An amazing 300SD performance - enjoy! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

71inka02 · #1 03-31-2009, 07:29 PM

Fellow forum members -- an amazing 300SD performance, for one of the 'jobs', I'm now certain THE 126 was designed to do...Please enjoy this – no tech help needed and no problems to discuss…

This past Saturday, my nephew was married -- He had asked a couple of months back if my 'Benz' and I would be willing to take on the responsibility of picking up the 'bride-to-be and her mom', and safely delivering them to the wedding - and then, delivering the bride and groom to the reception....Without hesitation - YES - What a privilege and honor, for both THE 126 and I!

While 'mother nature' feel short of her responsibility, as it was a horrible rainy day...THE 126 pushed forward with grand and glorious splendor! An amazing interior detail - a beautiful wax job the week before, and then a meticulous hand washing by me, on Saturday morning in the rain - I took her on Wednesday for a valve adjustment, fresh bulbs in all forward lighting, an oil change and new fuel filters - I had my mechanic check and double check everything - look for anything loose, inspect all belts, hoses, fuel lines, fluid levels......I gave him 'Carte Blanche" to repair and replace ANYTHING that looked the least bit questionable or that could cause issue for Saturdays mission…

I arrived at their house exactly on time for the pick-up --- and needless to say, the bride-to-be and her mom weren't ready - but THE 126 was! She sat idling perfectly - all 5 cylinders firing with precision, and with new hood insulation, it was a sound of pure “power, strength and dependability!” The long 22" wipers on a steady and precise intermittent mode, making yet another statement of “classic Benz” to a few neighbors gathered and awaiting the appearance of the bride. The climate control system was at peak performance, maintaining a somewhat 'cooler' than normal setting, as pre-requested by the soon to be passengers – I created a special “playlist” on my Ipod – some relaxing jazz, a few easy tunes from Glenn Miller, Natalie Cole and who else, but Mr. Tony Bennett. And now, the time had arrived ---- my passengers appeared at their front door, and WOW! My passengers are originally from Bogotá Columbia, and both are stunningly beautiful – and now, I truly realize, even more, the responsibility that lies ahead of THE 126 – With umbrella in hand, I escort my passengers to their place of safety and comfort for the 11 mile trip, to the next wonderful chapter of life……

Now – the switch from parking lights, to full forward lighting – wipers from intermittent to low run – a quick inquiry to my passengers as to cabin temperature – Mr. Tony Bennett in control of the cabin atmosphere - The shift from park to drive…with that oh so subtle lowering of the rear – the release of the parking brake……A quick silent prayer to the “MB Classic gods”, and then the steady, but easy push of the accelerator and the “wake up call” to “the 617”, that the time had arrived ---- THE 126 knew, yes she knew and only now understood the last few weeks of primping – I could feel it in the way she responded - she knew as I did, the honor and importance of our journey – she carried the same feeling of pride that I did! Every move she made, was done with Mercedes class and elegance - Most of the journey was on a two lane rural road – the rain was heavy…but it was no worry or challenge, for THE 126 was flexing her weight, stability and strength – and I was driving, for the first time in 33 years, since driver education class, with my hands at 10 & 2…and totally focused on the road – As planned, I called the wedding director (blue tooth hands free, of course) and relayed our exact arrival time as advised by “Charmin” my faithful Garmin, that we were 5 minutes away ----

The place of the wedding sits on a beautifully landscaped elevated piece of property with a driveway that has a couple of slow easy turns – As THE 126 moved up the drive, with beauty of form and motion, the covered entry, and our destination became visible – the attendants and photographers stood at attention…with all eyes on us…Once again THE 126 knew, she knew to stand tall, and make every movement one of purpose and precision – The shift from drive to park, wipers off, lights to ‘park’ --- the attendants opened the rear doors, and lead my passengers in ---- I sat briefly with THE 126, now parked out of the rain, and allowed her to relax with a well deserved ‘idle down’ before shutting her off…with a gentle pat on the dash, and a soft spoken, “job well done old girl”…I shut her down, and at that moment looked at the odometer ---- 204,000…A milestone, we’ll both remember!

And oh yea --- the drive from the wedding to the reception…once again THE 126 performed flawlessly with dignity and elegance………but the bride and groom were way to silly and then, the constant kissing and giggling…………………oh well!

Thanks for allowing me to share with you…Now back to helping another member diagnose something, or even better --- how about we start an “oil thread” to help bring everyone back to reality…

vstech · #2 03-31-2009, 07:37 PM

OK, where are THE PICS!

