Realistic service life? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

babymog · #16 09-29-2009, 11:57 PM

The parts that become hard to find are the color-specific interior parts.

Engines and transmissions will be repairable.

Perhaps a 5-speed conversion?

JordaanDMC-12 · #17 09-30-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldwolf

This thread makes me wonder about what parts I should start to look for to keep my 93 running for another 20 years.

I don't think you need to stock up, parts are pretty well available now and will be for awhile... You should be good

#18 09-30-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocSarvis

My thought is the reason you don't see many old cars in many areas is that everyone including kids are living beyond there means. They expect new cars and most families have several new cars. Maybe this little wake-up call will change a few poeples minds on buying new cars. I think we know it did or the auto industry wouldn't have had to shut production down. As for the life of the MB I think it has many years left. After WWII many Model T's and A's were pulled off the road but with over 15 MILLION T's produced they are still around. I have a 21 and a 23 that are original. Parts are still available and used parts can still be found. With the loyalty to MB's that many owners have they will be around for quite some time. Thanks

This is a very thoughtful post!

I am plenty old enough to remember the days when many more folks made do with old cars. There are plenty of peoples kids who think that they deserve a new car when their 16.

Scott98 · #19 09-30-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I don't think so.

I'm just throwing that out there!

Seriously, there have been times when I've gotten so frustrated fixing stupid little stuff on my 240D that I wished I still had my '98 E300 around. I guess it cuts both ways when you've got some serious electrical problem on your 210 and wished you still had an all manual 240.

Scott

Scott98 · #20 09-30-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

This is a very thoughtful post!

I am plenty old enough to remember the days when many more folks made do with old cars. There are plenty of peoples kids who think that they deserve a new car when their 16.

I can't tell you how many times I get a disdainful or even shocked expression from someone when I tell them I drive an '82 model car. The most common response is "why don't you get something newer?" They don't seem to understand the obvious response for me which is that it costs a lot more money and I like my car just fine.

Scott

Oldwolf · #21 09-30-2009, 09:22 AM

My pet peeve is when someone says I'm not going to spend "$1000 on a $3000 car".

This bugs the heck out of me because they use this rational to buy a new car with $400 or more payments for 5 years.

It makes more sense to me to spend that $1000 (2.5 months of payments)and keep the car maintained well. The monthly cost will likely be much less. That doesn't even include new car depreciation, property taxes and insurance.

On the other hand most people are clueless about car maintenance and need mechanics for the simplest of repairs.

I have found the thrill of newness wears off after a years worth of payments.

oldsinner111 · #22 09-30-2009, 09:33 AM

I have found the thrill of newness wears off after a years worth of payments.

[/QUOTE]
I second that.For 20 years I was married to car payments.By the time they were paid off they were junk.
I have been free of debt since 2005.

mowoc · #23 09-30-2009, 10:52 AM

Interesting discussion.

I too hope that I can keep my car running for another 7 years or so at least. I am not too worried about buying another car eventually - I know I will need to at some point. I am just interested in making sure it is another wise choice.

I sold a 2005 E class in February of 07 due to a pending job change. I added it up, and that car cost about 25k for the 2 years and 2 months I had it (about $1000/month). That was just the car, not the gas nor the insurance.

I bought my SDL for $6750. I found out later on this site I overpayed by about $2000, but whatever. I have driven as far on the SDL as I did in the E class and had it cost me about $4000 including the depreciation on the SDL. I figure I already got my money out of the SDL, now I am just milking it.

After all of this, two things are for sure:

1. The next car will be a convertible.
2. The next car will be a mercedes.

brownrice78 · #24 09-30-2009, 12:18 PM

Very interesting topic! I think the W123 has about another 5 or 10 years before it is considered a collector car/hobby car. At that time, you'll see them less and less used as daily drivers.

Oldwolf · #25 09-30-2009, 12:30 PM

I'm driving a new 124.

ah-kay · #26 09-30-2009, 12:33 PM

If we are talking about 'Cost Benefits Analysis' then a 20+ years old car will beat any new car hands down anytime financially. The only proviso is that the car is self maintained as far as practicable.

1) No depreciation costs
2) Cheap parts, new or from junk yard
3) Potential to appreciate or maintain its value with diesel MBZ
4) Efficient diesel engine
5) No complicate electronic junk which no one understands
6) Do I need to say more.

All my friends are impressed with the SDL and wouldn't believe it is a 22 years old car. It goes to show the W126 styling stands the test the time. Likewise for the W123. Personally, I would not buy any other cars, old or new unless the cars die on me completely or I get to the age that I cannot handle the repair/maintenance anymore. That would be a sad day for me but that is still decades away, I hope.

Necrosavant · #27 09-30-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

realistically, these 1970's Mercedes have no more than 300-400k miles of life in them. i give it 5 more years before they start drying up and you don't see them driving around anymore at all

my 66 diesel drives as beautifully as my 75 300d so that kills your thought there

#28 09-30-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownrice78

Very interesting topic! I think the W123 has about another 5 or 10 years before it is considered a collector car/hobby car. At that time, you'll see them less and less used as daily drivers.

I see this as a plausible statement. I remember in the seventies and eighties I must have known a couple of dozen people that bought a 65/66 Mustang and "restored" it. A few of those people were mechanically inclined, did a beautiful restoration and still have them. Most of them, however, just weren't up to the task of keeping an old car, even one as dirt simple as an early Mustang going and they got frustrated with them.

Now, early Mustangs are seen on the street almost entirely for the rod runs and car shows and hardly ever seen as daily drivers.

The old 123 diesel is a much longer lived car than an early Mustang, but most any car built with fuel injection is much longer lived than any carbureted car of the sixties.

I think that the 123 diesels are already starting to wane a little as popular daily drivers. I think that now is the beginning of the era in which the ones left driving them will be the ones that are savvy and determined enough to keep them going.

Shawn T. W. · #29 09-30-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I see this as a plausible statement. I remember in the seventies and eighties I must have known a couple of dozen people that bought a 65/66 Mustang and "restored" it. A few of those people were mechanically inclined, did a beautiful restoration and still have them. Most of them, however, just weren't up to the task of keeping an old car, even one as dirt simple as an early Mustang going and they got frustrated with them.

Now, early Mustangs are seen on the street almost entirely for the rod runs and car shows and hardly ever seen as daily drivers.

The old 123 diesel is a much longer lived car than an early Mustang, but most any car built with fuel injection is much longer lived than any carbureted car of the sixties.

I think that the 123 diesels are already starting to wane a little as popular daily drivers. I think that now is the beginning of the era in which the ones left driving them will be the ones that are savvy and determined enough to keep them going.

Our science teacher at the school I work at drives a 65 as a daily driver about 30mi oneway . . .I drive my 240 everywhere and anywhere I want to go . . .

winmutt · #30 09-30-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

realistically, these 1970's Mercedes have no more than 300-400k miles of life in them. i give it 5 more years before they start drying up and you don't see them driving around anymore at all

Horse ****. These cars will run till the rust gets em. If your willing to rebuild the engine and transmission and all the rubber bits that go with age.