The 500 dollar project car... project.

"Mathias Rios" (Mars478) 09/09/2013 at 23:44 • Filed to: 380SEC W126 Benz MB Project Car

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I have about $500 to spare, so I decided, why not get a POS project car? I already have a super reliable daily driver, my 99 ML320 with 208k miles. I've been trawling craigslist, looking for something with a stick, since I have a desire to row my own gears. My 500 dollar search led me to some horrible trash heaps. I was looking japanese, to change it up for a bit, but nothing there really piqued my interest. As most of my car searches end up, I started searching for old MBs. For some reason, I cannot just look at other cars, I have some sort of MB addiction. I even checked some BMWs, found a few project cars, but still, none of them gave me the "tingles".

I did end up finding a car, which I'm in the process of setting up to see (hopefully tomorrow). 380SEC, White, 139k miles, 1982. Seller said that it has no title, but when I emailed, he said that he may be able to get the title. No title is a dealbreaker here so it really hinges on whether he finds the title or not. Craigslist ad said to "make an offer." I told him I had 500 dollars. The car is at a dismantlers I believe. Paint is faded, has some ricer- trispokes. But apart from that the car looks REALLY clean for something that ended up at the dismantlers. Gray interior doesn't have any big rips. The seller says that it turns on, but then dies after a bit. Fuel filter/pump? Battery? Alternator? Who knows, but for $500, getting an 80's benz coupe with a 3.8 V8 is definitely up my alley. I didn't succeed on the manual part, but on this particular deal I am willing to sacrifice that. For this car, I plan COMPLETELY stock. Not a mod in sight, apart from the obligatory euro headlights and euro tweaks. I will update tomorrow with a report on the car when I go see it. Until then wish me luck that this guy finds the title.

Dogapult > Mathias Rios 09/09/2013 at 23:53

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where are you? let's see what Oppo can dig up!

Mathias Rios > Dogapult 09/09/2013 at 23:56

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I have suspended my search temporarily in lieu of the 380SEC, since I am really in love with it I just realized. I honestly wouldn't want any other car right now apart from that one. If the deal does fall through however, it will be open season on the 4 cylinder stick shift project cars :P.

Mathias Rios > Dogapult 09/09/2013 at 23:56

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But I am located in the NY/NJ area.

The Prince of Peugeot > Mathias Rios 09/09/2013 at 23:57

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I for one am definitely excited to see what could come of this. Do you have any pic of it now that they may have had on the ad? If not I'm sure you'll take plenty once you get your hands on it. I'm also a fan of your pledge to keeping it completely stock except for euro mods, keeping it classy.

Mathias Rios > The Prince of Peugeot 09/09/2013 at 23:58

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There are four pictures, here's the most important one. The wheels however *GAH* my eyes. I have sourced a set of four original W126 rims complete with original tires for $175 in case I do get this car.

Mathias Rios > The Prince of Peugeot 09/09/2013 at 23:59

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The pledge is an important one for me since I am a BIG fan of mods. My ML320 has all sorts of things done to it, but it is far from stock. I do believe the mods improve the car, but as with all mods, some of the magic of having a stock car is gone.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Mathias Rios 09/09/2013 at 23:59

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You know since you have a thing for Euro and big engines and know you are going to be getting into a world of automotive repair pain anyway, you may as well go get a Jaaaaag. say it with me "I left my wallet in... the Jaaaaaaag." Feels good doesn't it? Get the Jaaaaaag.

Your boy, BJR > Mathias Rios 09/10/2013 at 00:01

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Whereabouts in NJ/NY?

crash on ice > Mathias Rios 09/10/2013 at 00:02

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I don't have any suggestion on the benz, but depending on your state the no title deal breaker may or may not actually be significant. I know in the state of Montana, as long as you purchase the vehicle for under $500, you can get a clean title issued with just an inspection and VIN verification. Over $500 you have to do the whole bonded title bullshit, but under that you're golden.

Some other states are similar, but YMMV.

Mathias Rios > crash on ice 09/10/2013 at 00:09

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Oh wow. I have a feeling however, that the bureaucracy state of NY will not be that lenient.

