So I'm sitting here, investigating yet another problem unique to a Mercedes, and I asked myself-What made me say "yes" to this proposition? I mean, had I not traded my motorcycle for Greta, I could be out riding it right now, not elbows-deep in grease and diesel AGAIN as I chase another snickering gremlin from Bavaria out of her innards with a Craftsman tool in hand.

Is it the way a Benz smells after 20 years? That mix of old leather and time? Is it the nods of approval from those in the know? Is it answering the myriad questions about waste oil conversion and how I'm gonna go about it? Is it finally driving the EXACT car I wanted when I was 16?

It's certainly not for the chicks-though Greta has her own MySpace profile, and more female "friends" than male ones. It's not for high performance, because until I can get her to run regularly, or until I meet a Finn with an engineering degree and his own (or, God Willing, HER own! ) tools, I don't see her at the track.

I guess I just like heading out to the garage as the weather gets warmer here in PA, popping open a cheap beer, turning on my ancient stereo in the shop to the Eighties station, and getting dirty for no good reason other than there's an old German girl that needs me to stay alive. I don't have any kids yet, but it feels like someone still depends on me. Am I just nuts?

DS

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Der Dieselschnell
1987 300D Turbo "Greta" 170k
1990 Ford F250 "Marnie" 93k

Pretty much.

Fortunately there is this support group.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Well I appreciate the, er, support...I guess blunt is what I needed, lol, and yeah, a support group helps.

"My name is Mark, and I'm a Mercedes diesel addict..."

DS

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Der Dieselschnell
1987 300D Turbo "Greta" 170k
1990 Ford F250 "Marnie" 93k

thataboy..........thats the first step.
as for me, I look daily for more torment....err.....other MB's for sale

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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

HMPT.... Not me !! I don't look for mo.........oh, look !! That shiny thing......Is that a Benz 'Star'?

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

Its a Mercedes thing.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

We're all in the same boat. (And constantly bailing it out!)

A minor point of geography, though: Stuttgart is in Baden-Wurttemberg, not Bavaria. Some purists on either side of that fence might be offended!

Cheers.

So which is a better support group ... this n.g. or Fight Club??

I mean ... here I am bloodied after this afternoon's battles yet I'm trolling Craigslist again ...

"My name is Steve and I have a problem"

problem? who? me?
I hear that ebay auction for 30 MB's from the 60's to the late 80's is still going on... the bidding was around 1200 at last count...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290111938452&rd=1,1
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 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Yeah, I'm hoping to reach that point soon...I realized quickly the formula of your first year's repair costs being equivalent to purchase price was not going to be zero just cause I traded the thing for my bike...what made me think I could beat a nearly natural law? Anyway, I'm glad it ain't just me.

M

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Der Dieselschnell
1987 300D Turbo "Greta" 170k
1990 Ford F250 "Marnie" 93k

There is a kind of MB diesel Nirvana – at least for a while. I’m somewhat there now. The last ‘big’ project was a year ago this past February and that was more PM than repair as the car was still running. About a year ago I replaced a leaking coolant line (heater core to engine return), not a big deal. It’s been about two years since it last did not run – an air and fuel leak fixed by a new primer pump.

About two weeks ago there was some power loss, hesitation – uh oh…

Fortunately it seems a new inline filter fixed that.

Once you get over the ‘400,000 mile hump’ it’s all smooth sailing from there.

My name is Jackson and I have a problem. I quit cold turkey 2 years ago when I sold my 83 240. I never quit turning my head at stoplights at the chatter of a diesel. I missed the highs and lows of fixing a potentially expensive problem with an inexpensive part shipped in from Texas, just to have another spring up.

Then I passed this sweet 83 300d with 145k for $1500. I am back and have 2 major panic attacks and numerous highs just this month. Ahh, my fix.


Jackson

Very well thought out Dieselschnell....

"The old girl just needs me to stay alive".....(That says it all)

This forum gets me wrenching on the old beasts when I sometimes do not feel like working on them ....a true support group.....Thanks to all........!

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1978 Yellow 300D (The Mustard Toad)
1980 Blue 240D (The Iron Toad)
1989 Grey Mitsu.4WD Mighty Max Pickup (Needs a Diesel transplant bad)

(Open the pod bay doors HAL)

The first year or two are the worst. Once you get them up to snuff they don't require that much.

Some people get away with less, but assuming you will put what you paid for the car in it, within the first year or so is usualy a good assumption.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Well then, it buoys the spirit to see so many kindred souls. I guess I have a sort of "stray puppy" weakness for some things, cars especially. I see a neglected car sitting under a tree collecting mung or sinking into the ground and I say to myself "awwww"...I prognosticate about it's life and what it would take to get it running.

I guess it works well with Benz especially-they are built like fire engines-tough, but not without needing a little careful, regular maintenance. I read Mr. Jalopy's Blog on Blogger (http://hooptyrides.blogspot.com) and he said the 124s were amongst the last of the really solid Benzes made-like they were machined from a single block of steel. I don't know if I would want a new one or not, even if I did have the cash. My interest started with the 123s lines as a kid-they just looked so timeless, and still do in my opinion.

Someone once told me my "sickness" simply meant I can see the value in all things-I'll buy that-But not before I buy that parts car over there....

DS

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Der Dieselschnell
1987 300D Turbo "Greta" 170k
1990 Ford F250 "Marnie" 93k