W124 Respray Advice

[cra]

Hello

I was thinking of selling my W124 but think I have now decided to keep it. I approached a very highly recommended car sprayer a few weeks ago and asked him on his thoughts about tidying up a few very small rust patches.

He said he wouldn't do it as rust always comes back in the end. He said panel replacement was the only solution.

Am I insane to be thinking about replacing all panels on this vehicle and then having it resprayed?

Has anyone been there, done it? CAn anyone recommend a cheap source of Genuine Mercedes panels?

I'd appreciate peoples thoughts.

Thanks

Cra

 

[peterchurch]

Hi,
If the engine is still smooth and reliable, then you would be foolish to let the car get eaten by rust, as there are not really any other cars you could buy with the same quality of build.
As long as you know that the rust is only on the outer panels and that you can set a clear price to do the work. Then I say go for it, at the end of the day you will have a sparkling example of one of the best cars Mercedes ever built. Compare this with letting it disintegtrate into a pile of rust or dumping it for peanuts and starting the whole depreciation thing again, It seems a cheap way to get a new lease of life in the car you already love.

But make sure you get a body workshop that you can really trust and can work with, and try and minimise the unexpected issues before they start.


Regards,

Peter

 

[LNM]

Spike

How much did you pay for the complete re-spray you had done in Central Europe?

 

[peterchurch]

Here was the thread

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=7419&highlight=respray

 

[jberks]

With rust there are always 2 choices - either tart it up on an annual basis and accept that a few spots will return within the year, or replace panels. Panel replacement is a major step though and could cost a fortune as there is always more revealed with every panel removed. If there is a hole in a panel then sure replace it, but otherwise it seems a major step as you are getting into serious restoration territory. The 124 is a classic so well worth restoring though.
I got into a quick tart up excercise on a old escort when I was a student. Had the summer off and couldn't afford to replace the car so though I would clean up a few spots of rust. Everything I rubbed down revealed even more problems. Finally replaced wings, front panel, bonnet, boot etc, did lots of welding and ended with a full 2 pack respray. it was mint. Wrote it off 6 months later. Insurance co valued it at a couple of hundred quid.
Wont be doing that again.
Then again, I have a 2000 E class so....

 

[LNM]

ahhhhhh, I missed the vital line in the thread. Full strip down too !!!!!

However, the finance department have again called me to order and all funding is now being channeled into a bigger house.

With cellars at least...

I'll be on the patch up path for a while yet methinks.

 

[cra]

Guys

Thanks for the comments. The car is currently on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9855&item=4529593612&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

but I am going to withdraw it before it ends.

Can you please have a look at the pictures and let me know what you think about the corrosion around the aerial mast and also the boot. There are other small areas of rust but nothing major I don't think.

Anyone any idea what the pros and cons are of a bare metal respray versus panel replacement? If a panel has a little bit of rust will taking it back to bare metal totally sort the problem or will that rust spot eventually come back?

Given that we are 99% sure we are now keeping the car, I am not afraid to spend some money of it. The thing I want to aouid at all costs is spending money now on a respray and then finding out in a year or two that the rust problem really hasn't been dealt with.

Is it possible for an assessment to be made without taking panels off about what the most sensible solution is?

Thanks, guys, for your thoughts and I plead for your patience with a newbie to these types of issues.

Thanks

Cra

 

[cra]

bump to the top

 

[jberks]

Just had a quick look. I certainly wouldn't be replacing panels. There is nothing shown in the photos that would give a decent body shop any concerns. True the rust might reappear but if it's done right it shouldn't be for ages and the disturbance of replacing panels would be far worse. I would have those 2 spots done asap as they will only get a lot worse.

That car has done 185k? - The interior looks like a showroom shot. Its a credit to you. I wouldn't sell.

 

[Spike]

I paid just over £1k for the job including new bumper inserts front and rear.

 

[big x]

With respect, it's people like you who pull listings early who waste much Ebayer time.If your not sure you want to sell why did you list it in the first place !?
It's also pointless telling people to bid early as normally most of the action takes place in the last few minutes with automated snipes etc.

adam

 

[cra]

With respect, it's people like you who pull listings early who waste much Ebayer time.If your not sure you want to sell why did you list it in the first place !?
It's also pointless telling people to bid early as normally most of the action takes place in the last few minutes with automated snipes etc.

adam

Yes, of course it is, that is why I have 27 positive feeebacks, because I mess people about it. I didn't realise I wasn't allowed to change my mind. Sorry, who died and put you in charge?

