I've Just About Had It! (Long Rave)

[TylerH860]

I've just about had it with this snow lingering on the ground and salty roads. Finally, in the past few days it has hit in the 60s and the roads dried off. I was suffering withdrawls from my 300d. Many times a day I would open up the garage, look at her freezing in there, and move on with my day in a slump. I've grown way too attached to this car.

Some of you may remember me from my first post way back in August. Purchased my 1st diesel, driving it home next month, has vacuum issues?? please help
Thinking of going veggie? Yikes. That's all 5 months behind me now and Kerry needs his ending, so here it is. I picked up my blind ebay purchase for $2000 dollars in Eagle, Co. Not only did she make it back down the mountain to Denver, but back up to Vail twice. I knocked out more that 1,000 miles in the first week without a single glitch. The vacuum leak was amusing to my friends. They were taking bets on how long it would take for the engine to finally moan to a stop after I took the key out. (usually around 15 seconds) Ohh.. and the motor mounts, man were they gone. Ugh. I parked it in a garage for two nights in Vail, and she didn't leak a single drop of oil. I took this as a good omen for the drive home.

Made it back to Wichita without a hitch. I've had only one shop visit since (knock on wood) to fix the motor mounts, vacuum leak, (turned out to be the driver's door) and some unexpected front end work, for a grand total of $700. Things to do: New AC compressor and paint job in the spring.

Other than the recent snow period, my X5 has barely moved, gaining only 1,500 miles in 4 months. My 300d has gathered 2,900 miles, and the SL around 1,000. I've choked on a few 1,000 dollar plus repair bills with the X5 in the past year, and $800 for 2 (YES ONLY 2) new tires. That's more than my total investment in the 300d so far, and I privately admit that I like to drive it more than the X5. While the Beemer is like driving a rocketship on rails, the seats are rock hard and the SAV pretty much drives itself. With the AWD, traction control and active steering, I'm about one step away from autopilot. The 300d and SL500 are so comfortable and interactive, and I feel like I am in control.

Overall, I am very fortunate for owning 2 great examples of the golden era for Mercedes. There are so many reasons that I cherish them. I especially love my 300d because she has always started on the first try in any tempurature, and I can drive her as many miles as I want guilt free, worry free. Its almost like the little tank just begs to be driven. The cost to drive factor of the more modern German vehicles will never compare to these cars. I've pretty much had everything mechanically refurbished on the SL A-Z over the past 5 years for less than $10,000. I can't imagine 20 years from now doing the same to a 07 SL550.

It was a georgous afternoon today. I filled the 300d up with 14.9 gallons of fuel, driving 388 miles on one tank. I averaged about 26mpg with roughly 75% of it city driving. I snapped a few shots of her shortly after sunset. Have you ever seen a more beautiful sight?

[lietuviai]

Looks nice. It doesn't look like it needs a paint job.

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by lietuviai

Looks nice. It doesn't look like it needs a paint job.

From that angle, yes, but the roof is completely gone to oxidation. I've tried a few things, and can scratch the oxidation off with my fingernail to reveal good paint, but what products can remove it? I've tried NuFinish and the clay bar oxidation remover stuff, no luck.

[Hatterasguy]

Nice car! I miss the SDL its been in the garage for a month! A long month!

I like the X5's. My aunt has an 06 thats going back to the dealer soon, just borrowed. Nice car, kind of gutless with the I6.

You should get rid of the X5 and get a Range Rover, OMFG they are the best SUV ever made. The super charged version is sublime!

[TylerH860]

My mom has the non-supercharged version. Black on Black with every option. Very cool, but have you driven one? The driving experience is boring to me, compared to my X5 4.4 anyway. I wouldn't trade for it; a GL320 CDI... perhaps. The Cayenne is too unfortuante looking, inside and out. I don't think I could find a better SUV for under 30 grand than what I have now, probably

[lietuviai]

I miss working on my 300D. It's sitting in the field and either it's been raining heavily or it's been covered in snow/ice. I really want to get it drivable.
The RR is a nice car SUV but sadly it has the lowest reliability of any manufacturer that has vehicles available in the US.

[Hatterasguy]

I have only driven the super charged top line sport model. I enjoyed it quite a bit, compared to the 3.0 X5 it was much, much faster. Both interiors are rather nice, I guess its personal preference but I like the RR's a lot more.


They use the Jag V8 that you get in the XJR, and you can tell. I thought they used a BMW V8 and I guess they did for awhile. However since it is the XJR's engine the super charger whine is rather loud, which may get old.


Since its British, has a crappy ZF box, and a so so engine, along with a billion electrical features I'd only consider leasing it. Someone I know just dumped there 2002 because it was in the shop all the time for a ML320CDI and loves it.

NFW I would buy the Porsche suv, they start at like $100k. The fully loaded every option RR super charged sport that I drove was $20k less.

[Austin85]

Being in south Florida I can only dream of taking my 300CD up and down the Rockies............(let alone a steep hill)

I suggest a good set of Sheepskin seat covers for her birthday.


AA


..

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I have only driven the super charged top line sport model. I enjoyed it quite a bit, compared to the 3.0 X5 it was much, much faster. Both interiors are rather nice, I guess its personal preference but I like the RR's a lot more.


They use the Jag V8 that you get in the XJR, and you can tell. I thought they used a BMW V8 and I guess they did for awhile. However since it is the XJR's engine the super charger whine is rather loud, which may get old.


Since its British, has a crappy ZF box, and a so so engine, along with a billion electrical features I'd only consider leasing it. Someone I know just dumped there 2002 because it was in the shop all the time for a ML320CDI and loves it.

NFW I would buy the Porsche suv, they start at like $100k. The fully loaded every option RR super charged sport that I drove was $20k less.

My X5:

If I had to choose between a X5 4.8, Cayenne GTS, ML63, or RR Supercharged, I would probably choose a RR. The smart choice for resale and longevity would be a Lexus LX470 (Lexus Landcruiser). Of course, Im pretty hot and heavy for the GL's too.

[TylerH860]

For the 60-80k purchase price of an expensive new car I would rather get these:

a perfect 450sel 6.9-- $20,000.

a nice Jeep Cherokee Classic with the 4.0L $7500. This SUV will never look old to me.

3. An 04 or newer CLK55: Found one in Co with 22k on the odo for $32,000. Alot of bang for the buck, and something newer to enjoy.

[Hatterasguy]

I'd never spend that on a car, I'd rather put the money into my business.

$30k tops, and that would be tough for be the rationalize.


I want an SL500 or a CL500 next.