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Garage => Mechanicals => Topic started by: daantjie on 16 December 2016, 06:22 PM

Title: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: daantjie on 16 December 2016, 06:22 PM
Hi guys

I know this might be a sensitive subject to most of us, and hopefully none of your significant others will read this post 8), but I have been keeping pretty meticulous track of what I've spent on my 6.9 since I acquired it in early 2014, so almost going on 3 years now.  Of course the last year has been "easy" on the pocket since it has been laid up since my unfortunate meeting with a concrete barrier :'(

For me so far looks like the bill is well north of $15K Canadian.  Take into account I did 90% of the work myself, so the bulk of this spend lies in parts (mostly OEM but some "others" as well).  Indeed sobering to see how expensive W116 and in particular 6.9 parts have become (if you can even find them).  Bulk of the spend lies in suspension, brakes and engine.

I shall now proceed to go and cry in my beer ;D
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: robertd on 16 December 2016, 06:25 PM
Hi daantjie
I'm afraid to do the sums!
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: daantjie on 16 December 2016, 06:29 PM
I know it is a bit masochistic I guess!?
I dropped big bucks on the brakes, all new OEM front to back except for the booster. I'm glad I did though. They are amazing now and safety first  ;D
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: UTn_boy on 17 December 2016, 03:38 AM
I've lost track.  All I know is that I have more in every one of my cars than they'll ever be worth.  The most recent would be the 450sel.  Pushing $12,000 now......in parts alone.  I suppose if my labor were to be factored in, the amount would be pushing $17,000-$19,000.  But.....that's how the game is played.  We can't worry about putting more into the car than it's worth.  Intrinsic value trumps nominal value all day long anyway.  I'm not at all sorry, and I thoroughly enjoy all of them. :) 
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: w116john on 17 December 2016, 04:15 AM
hi

in the early days i kept a list of parts and expense's associated with the car in the hope that it would make economic sense, but i gave up old cars cost money.

i bought an old Saab 900 last year when i was looking for the exhaust manifold for the 116 and it has cost me twice what its worth conservatively to keep it on the road so far.

the 116 including cost of the car, about 8000 euro and there is a few more to go

john
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: ptashek on 17 December 2016, 06:53 AM
High five figures in EUR for parts and labor. Far more than will ever make any economic sense, unless the W116 becomes an auction poster child overnight.

But to hell with it, you only live once.
It was worth it for that silly, childish grin it puts on my face on the autobahn alone.
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: rumb on 17 December 2016, 09:09 AM
Here's my parts bills so far:  (756 seperate parts ordered so far)

brakes       $295.17
engine       $802.79
exterior       $2,705.03
fuel       $512.13
interior       $1,623.46
suspension        $1,867.20
      
       $7,805.78

labor and other supplies and materials related another $2738

I estimate about another $5000 more in parts (mostly seats, carpet, door seals) , then the cost of body work and painting @$4000.

So I should be around $20K when done.  I do 99% of the work myself including the body work, but will pay a shop to spray the top coat.


Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: daantjie on 17 December 2016, 11:38 AM
Quote from: rumb on 17 December 2016, 09:09 AM
Here's my parts bills so far:  (756 seperate parts ordered so far)

brakes       $295.17
engine       $802.79
exterior       $2,705.03
fuel       $512.13
interior       $1,623.46
suspension        $1,867.20
      
       $7,805.78

labor and other supplies and materials related another $2738

I estimate about another $5000 more in parts (mostly seats, carpet, door seals) , then the cost of body work and painting @$4000.

So I should be around $20K when done.  I do 99% of the work myself including the body work, but will pay a shop to spray the top coat.

