W124 - And the works begun and abruptly stopped… Phase 1

Executive Summary:

Avoid a conman, never pay until proof of purchase is done or progress of work is reported! If a person does not have any money to fund the start of his work, just walk away.

This is the first phase of the work to be done on the W124, and estimated to be completed within a month. Work includes re-upholstery, restoration of Masterpiece interior trims, and repair of electrical for the interior.

Details:

The work on the E280 has now started, the focus for the first phase would be to refresh the interior and commence the Masterpiece trim build. In this phase, the focus will be on the interior and the work includes:

  1. Stripping of the current interior
  2. Replacing the old carpet with one that of a better condition
  3. Sourcing of the Masterpiece bits such as:
    • Half wood steering
    • Chubby/storage box
    • Gearknob
    • kick panels
    • replace/repair the instrument cluster
    • front electric seats
    • door cards with seat control units
    • fresh leather for the upholstery
  4. Treating the floor with an undercoating spray from 3M (rust protection and rubberised) - this is a DIY job and taking opportunity since the interior has been removed
  5. Check and repair electrical for the interior. Currently, the rear headrest is not working, rear power windows are not working as well
  6. One key setup for all key sockets

Timeline: 19 Aug'20 to 19 Sep'20

  1. The upholstery is expected to take 2–3 weeks
  2. Electrical check and repair is slated for 2 weeks
  3. Putting the interior together and checking to ensure all components are properly working — 1 week

Current status:

  1. Interior has been stripped
  2. Seats have been sent to the upholster (so it was claimed - with no evidence)
  3. Wiring work in progress, rear power window regulator installed, troubleshooting to have it working (but it never did)










Update as of 4th Sep 2020:
The interior refurbishment work has stopped. That guy wasn't able to give me a clear picture of the project and update me on the progress. His pricing was also found to be ridiculously expensive. After 2 weeks of waiting, there was nothing done to the car and it was enough to stop any further engagement with this person. I am happy that the work has stopped which allows me to have people that I trust to look at the car and give me an honest opinion. 

One of the biggest problems I had with this person was he would not give me a clear picture of what will be done, no costing and he assumes I will be okay with what he thinks is correct. That a very bad way to start a project. Not being able to keep his cool when asked for info is just a bad sign.

He was responsive till I signed to buy the car and paid him some money, after that came the actual drama of being irresponsible of not wanting to pick up calls and reply to messages citing constant migraines.

He still owes me some money that he has to refund for failing to deliver, now the wait for the refund continues. As luck would have it, only after the payment is done, the real color is revealed, despite all the initial checks, the real character somehow appears only after the payment is done.

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