Mercedes restoration is a popular topic among enthusiasts. There are many restoration companies out there that can help you restore your vehicle to its original condition. Whether you have a 60’s 300SL Roadster or a 90’s E-Class 300CE, this article will discuss what you need to know from finding a resto shop to what questions to ask. We’ll also discuss time and cost, and I’ll share my experience with the Mercedes restoration near me.
Map of Mercedes Restoration Near Me
For “Mercedes Restoration Near Me”, see the map below…
How Does the Mercedes Restoration Near Me Work
A specialized Mercedes restoration service will restore your vehicle to its original condition or a modified condition if you would like. This may take time and money, but the result is well worth it.
The first step is to schedule an appointment with the restoration company. You will need to give them some basic information about your vehicle, such as the year, make, and model. They will also need to know what condition the vehicle is in and what you would like to have done. Its very important to specify if you are looking to keep the vehicle original or you want to mod it.
Once you have scheduled an appointment, the next step is to drop off your vehicle. The company will inspect the vehicle and give you an estimate of the time and cost of the project. The initial consultation at the Mercedes restoration near me is always free.
If your vehicle is undrivable, they may offer a service where they come to your location to look at it. Worse case you can also consider having a vintage auto transport pick it up and drop it off.
After they have looked at the vehicle, they will provide you with a list of recommendations and options as well as a list of parts required. Most shops at this point will require a deposit of at least 25% done before any work can begin. Some shops may require 100% upfront.
Ordering Parts and Beginning the Process
Once your deposit is made, they will begin work and simulatensuosly source parts. Depending on what you need and the age of your Benz, parts might come from specialized Mercedes junkyards or even from the manufacturer. The source of the parts may also be influenced by whether you are doing an original restoration or a resto-mod.
Once the parts have arrived, the restoration process can begin. The technicians at the Mercedes restoration near me will disassemble your vehicle and clean all of the parts. They will repair rust, straighten the frame, do any needed welding, apply paint, make any requested customizations, and fix anything wrong. Once complete they reassemble the vehicle and tune it.
The final step is to test drive the vehicle to make sure that everything is working properly.
Important: Original Restoration vs Resto-Mod
There are two main types of Mercedes restoration: original restoration and resto-mod.
An original restoration is exactly what it sounds like. The goal is to make your vehicle look and function exactly as it did when it came off the assembly line. This includes using only OEM Mercedes parts.
A resto-mod, on the other hand, is a bit more flexible. The goal of a resto-mod is to modernize your vehicle while still maintaining its original look and feel. This may include adding features that were not available when the vehicle was originally manufactured or using aftermarket parts that are compatible with Mercedes.
The type of restoration you choose will impact the cost, time, and difficulty of the project. It is important to discuss your options with the Mercedes restoration shop before making a final decision.
What to Expect in Terms of Cost and Time
The cost of a Mercedes restoration will vary depending on the type of restoration you choose, the condition of your vehicle, and the extent of the work that needs to be done.
A junkyard Benz, to be restored back to assembly line fashion and be showroom ready can take upwards of 2 years and cost over $100,000. A resto-mod may take a bit less time and money, but it is still a significant investment.
What Are the Steps Involved in a Mercedes Benz Restoration?
The procedures for restoring a Mercedes will be different depending on the car’s demands. However, here are some basic broad phases that a comprehensive restoration project will go through.
- Disassembly of the car. This is where the Mercedes is completely taken apart, and all the nuts, bolts, and parts are labeled and accounted for.
- The cleaning of all parts. The engine block and transmission will be removed, inspected and possibly rebuilt or remanufactured. Chrome parts will be triple-plated. Upholstery will be fixed and potentially reupholstered.
- Repairs and Replacements. The frame will be inspected for rust and straightened if necessary. All Mercedes parts will be repaired or replaced as needed with a focus on replacing them with OEM parts.
- Source parts. Finding parts is a lengthy process. Parts may come from Mercedes Benz, specialized Junkyards for German cars or import salvages, specialty second-hand part sellers, or worse case fabrication.
- Sandblast the frame and all other parts. This will remove any rust or corrosion.
- Paint the frame and all other parts. This will bring your vehicle back to its original luster. Shops will know the exact original colors the vehicle was offered in for the model year.
- Reassembly of the car. New parts will be installed and old existing parts that are still functioning are reused.
- Test drive and tune the car. Make sure the vehicle performs as expected and meets the agreed-upon customer specs.
What Questions Should I Ask the Mercedes Restoration Near Me
The most crucial thing you may inquire about a Mercedes restoration company is whether they have prior experience working on your specific model of automobile. This is critical since various Benz models require different treatments as German engineering looks quite different over time.
- What type of Mercedes do you specialize in?
- Do you have experience with my specific model of Mercedes?
- Is there a certain era of vehicles you specialize in?
- What is your process for restoration?
- How much will it cost to restore my Mercedes?
- How long will it take to restore my Mercedes?
- Are you able to provide a warranty on your work?
- Where will you source parts from and what will you do if you can’t find the parts you need?
- How will your work impact the value of the vehicle?
- Can you provide a list of references?
- Do you have any before and after photos of previous restoration projects?
How to Choose a Mercedes Restoration Near Me
When it comes to Mercedes restoration near me, there are a few things you should take into consideration. Here are a few tips on how to choose the right Mercedes restoration near me:
Experience
You will want to consider is the experience of the Mercedes restoration near me. You want to make sure that they have a lot of experience specifically with Mercedes restoration. If not with Mercedes then the era your vehicle was built in.
Reputation
The next consideration is the reputation of the shop. You want to make sure that they have a good reputation and that they are known for their quality restoration. reading reviews online is helpful, but it’s even better if you can connect with other people who have had a Benz restored. Good places to socialize are car shows and cars and coffee events.
Location
Location is critically important for a classic vehicle. You want to make sure that the location is convenient for you and that you can get to the restoration easily. Are you going to drive the vehicle to them? ship it to them? or perhaps see if they can come to you?
My Experience Getting My 1972 280CE Coupe Restored
I’ve had this 72 280 CE for about 5 years and I had worked on it on and off. While I had replaced almost the entire interior myself, the exterior and all the mechanical work was still looming. I had dreams of muscling it up, by rasing the back, giving it more HP, adding a performance exhaust, and going for wider tires, but just hadn’t executed on it.
I found a Mercedes restoration shop near me that had great reviews and I was able to speak with some of their previous customers. They were all very happy with the work that was done on their classic Mercedes Benz. I decided to let them take a look at my baby.
The first thing they did was give the car a thorough inspection. They looked at the body, the frame, the engine, and the drivetrain. They took note of everything that needed to be repaired or replaced. Then they gave me a detailed estimate of the work that needed to be done. My budget was about $20K, but I needed about $30K worth of work.
We decided on a restoration plan and they got to work. The process took about a year, but it was well worth the wait. My Benz looks better than it did the day it rolled off the assembly line.
Mercedes Restoration Near Me – Conclusion
If you are in the market for Mercedes restoration near me, then you should consider the tips and advice above. A resto shop can be a great way to bring your classic car back to its former glory. Just make sure that you choose a reputable shop with experience working on your specific model of Benz. That’s what I have learned from the Mercedes restoration near me.