OWNER TimL

[kegmankipp]

Wow Tim I’m shocked and saddened to hear the news.

I raised two kids in backs of 4 different 124s. We put down a thick towel and put the Recaro car seat on top of it. It’s not the funnest when they kids have to face backwards but the Recaros work great and that phase will be over before you know it. My Wife at times asked for a bigger car but after seeing the same car seat in other cars decided they weren’t any bigger unless it was a huge boat and she wanted to continue rolling the Sportline 124 wagon. She made it up to 350k miles and it needed another head casket. I didn’t have the time to deal with it and we sold it sadly. I should have kept that one and still regret the decision.

 

[TimL]

Thanks K.- I think I would indeed regret it if it sold, but since this is not a car for the odometer fixated, I don’t think it will find a taker anytime soon, as it will require someone who gets what kind of effort it took to get the car to its current state and that circle seems very small. If it sells I will hate myself for it and if it doesn’t, I have to let go of the initial goal of making it absolutely pristine, as that is impossible with d.d. duty and a toddler.

 

[gerryvz]

 

[kegmankipp]

Thanks K.- I think I would indeed regret it if it sold, but since this is not a car for the odometer fixated, I don’t think it will find a taker anytime soon, as it will require someone who gets what kind of effort it took to get the car to its current state and that circle seems very small. If it sells I will hate myself for it and if it doesn’t, I have to let go of the initial goal of making it absolutely pristine, as that is impossible with d.d. duty and a toddler.

Your car IS pristine and looks new with just a couple small issues left.

I always say
“Why marry a Supermodel and keep her a Virigin?”

You need to enjoy the ride!

I’d rather hear you put a half million miles on your 500e driving your daughter around in style and enjoying every moment.

What could you get for $50k that would even compare?

 

[a777fan]

Tim! Say it isn't so.

I do hope you decide to keep it. Unless your daughter is completely unruly (which she won't be if she's anything like her parents! ) any 'damage' incurred should be of the repairable/cleanable kind. I don't have to tell you, but you've obviously put a lot of blood/sweat and tears into the car, and given how old these examples are now, finding one in the future is sure to be difficult/expensive!

 

[maw1124]

GLWS... I will say though that I raised mine in the back of all of the cars, none of which show wear from it. Sure the allroad is wearing the 205k miles, but since no one gets that car (but the kids, now young adults) it doesn't matter anyway. You didn't ask, but I'm like just keep it, drive it as you need to, enjoy fixing on it, and let the chips fall where they may. My kids actually grew to appreciate special cars and their upkeep, which is a lesson that was fun and not easily taught otherwise. If you see regret coming, you can always make another choice. I can also see where parts availability in the future might make it a RPITA. Best with whatever you do.

maw

 

[RicardoD]

wow, finally a car that breaks the $10k or $15 (or is $20k now?) rule now post purchase. Beautiful and waiting for a lucky buyer.

 

[Jlaa]

OMG @TimL !!! As much as I covet your steering box (and would buy it off you in a hot instant) or covet your Rials, or your anodized aluminum trim or YOUR WHOLE CAR actually ....

Your daughter is 6 months old. She will be 16 in a flash.

If the option is available to you, may I humbly suggest that you park the car in private storage space for a few years until your daughter hits 3rd/4th grade or so and re-evaluate then? In the meantime, you can buy a daily driver car to beat. Put your hobby on ice for a few years and then come back to it. I had to do the same.

I put my hobby on ice for 7-8 years after my kid was born (other priorities, ya know) and then reactivated it in 2013. Putting the hobby on ice is also how I ended up with a Prius, but that's a different story .... Maybe @TimL you can avoid the Prius fate. However, it is satisfying to beat a Prius into the ground, load it up with kids/soccer/gunk/whatever.....

All the best,
jlaa

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Hey Tim,
Wow!

To give you my serious opinion: I grew up in a W126 with grey fabric seats. My father bought it when I was as young as your daughter and daily drove it. This later included road trips with my parents, my younger brother and me, plus luggage for 4 and a Kinderwagen.

Space was never a problem, and the interior still looks great!

