Not so much the year model as it is the system that needs work. I'm not too inclined to want to work on the fuel injection pumps on either the '70 280SL or the '82 300D. Everything else on those two is fair game though.

On the other hand, everything on the Austin-Healey can be taken apart and repaired. Some people don't like tuning the twin SU's, but I kind of enjoy it. I have to change the needles twice a year when I go from 3000 ft to 8000 ft and back again. Gives me a chance to clean the SU's up and adjust the mixture.

I think I know my limitations on most things mechanical and try to stay within them.

my $.02,
Wes

Larry got rid of his C240 6 speed not so long ago. He only has the 300E 5sp, and the 240D.

He got rid of the C-Class on the basis of this thread. Too many niggly tiggly glitches, and I guess a fellow like him would rather keep a car forever than to trade it in every 3 - 4 years.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

MB Quality

...Or so I read,

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

seems like pretty much anything that has an engine cover. too many electronics, and its not like they get easier to work on as they get older, they just go crazy. i know all to well.

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1991 300 D 2.5 Turbo, 220k
also in the family:
1981 240 D 185k
1991 350 SD 185k
2006 S 500
2005 SLK 350

The beauty of the diesels is in their simplicity. If you buy a techno-gadget car, why buy a diesel at all? Read the threads here and you will see compaints of the ACC, cruise, power windows and sunroof even on the 123s. Even then they were building systems that were not designed with maintenance as a high priority.

I think the answer to the original question will vary greatly between individuals. I have a strong mechanical and electronic background and will likely continue to buy increasingly complex cars. I will also keep simple cars that I like.

I am at the stage in my life that I don't want to work on cars. I enjoy the benefits of being able to do so.

It seems a great many people maintain their own late model VW TDIs. I think probably because they are more affordable, not so much because it would be impossible to maintain a late model MB.

To replace brake pads or brake fluid on a SBC equiped vehilce (W211 & W230) you need to disable the brake system with the benz PC (DAS). This has effectively eliminated any chance of any workshop without expensive equipment from servicing these vehicles.

Scary thought for those who can't afford the huge prices dealers charge

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Alex.

MB Tech
Sydney, Australia
Volvo 122S
W201 190D 2.5 manual
W202 C240
W203 C32

If the fear is that the car may do a brake test as mentioned above, could you just disconnect the battery?

Regarding complexity, many on this thread will remember the short stent a W210 had in my garage - too many problems I could not fix!!! I now drive a Lexus... (But am lusting for a near perfect 240D or 300TD)

-Dan

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1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

I think the limit is in the early 90s but myself I don't really want anything newer than 1987. However since they went from the big thick chromed steel bumpers to the frail plastic stuff I'm thinking I don't really care to get a 87 either. I don't care to have all that much plastic on a car, if I did then how would it be any different than my other one? My next vehicle I want it to be a challenge to hit deer rather than having to drive 40mph watching the ditches. Therefore I'll get a Dodge Ram CTD with a super thick front bumper for it. Which I believe has OBDII electonics but it can also self scan codes so you don't have to go to the stealer, and the engine in the one I want is still what I'd consider mechanical rather than electronic.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

If you're SteveB or Donnie then 2006 is about your limit as of today.

I'm not daunted by the 140 per se, I'm daunted by a lack of references and components. I replaced a door lock link in the S420. Depending on your point of view it's either a heck of a lot more complicated than a 126 door lock mechanism or just a lot of rods, bell cranks and vacuum actuators. Similarly one of the gears in the funky extending wiper mechanism is stripped. I got to the gear without the benefit of a shop manual or archived info, but I can't find a replacement gear. MB and savy junkyards only sell the assembly ($400-1200). Until Continental Imports or autoluxmbz.com sells a replacement gear, I'll deal with poor visibility through the upper left corner of the windshield.

I'll tell you that what I could never sort out was the mild rough idle of the 91 300SE. Lots of technical references, lots of advice in the archives, but nothing that helped me fix it. I gave up on it before resorting to throwing parts at it. IMHO, the 103 is very easy to work on but very difficult to fix. In contrast, replacing a 603 head that's just mindless work

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Hmmm..........Let me see now..........for $1000. I was able to purchase:

4 new Michelin tires, mounted and balanced for the SDL
4 used OEM wheels to replace the Bundt cakes on the SD.
1 latch for Driver's door on the SDL
2 OEM keys (ignition and valet) for the SDL
1 Serpentine belt, OEM, for the SDL
1 seat spring for the driver's seat on the SDL
2 OEM wiper blades for the SDL
1 set of front brake pads for the SDL.


Seems like a reasonable comparison to one little plastic gear on a wiper motor assembly. And people try and justify the quality and durability of the newer M/B........................