Why hoarding classic Mercedes is a bad idea

There are a variety of classic Mercedes Benz cars still on the road today, ranging from the iconic 300 SL Gullwing Coupe to the luxurious W126 S-Class. Many of these cars are lovingly maintained by their owners, and they can be seen driving around town or at car shows. These vehicles are a testament to Mercedes Benz's dedication to producing timeless and reliable automobiles.
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[@Johnathan_Waters]

I have actually taken cars from hoards several times, and turned them into decent (sometimes VERY nice) daily drivers. Sometimes for myself, sometimes for clients. I despise hoarding, which is why I only own 2 cars!! My last project (for myself) is/was my 1998 CL600. I spent TWO full years on restoring it when i wasn't working on other people's cars. It's beautiful daily driver now that I am absolutely in love with~! This car was being used as a parts car at a local Foreign repair shop! Currently, i am working on a 1985 190D 2.2 for a customer, and completely going through the entire car and refurbishing everything as i go. It was also a "hoard car"!

[@Keeferlgb]

It is sad you don't see W115s, W116s, and these days, not many W126s on the road anymore. I do still W123s running around and surprisingly, quite a few W140s.

[@Hugothester]

I had a w123 200D but since ai recently got a w116 280SE in much better condition I sold the 200D, turns out I recovered 90% of the cost of the w116 and the new owner plans on fully restoring the 200D. If you cannot keep 2 cars (or in my case 3, I also have a 2015 Nissan Qashqai) on the road, sell them and give them a new life with a new owner.

[@davidkrumwiede446]

I have 8 cars and I make sure they all get driven at least twice a month. The day one sits for six months is the day I sell it.

[@123works]

you're hoarding 😅😅😅

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

I wouldn't call that hoarding. I would call that a collection.

[@lawassignments3848]

You're amazing. I love to collect cars too

[@HydesRVBoatsRexford]

Thank you for calling me out on this. I have 18. I sold one this summer and plan to sell more . I saved them from the crusher 5-8 years ago but it is time they move on to a good home. 123, 126 mostly. Albany NY area

[@nomebear]

The video is so on the mark. In my early twenties, I got a primo 250C, a Texas car that had been in storage, and it for so cheap, almost like I stole it. I was just a kid when I got it. Fifty years later, that car is still running, and making the occasional auto show. My buddy and I picked up a barn full of classic Mercedes. We paid very little for them, most were taken as down payments by a home builder for new homes. We were able to restore the majority of them to a roadworthy state. People who bought them drove the wheels off of them, eventually sold them, and we lost track of them. The SL's ended up being parts cars because they were all rust free, the tops and interiors were impeccable, but to sort the engines would have been outrageously expensive. One guy bought them all and gave us decent money for them. Your point about the storage being cleared out for other purposes was why they were sold to us so cheaply....by the collector's kids.

[@timcarpenter2441]

That last statement is gold: take junk nobody wants and make it into a great car. If you fail, the loss to the wider ecosystem is minimal.

[@gregsn2u]

Great as always and spot on about owner responsibility. I have just sold (into what I believe would be capable ownership) of my very first classic-a 1968 280SE. A very well maintained and decent car. After this, I will now own 2- a 1957 220S and a 1993 S600. (One of your favorites, Pierre. I know you’re over the moon on the W140. So is my mechanic now that I’ve sent 3 of his kids through college thanks to the upkeep of the v12.) EVERY OWNER must know the best time to make the move. Don’t let your estate lawyer or surviving kin make that decision for you as odds are pretty good that the passion you had for these cars won’t transfer itself into your will. Responsible classic MB ownership extends to and even beyond the title transfer.

[@strikeryachts]

A shop in PA shut down a few years ago with over 40 cars, all scrapped. Many just needed one major component.

[@ftffighter]

What!! That's so sad, I hope some of them were rescued by the junk yard but if it's the government then they're probably gone. Do you know where off hand? I'm from Ohio

[@CL500MBZ]

I daily drive my Benz

[@Frank-pe9pk]

I bought a 62 300SE in 74, my junior year of high school. It was my mostly daily. By 20 I added a 69 Buick Wildcat and a 67 Chevy ll. Kept the 300 until 2014 when mom passed and sold her home. The guy that bought her home bought it and was surprised it still ran. I would drive it around the block just to keep everything moving.

[@sanman1188]

The line between collecting and hoarding is a fine one. To keep a classic car running you need the money, the knowledge, and the time. In the U.S., money seems to be the easiest barrier to overcome. I have learned this lesson the hard way.

[@VegasMikeP229]

I thought I was going to hear a discussion on why a Benz sitting actually goes bad. From gas going bad in the Fuel Distributor ($1,000 repair) or that the engine compartment rubber bits get hard and non-functional, or the bodies rusting away. Or the gas tank rubber lines going bad. Seals drying out in everything. These cars want to be used!!