This W126 and my parents Sunday car (450SLC) started my love for those cars early. You should think about giving your daughter the same chance haha

This 500E is not only a car for you, it is a thing of love!
I bet you would regret selling it very soon.

It will survive a child fine. The old MB leather is actually way more solid than the thin leather used in modern cars.

Maybe put some sheepskin seat covers in the back and enjoy it.

 

[duuder]

I agree w/ @Jlaa and put the car in storage. i did that w/ a classic BMW and ended up dailying a Prius as well (this car is a tank btw). Will put my 500e in storage once I get a little faster vehicle to make up for the Prius

 

[gerryvz]

Thanks K.- I think I would indeed regret it if it sold, but since this is not a car for the odometer fixated, I don’t think it will find a taker anytime soon, as it will require someone who gets what kind of effort it took to get the car to its current state and that circle seems very small. If it sells I will hate myself for it and if it doesn’t, I have to let go of the initial goal of making it absolutely pristine, as that is impossible with d.d. duty and a toddler.

Your car IS pristine and looks new with just a couple small issues left.

I always say
“Why marry a Supermodel and keep her a Virigin?”

You need to enjoy the ride!

I’d rather hear you put a half million miles on your 500e driving your daughter around in style and enjoying every moment.

What could you get for $50k that would even compare?

Spoken in true “DerFian” fashion….

 

[gerryvz]

it is satisfying to beat a Prius into the ground, load it up with kids/soccer/gunk/whatever.....

 

[northNH]

In 1970 I sold my ‘53 Porsche 356 coupe for $4000 because my German Shepard puppy was growing too big to be comfortable in the token rear seat.
A $200K+ car today.
I still forget to remember to forget.
Be careful.

 

[kwontumspeed]

In 1970 I sold my ‘53 Porsche 356 coupe for $4000 because my German Shepard puppy was growing too big to be comfortable in the token rear seat.
A $200K+ car today.
I still forget to remember to forget.
Be careful.

Elvis fan amongst the crowd, eh?

 

[northNH]

Elvis, Schmelvis…listen to Dylan’s 1970 version.
The real deal.

 

[kwontumspeed]

I prefer Prine's but gotta give credit to the original.

 

[gsxr]

Tim,

As others have said, I'd keep the car. Seriously. Remove the rear seats & console box and put them in storage, replace them with the standard rear bench seat bottom+cushion from any 300E/400E sedan. Your kids can beat up the rear seat all they want and you won't care. Optionally swap in 'beater' rear door panels as well. When their legs get long enough to touch the back of the front seats, add covers or swap in beater panels there also. When the kids are old enough to respect the 036, or go off to college, re-install all the minty originals.

It would be a real shame to let go of such an immaculate restored car. And it would be very, very difficult to replicate 5-15 years in the future!

 

[TerryA]

@TimL, Tim, it’s disappointing to hear that you would sell your beautiful car after all of the restoration that you have put into it.

I agree w/ the others. If it’s possible try to keep it and buy a beater. I purchased a 2015 KIA Optima w/ 12,800 miles on the clock. Out the door $17K. Has 100K /10 year warranty that good until 2025. I still have 32K miles left to 100. The car is bulletproof. So far I’ve had new front rotors & pads and serviced the trans at 60K. Oil & Filter every 5K that’s it.

My reason for buying KIA was I regretfully put 20K on my 500E in one year using it as a daily driver.

Keep it if you can Tim

 

[gsxr]

Based on the original post, he may not have room to keep another car... if so, it's either drive the 500E daily (with seat swapped as I described in post 18), or replace it with something disposable like a hybrid Venza. If it's an option to get another vehicle, shoot, do that!! Even if the extra has to be parked outside.

 

[TimL]

@TimL, I’m Tim, it’s disappointing to hear that you would sell your beautiful car after all of the restoration that you have put into it.

I agree w/ the others. If it’s possible try to keep it and buy a beater. I purchased a 2015 KIA Optima w/ 12,800 miles on the clock. Out the door $17K. Has 100K /10 year warranty that good until 2025. I still have 32K miles left to 100. The car is bulletproof. So far I’ve had new front rotors & pads and serviced the trans at 60K. Oil & Filter every 5K that’s it.

