Classic DD: Wrenched or Indy?

"Dunnik" (dunnik) 04/26/2014 at 17:33 • Filed to: None

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I know that there are quite a few Oppos who daily drive classics (say, 20-25 years or older), but I suspect that many (most?) are able to do this because they can wrench. I can't wrench, which is why the idea of daily driving a modern classic like the W124 is a little scary.

So why can't I wrench? Well, for starters, I don't have any wrenches, hah. More to the point, I don't have a garage (I live in a downtown condo) and don't know anyone with a garage that I can borrow. As well, I'd probably describe my mechanical knowledge as "barely adequate". Miles ahead of your average driver, but miles behind many Oppos. I'm willing to learn the basics, but learning is doing and if that's my goal, I should get an old Bug, or something, to start with, rather than a far more complicated W124.

I think in part this is because we often learn mechanics at our father's knee, and while my dad knew his cars and was an excellent driver (he owned a 1967 Austin Healey 3000), he always paid a shop to do the off-warranty work, and never did anything beyond basic owner's maintenance (fluid top ups, wipers, bulbs, etc.). I suppose he was able to afford it, and preferred to spend his free time with his family.

So are there any Oppos out there who DD a classic and are, due to circumstance, forced to rely on their local independent garage or specialist? If so, do you have or did you need to acquire basic tools and knowledge to fix common roadside breakdown problems? Do you find the costs of ownership to be prohibitive, or justifiable due to the love for the car?

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 17:39

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If you can't wrench, assume all tasks cost $100/hr. Thus, a simple car will be cheaper to own.

Dunnik > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 04/26/2014 at 17:41

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Hence the reason, perhaps, why I saw not one but two E30's today. Both looked well-taken care of. Far simpler than the W124, and with better MPG to boot, no doubt.

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 17:43

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I DD an '87 W124 diesel with ~350,000 miles on it, but almost never have to actually wrench on it. I commuted in it for over a year in Atlanta with no close garage access for most of that stretch, until late in the stretch I developed a rattle that was a mix of "replace the timing chain, cause DAMN", and "crank bolt working loose, lol". Both were fixed without access to advanced tools, simple things like ramps, ratchet, sockets, etc.

Having knowledge ahead of time is more useful than any set of tools (partly because it informs what tools you need).

Other brands than the indomitable BENZ, ymmv.

Scary__goongala! > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 17:48

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I daily my W123 while im home. I had one minor brake down that was easily fixed but nothing else. If something were to happen I can't figure out myself, I'd be searching for a specialized indy shop.

Bandit > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 17:49

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I DD a 33 year old American car that was designed in the late 60s. It's so easy to fix. My suggestion is buy something stupidly easy to work on if you want a classic.

dogisbadob > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 04/26/2014 at 17:49

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More like $120-150

dogisbadob > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 17:52

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It's never too late to start! Mercedes forums and shit will be useful as fuck.

I've also heard of Mercedes owners generally not doing their own work anyway.

The 124 isn't the worst car to work on, and also older cars are usually simpler to work on than the new shit.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 17:54

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I DD'd a 1976 BMW 2002 until last September. I only stopped because I didn't want to take my baby to college and watch it get messed up by the sorority girls who park in the same lot as me, many of whom have acquired scuffed bumpers by the end of this year. I would say my wrenching ability is above average. I swapped a new differential in my driveway and stuff like that. The thing is, I don't really want to. I'd rather be driving it than fixing it and my local shop is much faster/better than I am, so I brought it to them for anything that would've taken me longer than a few hours. The differential took me 8 hours start to finish in the middle of summer, which is why I started bringing her to the shop.

I think going to Home Depot or your local equivalent and picking up a set of sockets and wrenches is always a good idea, because you will find that there are a lot of things you will be able to do with a little help from forums/the internet, even with minimal knowledge. Roadside fixes, for me at least, weren't that common and most of them were easy to fix so, yeah, keeping your tools in the trunk just in case is probably a good idea.

As far as cost, it hasn't been that bad. Doing of the mechanical repairs and stuff has actually cost me less than the issues I've had with my Jeep because the car is so much simpler. And, even if they were higher, it would be worth it. I love my car more than any material thing, and even more than a fair amount of people. It's like having a kid or a wife, only way cheaper. I always recommend owning something old and fun to my friends. I've actually gotten one of my buddy's into a MK1 GTI, and another is currently looking at a 1970-somethig Audi 100L, and my best friend is looking for a 240Z. All of them thank me and curse me for opening their eyes to older, cooler cars.

I think it's always at least worth looking into, so go for it! Who knows. You might end up with the best car of your entire life for less than the cost of anything new today.

Dunnik > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 04/26/2014 at 18:04

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Well said!

Dunnik > dogisbadob 04/26/2014 at 18:13

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Yes, that's one plus in its favour. Big bay, inline engine, not overloaded with computers. And recent enough that a whole generation of ex-Merc techs are familiar with it.

"There's nothing more expensive," goes the saying, "than a cheap Mercedes-Benz." The forums have underlined this. One poster who replied to me said on this issue said that owners who can wrench "enjoy the most success" with this car. Which makes sense. I guess I'd just have to settle for "less success"?

Another thing that scared me off: saw a mint, low mile, low owner, religiously rust-proofed, never winter driven model that had just one problem: airbag light on. Called dealers with a worst case scenario for shits and giggles: how much to replace bag, harness and sensor? Like 5 grand. Ok then, moving on.

stuttgartobsessed > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 19:30

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This question is right up my alley! I DD a '76 Alfa Spider. The only other means of transport I have is a '70's Peugeot. Bicycle. I also do not have a workspace to do repairs myself, nor do I have time to have my car out of commission while I figure out how to fix everything. While I would love to learn and do it myself it's just not in the cards for me right now. I have wrenches and a funnel and some screw drivers and fuses so I can fix minor things when they fall off but other than that its off the one of 2 local specialists for the big repairs. It does cost a pretty penny to fix (most of the cost is paying labor) but its well worth it. I love my car too much to give it up due to high labor costs. PLUS, Who I'll take ANY excuse to be surrounded by Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Alfas, and the odd Lancia and Lotus Elan Mk. 1. (Last time the Alfa was serviced between a 308 and an F40, which was next to a completely Disassembled Muira.) The other shop is more of a full restoration place, doing complete frame off restorations. They were doing a GTA replica with hand formed aluminum panels and a $30k engine.

In summation, its totally worth it to DD a classic if you love it.

chuck07 > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 21:30

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I dd'd:

1986 MB 300SDL - I had to deal with an oil leak and some other small problems. I knew some guys who worked out of their garage and they fixed everything that I couldn't at amazing prices. It helps that they could source parts themselves. Transmission went out with 325k and that led me to The fiat.

1981 fiat spider w/165k miles. Weekend car I dd'd after the SDL trans went out. Water pump blew up and clutch cable. Those required a tow. I knew an Italian guy who worked on these cars, so that kept repairs cheap. I was able to do the regular maintenance myself.

catkam623 misses his 944 > Dunnik 05/04/2014 at 11:07

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I dd a 944 and I can sort of wrench. When I bought the car I had next to no experience, but the Internet is a great thing since it outlines how to do everything you need. I wrench in my driveway and do have wrenches but in 2 years of ownership I've only outsourced it to my local shop once for the water pump, which was such a key item I didn't want to risk fucking it up. Also cost while expensive is completely justified she brings a smile to my face every time I see her let alone drive her.