Giving my 2004 MM a 2nd life - help needed

[Yo Vic]

Hello all,

Need some input. My 2004 is at a cross roads. 163K, all stock with exception of billet pedals. Still fun to drive and want to develop a plan to renovate instead of spending that money on a new car that isn't as fun to drive.

1. The engine runs fine although it burns a quart of syn every 3K miles. But if a rebuild fits the budget, them a lot can be done in the engine bay.

2. Need to determine if it should be done in steps or all at one time.

3. Need to determine if taking it to a one-stop shop would be most efficient from a time and money perspective.

I look forward to anyone's suggestions (pros and cons). Has anyone else done this?

Thanks,
Yo Vic

[SC Cheesehead]

Hello all,

Need some input. My 2004 is at a cross roads. 163K, all stock with exception of billet pedals. Still fun to drive and want to develop a plan to renovate instead of spending that money on a new car that isn't as fun to drive.

1. The engine runs fine although it burns a quart of syn every 3K miles. But if a rebuild fits the budget, them a lot can be done in the engine bay.

2. Need to determine if it should be done in steps or all at one time.

3. Need to determine if taking it to a one-stop shop would be most efficient from a time and money perspective.

I look forward to anyone's suggestions (pros and cons). Has anyone else done this?

Thanks,
Yo Vic

Number 1 and 2: Four words: Aluminator with Eaton swap. Alternatively, have the stock block rebuilt with an Eaton swap. The latter would prolly be well under $10K.

Number 3: Take it down to Mo's Speed Shop, his guys can do it up right and give you the car back, turnkey.

Any way you look at it, upgrading the MM will be a lot cheaper than replacing it, and you'll have a unique vehicle that will last you for years to come.

[Raleigh Marauder]

I'm in the same position with 195,000 on mine. I 'm hoping to talk to some folks very soon about the best path to supercharging - whether a rebuild or crate engine.

[slickster]

You don't seem like a mod kind of guy so drive till it won't go anymore then do a basic rebuild from the people that knows these cars. Ohh and I think you car deserves a tune ;)

[warren]

Hello all,

Need some input. My 2004 is at a cross roads. 163K, all stock with exception of billet pedals. Still fun to drive and want to develop a plan to renovate instead of spending that money on a new car that isn't as fun to drive.

1. The engine runs fine although it burns a quart of syn every 3K miles. But if a rebuild fits the budget, them a lot can be done in the engine bay.

2. Need to determine if it should be done in steps or all at one time.

3. Need to determine if taking it to a one-stop shop would be most efficient from a time and money perspective.

I look forward to anyone's suggestions (pros and cons). Has anyone else done this?

Thanks,
Yo Vic

Vic,
I had the same problem. Buy a Cad. CTS V, Jag., Dodge Charger SRT 8 or RESTORE and make better. A friend said - you have the best looking car around why not just make it better !!!
I called Dennis Reinhart in Orange Park Florida. He is an expert on our MM's.
Warren

[1stMerc]

Talk to Todd(bodyman) or John (Buckwheat)

Still at just 85xxx so a long way to go for me.

[marauder410]

I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM A SECOND OWNER WHP OBVIOUSLY NEGLETED THE MM I BOUGHT FROM HIM GOT IT SUPER CHEAP 2003 300A BLACK/CHARCOAL WITH 98K ON CLOCK AND WAS A WRECK

SO I BOUGHT IT AND RESTORED IT I GUESS YOU CAN SAY:

REBUILD MOTOR
REBUILD TRANS
NEW ALTERNATOR/STARTER/BATTERY
COMPLETE BRAKING SYSTEM REDONE
COMPLETE SUSPENION REDONE STRUTS/SHOCKS/SPRINGS
ALL NEW HOSES/CLAMPS/WIRES/CLIPS/ETC
BODY SHOP FOR ALL DENTS/DINGS

MANY MANY UPGRADES/MOD

BEASTS AUDIO SYSTEM
2.5 CROWL FIBERGLSS HOOD
K&N INTAKE
DR TUNE
CONTROL ARMS
ETC/ETC

REAR END IS NEXT AND WILL JUST ABOUT HAVE A BRAND NEW CAR AND IM HAPPY I DID SO I WILL HAVE MY MM FOR MANY many years to come

i just love mercury marauders

so i say just restore the one you have and make it a nice running car thats alot of fun to drive for many years to come...good luckk:2thumbs:

[dohc324ci]

What is your budget?

[SC Cheesehead]

What is your budget?

That's a good question, but if he does a trade on a new or newer performance model, he's prolly looking at $20 to $30K to replace, and you can do a WHOLE bunch to make a go-fast MM for that money... ;)

[Yo Vic]

OK, decided to part with my MM (temporarily). Really needed a new car, now, with good gas mileage. HOWEVER, when I finally get my 2nd garage finished on the inside, I will be looking for a "new" replacement where I can work on it as time and money permits and build it like I want it. FYI, I did get a true $5K trade-in (167,000 miles) on a 2013 Kia Optima (turbo 2.0 274 HP), that after rebates and negotiated to invoice price. It's not the Marauder by a long shot. Funny, the Marauder handles corners as well as this car. And when I was driving on the highway, GUESS what was behind me? A STL MM just like mine. It was almost as if it was following me home screaming, "why did you leave me?".

[babbage]

Marauder to a Kia? Harumph!

[tbone]

KIA's are nice, but no one will ever stop you to talk about it and drool. Have fun with it though.

[screamn]

Nothing compares........

Vehicles at different ends of the spectrum.

[wannaMM]

Yo--VIC--What town was that in......I'll take on a project car....

[SC Cheesehead]

Yo--VIC--What town was that in......I'll take on a project car....


He's from St. Louis.