My reason for buying KIA was I regretfully put 20K on my 500E in one year using it as a daily driver.

Keep it if you can Tim

Hi @TerryA, I really appreciate your and everyone else's thoughts and ideas! A beater is a very good idea, but safe parking in downtown Seattle is really difficult to come by at a somewhat ok rate (park on the street and your window will get smashed in about once every month AND the meter lady will make life miserable in a heartbeat). I love @gsxr 's idea of swapping the rear seats and console out to get over the interior wear aspect, but with the daily back and forth shuttle to the grandparents I am still adding about 90 miles to the daily commute, which is not what I had originally in mind for this car. So there are really 4 options:

1) Get over it and accept that my 500E will be relegated to the daily grind, despite my original plan for the car (the @kegmankipp & @maw1124 concept)
2) Get a beater and find reasonable secure parking somewhere further out where I can mothball the 500E for a couple of years
3) Sell the car
4) Move out of the city and closer to the grandparents

I got number 3 started with the original post and I am not planning to advertise the car anywhere else.

Number 4 has been on the table for a few weeks to make live a little easier overall for everyone involved.

I'll have to look into option 2 in the next few weeks to see what that could look like, as I hadn't considered that option yet

And on Option 1, I'd just need to determine what would be the lesser evil - sell the car and suffer like @northNH from his 356 memory or see it get worn down by the daily grind.

Thanks again for all the suggestions - I really appreciate it!

 

[northNH]

…2015 KIA Optima w/ 12,800 miles on the clock. Out the door $17K.

Or, buy my unneeded Indestructo-Tex ‘94 wagon with ~140K on the clock. Out the door $17K+/-
And bring the lil’ darling for the ride home…

 

[maw1124]

If there’s any car that‘s impervious to a daily grind, I’d nominate a W124… that was kinda the point of me buying one… the Porsche version was just because it was the best W124 to have in my opinion… reasonable minds can differ on the second point but not really the first one… again, my opinion… think of the kids @TimL, think of the kids… you can always do the @gsxr and buy more W124s… jokes.

maw

 

[Jlaa]

So there are really 4 options:

1) Get over it and accept that my 500E will be relegated to the daily grind, despite my original plan for the car (the @kegmankipp & @maw1124 concept)
2) Get a beater and find reasonable secure parking somewhere further out where I can mothball the 500E for a couple of years
3) Sell the car
4) Move out of the city and closer to the grandparents

Here is another option [5] that might be available to you ….

5) Stay in Seattle but move to a slightly more residential part of Seattle, near Green Lake as an example. Kid-oriented play/school options are more bountiful just a few miles north, and bonus, you can get a house with a garage with multi-car parking. You can also park a beater on the street without broken windows.

The drawback of option 5 is that it is a slightly less urban experience, and the urban experience is very attractive at this stage in life.

That said, I promise you as your child gets around 4/5/6/7 years old and starts to require activities like soccer, ballet, fencing, play dates, playground, gardening, table tennis, art studio, pottery making, bead crafting, dance, ukelele lessons, piano lessons, nature walks, etc etc etc the downtown lifestyle will lose its luster.

If you are an urbanite at heart, the compromise is someplace in a more residential part of the city. I was shocked at how quickly the downtown lifestyle lost its luster in my own eyes!

Anyways, I should note that I also considered moving to the burbs closer to the grandparents but ultimately passed on that idea, and 10 years on, am quite satisfied with that decision. The reason is because of proximity and health. When the grandparents are younger, like maybe in the early 60s I have found that maybe they don’t mind and even really enjoy watching their grandchild.

However, as they get into the middle/late 60s and then their 70s, you may find that their stamina declines very quickly. Grandchildren may quickly wear them out. Also, at that age, grandparents may also wish that they had some of their independent life back if they are watching grandchildren too much and it starts to become a job for them rather than a pleasure.

All the best to you @TimL

 

[Bogeyman]

Keep the car. Find a secure storage facility that you can access periodically for its exercise. Get a driver for your daily use.
It's not a depreciating asset. You've already spent most of what you need for long term usage. Why let someone else benefit?

