I wouldn't hesitate to drive either of mine anywhere, anytime. Well, except to Death Valley in the summer, but not for the car, for me. No AC.

I took a trip to Indy (about 2 hours away) and just as I got off on my exit, I heard a nasty noise that ended up being the rear CV joint. If they have cracked and leaked out all of the fluid, don't ignore this as I did. I actually drove it like this all the way back home, but it sure made a lot of noise. Now that I have her running in tip-top condition, I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere. Of course, having 136K on the odometer gives me a nice cushion as well.

1-800-4 mercedes is a bad number and will get you no help.
1-800-for-mercedes will or that is 1-800-367-6372
http://www.mbusa.com/care/client-care/roadside-assistance.do

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1982 240D Euro Stick 4

From about 1981 through around 1992 I had a '79 300CD. I guess I put 250,000 miles on it, mostly from '81 to '86, sales car. Then it sat for years. Sometimes 6 months between starts. The engine always started and ran fine. Yes, I had one instance of transmission failure requiring rebuild, and I one instance of A/C compressor failure (AC Delco I think).

Since '92, I have put 75K on a '90 300E, then 140K on a '92 300E. Only stranded once in 210K miles due to coil failure.

Mine MB have been very reliable.

Steve

Only got hung out to dry once and I should have known it was coming. The starter bendix went out, and she wouldn't start.

I would take her most anywhere, anytime. Granted, lower mileage than most, but last year put right at 24K on her. Only thing I carry is spare oil, PS fluid, and fuel filters. (oh, and fuses...)

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87 300SDL - 215K Miles !!
99 F-350CC Dually PSD - 190K
86 300SDL - 189K
All on B-100

Great info, thanks for the replys. Also never thought of AAA or the 1800 for mercedes number. Thanks!!!

I used to get a little concerned prior to a long trip with an older car. Then I decided that the total local milage I drove was many, many thousands of miles with no trouble. So other than a quick check of belts tires etc I just go. Percentagewise if the car has been always reliable locally it is unlikely to cause any trouble on the trip. Actually I think we are evaluating the car daily.
The otherside of the coin of course as well should be mentioned. If you have to deal with runability issues on a fairly regular basis locally then why would you go away with the car? The same rule applies if you have a problem that has not flowered yet but is giving an indication it exists. The car has already proven it is not reliable. Or the suspect problem will probably flair up on the long trip. Just fix it before you go.
Any problem or suspect problem is far less expensive to fix before you leave mind the pain and loss of time etc on the road. On older mercedes inspect your rear axel boots once in awhile as well. All fluid levels etc. The rear cv joints seem to curse many people on long trips. So look for leaks there or badly cracked boots.

A good once over, a couple spare filters in the truck and go. These engines are happier running than shut off.

Did 4000 miles in my 616 powered Land Rover to Newfoundland and Labrador last summer. Never missed a beat.



Go!

Jim

Oooooh, I want one!

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

Aside from the truck;
that is a beautiful pic'

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'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

I just got back from a mini round trip from Boca Raton to Naples up to Orlando......and then back down to Boca Raton.

My 300D is so durable with 304,000 miles on her;

So I did an oil change just before I left; and when I got to Naples about 121 miles later, I noticed the temp was slightly hotter than normal.
So when I got out to see what might be wrong I saw I forgot to Screw in the oil pan plug, and made it 2 hours without any oil in the engine!!!!

What a car!!!

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'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

yep....nice pic.....oh, and the landscape is nice too

I wonder how much trouble it would be to get a 617 in my IH Scout II

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

at that rate you will not see 400k...you had to do damage

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

OH, THE POOR CAR...did you not notice the oil pressure drop?
I hope you start budgeting for a new engine...
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Like the posters have often said in this thread, it is the little stuff that counts on a road trip. I left Denver for Detroit, with 310K on the 300D, without topping the coolant reservoir thinking oh yeah no worries it doesn't leak coolant hardly at all. Well it doesn't, but on the return trip the water pump bearings let go. Pump had just 5700 miles on it. Turns out having the coolant reservoir level as far down as i had it made the water pump vulnerable to cavitation according to what I have learned since getting back