Where To Start: Cost VS. Return?

[250SLFranco]

I have had my 250Sl for over 25 years...second owner.  It has been a wonderful driver and I have enjoyed it alot.  It is now showing signs of wear and age.  Here is my question.  Without heading into a full blown restoration, where should I start freshening it up?
Paint/Body? Chrome? Interior?  Mechanicals?  What seems to produce the best return for the time/money invested?

I appreciate any discussion or input on this subject.

Thanks!
250SL Franco

[Benz Dr.]

Mechanical first. Frame and  floors if needed, body work, chrome plating and interior last. Or interior and then plating depending on what you need to do.

If you are doing a complete restoration everything would be done at roughly the same time but body work should be started early as it will take the most time and it needs to be done first so you can start to assemble after that.


 I've seen where someone did a complete interior on a fairly beat up car and then had to remove it all to repair the floors, then he installed the interior, then he removed it to paint the car, then he rebuilt the engine, the he pulled the engine to paint the engine bay, then he changed the color of the car......... You get the picture.

[Kayvan]

Real question to ask yourself is where you want to end up?

If its the same car and $10,000s incrementally to accomplish a 15 or 20 or 30% improvement in aesthetics / driving experience; you would certainly be better off selling your car and putting the proceeds and  "restoration money" towards an already restored car.

Alternatively, ask yourself what your "all-in cost money" can buy you; you have had the SL for 25yrs, maybe you want something else?:

Sell you car: $40,000
Restoration money: $20,000
Unknown repair/Time-lost/etc: 5,000
===================
$65,000

$65,000 can buy a driver quality  late 60s Jag XK-E Roadster, 60s Corvette, early 70s 911, or 80s Ferrari 308 QV.

All cars that may seem out of reach, but are equal to a Pagoda all-in cost "restoration".

[Tyler S]

Definitely do the mechanicals first. The last thing you want is to be wrenching on a car with a fresh paint job. (like prying center caps off of freshly painted wheels to do the brakes)
The other stuff can be done incrementally as desired but have a game plan together.

[perry113]

I need more information on your specific car to better ascertain its needs. It's hard to give you advice on what your car needs without seeing the car and going down the needs list.
I am happy to try to help you.
Feel free to email me.
Kind Regards.
Peter

[Benz Dr.]

Definitely do the mechanicals first. The last thing you want is to be wrenching on a car with a fresh paint job. (like prying center caps off of freshly painted wheels to do the brakes)
The other stuff can be done incrementally as desired but have a game plan together.

Agreed 100%.                OK, OK - 99.9%

          I'm leaving room for when I disagree with my self..........

[stickandrudderman]

There's no way to answer this question without ascertaining the condition of the shell.
There's no point throwing money at the mechanicals if they are all in imminent danger of heading off in different directions.

[wwheeler]

So when you say driver, do you mean every day to work? Or just on the weekends for errands and also drive it in any weather condition. If you have driven it a lot in the 25 years and especially on lousy days, seems like you could have significant issues with the sheet metal. Mercedes chassis' are very durable and can mask problems. If you see paint blisters in lower sections of the panels, that is something to be concerned about.

I'd say if the above is true, a thorough chassis inspection is a must before proceeding with the mechanicals. Remember with rust, where there is smoke there is fire.