 

[TimL]

If there’s any car that‘s impervious to a daily grind, I’d nominate a W124… that was kinda the point of me buying one… the Porsche version was just because it was the best W124 to have in my opinion… reasonable minds can differ on the second point but not really the first one… again, my opinion… think of the kids @TimL, think of the kids (jokes).

maw

I agree, the w124 is tough to wear down, but think of where I'm coming from. This has been a no rain, only decent roads, no stop and go traffic car with plenty of NLA parts that in some cases took me 18 months to source. And now it slogs through abysmal traffic, rain or shine and is collecting stone chips (including on my replaced windshield) on the shittier segments of road I now have to take daily. It makes me sad, but getting over it is an option

 

[gerryvz]

Yep, I daily drove my E500 for a number of years (probably 4-5) when I lived in Portland, OR. And yes, I have stone chips in the cladding, had the bumper repainted once, wheels redone once or twice, windshield replaced once. It makes wear and tear, no question.

But (and I know that many/most here don't agree), but the point of having a car is to DRIVE IT, and get enjoyment from driving it. If you don't enjoy it, or don't want to ruin it, then why have it? At that point it's just a museum piece or a garage bauble.

I think the @Jlaa's solution of having a "city beater" prius is a great solution for urban dwellers.

My solution was always to have multiple cars and use multiple cars - that way no one car took the major bulk of the beating. We had 124 wagons (my ex-wife had three different ones over the years, two M104s and an M103), and for myself, E500, 560SEC, 560SEL, 560SL, and G-wagen at various times. To be honest, the worst of the wear was in the first few years, and is not as bad once the kids get older (and especially when a full car seat moves to a booster, and then nothing a'tall. So, it's really only a few years when kids are young that things are potentially messiest.

When my son (who is now 22) was really young, like 12-24 months, I still had my 450SEL 6.9, and used to tool him around in that beast of a car (and occasionally my 300SEL 6.3) with his car seat strapped into the massive back seat space. One time probably in late 2000 or early 2001, I remember racing a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 along Washington Highway 14 (along the Columbia River, just east of Vancouver) while out on a Sunday drive, with my son fast asleep in his car seat in the back. The three-speed transmission and massive roll-on torque of the 6.9-liter M100 engine allowed me to keep up with that 911, side by side, for a good couple of miles, while the guy's jaw was completely dropped.

The W124 wears like iron, particularly if you protect the rear seat (or swap in a pedestrian 124 bench) and protect the rear carpets with mats.

If you don't need to financially SELL the 500E, I would keep it in off-site car storage somewhere, drive it once or twice a month on nice days (with or without kids), and keep it. I rented a couple of garages for my cars when I lived in Portland, at an apartment building in SE Portland, that were about 30 blocks from my house. I'd drive or walk over to the garage to drive the cars once or twice a month. Worked well.

Use an urban beater for a day to day car.

 

[szvook]

I’m sorry, but having an 036 and not driving as much as possible is blasphemy. The current NLA parts is not helping, but F it. Even you put a gun to my head, driving a Prius in any capacity would never happen with me. Just shoot me instead.

 

[JwashE]

Keep the car, get a storage unit for it, buy a sensible daily that doesn't make you cringe and enjoy the 500E whenever time permits. Time will fly in the years ahead now that your kids are the age that they are. Don't prioritize moving your family to save your car, unless that's what your family needs require. All enthusiasts cars by default are toys. Families are what keep us grounded. Move your car out of the way for another sunny day to keep your family priorities in order, but don't sell it if you can afford to keep it. As others have noted in different ways, your free sunny days will reappear intermittently in the future. When they do, it'll make pulling the 500E out of storage even more eventful, which may make you love it even more.... And if you're completely hell bent on selling it maybe you should cut a deal with Cannepa to help you do it..