[@ace7821]

I’d say that FD and fuel sitting around problem is easily a $10,000 repair job. It doesn’t sound like you fixed everything and I’m certain your gas tank is corroded. Mercedes are actually some of the worst cars made but no one wants to actually admit to it, especially if they aren’t driven. Bosch and Mercedes should never had a marriage. Don’t buy a car if it has Bosch CIS. The old Mercedes with Carburetors are probably the best cars ever made.

[@VegasMikeP229]

@@ace7821 I mostly agree. If there was a way to junk my KE-Jectronic system and bolt on a Holley Carb, I would do it in an instant. We replaced *everything* in the fuel system and it still ran terrible. Turns out that a junk yard engine computer fixed it. It runs like a dream now. None of us had ever seen the ECU (by your ankle, forward of the passenger's door) go bad. I had tossed one in the trunk "just in case" and in a fit of desperation, the shop tossed it in.

[@ace7821]

@@VegasMikeP229 I have been tempted to buy a used engine from a yard. I’ve already poured $10,000 into mine in the last 12 months. Most of it wasted on others pure incompetency or lack of going the extra 10% and telling what they really know instead of hiding it like some experts on YT. I am hard pressed to see how sociopathic YT posters can be when they withhold their expert knowledge and give enough information that logically makes no sense but “sounds good”. I have not found many that go the extra mile in providing assistance. I have an older Benz with a carburetor and it has always run like a champ. I don’t think these BOSCH CIS systems are really that complicated. It’s just there are a lot of people withholding their knowledge or a lot of blind people leading the blind. Some trying to act like experts when they don’t actually give your their expert knowledge but talk a lot of hot air, wasting your precious time and money. $10,000 is a lot to waste on a 40 year old Benz. There’s no local mechanic who will fix my Benz. So when people withhold information and don’t go the extra 10% they should know they are costing a lot to their viewers. It’s totally not necessary. Just for likes and a following? I dunno. I am tempted to get a used engine or just junk this piece of junk Mercedes. I won’t ever buy another Benz, not because they are bad cars but because people are stingy and jerk you around on YT and other places. They just don’t really know their stuff or they are withholding. It’s clear the latter because they apparently can fix any Benz that comes to their shop? $10,000. Who does that to get zero results back? Plus you have old parts suppliers gouging customers and they themselves seem to lack knowledge. They are definitely not car engineers nor good problem solvers. Plus it’s hard to get old MB manuals. So when you have YT celebrities withholding information for profit, likes, views, it’s rotten apples. That’s why these cars suck. People can hoard their old Mercedes. Hopefully they can hoard mine too, with a $10,000+ added price tag on it. Keep hoarding these pieces of junk. I’m happy to get rid of all two of my old Mercedes. I imagine many many more will, too; with support groups like this here on YT, constantly spewing hot useless air.

[@mihaivisovan5691]

I agree, I'm a transporter and I get to see a lot of this type of guys. The problem is that all of them believe that are sitting on a pile of gold.😂

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

In under 11 minutes, you described American Pickers.

[@liljawn826]

Ive said this over and over again. Its not just a Benz thing, it's any great old car. Letting a car sit there and rot away while you find the time or money to get to it will end up costing you money and the market a car. Every single time. Sell the car. If you absolutely cannot find a buyer or the car is in poor shape, shop around for a responsible junkyard or U-Pull and sell it to them. Let them get those parts out there and into needy hands to save other cars. You paid $3000 for it. Dont sit there and let it rot to nothing because you refuse to take $1500. Eventually, you're going to lose the entire $3000 and nobody gets anything. There are tons of great U-Pull lots out there who maintain classics sections. They don't pay top dollar, but they will give you far more than you would get letting it rot. They advertise those cars and bring in the customers who would be pleased to salvage that seat, steering wheel, body panel, or even a good engine or transmission.

[@LeonardHeussComposer]

I always say to people: I have them not to look at them in my garage. I have them to enjoy them, to drive them as much as I can. This means, in my opineon, I can't drive regulary and maintain more than 3 cars. I actually gave 2 cars away to enthusiast friends of my for nothing, but with the condition they are restaured and kept in good shape staying when not used in a garage.

[@ronalddean3630]

@LeonardHeussComposer that's great. If you have another I will consider it! 😃

[@hamishmacintyre4600]

Great video message Pierre. Happens here in Australia too.

[@Oldgunguy62]

You are spot on with that observation I went to buy a car off a hoarder he has 30 of them rotting in the Mud In upstate NY . I had to pass as they were at best parts cars upon seeing them in person that was 6 years ago . I have a 1989 300 se i am almost finished sorting out. but one car at a time is the way to go,

[@brienmacgearailt7801]

I just had this conversation with my daughter after driving by a rusty pile of Volkswagen bugs........she asked me what happened? I said.....broken dreams.....

