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Seen at the yard today....
- Thread starter gerryvz
- Start date
Dibs on the steering wheel cover....
You're too funny Uncle Gerry! I like M103s but I don't like gaudy M103s.
It's not like I'm looking for M103s. They just seem to find me.
I went to that auction hoping against hope that the listing was off by one year and it would turn out to be a 93 instead of a 92, thus making it a M104 instead of a M103.
When I bought my 400E I was originally looking for a 93 M104 powered 300E.
I guess M104 ownership just isn't in my destiny.
It's not like I'm looking for M103s. They just seem to find me.
I went to that auction hoping against hope that the listing was off by one year and it would turn out to be a 93 instead of a 92, thus making it a M104 instead of a M103.
When I bought my 400E I was originally looking for a 93 M104 powered 300E.
I guess M104 ownership just isn't in my destiny.
Once you go M104, you'll wonder out loud why you spent all that time messing around with M103s in the first place....
With a 104, you have to worry about the upper wiring harness and possibly the ETA wiring. One-time fix. After that you have head gaskets at 125K or so (and the newer design head gaskets are supposed to solve the problems), and front timing cover sealing to do every 50-60K.
With a 103, you have head gaskets to worry about every 120K or so, along with the stuff associated with oil in the coolant. Then you have valve guides every 150K or so (and probably valve guide seals as a Band-Aid some time before that), and front timing cover sealing every 50-60K or so. And you get 40 less HP with no benefit in fuel efficiency for the privilege of owning a 103.
Perhaps a little more low-end grunt with a 103, but no comparison to the turbo-like boost when the 104 comes up "on cam." Even my G-wagen's 104 has that "on cam" turbo boost. Hits about 4,000 RPM, just when the 103 is starting to run out of steam.
I have no doubt I would love an M104, that's why I've tried to get one. But as I've stated before, when one can score a same condition 4.2 powered W124 for about the same amount of money, it just seems like the M119 powered car is the better deal. The hp and torque gain when stepping up to a 4.2 is even greater than the gain seen when stepping up from a M103 to a M104. And with 2.24 gears vs. 2.65 gears, even the fuel economy is almost the same!
Regards,
Eric
Regards,
Eric
In the words of the great rap duo Luniz: I've got $5 on it.
Like I said, let's start with Benzer1 first. By the time Benzer 1 is gone, I should have Benzer2 ready to be sold. Those two should net me enough to get a decent 034. An 036 would require too much work:
First I'd have to put a decent back seat in, one able to hold all three of my kids, then I'd have to install a first gear start valve body, then I'd have to add an ASR defeat, and then I'd have to slap some 2.24 gears in that puppy, along with a 92 ECU (if it's a 93 or later car). My 034s already have everything I've mentioned here BTW.
I'd love to have an 036, but it would only be practical as a week-end only car, and then I'd still have to leave one of my kids at home. "Come-on kiddies, it's time to draw sticks."
Justin, you poke fun at B1, but does your 500E with it's pimp trans give you second gear chirps like B1 does? Hmmmm?
Regards,
Eric
First I'd have to put a decent back seat in, one able to hold all three of my kids, then I'd have to install a first gear start valve body, then I'd have to add an ASR defeat, and then I'd have to slap some 2.24 gears in that puppy, along with a 92 ECU (if it's a 93 or later car). My 034s already have everything I've mentioned here BTW.
I'd love to have an 036, but it would only be practical as a week-end only car, and then I'd still have to leave one of my kids at home. "Come-on kiddies, it's time to draw sticks."
Justin, you poke fun at B1, but does your 500E with it's pimp trans give you second gear chirps like B1 does? Hmmmm?
Regards,
Eric
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Really, debating why "not" to get an 036.
Let me see, I would buy one today if I had $20K liquid
And could get $4K for my 034.com
2:24 ratio axle in the 036? I don't think so
First gear valve body, plenty in the pick & pull
Sportline rear seat, easy to swap back and forth as needed
Let me see, I would buy one today if I had $20K liquid
And could get $4K for my 034.com
2:24 ratio axle in the 036? I don't think so
First gear valve body, plenty in the pick & pull
Sportline rear seat, easy to swap back and forth as needed
It used to be that you and I were on the same side in this debate. In fact, If memory serves, it seems to me that I was the only one siding with you on your thread that you had on this very topic. We also succeded in getting that thread closed as well. Are we trying for a fourth?