 

[cra]

Just had a quick look. I certainly wouldn't be replacing panels. There is nothing shown in the photos that would give a decent body shop any concerns. True the rust might reappear but if it's done right it shouldn't be for ages and the disturbance of replacing panels would be far worse. I would have those 2 spots done asap as they will only get a lot worse.

That car has done 185k? - The interior looks like a showroom shot. Its a credit to you. I wouldn't sell.

Thanks

WRT the interior - the only thing I have done is replace the drivers seat bolster (as per usual) and I am going to replace bit where the mobile phone installation was.

Next question is: Who would you recommend to work on your pride and joy? I'm happing to travel the length and breadth of the UK for a proper job.

Thanks

Cra

 

[Spike]

Thanks
Next question is: Who would you recommend to work on your pride and joy? I'm happing to travel the length and breadth of the UK for a proper job.

Cra

Well, I couldnt find *anyone* in the UK who I trusted to do the job properly for sensible money hence my 2500 mile round trip .... but I think it was worth every penny.

 

[LANDR0VER]

Well, I couldnt find *anyone* in the UK who I trusted to do the job properly for sensible money hence my 2500 mile round trip .... but I think it was worth every penny.

Nice to see you back old buddy.How are you getting on.

 

[Spike]

Oh!

Well since you asked Landrover, I haven?t been around because *you* were here.

I mistakenly thought you had been banned but seeing as you're back, I'm off again because frankly I can?t be bothered to sift through the incessant drivel that you so eloquently post.

Oh well? hopefully one day this forum will get moderated properly and go back to being the invaluable source of information for MB owners that it once was - before your time of course?

 

[Bolide]

Waste of time and money?

Be reasonable - who'd do a bare-metal respray on a 1995 car? It's worth a couple of grand, tops, so why waste money?

Nothing you've shown on the pics deserves any real, serious attention. Find a bodyshop that wants to do the work and pay a few hundred quid for a localised repair & repaint of the affected panels

This is not a collectors car - though it may well be a very nice one. Throwing money at it misses the point of keeping a 10-year-old car

Call Howard on 01444 254575 and go and see him in West Sussex (just off the A23) - he'll quote you a reasonable figure for an extremely good job

I'm not being rude about the car, just realistic. It looks very good, but a bare-metal respray, with panel replacement, will cost more than it's worth. Where's the logic in that?


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[cra]

Be reasonable - who'd do a bare-metal respray on a 1995 car? It's worth a couple of grand, tops, so why waste money?

Nothing you've shown on the pics deserves any real, serious attention. Find a bodyshop that wants to do the work and pay a few hundred quid for a localised repair & repaint of the affected panels

This is not a collectors car - though it may well be a very nice one. Throwing money at it misses the point of keeping a 10-year-old car

Call Howard on 01444 254575 and go and see him in West Sussex (just off the A23) - he'll quote you a reasonable figure for an extremely good job

I'm not being rude about the car, just realistic. It looks very good, but a bare-metal respray, with panel replacement, will cost more than it's worth. Where's the logic in that?


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Hey Nick, no offence taken... It's just that with a good respray, the single interior issue sorted, perhaps a retrim in leather, then it is likely to be good for another 10 years. As always, I am just looking for other peoples experiences.

While I am here, can I ask whether I should be overly worried that the engine and gearbox have not had any major work done to them? i.e. Is there anything I can do, in terms of preventative maintenance? I think the only thing I have done is change the cam chain at about 160k miles, even though MB say it doesn't need it.

Cheers

Cra

 

[big x]

Well, I've been selling on Ebay for a living for 4 years.
Tyre kickers in all their forms are a real problem in the
automotive listings.

adam

Yes, of course it is, that is why I have 27 positive feeebacks, because I mess people about it. I didn't realise I wasn't allowed to change my mind. Sorry, who died and put you in charge?

 

[cra]

Well, I've been selling on Ebay for a living for 4 years.
Tyre kickers in all their forms are a real problem in the
automotive listings.

adam

I don't doubt it but there must be a process to allow someone to change their mind. No-one came to view, no-one offered a decent amount, no-one had an inspection done, no one made me an offer...

If either of these things had occured, I may not have cancelled the listing. At no time have I not disclosed what my intentions were....

Frankly, I don't understand what yuor complaint is. If you wanted to buy it, then you would surely have been in touch with me. If you are after an E220, don't panic, there will be another one along in a minute......

Finally, the only person who is out of pocket by this exercise is me.

Cra