I took the SDL on a nice 225 mile ride today.
 

No problems to report or new issues she ran perfectly. :cool: I sailed up to Newport, at 70mph with the AC on the whole way. On the way back I probably averaged 30 or so in traffic, I-95 is nothing but! :rolleyes: The SDL seems to be a pretty reliable car now after a bunch of work. I cruised around Newport with the windows down and had a blast. Nothing like cruising in a MB down Belevue. :cool:

These old MB's can be trouble free once in awhile! :D

I love traveling in my W126 :D I've covered almost 7500 miles this summer, Washington DC, Wisconsin, UP of Michigan, Troy MI, everywhere! two of the trips had 700+ mile nonstop segments.....no breakdowns or problems to report.... :D :D

I got back from Rockport Maine the other day and one of the lifters was clicking away again, plus my shut off valve gave up! Had the cam off again and replaced yet some more lifters and is now running quiet and smooth yet once again......Hmmm for how long, have no clue. Gives me something to do!

I did 600 miles over a Sat-Sun a few weekends ago, w123 1983 300TDT. Do it often. The old cars just perform and keep rolling.

I used to do 180 miles to Detroit on Tuesday, then 180 miles back on Friday.

I put on 28,000 miles, mostly freeway, during the 14 months I had mine, from 236k to 264k. I wish I had the car to put them on when it was 100k younger. :rolleyes:

It went through a serpentine belt, tensioner and pulleys, radiator, alternator, upper control arms, developed a leak in the fuel lines and an erratic radio. Rust froze up the parking brake shoes and two power window motors quit working.

Not one body panel was rust-free, the rear defroster wires were mostly not working, and more rust was beginning to show under the window seal.

The last straw was when the tilt/sliding sunroof broke and the cable screwed up. It just got the best of my wallet...

It was a wonderful highway car, fun to drive anywhere, and it is hard to move on, but I must.

Y'all keep yours running and enjoy 'em for me.

Best Regards,
Jim

I took the SDL on a long 470 mile ride today
 

From here on Long Island, into Queens to pick up my mom and sister, and up to Albany. Stayed 2 1/2 hours and returned.

A long slow trip back with all the NYC return traffic, rain, and the $hitboxes.

I did take a detour across 84 and down the Taconic which wasn't half bad.

The SDL continues to leak oil out the turbo seals (I believe) and now the cabin and the trunk have taken on the aroma of Rotella synthetic. :(

I can't figure out how the cabin manages to get the oil smell, but, I suspect that an exhaust leak is probably to blame.

Hehe
 

Its awesome to cruise Newport, especially in an old Mercedes. The 76 gets looks everytime I go :cool:

Give the engine bay area and the engine a good cleaning to get all of the oil out of there, the oil smell should go away after that.

Yeah, I wish. But, the oil is seeping into the exhaust from the turbo and I think it's leaking from an exhaust leak.

I've been too busy with the SD to carefully check it out. I need to get the SD back together so that I can take the SDL out of service. The cracked head on the SD isn't helping any. :o

I drove right past URI but I didn't see your car around. Wasn't yesterday check in? I did see a green 190D with a few mileage badges pulling into one of the schools lots though.

Brian I am sorry to hear about that cracked head! How the heck did that happen? Hopefully you can find a replacement fast.

I used to love driving the Taconic State Parkway. I wish I could do it now.
I need a road trip. I think when ski season starts I'll take a trip to the Carolinas.

Danny

Wish I knew. I haven't looked at it personally, but, I'd bet it must have been overheated somewhere in it's life. The machine shop mentioned that the cracks are extremely fine and would take quite some time to open and allow combustion pressure into the cooling system. That's what was occurring. A very slow leak that gradually increased to become noticeable.

Jim Ellington has one for me from an '85 300D. It should be the perfect replacement. :cool:

It's a bit challenging for the SDL with wet roads and 700 lb. in the cabin.
The curves must be anticipated and you have to get the weight swinging early otherwise you can get in trouble fast if you try and hold 60-65 on it. 70 is out of the question.