 

[gerryvz]

Keep the car, get a storage unit for it, buy a sensible daily that doesn't make you cringe and enjoy the 500E whenever time permits. Time will fly in the years ahead now that your kids are the age that they are. Don't prioritize moving your family to save your car, unless that's what your family needs require. All enthusiasts cars by default are toys. Families are what keep us grounded. Move your car out of the way for another sunny day to keep your family priorities in order, but don't sell it if you can afford to keep it. As others have noted in different ways, your free sunny days will reappear intermittently in the future. When they do, it'll make pulling the 500E out of storage even more eventful, which may make you love it even more.... And if you're completely hell bent on selling it maybe you should cut a deal with Cannepa to help you do it..

Very nicely said. I agree with every word.

And, the older your kids get, the more frequently those free sunny days will re-appear. Soon enough, your kids will be gone and out of the house, and you'll be (occasionally) longing for those days when they were young.

 

[JwashE]

@TimL , where did you land?

 

[Jimbo]

Tim, maybe your .036 can fund her college in 18 years with the obvious appreciation we all know is going to happen.

Hold onto that investment.

 

[Jlaa]

Tim, maybe your .036 can fund her college in 18 years with the obvious appreciation we all know is going to happen.

Hold onto that investment.

Although that would be awesome, I don't think there is that much potential appreciation.
Today we are lucky if an E500E can pay for 1 year of college education (or private high school education).

 

[LTYLER]

Stunning car Tim. If it were mine i don't think i would let it go but i hear your points. My 560 got its share of kid related scratches and marks over the last few years. Kids bicycle mishaps in garage, Sneaked candy into back seat etc. And it was never a daily driver.... An inevitable situation unfortunately.

If you can find a work around keep it.

 

[TimL]

@TimL , where did you land?

It’s not decided yet. We might end up moving from downtown Seattle to Bellevue (for a variety of reasons, not just the car) and with the house we are considering would come easy parking and with that a beater car to remove the 500 E from the daily grind of commuting. In the meantime, two local forum members expressed serious interest in the car, but I just haven’t gotten around to showing it yet- life has been idiotically hectic for us these days. We’ll see where it all ends up in a month or so.

 

[TimL]

Stunning car Tim. If it were mine i don't think i would let it go but i hear your points. My 560 got its share of kid related scratches and marks over the last few years. Kids bicycle mishaps in garage, Sneaked candy into back seat etc. And it was never a daily driver.... An inevitable situation unfortunately.

If you can find a work around keep it.

Thank you LTyler. I think I will be ok (I tell myself now ) with the mishaps you experienced with your 560, as that’s life with kids, I guess. It’s the daily driver duty with the added miles and abuse that come with the kid shuffling that I feel is just making a mockery of all the money and fussing I spent on getting it cosmetically as nice as I could. Mechanical wear and tear is to a certain degree ok, as I get to drive it and that’s fun, but when the sun is bleaching the brand new anodized trim and the stone chips start accumulating, it makes me somewhat sad

 

[TimL]

Life happened and many trials and tribulations later I have come to the conclusion that I am selling my 500 E.

It‘s one heck of a painful decision for me and I know that I will dislike myself to infinity and beyond for this, as this car carries a lot of emotional value for me and and as I invested a considerable amount of money and time to get it to a point where even the most OCD afflicted amongst us would be somewhat pleased.

But it is what it is.

I will leave it on the forum for a few weeks and if there are no takers I will go and list it outside this board.

PM me if interested

 

[gsxr]

 

[Jaju]

Hi Tim,

I believe I just PM you, new to this forum so I am not sure I correctly PM you.

 

[TimL]

Hi Tim,

I believe I just PM you, new to this forum so I am not sure I correctly PM you.

Hi,

Yes you did and should have a response back from me via the message function. I’m in Germany this week and will reach out to you once I’m back in the U.S.

 

[kegmankipp]

I thought of you today Tim as I ran into a car and it’s owner that I haven’t seen in 39 years.

In elementary school there was what we thought to be the Coolest Dad ever who drove a 72’ De Tomaso Pantera to drop his daughter off at school. She was the prettiest girl in school but we always stared at the car lol

I talked to him for a while today and he has over 300k miles on that car now. Paint chips, door dings, some scratches along with dents from his daughter’s softball bat were evident. He said he was so pissed back in the day when they happened but now he sees them and they bring back great memories of his daughter and great times in the car that he wouldn’t trade for anything.

