So I have been staring at this empty spot in my garage for like six months now and I finally decided its time to find a project. Specifically looking for a 70s Merc, like a W114 or maybe even a W108 if I can find one that isnt totally rusted out. I have about $9000 saved up specifically for the purchase, which I know isnt a ton for these cars nowadays but I am looking for something that needs work—nothing that runs perfect right away.
I have been looking at Bring a Trailer pretty much every day but honestly the prices there are getting insane even for the no reserve stuff and I dont want to pay a huge premium just for the site name. Then I checked out Hemmings but most of those cars seem too nice? Like they are already restored and that kills the fun for me. My logic was that there might be some smaller, more specialized site for old Benz parts and projects that I am missing. I also checked out the PeachParts forums but their classifieds seem a bit slow lately.
I am in the Seattle area so I have to be careful about rust and I really want to find a site that actually has people who know these cars selling them. Should I stick with the big auction sites and just wait for a deal or is there some hidden gem site specifically for old Mercedes projects that I havent found yet? I really want to get started before the winter really hits so I have something to do in the shop...
I'm satisfied with Marketplace for local deals and MBWorld for history. Marketplace is cheaper but riskier, while forums are reliable. Both work well. Grab a Haynes Mercedes-Benz 280 1968-1972 Manual too!
> looking for a 70s Merc, like a W114 or maybe even a W108 Man, I love the W108 lines! They are absolutely iconic. If BaT is getting too rich for your blood, you seriously have to check out The MB Market. Its an auction site specifically for Mercedes and you can actually find some decent project-grade stuff there without the BaT tax being so heavy. Since you are in Seattle, rust is the absolute enemy! You gotta get under the car with a magnet and a good light. If you find a solid candidate with surface issues, grab some POR-15 Rust Preventive Coating Gloss Black 1 Pint right away. Its basically magic for stopping that PNW dampness from eating your floors. Also, for the mechanical side, look into a Bosch Fuel Pressure Tester Kit 0-145 PSI if you end up with a fuel-injected model... itll save you hours of head-scratching when it wont start. Cant wait to see what you find!