I love these cars - will the passion fade? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MBeige · #31 12-04-2009, 04:50 PM

What was that article that James May published about repairing old cars instead of buying new ones?

okyoureabeast · #32 12-04-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldwolf

I'm still very impressed with how effortlessly my 2.5L cruises at 70-75 mpg.

I was hoping to meet someone who had purchased on of ebay cars.

What do you think your average savings at the pump is?

LNGfish · #33 12-04-2009, 05:10 PM

I feel safe driving my '82 300SD. I most like it when I get to drive up the mountains where I live and hear the Turbo, car seems to like it too.

You loose interest some sure, but getting them fixxed up can be fun if you have the spare time. It looks pretty good parked too.

MBeige · #34 12-04-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNGfish

I feel safe driving my '82 300SD. I most like it when I get to drive up the mountains where I live and hear the Turbo, car seems to like it too.

You loose interest some sure, but getting them fixxed up can be fun if you have the spare time. It looks pretty good parked too.

The loss of interest is very temporary, and the reward you get when you've accomplished something more than makes up for it so that gets you (us) back to loving them more.

Cr from Texas · #35 12-04-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldwolf

I'm still very impressed with how effortlessly my 2.5L cruises at 70-75 mpg.

You did mean mph not mpg, right?

swheele2 · #36 12-04-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

The loss of interest is very temporary, and the reward you get when you've accomplished something more than makes up for it so that gets you (us) back to loving them more.

Agreed. The more I work on these cars the more I like them. At this point I can't imagine not owning at least one (and more likely 2-3).

pawoSD · #37 12-04-2009, 11:24 PM

Sometimes stuff can be frustrating when working on them (like successive failures of parts).....but once you have all the old stuff replaced, the car just runs and runs, the miles mean nothing. I drove my car 55 miles around the city today in the snow storm we had, and it performed perfect, it was warm, comfortable, and safe. And with my snow tires, unstoppable. AWD is way over rated, its all about the tires. I drive my SD about 400 miles a week for my work commute....and it is enjoyable every one of them!

RobTheMod · #38 12-05-2009, 03:59 AM

If you go away, you'll be back.

I owned an '81 300SD from 4/05 to 2/08, I had to consolidate my fleet to one car, bought a nice Audi (still have that one), but couldn't get along without a diesel Benz. Decided to go wagon this time, bought the 300TD in August.

They're just very special machines. I'm a Porsche/Audi/VW tech by trade, I drove a 2001 911 turbo, a 2005 Boxster S, and an Audi A8 today- and I still enjoyed the scent of the B99 on the exhaust as I drove off in the 25 yr old wagon, the SLS still holding level after filling the entire cargo area with firewood tonight. It's just a serene way to travel- wood trim, high-grade upholstery, 65-70 series tires for a smooth ride- it can't win a race but my TD runs out of stoplights slightly ahead of the pace of traffic, so it's fast enough.

You'll be assimilated, resistance is futile. You'll have your diesel and a BMW airhead cycle (I own a '75, it's not in the sig) and maybe something faster and quirkier- S4, XJS,560SEC... or maybe you'll be the guy with the M3, but the diesel MB is in a class by itself...

Oldwolf · #39 12-05-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cr from Texas

You did mean mph not mpg, right?

Yes I meant MPH.

My average mpg thus far is 33.5 mpg. I commute on the high way a lot.

athensbenz · #40 12-05-2009, 10:55 AM

I guess I was born into the Mercedes diesel love affair... Dad bought a '67 200 D Fintail or Heckeflosse (spelling ?) in the early 70's. Great car but talk about slowwwwwwwww. Probably the roomiest trunk I have seen! From here a Blue 240D...then an '83 300 DT Silver. Dad added a station wagon '85 just because it was so well maintained by the previous owner he could not pass it up. Along the way a '73 280C was part of the fleet (definitely not slow, but certainly not diesel). Eventually, an 82 300 DT (Blue) came my way. From there I got the parents 83 300 SD (Brown Metallic). Eventually picked up "stretchy" my Silver '85 300 D Limo. Took a couple of years detour into the Porsche 944 series. Picked up another Brown '83 300 SD and kept it for a few months. Currently, I have a very nice example in my '85 300 DT .

My love for these cars fades but always returns. Each one I have gotten rid of brought a little sadness. So far...I have always returned. Enjoy these great cars we are blessed to have in our possession!

s38junkie · #41 12-05-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobTheMod

If you go away, you'll be back.

I owned an '81 300SD from 4/05 to 2/08, I had to consolidate my fleet to one car, bought a nice Audi (still have that one), but couldn't get along without a diesel Benz. Decided to go wagon this time, bought the 300TD in August.

