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Justifying major cosmetic body-work on my brick 200 1990

I have the pre 1991 style windshield on my wagon. There is what is becoming serious rust on the body in both lower corners on the windshield as well as various locations around the windshield. I'll post a picture tonight.

I'd like to get this fixed and have the 1991+ windscreen installed. I took it to a small body shop in town who has done insurance repair for me before when my 940 was rear-ended. Straight shooter, good work. He quoted not to exceed $1,300 for the repair including the new windshield. This would also include some patching in the corner where the rust is severe. I'm getting a second quote this week.

I love my car, but lets face it, this car is 20 years old, lives in Wisconsin, has 250,000 miles on it, sees 15-18k miles per year. I could buy a new 240 for $1,300! But... I know what I have done to this car in terms of repairs and its very hard for me to just part with that sweat equity. Other than these major outbreaks, the rust is largly contained, floor pans are rust free, a little bit of rust in the corners of the rockers but nothing major.

I could just remove the trim, and do the body work with the glass insitu, but the body guy wont do that for liability reasons. And that type of rust repair would be mainly superficial. I dont feel like DIYing that either.

Thoughts??



--
'90 245 244k, '93 945 225k








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    Added picture -- considering DIY-- couldn't be any worse 200 1990

    This is the worst of it, other side is similar but a bit less. Thinking about popping off the trim, going at it with a die grinder / sanding discs and then maybe some POR 15 and then topcoat. There is a auto body supply shop nearby that will sell color matched paint in a spray can relatively cheap.

    yeah??



    --
    '90 245 224k, '93 945 184k









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    Justifying major cosmetic body-work on my brick 200 1990

    Sounds like you have some time and love invested in this car. I might suggest that you do some patching of your own. Now I haven't seen the extent of the rust on your car, but you might get the windshield areas more waterproof and sealed off by using some por-15, and then some silicone goop. You want to eliminate the leakage if you can. Getting a new windshield and some patching will not be a permanent fix, so why not save some money and fix it up yourself. If you can get the car in a warm garage, use the POR 15 like a liquid bandage....it's good stuff.

    If you want a cream-puff of a 240, find a nice rust free car somewhere other than Wisconsin, and keep this one for a parts car, as some of the others have suggested.

    HS
    --
    92 245, 1965 122 Wagon, past:95 850 Turbo, 92 245, 88 245, 82 245 Turbo, 71 164e








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    Justifying major cosmetic body-work on my brick 200 1990

    My take is that if the windshield area is that rotted out, probably other things are getting a bad case of tin worm as well. Find a no-rot 240 from the west coast or south, then use your existing vehicle as a part donor.








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    Justifying major cosmetic body-work on my brick 200 1990

    +1 on trichards post. If the rest of the car is in good condition you could buy another 240 with that money, or maybe less, and have a complete other car to pull any nessisary repair parts from. However this decision would also hinge on how much space you had. If you don't have space for a parts car then it might be worth it in the long run to just keep fixing the one you have. As long as you are doggedly commited to never letting it die barring a major collision.








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    Justifying major cosmetic body-work on my brick 200 1990

    I was faced with much the same type of decision last spring when my M47 started making screaming bearing noises at about 300K miles. My car's body and interior were in great shape, but again, a repair that cost more than the car is worth? I did it because I love the car, have spent much time money and effort fixing brakes, struts, bushings, timing belt, windshield, etc,etc. I figured the price of a decent used car would more than equal what I spent. A new one, forget it! The newer windshield looks great, by the way. As long as the rust worm hasn't taken other major parts of the car, I'd go for it.








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    don't 200 1990

    the cost for this small repair will NEVER amortize over the rest of the useful life this car will provide.

    you can almost certainly find worthier 240 replacements for much less than 1300 with no body rot.

    body rot in critical areas like a windshield is one of the few problems on a 240 that isn't worth fixing.

    replace the car if you can afford to WITHOUT selling your "beloved" and make her a heart donor to the new one.







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