Paintwork Experts – W124 Estate

[Bill_33]

Paintwork Experts – W124 Estate

I recently purchased a 1995 E280T and have posted a few questions – had some great replies and very appreciative of all the comments made.

The vehicle is in good nick, 160,000 miles, leather etc., - SILVER paintwork - and i really like the vehicle

Only one rust problem - I am looking to replace the n/s front passenger door at it has rust
Also small dint in rear passenger near side – cheaper to replace the door that have it sorted

I have been kindly offered two doors by a forum member in great condition
Paintwork is good – but the colour is SMOKE SILVER

I would be grateful if anyone could advise me of the PRACTICALITY and COST of just painting the near side of the vehicle, front wing to rear wing, including the doors etc.

Is it just possible to spay on top of what is there as all is in good nick side of the vehicle

I would like to keep the cost down - You know the story with these old Mercs……what can be spent on it can be greater than it is work


Any good paintshop guys in the Hampshire area


Cheers

 

[Will]

IMHO (and bearing in mind I haven't got pics/seen the car in question )

Replace the rusty wing (they just bolt on) and then just have that side painted, including the door.

If it's just a small dint in the door it'll probably be easier/cheaper to just get that sorted/painted rather than swap a whole door?

Silver is a tricky colour to match, it'll be difficult to just paint the one wing/door - but then again unless you're doing the whole car you could get carried away - ie, it might be a fraction out against the existing bonnet/rear tailgate etc.

I reckon forum member 'Nick Mercedes' will be sure to know someone useful down in your neck of the woods as you're on his doorstep!

Shouldn't cost more than a few hundred quid? Maybe £400-500+/- , depends obviously where you go etc - I'm sure there would be steep prices out there but it's a 160k mile 124 estate workhorse, right?

Will

P.S, I was going to replace a pair of front wings on my 124 estate, but I'm really not sure if it's worth it? They're silver, genuine MB ones in good physical nick - but would still need painting if you fit them.

 

[Bill_33]

Thanks Will

It is the n/s front passenger door that I would like to replace, (just amended my post) - both wings are OK

It would cost me £50 to have the dint taken out of the rear n/s door and the plastic bottom bit is a little marked.........I can replace the door for that

As you know these cars are not worth much - £1,500 to £2,000 on a good dayt for a good one - which is what I paid for mine.........a full respray would be out of the question and the car does not need one

I like things to look "together"...but maybe I am getting carried away

Cheers

 

[Will]

Oh right - if it's just two doors then perhaps just get those painted and bolt on if you have the know-how?

I'm not sure how fussy it needs to be, might get away with just painting those if you're lucky. Perhaps go and see whoever you intend to do the painting and see what they reckon would be best.

I don't think I'd want to spend much more than about £500 getting it sorted out unless it was a really nice 124. As you say - nice to have them looking smart, but unless it's a cherished/low mileage/top spec 'keeper' we need to be realistic - that's why I'm unsure on replacing the front wings on mine - it'll probably cost as much to get them painted as the car stands me in (and they're not literally hanging off just yet!)

Best of luck,

Will

 

[grober]

It really depends on how together you want the car to look. If you don't mind the "several shades of brilliant silver approach fine" Otherwise get the whole nearside of the car blown over at least to the waistline. Any bodyshop will tell you silver is one of most difficult paints to match. You can always get individual panels "almost right but not quite". The major question is what you are going to do with the upper window frame --door inner surfaces on the smoke silver door/doors. To get a professional finish they need to be sprayed also. You can obviously reduce costs markedly by doing a lot of the trim stripping masking dismantling yourself.

 

[kth286]

Will

I am after an OS front wing for my coupe if you are interested in selling.

It needs to be a later rolled arch type for mine.

 

[nick mercedes]

I would be grateful if anyone could advise me of the PRACTICALITY and COST of just painting the near side of the vehicle, front wing to rear wing, including the doors etc.

You might be looking at around £600 for a proper job, if it's just an old car can you live with the dents and rust (old MB patina)...

 

[Bill_33]

Thanks

 

[blondebier]

My personal opinion is that if you're going to do it, then go the whole hog and do it properly. There's no point doing a restoration on the cheap as it won't last long and it'll be money down the pan.

If you think it's a good car and is worth saving then I'd say go for it.

Otherwise save your pennies and buy a minter when you can. Nick Froome has some lovely cars in Brighton. (See w124.co.uk)

 

[Bill_33]

Otherwise save your pennies and buy a minter when you can. Nick Froome has some lovely cars in Brighton. (See w124.co.uk)

Thanks - I know - viewing his stock on W124 has persuaded me that I want a really nice one

The one that I have bought is good......apart from one door and the rust on that cannot be seen but I know that it is there.

I will give the car a good machine polish in a couple of weeks time and then make a decision on the paintwork.

I just feel that if I spent say, £1,500, on the car, including a loom if necessary, and 4 good alloys, it would be a very good vehicle......but as a "keeper" I would have to be happy with the paintwork......but paintwork is paintwork and after 14 years and 160,000 miles it can only be so good......and if it is not so you are always fighting a losing battle, (mentally anyway), if you know that there are problems.

The car will always be a "second" vehicle to enjoy "now and again" for those special older Mercedes qualities

 

[blondebier]

I don't know what it cost you, but say in total with restoration, it costs you max £4k to get it perfect. That's so much car for fiesta money.

It's surely got to be worth that...?

 

[Bill_33]

I don't know what it cost you, but say in total with restoration, it costs you max £4k to get it perfect. That's so much car for fiesta money.

It's surely got to be worth that...?

Yeh - that's about it
my budget was £1,500 to £2,000 to buy for the car - which is what i paid

It is a E280T with just two owners, (the last for 140,000 miles), never smoked in, Aircon, electric seats really good leather and interior and all electrics work, (apart from unreliable sun roof)
Came with a fullish SH.......£800 spent just before I bought it on service, tyres and a little paintwork.
Couple of small oil leaks.......apparently sump and bridge gaskets and the rusty door.

But you know what it is like - I bet you went through the same thought process with your 230TE.......?

Cheers

 

[blondebier]

I sure did. Unfortunately we couldn't afford to run 2 cars, so she had to go. I've still got all the bits that I was going to use for the restoration too.

I really miss that car.

 

[Will]

Sod's law always says that you'll spend £4k in total on it, and then other stuff will go wrong!

It's always the unassuming but reliable cars that seem to go on forever I suppose whatever you do to it, the majority of it will be a 160k mile, 14 year old car - gearbox failure, SLS problems, an exhaust etc?

If it really is mint throughout and you absolutely love the car, go for it. But there's a lot to be said for a workhorse that you're not too attached to, keeps your options open when things go wrong.

I hate to say it, but I'd be tempted to keep it as is. If it died tomorrow/was written off or something, you could always get another one without worrying about losing too much cash.

My '91 300TE cost £320 with a year's MOT, new exhaust, SLS bits, new battery, Michelin tyres, 8-disc CD etc. No leather or air con mind you, but does have 7 seats. I've had it 6 months or so and it's just so handy as a runaround for DIY jobs etc. I could scrap it tomorrow and not be too worried. Only thing that has gone wrong was a window regulator (£35 - could have left it to be honest).

Will