Harrycarry250 > Mathias Rios 09/10/2013 at 00:09

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Good Luck finding a merc with a manual.

Mathias Rios > Your boy, BJR 09/10/2013 at 00:09

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Well I live in NYC, but roam around other parts of this tri state area...

Mathias Rios > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 09/10/2013 at 00:10

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Hahahahaha, a jaaaaag would be cool if I could find a $500 one. Those big V12 coupes are pretty awesome.

Your boy, BJR > Mathias Rios 09/10/2013 at 00:12

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ah, i am constantly trolling Jersey shore cl and some real interesting shit pops up there sometimes

Mathias Rios > Harrycarry250 09/10/2013 at 00:13

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I know there aren't many, the only I have found so far is a 190, but it is TRASHED. If I did find a manual I approved of I can almost guarantee it wouldn't be an MB haha.

Mathias Rios > Your boy, BJR 09/10/2013 at 00:14

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Yeah, I agree. The only problem is some of the "sandy-traps" that pop up along with the cool stuff. It's a jungle for used car sales in the NE region right now.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Mathias Rios 09/10/2013 at 00:28

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Needs a set of these. 17" with the right moderate-sidewall tire, could be just right. (less balloon-shaped than original era, not rubber band thin like new cars)

Maybe painted to match the lower cladding.

Or some AMG style 2-piece versions.

Mathias Rios > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 09/10/2013 at 00:32

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Eh... too aggressive and too far from stock. If it were a 560SEC maybe, but this has the smaller engine. I was thinking more along the lines of this. http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/pts/404414…

Harrycarry250 > Mathias Rios 09/10/2013 at 00:47

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You could do a tranny swap or... If your ambitious find a beater 350se with a 4 speed overseas and import it. LOL, just, not for 500 dollar

Mathias Rios > Harrycarry250 09/10/2013 at 00:50

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I'm not looking to do too much that's crazy with this car. Budget is limited, hence the $500 limit, but I'd rather get a nice MB that I like that is more expensive price wise, than something Japanese with cheap parts that I do not like. Stock is key here.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Mathias Rios 09/10/2013 at 00:56

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That car is way too big for 14" wheels, and tires that don't come close to filling the wells, and roll over their own sidewalls in a turn.

I like the design, but I would go up a notch.

Harrycarry250 > Mathias Rios 09/10/2013 at 01:02

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Very understandable. If I were you I would steer away from Mercedes because if you need to repair and have someone else do it, it will cost the cost of the vehicle. Maybe stick to something American for ease of repairability but if your like me and dread American cars just bite the bullet and get a Merc, just look at it and wait for the right one.

Mathias Rios > Harrycarry250 09/10/2013 at 01:07

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I do all work myself. My ML hasn't been in a shop in probably more than 2 years, except for installing tires.

Mathias Rios > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 09/10/2013 at 01:08

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What size are those? I'd be interested to see what this particular model came with stock, because that's what I'm trying to hit. But if they do look as bad as you say they do, I guess a one or two inch bump in the same style wouldn't hurt anyone.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Mathias Rios 09/10/2013 at 01:57

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After looking up more info, evidently they are 17" three-piece wheels, custom made from regular M-B single-piece alloys.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost…

Probably made from some donor wheels, with most of the original rim material cut away, and the remaining wheel face drilled for the 17" bead-diameter barrel sections to be bolted together.

That wheel style was likely offered, among other M-B alloy wheel styles, probably 14-15 inches on the normal M-B, and probably 16", or maybe 17" on the AMG tuned-up version, with high performance tires.

Mathias Rios > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 09/10/2013 at 02:24

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That last black car and its rims are a perfect match for each other. Wow. Until I see the car, priority #1 is ditching those horrible tri spokes, and looking for something more suitable. I believe the 14 and 15's are called bundts. I want this car to be as period correct as possible. I'm even talking OEM radio here. After I sort out the wheels, I need to get some Bosch Euro spec headlights.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > Mathias Rios 09/10/2013 at 10:07

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You could probably find a V12 Jag and talk them down.

Mathias Rios > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR 09/10/2013 at 10:30

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Really? Hmmmm