I’d say go for it and roll hard in the 500e. The scratches, dents and stains will only prepare you to be calm for when the kids are in their teens.

The same drama will happen in any other car you drive

 

[gerryvz]

Awesome observation and story, Keggerator !!

 

[TimL]

Life happened and many trials and tribulations later I have come to the conclusion that I am selling my 500 E.

It‘s one heck of a painful decision for me and I know that I will dislike myself to infinity and beyond for this, as this car carries a lot of emotional value for me and and as I invested a considerable amount of money and time to get it to a point where even the most OCD afflicted amongst us would be somewhat pleased.

But it is what it is.

I will leave it on the forum for a few weeks and if there are no takers I will go and list it outside this board.

PM me if interested

Hello all, quick update on this For Sale thread. We moved from downtown Seattle to the suburbs in Nov and with that came a two car garage and ample, safe street parking. So I bought a daily driver (2010 VW Jetta) and my 500 E has been parked in the garage since then. After sitting for about a month, my car had a massive power steering fluid leak, courtesy of the seal not being able to cope with the added fluid that drained into the transmission when the car sat for a bit. When starting the car on that occasion, I noticed that it had a super rough idle once it warmed up a bit, so the 1 year old caps and rotors Mercedes Benz Lynnwood installed had developed an issue (again).

With all that going on, the car was clearly not ready for sale the way it was and after a bunch of consideration I decided a couple of weeks ago that instead of fixing it up for someone else, I would keep the car and get it fixed for myself.

I'll have a remanufactured MB gearbox installed, a new MB torque converter, a new rear main seal, my NOS E420 Sportline steering box + alignment, as well as caps and rotors (again).

Since Steve Geyer is not doing any work in his shop for now, I will have the job done with him at Mercedes in Lynwood. It will be a really chunky bill (at least in my book), but I am looking forward to getting this tackled and being able to drive without the 2 second reverse delay the car has had ever since I bought it. Photos are from when I took it out of the garage this morning to drop it off at the dealership-hadn’t been outside the garage since Nov

I should have the car back in a week, and will let you guys know if the Sportline steering box is worthwhile or nothing to write home about (I suspect it will be the latter, but as long as it cures the leak, I'm ok with that ).

@ admin, can you please take the car off the "for sale" sub-forum without marking it as "sold" (since I'm keeping it)?

 

[Jlaa]

a) I love that garage! You must love it too!
b) S-KS 8807 ----- I am jealous!!!!!!!

 

[maw1124]

Proper result in my book! Enjoy! That’s the way a 500E should sleep.

maw

 

[TimL]

a) I love that garage! You must love it too!
b) S-KS 8807 ----- I am jealous!!!!!!!

For 24 Euro you can get whatever vintage plate you want from them. If you were vain (which you are most definitely not), then you could even go for this one:

 

[dionphaneuf]

Amazing news, glad to hear a happy conclusion to this. Potentially silly question, but what frame/holder are you using in the Euro front plate? Yours looks rather smart. My euro front plate holder is in rough shape to say the least so needs renewing as I also refresh the rest of the front end aesthetics w my new lights inbound (grill, repaint blue star, etc).

 

[TimL]

Amazing news, glad to hear a happy conclusion to this. Potentially silly question, but what frame/holder are you using in the Euro front plate? Yours looks rather smart. My euro front plate holder is in rough shape to say the least so needs renewing as I also refresh the rest of the front end aesthetics w my new lights inbound (grill, repaint blue star, etc).

These are made by Wuerth and of great quality.

Google "Würth Kennzeichenhalter" and there should be plenty available. I like mine a lot as it is from the German MB Delivery Center (Mercedes Benz Kundencenter) which I think goes nicely with the reproduction press release license plate

 

[a777fan]

Since Steve Geyer is not doing any work in his shop for now, I will have the job done with him at Mercedes in Lynwood.

?? I haven't chatted with him for a bit... Is all well?

 

[TerryA]

@TimL, Glad to hear your keeping that beauty. It would have been a shame to sell it after all of the work you have put into it.

Take Care

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Such a proper looking beauty, "keeeeepaaa"!!!