| Restoration and Return
First you should decide "why" you are restoring the car. Is it to re-sale later to someone or is it for you to keep for your inventory. If you are restoring it for re-sale, there are many other models that would give you a greater return on your money. If you are restoring it for yourself, that's another matter. A good MB paint job and full replacement of all the worn rubber items, i.e. windshield gasket and rear window gasket, could run $4,000 parts and labor. If the engine is in need of an overhaul, plan on another $2,000. At this point you would have $6,000 invested. If you can do these things for less or do them yourself, all the better. Good examples of this model with low miles, unmodified and entirely stock, go for the high $10's today. I personally like the 124 wagons, 300 TE, and 300 TD, for restoration and re-sale. You can make a modest profit and enjoy the car as you return it to its oringinal condition. Fewer on the road and lots of used parts from the 124 series fit the wagon too. I have owned two 190 E's. I owned a 2.6 and sold in for a slight profit after driving it for a year. Great cars! |