Okay, so I recently got my hands on a 2008 Benz S-Class. It wasn’t exactly in pristine condition, more like “project car” territory, but I’ve always wanted to tinker with one of these, so I jumped at the chance.
Getting Started
First thing I did was give it a good once-over. I mean, really looked at everything. Checked the fluids – oil was murky, coolant was low, the usual stuff you find in an older car that’s been sitting a while. The exterior had some dings and scratches, and the interior definitely showed its age. But hey, that’s what I signed up for!
The Deep Dive
I started with the basics. Changed the oil and filter, topped off the coolant, and replaced the air filter. It’s amazing how much better a car can feel after just some simple maintenance.
Then, I dug a little deeper.
- Spark Plugs: Pulled ’em out, and yep, they were pretty worn. Replaced those with some new ones.
- Brakes: The rotors were looking rough, and the pads were thin. So, I went ahead and replaced all four rotors and pads. Safety first, right?
- Battery: The old battery was on its last legs. Tested it, and it was barely holding a charge. Swapped it out for a fresh one.
Cosmetic Stuff & Interior
Once I felt a little better about the mechanical side, I turned my attention to the looks. I spent a good afternoon washing, waxing, and polishing the exterior. It’s not perfect, but it’s a heck of a lot better than it was.
The interior needed some love, too. I cleaned the leather seats as best as I could, vacuumed everything, and wiped down all the surfaces. Found some loose change and an old french fry under the seats – classic!
The Results(So Far)
It’s still a work in progress, no doubt. It doesn’t even look remotely like those dealership pics, But, It’s running way smoother now, and I feel a lot more confident driving it.
There’s still a bunch of things I want to do, like maybe address some of the bigger cosmetic issues, and I’m sure some unexpected problems will pop up along the way,But that’s all part of the fun, isn’t it? I will keep work on it.
