Pattern panels vs manufacturer panels

[Parrot of Doom]

I've decided I'm keeping my Merc until either the engine or gearbox dies. At 243,000 miles neither show any such sign, and the thing has been pretty rock solid all the time I've owned it. I reckon that even if I spend £1,000 on tarting it back up, that's still much much less than depreciation on something newer, and meanwhile I can use the money saved on other pursuits. It also needs a new driver's seat as the current one is starting to sag, and is creaking as I move in it.

Apart from the bodywork, which is rusting badly. Therefore I'm replacing the two front wings, and having the other spots and bits and pieces tidied up by a local bodyshop.

Question is, pattern wings, or manufacturer wings? Obviously the former don't fit quite as nicely, but the latter aren't to be celebrated either (considering how much the rust enjoys eating them).

Any experiences? Advice? Is it worth spending the extra on a 13-year-old 243,000 mile trusty but tatty Mercedes?

[JB!]

if your not selling it on, pattern all the way.

[R1chardP]

I don't know if it's a rare colour but you could try to get something from a scrappy which would be cheaper than either of your options and you might be able to pick up a new drivers seat for good measure when you're there.

[DanGPR]

Is it really worth spending the money on getting it fixed at all , really?

I know, it's nice to have a car that looks nice, but if you just brushed a bit of POR-15 on the rust, it shouldn't spread any further and you can keep the cash for something more fun.

[Parrot of Doom]

R1chardP said:

I don't know if it's a rare colour but you could try to get something from a scrappy which would be cheaper than either of your options and you might be able to pick up a new drivers seat for good measure when you're there.

Not an option, all Mercs pre-2003 suffer from rust, it has to be new.

[Parrot of Doom]

DanGPR said:

Is it really worth spending the money on getting it fixed at all , really?

I know, it's nice to have a car that looks nice, but if you just brushed a bit of POR-15 on the rust, it shouldn't spread any further and you can keep the cash for something more fun.

Well, yes, really. And you can't spread POR15 on fresh air

[DanGPR]

Ok, in that case, do you know the actual prices of both panels? If you can afford to, obviously OEM panels are preferable, but if it's a choice between the cheap panels with a good bodyshop fitting them, or the expensive panels and a cheap paint job, I would go for the cheap ones fitted well,

[GKP]

Have you checked underneath the panels to make sure you're not going to expose a whole load of extra holes you'd rather not know about?

[Parrot of Doom]

I do my own work on the car and generally speaking, apart from one badly corroded bit of non-structural metal below the radiator, the chassis is rust-free. It seems to be just the panels that the salt feasts on.

[Roman]

A friend got some wings for his 220CE from either German & Swedish or Euro in Trafford. Slightly thinner and require a little more fettling than OEM but a very good price and they look fine on (I think there may be 2 non OEM options and he went for the cheapest).

Have to meet up at Ringley some time soon mate!

[TallPaul]

I seem to remember (its been a while since I repaired one!) that genuine Merc panels arent a load of money. If the price difference is major, then yes, get the pattern panels, but if there isnt a great deal in it, get genuine. Pattern body panels wont perform as well in a crash and generally have an inferior E-coat, but in reallity, it wont make much difference, especially to the more mature motor!

[Parrot of Doom]

Holy fk. Pattern wing = £80. MB wing = £205.

Pattern it is then.

[ZesPak]

R1chardP said:

I don't know if it's a rare colour but you could try to get something from a scrappy which would be cheaper than either of your options and you might be able to pick up a new drivers seat for good measure when you're there.

:this:

You'll be surprised what you can find in a scrapyard.

[BigBen]

Parrot of Doom said:

Holy fk. Pattern wing = £80. MB wing = £205.

Pattern it is then.

Just been through this for my SL, 550 for MB vs 120 pattern vs 120 for two from a scrappy. Scrappy ones are not perfect but much better than what I have

[john_p]

Anyone suggesting "go to a scrapyard" has not seen a late 90's E-class on the road lately.

The last few I've seen have all had as much rust as paint on the front wings!

[Kentish]

Parrot of Doom said:

DanGPR said:

Is it really worth spending the money on getting it fixed at all , really?

I know, it's nice to have a car that looks nice, but if you just brushed a bit of POR-15 on the rust, it shouldn't spread any further and you can keep the cash for something more fun.

Well, yes, really. And you can't spread POR15 on fresh air

POR15 doesn't neutralise rust either

It is good for covering over areas where you have killed rust off

I must get some for my MGB

[ZesPak]

john_p said:

Anyone suggesting "go to a scrapyard" has not seen a late 90's E-class on the road lately.

The last few I've seen have all had as much rust as paint on the front wings!

I've been to a scrapyard for several things (old renault parts esp). While they are seldom perfect, they can be real bargains.

I'd rather pay 40€ for a used dash than 350€ for a new one (on an old car).
As for the op, chances are he can find one in better condition, and if the price is right, he could have a real bargain.

Never hurts to go and look .

[Kentish]

Parrot of Doom said:

Holy fk. Pattern wing = £80. MB wing = £205.

Pattern it is then.

I have this dilema with my classic.

Steel pattern wings are nearly £400 each (OEM are silly money), fibreglass pattern wings are £85 each.

I like the idea of fibreglass in some ways as it won't rust and makes the car a bit lighter

I may go for an aluminium bonnet too and a fibreglass front valance.

[Parrot of Doom]

ZesPak said:

john_p said:

Anyone suggesting "go to a scrapyard" has not seen a late 90's E-class on the road lately.

The last few I've seen have all had as much rust as paint on the front wings!

I've been to a scrapyard for several things (old renault parts esp). While they are seldom perfect, they can be real bargains.

I'd rather pay 40€ for a used dash than 350€ for a new one (on an old car).
As for the op, chances are he can find one in better condition, and if the price is right, he could have a real bargain.

Never hurts to go and look .

Interior bits and pieces, engine stuff, yes. Bodywork? Never. Any original MB panels in a scrapyard will be either rusty, or prone to rust. There's no point spending money on something that'll look like dried baked beans in a year.

[PeteG]

Go for pattern - and get some decent anti-rust products, Waxoyl and the like.