A W126 is almost as good as a pickup truck...
 

Took the SDL off roading yesterday to get to my uncles Komatsu 300. First down a dirt road, dodging branch's. That through a construction site, dodging tri axle's. Avoided those than came to the yard with all the equipment. The SDL did just find, just have to remember that ground clearence is nill. Also wide sticky tires on the road provide zero traction off.

MB's are like a Swiss Army knife, very little that they cannot do. I have had my SDL in the back country fishing many times. All the 4wd pickup guys always look at me funny.

Just avoid mud, and anything that sticks up or out and they will get anywhere that a full size truck can.

I don't know how people nail the oil pans on these things on the streets, I should have taken pictures of where I was. My oil pan doesn't have a scratch on it.:P I was going up a hill so steep I couldn't see the road past the hood, just the tops of the trees and sky, never bottomed out once.:D That hill was freaken steep for a LWB car though, I know the muffler came close, just went easy.

I have had my SDL in the back country fishing many times.

Same here, I took my W126 on some dirt roads to camping spots in the back country. I just drove very slowly...the car did fine. With no A/C and summer heat, keeping the windows open can get a little dusty.

and they almost fit as much as a pickup too. Ive even put an entire engine jack in the trunk with plenty of room left. I once fit my mountain bike and my road bike in there at the same time.

My AC works fine, I just use the recirculation button. Dust is an issue, and I keep my windows up to keep it out. I havn't really cleaned my interior since the GTG on June 14th and its still pretty dust free.

I have one piece 6-7 foot G Loomis and custom rods that fit just fine. I put the butt on the parcel shelf, rest the rod on the passanger seat, and the tip is either above or just short of the dash. Works like a charm. My fly rods break apart and fit in the trunk perfectly.

Thats one of the reasons I love MB's, they are just so good at whatever situation you put them in.

They are great off road except in snow/ice....then you will become stuck very quickly, unless you headed into the snow going 40+mph and nail the pedal to the floor, then their sheer mass will usually get you through....just don't slow down or stop! :D

I cleared a road with snow as deep as my bumper that way once.....drove half a mile kinda hydroplaning/swerving around through the snow at about 35-40mph with the throttle to the floor. I made it! :D If i had slowed or stopped I'd have been super super stuck.


On dirt roads and such they do great as long as you know what you're doing.

The engineers designed a car that would be at home both on the Autobahn and on dirt roads. I remember we used to take the 300SD up to the country and transverse dirt roads and fields without problems.

I drive my SD up to and around the ranch almost daily to check on the cows. They recognize the sound of the 617 coming down the road and usually meet me at the gate.
I used it last week to hauled back three tires/wheels from the W116 to go on the TD. Had to go get the forth the next day due to a full load ( car seat, diaper bag, tools...). All in the comfort of 38F air from the AC vents. :D

The other day I smelled fuel so I opened the hood and saw the cigar hose seeping. I headed off to the barn to find a temp replacement and when I returned the cows were around the front end looking at the engine. It looked like a bovine MB GTG. Wished I had a camera.

I wish you had had a camera too! That would have been a great pic! :D

And then some....
 

Did you know........ If you lay the passenger seat down and back you can fit 8 foot lumber in the cabin without tearing anything up? I've been doing some home improvment projects and my truck isn't running right now so I used the SD to get my materials. I can also fit a small woodworking shop in the trunk. (small table saw, foldup sawhorses, air compresser, hoses, extension cords, assortment of hand tools....etc, etc.) And still have room to move!!!:D:D

I want 38F from the AC vents and a pic of the cows admiring your benz; especially with the hood up and them peeking inside. What a hoot of a picture that would be!!!

With an open rear and my wide on road none snow rated tires I'd be scewed in a second if I tried that, hit some mud, or anything wet. Even on lose dirt and gravel they are pretty bad, not really ment for that.

I'd recommend staying off the mud. Not fun!

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/Board...illy/ditch.jpg

A 300TD *IS* a truck with a built in camper top... I dont know about a sheet of plywood flat but you can move a house with it. I fit a 6' long chest of drawers back behind the drivers side with taking the seat bottom out.

My SD Has been off road as much as on. Its been fishing, camping and just plain off roading for the fun of it. I have hauled 22 old windows in the trunk and backseat along with a bathtub strapped to the roof (during a recent home remodel) to the local land fill. It was hilarious pulling in there in a benz and unloading next to trash trucks. The guys working the dump never saw that before!! The SD has hauled countless loads of 8ft plus lumber, moulding and trim. I have had so much laminate flooring loaded into the trunk, back seat and passenger floorboards that the rear bumber was almost scraping the ground. Don't even get me started on the obscene amount of mulch I have hauled it it :eek:.

With all that, it still rides and handles flawlessly. I love these old beasts.

I accidentally backed off of a driveway and into a ditch, one of the rear tires was hanging over the ditch, while that corner was sitting frame on the ground. Put it into 1st, and gunned it; she pulled right up out!

240ft-lbs of torque comes in handy :)