Mercedes 300SEL 6.3 restoration
Discussion
Hi all, I've been badgered by the barge thread to post up some info on my 6.3 restoration. 
I bought the car six years ago from a nice chap in London. It's an original FSH UK RHD 6.3. 100k miles. Not sure how many are out there but I suspect less than 10 in total. The car was from the north originally, and it's had only three owners since October 1971.
I picked it up from a lockup in London and with a massive degree of trepidation drove it back to Sussex. Clearly the suspension was shot, but the way the engine lifted the entire front of the 2.3 tonne monster it drove surprisingly well. I filled it up with petrol and it took something around 110 litres, not kidding. I was looking under the car for a leak!
The interior on the car was amazing, not a single mark on the original leather, wood not bad, and an 8 track stereo to complete the look.
So anyway, the plan was to restore it, but not go crazy with it as prices back in 2010 weren't exactly inspiring a huge spend on a concours restoration. Now, you might be able to get your money back but thats about it.
Anyway, here's some photos. Right now the car is being stripped back to see what issues we have with it. It's had quite a few minor repairs in the past, and theres a bit of rust, but nothing major and nothing in the strutural regions which really says a lot for the panzer tank build quality.
I've wanted a 6.3 ever since I saw a friend of the family with one back in 1982, it was gold coloured too.
I've had bad thoughts about turning it into a red pig replica but I think I'm going to leave that. I might turn it into a Macau look instead so bumper-less with some banded black steelies on it. Should look good with some dunlop racing rubber, stock car look and easy to put back to standard. I find the standard look a bit plain so probably going for the racey look on this car.
Anyway here's some pics from when I picked it up to the current state hunting rust repairs.
Sneak peak of his brothers!
I bought the car six years ago from a nice chap in London. It's an original FSH UK RHD 6.3. 100k miles. Not sure how many are out there but I suspect less than 10 in total. The car was from the north originally, and it's had only three owners since October 1971.
I picked it up from a lockup in London and with a massive degree of trepidation drove it back to Sussex. Clearly the suspension was shot, but the way the engine lifted the entire front of the 2.3 tonne monster it drove surprisingly well. I filled it up with petrol and it took something around 110 litres, not kidding. I was looking under the car for a leak!
The interior on the car was amazing, not a single mark on the original leather, wood not bad, and an 8 track stereo to complete the look.
So anyway, the plan was to restore it, but not go crazy with it as prices back in 2010 weren't exactly inspiring a huge spend on a concours restoration. Now, you might be able to get your money back but thats about it.
Anyway, here's some photos. Right now the car is being stripped back to see what issues we have with it. It's had quite a few minor repairs in the past, and theres a bit of rust, but nothing major and nothing in the strutural regions which really says a lot for the panzer tank build quality.
I've wanted a 6.3 ever since I saw a friend of the family with one back in 1982, it was gold coloured too.
I've had bad thoughts about turning it into a red pig replica but I think I'm going to leave that. I might turn it into a Macau look instead so bumper-less with some banded black steelies on it. Should look good with some dunlop racing rubber, stock car look and easy to put back to standard. I find the standard look a bit plain so probably going for the racey look on this car.
Anyway here's some pics from when I picked it up to the current state hunting rust repairs.
Sneak peak of his brothers!
Thats a good question. I have the airbags to fix it, but I'm not convinced I want to use it what with the hassle of the pump, the air distribution, valve block etc. No matter how good the system is, the car will sit on it's arse after a couple of weeks of non running. It makes 'stance' seem amateurish when one of these deflate, no joke!
I was going to have a look at a conversion to a more normal shock setup and also upgrade the brakes. Only issue is that I will undoubtedly devalue the car if I don't do it the original way. The car is a keeper though so a modern upgrade makes more sense to me.
I was going to have a look at a conversion to a more normal shock setup and also upgrade the brakes. Only issue is that I will undoubtedly devalue the car if I don't do it the original way. The car is a keeper though so a modern upgrade makes more sense to me.
Lagerlout said:
Thats a good question. I have the airbags to fix it, but I'm not convinced I want to use it what with the hassle of the pump, the air distribution, valve block etc. No matter how good the system is, the car will sit on it's arse after a couple of weeks of non running. It makes 'stance' seem amateurish when one of these deflate, no joke!
I was going to have a look at a conversion to a more normal shock setup.
Dont do it, was a common fix on P38 Range Rovers/certain classic's too. It ruined them is the short answer.I was going to have a look at a conversion to a more normal shock setup.
Love the air suspension on my Range Rover, really would recommend just fixing it. Just turn it on every week or so to keep air in the suspension.
Slow said:
Lagerlout said:
Thats a good question. I have the airbags to fix it, but I'm not convinced I want to use it what with the hassle of the pump, the air distribution, valve block etc. No matter how good the system is, the car will sit on it's arse after a couple of weeks of non running. It makes 'stance' seem amateurish when one of these deflate, no joke!
I was going to have a look at a conversion to a more normal shock setup.
Dont do it, was a common fix on P38 Range Rovers/certain classic's too. It ruined them is the short answer.I was going to have a look at a conversion to a more normal shock setup.
Love the air suspension on my Range Rover, really would recommend just fixing it. Just turn it on every week or so to keep air in the suspension.
The pic above is with the air system partially down, this is probably the height I want to run on the car and the final look will be similar but with the chrome grille up front, no chrome strip on the flanks, and a couple of spotlights on the front ala rote sau. Should look nice and mean yet easy to put back to standard. I had thought about using an American style height adjustable air system but wouldn't know where to start (without the jacked look of course lol)
That engine is physically rather imposing!
I'd say stick with the air system if you can. Big part of what made the car special, once you start down the path or making it more "mundane" I think you start seriously eroding it's appeal. Same as with a P38A it has a whiff of "don't really understand it / trying to do things on the cheap"
It'd certainly damage any future value if you do decide to sell it.
I'd say stick with the air system if you can. Big part of what made the car special, once you start down the path or making it more "mundane" I think you start seriously eroding it's appeal. Same as with a P38A it has a whiff of "don't really understand it / trying to do things on the cheap"
It'd certainly damage any future value if you do decide to sell it.
Very nice also looking forward to this. I hope the engine does not need too much doing to it...
I'm sure you've seen the Mercedes Source videos on his 300sel 6.3 revitalisation, but for those who've not here's the link. https://youtu.be/zaIylfUj5z8?list=PLtRKk64pu2woOOe...
I'm sure you've seen the Mercedes Source videos on his 300sel 6.3 revitalisation, but for those who've not here's the link. https://youtu.be/zaIylfUj5z8?list=PLtRKk64pu2woOOe...
You're probably well aware, but over the years club chairman Ian Keers has talked about his W109 6.3 a lot in his monthly viewpoint column in the Mercedes Benz club gazette. He certainly had some trouble here and there with his airbags etc. over time but seemed to get it under control in the end. I'm sure if you were a member he or his mechanic and others in the club would be able to give you the benefit of their experiences should you need them.
AllyBee said:
I'm sure you've seen the Mercedes Source videos on his 300sel 6.3 revitalisation, but for those who've not here's the link. https://youtu.be/zaIylfUj5z8?list=PLtRKk64pu2woOOe...
"And this thing will burn rubber," says the presenter. Great video. 
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