Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 15:42:02 -0300 From: Dexter J <lamealameadingdongnopsamlamelame.org> Subject: Opinions Please..
Salutations: As many regulars will know - we were coming up on (and am now at) the the point where we must do something about our '89 9000T CD.. There have been several options pursued to no great success surrounding buying a newer, less tatty, perhaps hatchback body and moving the still ok 89 engine over to the newer body on the premise that we could get into a better overall ride relatively inexpensively if we could find an early 90's 9000 with a dead engine and because we would have a substantial supply of spares for the final vehicle.. This has not turned out to be the case - indeed - as was finally agree, anyone that has a good 9000 body and interior still on the road in Eastern Canada is keeping it, fixing it or asking quite a princely sum for it.. Great Minds - Fools Never.. :) .. Soooo - there is some loose talk about picking up SOB (some other brand) - notably a 87 Mercedes 300TD (Turbo Diesel) Wagon with about the same mileage (320,000km).. However, for the $6,200 (CDN) being quoted and knowing it will need repair in the coming couple of years - I have been wondering how far that might go to really fixing up the current 9000 using an older donor instead.. I have found an 86 9000T hatch five speed turbo with a black leather interior in good shape (has gauge pack) that runs - but is so badly rotted out as be available for $500 if I'm willing to tow it away.. I have a quote of around $2,000 to properly paint and repair what body work on mine needs to be done - closer inspection proved out that the primary rust on her is at the door sills and passenger rear quarter panel - but the shell itself is actually in very good shape structurally.. That $2,000 figure would include moving the black interior over from the 86 hatchback, putting to rights the passenger window(s) I messed up and dropping in a new windshield (mine is pitted and hazed).. Leaving us with the engine bay and suspension/steering systems(s) to bring up to grade.. I'd move the 5 speed tranny over from the '86 (ours is currently automatic) as well as the gauge pack, pick the best turbo between the two and transplant what I think may be a non ABS brake system from the 86.. I have already fixed a CV and done all brakes as well as the ball joints and replaced all the springs (lowered the front, cargos on the rear) on mine - I still have to do *all* the lower bushings and will need to remake the exhaust from under the front seats to the tip as well as do the crank seal, distributor and generally replace most of the rubber hoses and lines under the hood.. Perhaps a timing chain and head gasket preventively as well while the engine is out.. This would bring all the worn bits under the hood up to grade and she still is within 4 pds of OEM compression across all pistons as it is.. Good mechanical labour is quoting around $1,500 - $2,000 for the engine swap and assorted bushing/exhanst work excluding parts - which I think I can bring in for around a $1,500 all told (with perhaps a nice set of three spoke wheels).. The labour figure - while not etched in stone - is reliable.. This would leave me with a completely serviced 5 speed 1989 9000T CD that I would paint to look a lot like this: http://home.nycap.rr.com/stephens9000/ .. which I think is about as perfect a 'rodding' of an old style 9000 as I've ever seen.. So frankly brothers and sister - I'm stumped.. It's a lot of money to throw at an old car for repairs/restoration - but I have to think that the mercedes will be in about the same shape in a couple of years as the current SAAB is and very probably as expensive to fix up.. While we very much love the SAAB for handling, comfort and safety, the 300TD offers seven passenger seating at the expense of comfort and handling - it's like piloting the Tirpiz from the test drive and just as safe I'll bet.. We are at the point where we have to make a call one way of the other in a month or two - so thoughts, comments, restoration experiences, opinions (other than what crappy tires they make these days) are welcomed and appreciated.. -- J Dexter - webmaster - http://www.dexterdyne.org/ all tunes - no cookies no subscription no weather no ads no news no phone in - RealAudio 8+ Required - all the Time Radio Free Dexterdyne Top Tune o'be-do-da-day Rose Royce - Car Wash http://www.dexterdyne.org/888/072.RAM
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