Ugh, FWD.

Shop harder. I bought all 8 rear suspension arms with new bushings and bearings (yeah both) installed for just over $150. I picked up a used Cosworth head with 60k miles in excellent working condition for $250 delivered- and that's probably one of the rarest MB cylinder heads in the U.S. Picked up Mann oil filters at $3 each from Rockauto. Brand new air flow potentiometer $25 delivered. I hear the same sh!t from MB weenies and it's because they roll up to the dealer parts window and pay 4-5x what third party parts cost. MB used a lot of the same parts across the models and sold a lot of the cars around the world basically unchanged mechanically, so there are a lot of third party manufacturers out there. That's what keeps the prices down.

I think the real question is: Is the buyer cut out for old german car ownership? That means diagnosing insanely complicated systems, deciphering service manuals that are far more difficult than the engrish I was accustomed too, and working on items that were apparently not engineered with accessibility in mind- ever.

It's definitely a challenge. I bought mine a deep discount and now have a great running DD with tuned fuel system, new rear suspension, working AC, among various other little things. But I enjoy challenges and working on cars.

Would it be stupid to buy a 944 and V8 swap it...Or a 924? Any difference between the 924 and 944? other then the flared arches? I can get a 924 for $500...

Oh yeah. I also want to stuff an engine like this into it...http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/h...g_bang_theory/
I don't know which engine it is though. I'm assuming it's the vortec. But would it make that much power with just a cam and a ported head? The amount of boosted power this thing makes is insane. Power like faeflora would want, as in, ALL-OF-IT.

goddamn that is badass

924 has problems with a swap that a 944 doesn't. Something about the subframe or suspension or something that won't hold up. I forget exactly what it is, but I was looking at a 924 for a LSx swap, and it was highly recommended to go with a 944 instead.

Search for places that make 944 swap kits, and that's where you'll find the info.

LS fits in either gen 924, but the first has the weaker driveline/transaxle. Last gen transaxle is suggested for <400ftlbs. Transmission would require fab'ing a tunnel at the firewall- or enlarging what's there for the torque tube.

Yes that motor is awesome.
I dont really like the 924 body when compared to the 944. But theyre so much cheaper...

Really? The used market seems to be saturated with 944s and I seem them not running for as cheap as any 924. Really depends on the condition. IMO you'd want the 944 for the flares- big wheels/tires.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/3070489173.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3074925831.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/3045635007.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/cto/3013566382.html

Yes I definitely want the flares, the 924 just looks lacking without them. The only 944, who's seller replied to me, is listed at 1500 needs a complete interior as well as a new paint job. That wouldn't bother me for a project like this but he would need to come down a bit in price I think.

Edit: Hmm I just found an 85, running driving, champagne gold for $1200...

:rofl:

No kidding!! What's up with the darn lug bolts?!? How do you fudge-up something so simple and obvious. Totally stubborn.

Actually, we should all be grateful that Germans have a propensity for stupid complexity. The Big One might have turned out differently without this characteristic.

The only Merc I would drive would be an old turbo-diesel wagon. Wagon, to haul sht. Turbo-diesel, to burn grease and be all eco-correct here in Portland. They are all spoken for, here, and there are no cheap ones to be found on the CL.

Next choice would be a 7.4L turbo diesel Excursion, but Ms Mobius won't go for that.

7.3L, not 7.4L

My dad has two. 300TD wagons.

your dad?