Using your figures, I just feel that a car that costs five times as much should be five times the car. It's not. An 034 is 85% the car for one fifth the cost.
All that being said, I'd love to have an 036, but only if I could steal one like the Sauceman did. (He paid LESS for his 036 than I paid for my 400E!)
Regards,
Eric
Using your figures, I just feel that a car that costs five times as much should be five times the car. It's not. An 034 is 85% the car for one fifth the cost.
All that being said, I'd love to have an 036, but only if I could steal one like the Sauceman did. (He paid LESS for his 036 than I paid for my 400E!)
Regards,
Eric
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True, but then I came to my senses.
Anyone who can afford a E320 or E300D can also afford a 400E
It's about owning something special.
Is a 1969 COPO 427 Camaro 10 times more car the a standard SS350, no
But which one do you want more.
I'm not letting my pride get in the way of admitting I'd like to have a 036 given the chance.
That's why there is a 500Eboard, and not a 300Eboard or 124 dieselboard
Anyone who can afford a E320 or E300D can also afford a 400E
It's about owning something special.
Is a 1969 COPO 427 Camaro 10 times more car the a standard SS350, no
But which one do you want more.
I'm not letting my pride get in the way of admitting I'd like to have a 036 given the chance.
That's why there is a 500Eboard, and not a 300Eboard or 124 dieselboard
My philosophy is that "where there's a will, there's a way". Patience is a necessary virtue when acquiring the right .036. But first, you have to have your sights set on it.
I've no doubt that Vader will get an .036 at some point. Hopefully he'll keep his .034 too.
I've no doubt that Vader will get an .036 at some point. Hopefully he'll keep his .034 too.
No you won't. You'll find new, exciting
As Gerry stated, there have been a few 036 cars this year in the $5k range. Whats your excuse?!
I paid exactly $5565 for my car after taxes. I've spent more than twice that in the past 5 years in parts, both deferred and preventative, and I'm still probably well over Gerry's $5k estimation away from a perfect car.
I paid exactly $5565 for my car after taxes. I've spent more than twice that in the past 5 years in parts, both deferred and preventative, and I'm still probably well over Gerry's $5k estimation away from a perfect car.
We are going to see a continual stream of E500E "rat rods" in the $3-7K range in the coming years.
The values of Condition 1 and 2 cars are going to decline (condition 2 cars would be "rat rods", condition 1 would be pure parts/wrecked cars). Condition 3 and 3- cars will stagnate/slowly increase in value. Condition 3+, 2 and 1 cars will continue to increase at a nice level of appreciation, with 2+ and 1 cars appreciating sharply.
The values of Condition 1 and 2 cars are going to decline (condition 2 cars would be "rat rods", condition 1 would be pure parts/wrecked cars). Condition 3 and 3- cars will stagnate/slowly increase in value. Condition 3+, 2 and 1 cars will continue to increase at a nice level of appreciation, with 2+ and 1 cars appreciating sharply.
I want a really nice example for a cheap price. It's the only way I can afford to pull this off. I can't afford a $5,000 car that, using Saucer's own numbers, requires an additional $15,000 put into it. In other words, I can't afford a "Rat Rod". I'd rather buy an $18,000 car for $9,000. How can I do that you say? Two words: Economic downturn. I've been around a while. I've seen it before, I'll see it again. I'll wait.
Regards,
Eric
Regards,
Eric
Well, to put it nicely, even with deferred maintenance, my car was in better condition when I bought it than your last 2 or 3 w124s you've bought. The problem is that I've driven the car nearly 100kmi since I bought it. Of course needed/completed repairs are going to accumulate. I drive 5-600 miles a week in my 036. What do you put on all your cars collectively? 100-200 miles? If I would've just made everything right when I bought it, it would've probably been right around the $5k mark. Don't forget that that $5k number applies to nearly ALL 036 cars. Even the ones still on the road. Especially the ones still on the road. They're being happily and blissfully driven around. You're probably ALREADY one of those blissfully happy folks, albeit in only 85% of the car! You might as well step up to the 5.0 world and have that much more car under your foot.
All of the stuff my car need now, minus maybe the spring perch repair, all of your cars could use as well, and then some. When was the last time you replaced your control arms or rear wheel carrier bushings, or shocks, or subframe/diff mounts. That's the stuff I'm talking about on my car. Not to mention that my $15k is factoring in the nitrous kit and silver arrow upgrades. Then there's all the stuff in that total I replaced that you probably wouldn't. Reservoir tanks, fan clutch (read: stubborn), nearly every front suspension component....
