How do you remove sentimentality?
I used to just fix stuff myself so I'd offset labor and just buy a part.
My dad bought a Mercedes-Benz ML320 when it first came out back in '98. It was in Jurassic Park: The Lost World, and it left me with so much love for the W163.
It's almost 17 years old now and still running fine. Everything works except the gas gauge. Its become a 3rd vehicle nowadays and mostly used for towing (5,000lb no prob) so its nice to have. Cheap to insure as well.
Last few years the cooling has been problematic. First wouldn't blow cool, recharged the system (15 years at the time so makes sense). A year later, at stop AC stops blowing cool and engine spikes... turns out to be bad aux fans. Not a big deal, fixed myself and everything is good.
Last week the AC gets stuck on heat mode.... no matter what, blows hot. Turns out the air blend motor was bad. I was able to manually move the blend door myself but the AC isn't blowing cold anymore. Just outside air temp, but at least not hot air.
Taking it in next week to let the specialist diagnose it. Got a coupon to charge the whole system for $130 and I think thats fair but now I'm really thinking anything beyond a few hundred might not be worth it and seriously considering just donating the ML.
But I love it so much. It tows like a beast (esp for a V6) and its been with us for so long I don't wanna part with it. I even have a utility trailer and no other vehicle to tow it with.
I know what you're thinking, "old Mercedes especially one made in Alabama, of course its gonna cost silly money to maintain", but since it sold so well, the forums literally have a fix for everything. Its just the AC system that's beyond my skill.
What should I do?