JonL · #3 03-31-2009, 07:40 PM

A heartwarming tale, beautifully written. It brought a tear to my eye. Thank you.

(And it reminded me of The Black Stallion.)

Brian Carlton · #4 03-31-2009, 08:01 PM

Somehow "the 126" doesn't quite cut it.

You need to put a name on it to write such prose.............

toomany MBZ · #5 03-31-2009, 08:38 PM

^^I don't know, the name is appropriate.
But that's me!

pawoSD · #6 03-31-2009, 08:46 PM

I suppose "tractor" wouldn't fit very well.....

How about "The beast"

At my wedding I had to ride in a chevy cavalier to the church....70 miles.

Thankfully, the ride from the reception to the hotel was provided by my dad's gold W126.

With over 300k on the clock, still smooth and comfortable as ever.

PatricdeBoer · #7 03-31-2009, 09:46 PM

Yeah, you need a good stalwart German sounding name for your car, like Heimlich or Helmut!

turbobenz · #8 03-31-2009, 10:51 PM

too bad it was a 300SD

. Should have been a 500SEL

Actros617 · #9 04-01-2009, 12:38 AM

Yeah, a gasser Benz would make perfect for a wedding, besides, who likes a car that sounded like tractor... My parents rode in a BRAND new 1987 W126 420SEL when they were getting married.

turbobenz · #10 04-01-2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Actros617

Yeah, a gasser Benz would make perfect for a wedding, besides, who likes a car that sounded like tractor... My parents rode in a BRAND new 1987 W126 420SEL when they were getting married.

the 4.2 is a NICE quiet v8. I cant even tell my friends car is running sometimes

71inka02 · #11 04-01-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Somehow "the 126" doesn't quite cut it.

You need to put a name on it to write such prose.............

BC, you are correct --- having a hard time with her name...she's Manilla Beige (yellow), so I had thought "Chiquita" would be good --- remember those commercials -- the Chiquita banana lady...she was hot, if memory serves. But when I researched the word, it's a name given to a "lady" - lady is fitting, but then it also means 'small'....not fitting for 126.

So for the wedding drive, I simply used THE 126 -- "The" assigning honor and recognition....

And someone wrote about using a diesel or sound of a tractor - and that a quiet running car would maybe be better ----- I did think about that, but the sound of the 617 is classic!...I also thought about 'what if' one of my passengers accidently rubbed their dress on the tail end of the car -- rainy day, soot possible....but, decided to monitor and go for it. The other neat thing was, that probably 10 or 11 people commented on the car -- things like, "no way that car is an 85!!", one man said, "I've always thought that body style was one of the best looking cars MB ever built", several folks stated, "wow, neat car!" ---- and then, the 5 diesel dudes surfaced...a power stroke owner, 2 Dodge cummins, and 2 Duramax --- Diesel became topic of discussion, outside gathered around my car, after the ceremony while waiting to leave for the reception....So it's all good!

JonL · #12 04-01-2009, 11:47 AM

The reason I mentioned The Black Stallion in my post was because the narrator in that book refers to his horse as "the Black" throughout, with the very same tone of honor and recognition that you have used. I truly enjoyed your writing, and would gladly read more of it -- related to MB or not.

71inka02 · #13 04-02-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonL

The reason I mentioned The Black Stallion in my post was because the narrator in that book refers to his horse as "the Black" throughout, with the very same tone of honor and recognition that you have used. I truly enjoyed your writing, and would gladly read more of it -- related to MB or not.

Thanks JonL --- I was going to reply and ask the meaning as I was wondering about your statement, but am having a bit of a crazy week - my internet and computer time have been overloaded with work 'stuff'...business is not good, but tons of goofy activity for some odd reason --- maybe that's a good thing?!

So I appreciate your letting me know -- thanks again...

cmbdiesel · #14 04-02-2009, 10:37 AM

Beautiful story. Weren't you afraid that 'The 126' would upstage the bride?

71inka02 · #15 04-02-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

Beautiful story. Weren't you afraid that 'The 126' would upstage the bride?

I did think about that, but reasoned - since my nephew asked, who am I to question, and present concerns that could possibly take away from their joy and the importance of the day...

I do regret, not having some pictures taken with just the bride, groom and The 126...A front view, with bride on one side, the groom on the other...then maybe another with them actually kissing the hood, or the grill...Anyway -- there's always next time - we live and learn.