Coda, 1986 300SDL, the journey continues........ - Page 27 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Chad300tdt · #**391** 03-21-2014, 10:10 AM

Coda is all packed up with her extra parts and consumables.

I got the paperwork collected and ready and had a walk down memory lane.

I have had trials with this car, but learned a lot and enjoyed every minute of ownership.

When I picked Coda up in TN from daw, she had 214,000 miles. Today the mileage is 237,423 meaning I only drove her 5,855.75 miles per year. I should have driven her more. Those miles were mostly on our long highway trips to visit family and friends at various GTGs. Coda has seen a good amount US highways.

Every repair has a memory associated with it, like the time we drove to Branson, Missouri for a family reunion in June. The AC compressor seized after we were on the road for only 1 hour. The temps were over 95˚ most of the trip. My wife, kids, and I were beat red and sweaty with all the windows open. I got pulled over for speeding about 60 miles outside of Branson and the officer let us go when he saw we had no AC.

He even told me where to slow down on the remainder of our trip so we could keep a good flow of air coming in to keep us cool. He was an awesome guy and I gave him a tour of the car as per his request. Coda gets attention wherever she goes.

I've owned many cars in my life and can honestly say that Coda is the one I've loved the most ... and will miss the most.

gatorblue92 · #**392** 03-27-2014, 06:06 PM

Had to pay my respects today before it leaves for Kansas. Coda is the nicest W126 I have ever seen.

pwogaman · #**393** 03-28-2014, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

I'll still be doing the GTG every year and will always keep at least one older MB in my driveway.

Phew! I was worried for a minute there.

Chad300tdt · #**394** 03-28-2014, 09:40 AM

Today is the day that Coda begins her journey to her new home with Tyler.

Right after the shipper called me with the 10 arrival time, it started raining. How perfect.

I hope she arrives in sunny, warm weather.

Chad300tdt · #**395** 03-28-2014, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwogaman

Phew! I was worried for a minute there.

I can't back out on the GTG, this year is #7!!

Chad300tdt · #**396** 03-28-2014, 10:15 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZZngTkp54I

JimmyL · #**397** 03-28-2014, 09:22 PM

What an awful video!! Ah, the MTV early years......

daw_two · #**398** 03-31-2014, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

What an awful video!! Ah, the MTV early years......

I thought it was going to be a video of the car leaving and Chad waving good bye.

TylerH860 · #**399** 04-25-2014, 09:55 PM

Coda's first road trip documented here.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/open-discussion/354063-auctioning-off-5-cars-3-old-benz-classic-car-auction-kc.html#post3320985

Selling 5 cars at the Mecum classic car auction in KC... including an old 240D. Place your bets in the thread as far as the final sale prices.

TylerH860 · #**400** 06-15-2014, 02:18 AM

A little work done to Coda this week. I knew about the oil filter gasket leaking a small bit of oil but was surprised to see the tranny pan gasket allowing a 6 inch puddle to grow underneath it while sitting in the garage over a weekend. With both of those taken care of she's more or less leak free. Should last a week or two. Still need to deal with slight brake disc warp-age. Hopefully enough meat on them to stick on a lathe.

I have a large solo trip planned mid July to Texas, and I'm debating whether to take my old standby, a 1994 Buick Roadmaster Estate, or Coda.

Coda has sort of gained an extra name being a 1986, Mercedes 100th anniversary... and being a lovable bucket of bolts, I've nick-named her the Centennial Falcon.

I also discovered we have the same birthday, July 1986.

Here's another photo from Kansas City.

suginami · #**401** 06-15-2014, 12:45 PM

What a great story.

It was meant to be, having the same birthday and all.

I like the name Centennial Falcon much better than Coda. Coda never worked for me.

TylerH860 · #**402** 10-16-2014, 06:00 PM

Coda proved to be a way too needy mistress for me.

I never got to enjoy driving the car other than the few week initial honey moon. Repair after repair with the final straw being the transmission (which was sort of funky feeling to begin with) completely failed.

I fixed everything that was needed at that moment and sold it to a local Mercedes club member.

The car probably won't give them trouble for years considering how much work all 3 members have done to this car.

Obviously I took a huge bath on it. I'm closing my dealership at the end of December and will knock myself down to 3 cars. The 500SL, Buick Roadmaster Estate, and I recently purchased a 2013 Hyundai Genesis sedan as my new job will require alot of driving (40k a year). I did not want to spend my weekends constantly attending to an old car.

Sorry to report the end of the chain of ownership.

suginami · #**403** 10-17-2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Coda proved to be a way too needy mistress for me.

I never got to enjoy driving the car other than the few week initial honey moon. Repair after repair with the final straw being the transmission (which was sort of funky feeling to begin with) completely failed.

I fixed everything that was needed at that moment and sold it to a local Mercedes club member.

The car probably won't give them trouble for years considering how much work all 3 members have done to this car.

Obviously I took a huge bath on it. I'm closing my dealership at the end of December and will knock myself down to 3 cars. The 500SL, Buick Roadmaster Estate, and I recently purchased a 2013 Hyundai Genesis sedan as my new job will require alot of driving (40k a year). I did not want to spend my weekends constantly attending to an old car.

Sorry to report the end of the chain of ownership.

The chain of ownership hasn't really ended. A new owner is continuing the chain. Just get him to join the forum here.

I know you'll love the Genesis. I loved the one I rented in Sacramento earlier in the year, and I would own one in a New York minute.

GJEMD · #**404** 10-18-2014, 08:20 AM

I bought a 2014 Genesis to replace my 2010 Genesis because I dislike the 2015 model. All time favorite auto, superlative value. Only time I have bought a brand twice.

dreisch · #**405** 10-18-2014, 02:42 PM

I stumbled upon this post doing some research of my own. Low and behold, I have figured out that I am Coda's new owner. Since she was picked up on Thursday, I have driven approx. 75 trouble-free miles. The journey is just beginning for me but I expect some great (probably pricey) years ahead. This will be my first W126 Merc so I will likely be a frequent visitor to this forum. Here is a pic of Coda at her new home.