I may or may not be out of the driving-a-Mercedes business.

My father passed away this week. I am shattered and heartbroken. He was my buddy, the best thing that ever happened to me, the person who instilled in me my stubborn (and sometimes idiotic) DIY streak. He is the reason I drove the car I drove, my beloved 1980 300sd. He could not have been happier I drove that car, he got a real kick out of it.

I've had MB issues lately. I've had a whirring/roaring/winding up sound that I was trying to chase down by doing research here. I had the brakes done in Sept. and I really don't think it was a bearing issue. I'd pretty much come to the conclusion that it was a misaligned drive shaft. The noise came and went for a while but lately there was no 'went,' it was just predictable, starting at about 25 mph, evening out at about 60 mph and really preventing me (not sure whether it was due to my fear or to power loss) from going above 65 mph. I had, after all, had a coupling failure (NOT flex disc but at the flex disc joint) about a year ago, and had had Random Garage It Got Towed To put me back together.

I was also due for some new tie rods.

The flasher really wouldn't cooperate every time. Again, I was chasing this down and had mostly ruled out the emergency button but hadn't bought a new flasher relay.

I had been having glow plug warning light flash, but that went away when it got colder. I continue to think the temp sensor needed replacing.

I think I have a shifter bushing issue. On the drive up (RACING) to be with my father, I heard something scrape and then the shifter passed far too easily from P to N etc. I just couldn't let that matter. I would have floored it without tires. Nothing was going to slow me down.

Right before he died, my father asked me to drive his car. I am driving it, and I like it, it helps me feel close to him. I really don't know what's going to happen now. I don't want to get rid of my car, but I also didn't want to get rid of my dad and damned if **** doesn't just happen and you just have to roll with it. It wouldn't be my choice to get rid of the Mercedes, but I'm at the mercy of logistics, lawyers, loss, and the Merry Widow, who now gets to tell everyone what to do.

At any rate, I'll take my car to an indie -- it's sitting about a thousand miles away from me right now, battery disconnected -- and get some ideas about what fixes I need and whether I will do them. If anyone has diagnoses or concurs, I'd be glad to hear.

If I do have to go, I will miss you guys an incredible amount. Please -- for me -- be that sloppy jerk who is too vocal with people right now and tells them too loudly and too often that he loves them. Shower the people you love with love. Be good to your cars and your people. Life is so damn short.

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1980 300SD 220,xxx
somewhere, nc