It's cheaper to maintain 1 car correctly, or at least sufficiently than it is to have 5+ cars that hardly/don't run.
Side note: For those of you reading this thinking I have some kind of disdain for Eric, I'm sorry. That's just how it comes off through type. He's actually a good buddy of mine. Normally we'd have this conversation on the telephone, but it's good for others to read as well to understand where my numbers are coming from. Cheers!
All of the stuff my car need now, minus maybe the spring perch repair, all of your cars could use as well, and then some. When was the last time you replaced your control arms or rear wheel carrier bushings, or shocks, or subframe/diff mounts. That's the stuff I'm talking about on my car. Not to mention that my $15k is factoring in the nitrous kit and silver arrow upgrades. Then there's all the stuff in that total I replaced that you probably wouldn't. Reservoir tanks, fan clutch (read: stubborn), nearly every front suspension component....
It's cheaper to maintain 1 car correctly, or at least sufficiently than it is to have 5+ cars that hardly/don't run.
Side note: For those of you reading this thinking I have some kind of disdain for Eric, I'm sorry. That's just how it comes off through type. He's actually a good buddy of mine. Normally we'd have this conversation on the telephone, but it's good for others to read as well to understand where my numbers are coming from. Cheers!
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Justin, you are mistaken on several fronts. We hadn't even met yet when I first bought my 400E. It was a beautiful car in phenominal condition. Things went south quickly after the car was badly T-boned and came within a few hundred dollars of being totaled. They also didn't give me enough money to correctly fix the car. I have only bought two W124s since then. The E420, which is a toad, and the 92 300E which is also in phenominal condition. (You didn't really check it out when you were here, plus it was dirty.) So your statement only applies to the E420, which is only one of the last three W124s I've bought.
As far as my multiple cars goes, yes, some are "beaters". I like it that way. When one of my "nice" cars develops a problem, I jump into another one, and then fix the problem when I can, instead of being screwed because now I have no transportation, having to stay up all night, thrashing on my car cause I have shit [off topic section-foul language allowed] that I have to do the next day. I know for a fact that you have fallen into this category several times. Me, I don't lose sleep, I don't lose income, I just jump into another car and go.
And, for the record, my "beaters" have a better reliability record than my "nice" cars do! You also are aware of the fact that I have cars that are NOT Benzers. This multiple-car-some-of-which-are-beaters lifestyle is a tactic employed by many in the Volvo crowd. It's good to learn from ALL car groups, not just one.
Oh, and let's don't forget, even you have a back-up car! (Sometimes!) And quite frankly, I think your wagon qualifies as a beater! Admittedly, it will be less of one if and when you finish it! Which reminds me, you need to finish that thing and bring it to the drags!
I only asked if your N2O system was factored into your figures or not, that's all. The rest of this SHOULD have been covered in a phone call! Some of this stuff is private and personal!
You need to come by and see Benzer5 before he gets dirty again! As you know, here in the knappy IE, cars don't stay clean for long!
Regards,
Eric
As far as my multiple cars goes, yes, some are "beaters". I like it that way. When one of my "nice" cars develops a problem, I jump into another one, and then fix the problem when I can, instead of being screwed because now I have no transportation, having to stay up all night, thrashing on my car cause I have shit [off topic section-foul language allowed] that I have to do the next day. I know for a fact that you have fallen into this category several times. Me, I don't lose sleep, I don't lose income, I just jump into another car and go.
And, for the record, my "beaters" have a better reliability record than my "nice" cars do! You also are aware of the fact that I have cars that are NOT Benzers. This multiple-car-some-of-which-are-beaters lifestyle is a tactic employed by many in the Volvo crowd. It's good to learn from ALL car groups, not just one.
Oh, and let's don't forget, even you have a back-up car! (Sometimes!) And quite frankly, I think your wagon qualifies as a beater! Admittedly, it will be less of one if and when you finish it! Which reminds me, you need to finish that thing and bring it to the drags!
I only asked if your N2O system was factored into your figures or not, that's all. The rest of this SHOULD have been covered in a phone call! Some of this stuff is private and personal!
You need to come by and see Benzer5 before he gets dirty again! As you know, here in the knappy IE, cars don't stay clean for long!
Regards,
Eric
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