They're just very special machines. I'm a Porsche/Audi/VW tech by trade, I drove a 2001 911 turbo, a 2005 Boxster S, and an Audi A8 today- and I still enjoyed the scent of the B99 on the exhaust as I drove off in the 25 yr old wagon, the SLS still holding level after filling the entire cargo area with firewood tonight. It's just a serene way to travel- wood trim, high-grade upholstery, 65-70 series tires for a smooth ride- it can't win a race but my TD runs out of stoplights slightly ahead of the pace of traffic, so it's fast enough.

You'll be assimilated, resistance is futile. You'll have your diesel and a BMW airhead cycle (I own a '75, it's not in the sig) and maybe something faster and quirkier- S4, XJS,560SEC... or maybe you'll be the guy with the M3, but the diesel MB is in a class by itself...

UrS4 or UrS6 will definitely be my next car. I started my Audi experiment last winter with a 1990 200 Turbo Quattro Avant, found a low mileage (66K miles!) 1990 90 Quattro 20V, and then stupidly traded it for a 1991 200 Turbo Quattro 20V Wagon, slightly modded

. Yeah, it was fast as hell, but everything else around the motor and tranny was falling apart (literally).

Anyway, back to the original topic, I couldn't agree more that these cars are in class by themselves. I think you summed it best by saying "it's just a serene way to travel". I don't have people trying to race me at stoplights, directing road rage at me, or any other nonsense that occurs on the roadways in my other cars. I usually arrive refreshed, calm, and delighted with the whole experience of driving one of these cars.

Also happy to see that everyone else's responses generally indicate that I will be keeping this car a long time. I don't mind turning wrenches and getting my hands dirty, so if old parts wear out or break along the way that's fine, along as it is within reason. I'm also obessive about maintenance, so hopefully this will reduce the amount of unexpected repairs needed.

Time to go search for a set of all weather floormats before winter gets here!

daw_two · #42 12-05-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s38junkie

Anyway, back to the original topic, I couldn't agree more that these cars are in class by themselves.

I don't mind turning wrenches and getting my hands dirty, so if old parts wear out or break along the way that's fine, along as it is within reason. I'm also obessive about maintenance, so hopefully this will reduce the amount of unexpected repairs needed.

Time to go search for a set of all weather floormats before winter gets here!

Did you say you need some floormats?

RobTheMod · #43 12-05-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s38junkie

UrS4 or UrS6 will definitely be my next car. I started my Audi experiment last winter with a 1990 200 Turbo Quattro Avant, found a low mileage (66K miles!) 1990 90 Quattro 20V, and then stupidly traded it for a 1991 200 Turbo Quattro 20V Wagon, slightly modded

. Yeah, it was fast as hell, but everything else around the motor and tranny was falling apart (literally).

Anyway, back to the original topic, I couldn't agree more that these cars are in class by themselves. I think you summed it best by saying "it's just a serene way to travel". I don't have people trying to race me at stoplights, directing road rage at me, or any other nonsense that occurs on the roadways in my other cars. I usually arrive refreshed, calm, and delighted with the whole experience of driving one of these cars.

Also happy to see that everyone else's responses generally indicate that I will be keeping this car a long time. I don't mind turning wrenches and getting my hands dirty, so if old parts wear out or break along the way that's fine, along as it is within reason. I'm also obessive about maintenance, so hopefully this will reduce the amount of unexpected repairs needed.

Time to go search for a set of all weather floormats before winter gets here!

Based on responses here, if daw_two has floormats for your car, he's definitely a stand-up guy to deal with!

Yeah, the S4/S6 is another machine that's more than its on-paper stats would indicate- it seems to have a near-Benz solidity with just a hint of Porsche flavor to it. They can be made stupid-fast without a huge effort, but I'm enjoying mine near-stock. Most of these get either RS2 turbos, 250,000 miles, or severe rust, but mine has none of the above- she has 104,000 miles, had 76k when I purchased in 11/07, and the Benz helps keep the odo reading low.

Back in '05-08, I was doing it backwards. I had a pretty silver 300SD and a loud, ratty, fast, lowered Audi 5000TQ. I wore the Benz out (it needed a transmission, paint, and maybe a valve job, ALL AT ONCE)- but the Audi was in good shape when I sold it.

The new plan with the S4/300TD combo:

Audi is hangar queen, goes to Euro car meets, Saturday night dinner/movies etc., fast drives in the mountains. Stays beautiful and low mileage.

Benz is mechanically sound, cosmetically frayed workhorse that carries firewood, estate sale treasures, car parts, and me to work, ever serenely through the traffic. And the mileage doesn't matter because the VDO odometer thoughtfully quit counting years ago!

This kind of split might work for you in maximizing Benz/BMW enjoyment also, as they are definitely different in spirit...

dcotejr · #44 12-05-2009, 12:29 PM

Rob - "You'll be assimilated, resistance is futile." I love it!! X2!!!

s38junkie · #45 12-05-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

Did you say you need some floormats?

PM sent.