[@ronalddean3630]

Three are enough for me, a daily driver, a wagon for business, and a 107 roadster for special times.

[@stephengoodwin6403]

I agree.I just want a nice 400 se or a nice early 90's 2.6ltr 190

[@tymwalt]

I have to agree. My intention was never to hoard but I ended up with three classic MBs. I'm thinking of unloading one, either my 1977 450SL or 1994 E320. But it's hard to replace those cars & they are owned so kind of hard to let go.

[@tymwalt]

Plus I drive them all consistently.

[@benetaue]

Cannot turn back time in the end does the collector's time run out.😢

[@yolo-cars]

The more cars you have the less time you have to maintain them unless it's your part time job. Life may change and your collection could be scraped like it was mentioned in this video. I have few cars and now I don't have time to work on all of them. I'm thinking to leave myself just 2 cars - one a DD for me and my wife and another one for car meets and things like that. Ideally my DD should do both.

[@christophermarshall5765]

I have a W116-032 450SE. She was built in late 1976 & sold to the original owners in January 1977. I am the 5th owner of this car. It needed a new engine. I managed to find a replacement engine for it, which I have fitted. The mechanical side of the car is good. The paint is in need of being redone. I’m also going to repair any rust I find in this car. The rear seat needs to be reupholstered, and I have found a reputable business who will do that for me. At the moment, we are in early spring here. I’m now waiting for the warmer weather so I can carry out the body repair work and do a bare metal respray. The colour will not be the original astral silver it left the factory with. I’m going to paint it metallic brandy wine red over a metallic silver base. Yes, it is a custom colour, but it is one that I like. I have also bought a 2015 W176 A180 hatchback for a runabout while I do the restoration of the silver car. The W116 will look great when I have finished it.

[@Peter-tk6rm]

Classic Benz need to be enjoyed and driven daily. One car ,maybe 2 is more than enough. You only live once,so enjoy what you have. My choice is a 1980 450 slc. Do it for yourself ,Not Anyone else.

[@enriquehidalgo630]

I see mostly R129s, I also saw a very nice W124 coupe. I wish I could see more in the road.

[@akhundov]

How many times have I seen this sad cemeteries of classic Mercedeses! There is one in my own town in FL. About 15 cars murdered, among them a w123 limo, a pontoon, several wagons, all left outside for years some with open windows... What the hell is wrong with people? It is a smart move to buy a good parts car for your excellent one if your have the storage, but 40 cars??? Why?

[@rogerhudson9732]

Hoarding rare parts is a very good idea.

[@redlight3932]

take it with a grain of salt if you have enough space and no naggin wife you can have whatever you want for any reason

[@komoru]

Cars that are parked outdoors in a field are parts cars. Nobody is taking low mile cars and parking them outdoors. The ones I've seen are all pretty beat up and good for parts, and some of them are actually SAVED from the crusher.

[@davidshore8936]

I question even a car collection. They need attention weither you run then or not. I own 2. I enjoy this channel it's real. I used to own a 126 , someday I will own a SL.

[@OneManOnFire]

I have 3 cars and this is already too many things for me to deal with

[@ExAnimoPortugal]

First! Bless you, Pierre

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

I feel like a hoarder with 3 !

[@phildavis4575]

Stick with one or two cars, more than that is difficult. I knew a guy who would drive a type of car for a few years than switch models or types. So he would have different classics, but only own 1 car at a time. Good way to go!

[@thewiseguy3529]

I despise hoarders. Mental cases

[@Peter-tk6rm]

Totally agree 👍 Usually mentally deranged.

[@AppleJack1997]

What serendipitous timing. Does anyone here want my 350SE 4-speed!?

[@trixie9867]

love it

[@Wilantonjakov]

I own an E12 5 series and a w123 300D. I will not sell the Mercedes, but I may sell the BMW. I will never have more than two cars.

[@Akya2120]

Am I a horder? 😂 I have a 95 E300D that I'm putting a 99 606 in, a 190D 2.5 turbo that im keeping relatively stock. Im also fixing other peoples W124s and W201s... Does that make me a mechanic?

[@123works]

you're a hoarder 🤣🤣🤣

[@Akya2120]

@@123works 😭 I knew it.

[@AutoAfflicted]

I would argue that the hoarder is part of a sustainable classic car eco system. You can't control how people attempt to enjoy their Benz or other. While I do feel cars should not be hoarded, your statements about how people should restore their cars seems misguided. Let people be purist or bag riders, as long as they enjoy the classic Benz and keep them on the road.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

One year!!! Thats hauling ass! Haha😂

[@mariasantana6861]

YOU look like a young Jerry Garcia ..

[@trixie9867]

obsess