True but I would much much much rather drive my 85 300D with no 399. /per month car payment than any Honda Accord or Toyota whatever....
A few months ago I had to rent a car in Maryland and got a Toyota. I hadn't driven a gasser in 2 years. It felt like I was driving a wind up toy & at highway speeds I was extremely concerned for my safety.

In 2 years I have had no major work to do. But it does need the A/C fixed right & that will set me back 1,200. tops. SO that's equal to 3 months of a car payment.

And I have been running on WVO for 2 years so saved me a few bucks there too.


...

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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..."

Listen to what everyone else says-- what I add is just food for thought.

These cars are expensive luxury cars; that won't change even if the car is old and affordable to you now. There has been and always will be a premium charged for driving a Mercedes-Benz automobile. You may decide that that premium is worth your free time-- and it very well may turn into a situation wherever you're spending more time than just free time under the hood-- and a bit of your pocket change.

Get used to snide comments from both strangers and higher-ups on the Mercedes-Benz totem pole, get used to being cut-off in traffic, get used to keeping a to-do list and get used to vandalism-- they're all par for the course.

Owning one of these little guys is an experience like no other-- but it's also for you or not for you.

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http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...Untitled-1.jpg

Thats not the point. The posted asked what it takes to own an older MB. There is good and bad, that has been pointed out, which is what was asked. INeons last post said it best. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

Well, the Toyota is meant to be light so it gets good gas mileage. It is going to feel like a toy car and not like a sedan. Can't have it both ways. It's like many people complain about a Ford Excursion for being too rough. Well, DUH!!! It was built on a truck chassis. What did you expect? Ford, in it's brilliance decided to make it better by softening the springs. Well, now you have other issues. My 99 C280 and my 99 E300 both don't drive like toy cars. But it isn't going to have as good mpg as that Toyota you drove either. I was getting 24 mpg on the C280 tops and that is if I don't have my foot in it and I am cruising on a flat road. Well, almost ideal conditions, I suppose. Like we say, NILIF.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Daily drivers

The 240D is the simplest of the 123s to own. Mileage is around 28 to 30 per gallon, mine does around 27-29 on highway. They 123 ran from 1977 to 1983 I believe and are fairly easy to work on.

I have found a good "front end" man to help me with ball joints and such. I have also found a good indpendent diesel guy he is an hour away but the one or two times a year I call on him is ok for other things.

All maintenance I try to do my self as well as other things I can reach. Jobs that require more than a week end put you out travel wise so have a bus pass or rent a car. (enterpirse will come and pick you up) if it is your only vehicle

The w123 240D (and 300D) parts are available. Down side is it is a slow accelorator 0-60 in 35 +/- seconds from a dead stop on level ground. In todays road rage society I have had things thrown at me ect.

My car is used for sales business trips so it sees lots of highway miles which by the way is one of the best things for the 616.xx engines and 617.xx engines. Regards Tom