Are 603-powered cars reliable? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

FinnJohn · #46 05-25-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncwarw

I'm sorry, but an owner of any Citroen (maybe the 2CV excepted), Alfas and especially Renaults asking about MB reliability?

Again, no offense intended, but how many of these marques are even seen on American roadways these days?

In the 1970s, the highways were chock full of MGs, Triumphs, Sunbeams, Healeys, R4s, 5s (remember "Le Car"?), 10s, 16s, and sometimes even Citroens. All a distant memory now.

Not that they weren't loved, they just didn't last. Lloyd, Vespa? The list goes on forever. All lovely cars in their own way. Bring back the SAAB shrike I say....

I know nothing about French iron, but Italian stuff is actually pretty good quality ... IF you can figure out those Marelli electrics. That DOHC FIAT engine, the little two-liter job -- for my money, maybe the best 2-liter gasser ever built. Buttery throttle response, never happier than when it's screaming at 6500 yet amazingly grunty. And the bodies are a lot beefier than they look. If I could have any five cars in my garage right now, one of them would be a Fulvia. Rosso? Certo!

But, well, there's that Marelli crap to deal with. I sincerely believe Marelli is why FIAT is no longer in the American market. It's the electrics. Especially their pathetic excuse for electronic ignition. (And believe me, I know crappy electrics. Me and Smokin' Joe Lucas go waaaay back.)

OK, sorry, I kind of hijacked that one, didn't I?

TheDon · #47 05-25-2010, 09:09 PM

I put 45k miles on my last 300SDL in the manner of 12 months without one single issue. That is maybe because it was well taken care of by previous owners and myself. Only thing it needed was a new steering box because the replacement in it sprung a leak

Mark DiSilvestro · #48 05-25-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mplafleur

I like the 60x much more than the 61x.

And I don't have the remove the fan or shroud to change out the serpentine belt.
Nor do I have to use a special tool to remove the fan, just a wrench and a hex bit.

I like the manual heat-AC in my '84 300TD better than any of the ACC systems. Of course most US owners of 300 diesels aren't so fortunate. Were there Euro W124s built with manual heat-AC, or were they all ACC by then?

Happy Motoring, Mark

compu_85 · #49 05-26-2010, 01:04 AM

In europe dual zone semiautomatic HVAC controls were standard on the W124 and W126. Fully automatic controls were optional.

-Jason

Mark DiSilvestro · #50 05-26-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

In europe dual zone semiautomatic HVAC controls were standard on the W124 and W126. Fully automatic controls were optional.

-Jason

My 240D/300TD manual systems have a dual zone (left, right) for the heat-controls. The only 'automatic' component is the temp-dial for the AC, which does contain a small electronic chip. Discovered when I opened up the temp-dial on my 240D to see why the compressor wouldn't engage. Replaced it with a working dial from Pick-N-Pull.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Hit Man X · #51 05-26-2010, 10:39 AM

My SDL was driven into the ground and still runs fine... after I put some TLC into its basic operating systems.

Bill Ladd · #52 05-26-2010, 04:35 PM

Same here. I bought my '86 from some folks who'd all but given it up for dead. Paid $350 for it. Put a used tranny in it, did some vacuum repair and a bit of fiddling in with the cabin controls. Now I have an awesome daily driver with a bit over 300K on the clock!