Nicely documented there Robert! Interesting that you also have a chunk into the suspension.  I guess that's why the 6.9 gets a bad rep, but really, once sorted and maintained the system is very reliable.  I put it down to people (mostly less well heeled 2nd and 3rd owners) thinking it will last forever "because it's a Mercedes", and never bother to even change a filter on the thing.  Ja, not so much, it needs to be maintained folks, and that often costs more than your average piece of Detroit metal, so that is why these cars go to pot over the years :'(
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: rumb on 17 December 2016, 01:07 PM
suspension does include $450 for the emergency blocks and $150 for 4 bundts.
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: Peter on 17 December 2016, 05:43 PM
I started with an exceptional car and have spent approx. $6,000 and I could easily spend another 6K on repairs, replacements and improvements and I will likely do so over the next few years. I sometimes think its a little extravagant however when I consider the depreciation I would be subject to if I had purchased a new Jeep, Hyundai, Toyota, Mazda etc and what quality/value of car I would have after 5 years I'm sticking with the W116.

Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: arcijack on 17 December 2016, 10:56 PM
around 8000.00 for me and i still have approx 10kkks to go
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: djenka018 on 18 December 2016, 02:21 AM
 How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?

For me so far looks like the bill is well north of $15K Canadian.
_________________________________________________ _____

You lose that much in the first 3-4 years just by owning any mid size car, plus interest on the loan (if applicable).

I once compared monthly payment my mate had for the new 318i BMW.
By the time he paid it off, fuel consumed etc, I was better off with my secondhand jewellery than he was with his new trinket.

Drive it regularly (unlike me) and any money spent is not in vain.
Spend the money on a garage queen and then re-repair the same because you did not drive it... each $ is a waste.
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: robparker on 18 December 2016, 03:30 AM
Once this section of work is done I'll be at about £12k including the car. And it looks exactly the same as the day I bought it! My money has been in new brakes, exhaust, spheres, bits and bobs/service, and mainly all structural rust being taken care of, which was the big one and not quite finished yet.
Then I would like to spruce up the cosmetics... The leather is reasonable so I think I'm better leaving original and just cleaning as best I can.. wood needs refurbishment, carpets... Some other bits of trim and maybe in the end a respray
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: floyd111 on 18 December 2016, 08:30 PM
Surprised about the number of candid replies here. Wondering about the respective 1000's of dollars that were omitted by accident..  ;)
Who really wants to remember every penny that went in? For me, it's a conflicting reality-check that makes me remember my years in India, where, among the poor, every dollar has to go a long way.
I think I am pushing 45K including the purchase of for 4 cars and most of the NOS parts required to build two 0-mile cars out of those parts.
What remains is the bill for 1 chassis restoration, 1 leather outfit and paint jobs for 2 chassis. At the end of the line, each car should end up at the cost of 35-40K. Part of this could have been avoided/saved if I had bought 2 correct cars right away, instead of 4 dubious/incorrect cars at 5K each. Had I been smarter, better prepared..
To illustrate the level of my delusion, ignorance and blind passion, I thought I could pull this off in 6-12 months at the cost of 20-25K per car. (3 years ago)
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: carl888 on 19 December 2016, 01:26 AM
I keep detailed records on all my cars so I can tell you quite accurately!

My car hobby costs around $35,000 AUD per annum.  The labour maintaining them is the biggest expense.  I am involved in the automotive trade, and for every hour I work on my own cars, that is one hour I'm not working on a customer vehicle so I have to charge it out.

I spend about 200 hours per year on a fleet of 11 vehicles of which the labour rate is $100 per hour.  The parts and consumables run at about $7,500 per annum and sadly, with the rise in classic car vehicle values over the last 5 years my insurance bill is now a painful $7,300 per year.  Bring on the crash, please.

Over the past year, the W116 has swallowed the bulk of the money.  I just checked the job card, I've spent 180 hours on it over the last 12 months, including the brakes, front bearings, exhaust, major service and that pesky starting issue.  And it's still not done lol.

Whilst I keep such records, I have no issue with the money.  I'm not a very wealthy person financially but I don't have children or a mortgage so I just call it the cost of doing business and forget about it. 

There is a peripheral additional expense and that is the one of the factory.  I could rent it out and sit back and collect money but instead it's full of cars!

Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: floyd111 on 19 December 2016, 06:00 AM
I conveniently left out the labour hours that are mine. I don't think I would want to count the hours. It is well beyond belief. 3000 emails alone.. How many hours was that? Studying manuals, checking websites,  comparing prices, clearance issues, warranty claims,.. the list is endless. Thousands of hours, no doubt. Not to be attempted if you lead a busy life or you'd be climbing the walls in no time. ;D
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: daantjie on 19 December 2016, 09:59 AM
I think most of us see the labour as "free" if you do the work yourself even though we know it's not. This is my only hobby so I try in vain to justify all time spent to my significant other  ;D
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: ptashek on 19 December 2016, 11:19 AM
Quote from: floyd111 on 18 December 2016, 08:30 PM
I think I am pushing 45K including the purchase of for 4 cars and most of the NOS parts required to build two 0-mile cars out of those parts.

To be honest, that's a spectacular result all things considered.
You've seen the gory details of my project, and know what I mean :)
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: marku on 20 December 2016, 01:11 PM
Well I kept all the invoices but I refuse to add them up that way I can convince myself that the cost has been reasonable. Sure all the labour has been my own, mostly, but I took on the 450 as a project and I have learned a great deal about it. I really started on it knowing nothing about the particular model although having rebuilt other marques over the years the W116 has been a real education and not regretted in any way.
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: shaggy on 23 December 2016, 06:58 PM
1979 280SE - 350€ to buy the car, spent about another 1000€ on bits and bobs getting it roadworthy and it's run perfectly ever since (3 years). The only expense is an oil change every 5000km and slaking the old thing's considerable thirst. Nothing has even broken, worn or stopped working in over 25000km - even the spark plugs remain perfect. I'm always keen to jump in and fettle my vehicles but this one gives me virtually nothing to do!

On the other hand, I also restore and run old Series XJ6's, so things kind of even out!
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: floyd111 on 23 December 2016, 10:17 PM
Shaggy..that is probably the most positive newscast I heard in 2016 ;D
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: shaggy on 24 December 2016, 06:21 AM
...probably the most truthful, too  :)

Now I just have to persuade myself she's a keeper!
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: TJ 450 on 24 December 2016, 12:14 PM
My blue 6.9 probably owes me $20,000, or possibly more, now. Like a lot of others, I don't keep track of it any more... If it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Then there's the other projects I've had... It's definitely not a hobby that rewards in terms of profits... It's about learning and having a bit of fun, and also the time out tinkering.

One thing I will say though is that I can count on the cars, even on long trips and have only had a couple of issues over the last 10 years with flat batteries due to loose terminals, that have left me stranded.

Tim
Title: Re: How much have you spent on your obsession so far..?
Post by: Scotty on 07 January 2017, 05:05 AM
Hello again after a long intermission

I'll preface my response by saying good riddance to 2016

Anyway, my 1978 280SEL cost a good night out under 4K, and then about 7K  thereafter, including a Sanden upgrade a/c and refurbish, lots of front suspension work, accumulators, new battery, various bulbs etc, lhs sls shock, new exhaust, warm up regulator (2), work to the ignition and injection, and  a couple of thorough services. Also I had to replace the lhs rear door after someone ran into it two days after I got out of hospital in March last year. When I list it - and keeping in mind all I've done is make the phone calls - this sounds like good value.

I'll soon be spending a little more putting some good tyres on the 15x7 Rial wheels I acquired when getting hold of a new door after the bingle. The door and wheels of course came in the form of a whole car, and then immediately after purchase (a 450 SEL import) , a good door emerged . So the on selling of the lovely 450SEL will hopefully somewhat offset the total cost. But I'll miss it.

All small beer considering I've owned a Porsche (increments of 5K), a SAAB 900 turbo (actually very reliable), a Mk 7 Jag, an Audi 200T, WRX, etc

If this is a competition - and I don't suggest it should become one - first prize must go to anyone who has had their W116 professionally restored. I take my hat off to you - especially the 450 from -  I think - Ireland.