so many Diesels have gone before.... Southern California.

Realizing that my whimsical college years are slowly reaching the end, I decided that I must make the pilgrimage before I become tied down with work or other serious obligations. The catalyst for this trek is a large get together being held January 10th, and a chance to meet many notable SoCal members and their impeccable vehicles.

I have grandparents who live in Costa Mesa, visiting the area regularly, but this will be my first visit on my own, and the longest road trip I have ever attempted.

The Route:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Wichita,+KS&daddr=I-70+W+to:I-70+W+to:I-15+S+to:CA-55+S+to:I-40+E+to:37.681647,-97.212524&hl=en&geocode=FQgLPwId7cYy-g%3BFdgWXwIdvJe8-Q%3BFYDnXAIdWPml-Q%3BFbbBKAIdhW4j-Q%3BFU-fAQIdn_z4-A%3BFXL6GAIdpEzt-Q%3B&mra=mi&mrcr=5&mrsp=6&sz=9&sll=37.300275,-96.965332&sspn=0.989706,2.471924&ie=UTF8&ll=36.5626,-104.458008&spn=15.962438,39.550781&z=5

This 2 week journey will cover over 3000 miles 9 states, with the first leg being the most challenging. My family is flying to Colorado while I drive the 10 hours from home. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable and can be quite dangerous, so I'm especially nervous about tomorrow. While I lived in Colorado for a brief time and am very familiar with driving in the snow, this will be a first for me with Ol' Turbo. I bought my 300D from a guy in Colorado who moved from Texas. He tried driving it one winter and claimed it scared him too much, selling it before enduring another winter.

I plan on staying in Colorado until January 4, then I will continue to Las Vegas and spend a few days with my Grandparents who happen to be utilizing their time share at the same time. Then, a long weekend SoCal, and finally the long, long, long trip home.

Ol' Turbos oil is newly changed, valves adjusted, coolant flushed, and all other maintenance items within specifications. I bought a AAA membership just in case anything should happen, but I hope for an uneventful trip. I will be posting many pictures along the way. Wish me, and Ol' Turbo especially, luck...

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I'll see you on the other side stay safe!

__________________
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

Wow, he's travling through Oklahoma?? I am not too far form I-35 highway that he is travling through...

__________________
Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

Not going to use the E320? My wife and I are plotting a cross country trip sometime in 2009, and we'll probably go in the 300E....

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Good luck Tyler, next time make a run over to the east coast.

Happy New Year

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

I think the reason it scared the PO was because he was from Texas. I think our 123/116 are great in the snow. I run studded snows all the way around now but I used to run them with just all weather tires. Drove my TD from Denver to LA and back a couple of Xmas's ago. Came back thru Vegas and the mountains. No problems. Make sure you take along some Power Service to avoid gelled fuel if the temperatures drop.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Good luck man.



See you out here.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Drive safe - it's a jungle out there.

to be safe, if you do not have good snow tires, I would pick up a set (that's 4, not 2...) chains. having lived in CO, you probably already know this, but the best way to keep from getting stuck in snow is to stay out of it. drive safe!

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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!

We'll all be on here waiting all wormy tongued. (baited breath), on your travels. Being from Kansas, You know that Western Kansas is treacherous this time of year as is the run to Denver and points west.

I have no fancy to spend a day or 3 in a snowbank in Western Kansas....Been there and done that, no fun at all. I'll pray you have good weather to get thru Colorado. I know you have family there, but I would see them on the way back and come out the southern route. But that's the old man in me and one that has made both trips at one time or another.

We will be here if you need help(time you get close to me you're home(so.CA.) free almost. Line up some members numbers along the route just in case.

Most of all be safe and we'll see ya in So Cal! Glad you are coming out for the GTG.

__________________
1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.

JackG found lots of friendly forum members during his recent trek down to Texas. Bet you can find offers of help and maybe a free meal or two from forum members. God Speed.

__________________

Ken

1990 350SDL (It's a work in progress) 250K mi
1991 350SDL that was SUPPOSED to be a parts car 323K mi
2000 F350 Powerstroke 180K mi, 100K mi on B20 - B99
----------------------
Gone but not forgotten
1982 300D
1991 Jetta ECO Diesel

Wow, that's a really long way to drive!! O_O The diesel should be able to handle it no problem, though. See you at the GTG!

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

I see you're driving near Zion National Park and Arches. You have to at least get out and snap some photos. Some of the most spectacular country out there.

I drove from LA to Pennsylvania last summer, and the 300D pulled through just great. Bring oil, coolant and jumper cables in case of an emergency, but my guess is you'll enjoy the ride immensely. If I were doing it again, I'd take a month or two instead of a few weeks.

__________________

Best 6 years of your life!!

What an awesome experience for a young man to undertake at this time in his life! Not to wax nostalgic, but what many of us wouldn't give to be able to go back and do this. With rigid jobs and families and the like, we can't even consider it. We will live vicariously through Tyler!!!
I can't wait for many pics along the way. How awesome it would be to see all those SoCal guys and their uber sharp MB's. {even the gassers!}
Post many pics, and drive carefully.
Gimme a call if you run across anything interesting. Oh, and watch out for those waitresses.......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Only 6 years??? WOW!!! He beat me by.....well, nevermind.

Hey Jimmy, do you think we would be safe if I "benznapped" you? I could cruise thru one afternoon and hold you at "wrench point" and force you into Coda for a trip to So. Cal. I would always call and update your wife on your whereabouts and the "ransom" demands. Of course, I figure after about 5 days, I'll be paying her to take you back......

What was the name of that book? The Ransom of Little Red Chief or something like that....


Tyler --- Good Luck and regarding your trip:

"That should prove interesting."

you should know that quote.




AAA --- bah, hum bug!!! Us Forum Members ought to set up some type of non profit service. Charlie has me thinking.

__________________
daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
No longer selling Cluster Needles Paint
No longer selling New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more