, I don't think I'd even be able to register it regularly in Maryland.

They have another registration type called Street Rod, which sounds like it's got all the same constraints as historic:

"To be registered as a street rod (class N), your vehicle must:

    be 25 model years old or older; and
    have been substantially altered from the manufacturer's original design.

A vehicle registered as a street rod cannot be used for general daily transportation, or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways.  It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses."

I'm really not sure why there's both, since there's no inspection on either so they'd never know it had been altered if you don't tell them.  I intend on living in a more sane state in the future anyways.

The Antique and Street Rod tags have been around for quite a long time (30+ years).  I never heard of any issues with them, but I did not put them on my '69 Impala even though it was just 25 when I got it.  Didn't like the ambiguity.  Nobody ever said anything about the alterations, well... except for the folks at Capitol Raceway and 75-80 who seemed to enjoy it.

I think one day we'll be discussing the "good ol days" when you could still find a manual trans and pedals for a vintage Mercedes.   A friend has a Euro-spec 300E with a 5 speed and he had to go through some hoops to get a replacement transmission for that one.  I expect far worse availability in the future for older oddball parts.

[ziper1221]

So, what would the parts value of this car actually be?

[Tony66_au]

Sweet FA really, maybe the driveline if it works ok.

[Casey]

Engine alone could pull an easy $500 if it's in great shape. That's a big if though, given the condition of the rest of the car. For some reason I don't suspect the PO was one to take good care of his cars...just a feeling I get.

[ziper1221]

Engine alone could pull an easy $500 if it's in great shape. That's a big if though, given the condition of the rest of the car. For some reason I don't suspect the PO was one to take good care of his cars...just a feeling I get.

Is that because of the 4 cylinder or something? I was talking to a mercedes mechanic who said (about the om617s) that they are hardly worth the labor to pull them out.

[Casey]

Is that because of the 4 cylinder or something? I was talking to a mercedes mechanic who said (about the om617s) that they are hardly worth the labor to pull them out.

No, it's because they are all good engines, and I've never seen one sell for less in good condition. I have the following spares sitting on my garage floor right now waiting for me to get a round tuit: OM616, OM617 NA, OM617 Turbo - the first two cost me $500 apiece and the turbo cost four times that. Probably the mechanic favored newer engines (not as durable) or gas engines (much harder to sell). Is it worth the time? That depends entirely on how you value your time and how you'd prefer to be spending it. I don't think it would be worth the while to pay somebody else to do.

[ziper1221]

Well, the full story is that I was visiting some friends a few states away and I was looking for some parts. I ended up at this shop specializing in mercedes, he had maybe half a dozen cars just laying around. He more or less told me I could have a couple engines for <$100 as long as I removed them myself.

[Tony66_au]

If you have use for them then its a fair price but its always nice to see and hear them run before you remove them.

Personally I think $500 for a high mile used engine is a Crack pipe price and that sort of cash should be spent on a complete or near enough parts CAR.

My view is probably the same as the Mechanics BTW and this value is based on cars and parts I have bought both here in Australia and from/in the USA.

[Casey]

If you have use for them then its a fair price but its always nice to see and hear them run before you remove them.

Personally I think $500 for a high mile used engine is a Crack pipe price and that sort of cash should be spent on a complete or near enough parts CAR.

My view is probably the same as the Mechanics BTW and this value is based on cars and parts I have bought both here in Australia and from/in the USA.

See that emphasized, "if it's in great shape", up above? Seriously doubt this engine would be in great shape.