Turn of Century or Newer Mercedes – Any Enthusiasts?

I bought my 1984 300SD in August of 2001. It has been an interesting experience and the car runs better today than when I bought. I will not be giving up my diesel.

I like Mercedes in general because they are rear wheel drive cars, which makes them easier to work on. I feel these cars are for people who like cars. The 15 year old Mercedes are cheap and the old E-classes and S-classes can be had for a couple of thousand dollars. To bad there are no diesels, but these cars are really in nice condition. It is really tempting to buy a 15 year old Mercedes compared to a 30 year old Mercedes for the same price. I could have had a 2002 S500 in like new condition for $2,500 one day. The airmatic suspension makes me worry.

I have been reading the boards for a couple of years now. There are not a lot of postings on these turn of century cars. There are a lot of posts for the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s. But for 2000+, there are not a lot of posts. I am wondering why there are no enthusiasts?

Is it that no one likes to work on these cars because of the computerization?
Are Daimler-Chrysler made cars just plain junk and quality has gone down hill?
Are the parts just to hard to get?

Are there any turn of the century cars for enthusiasts or do-it-yourselfers?

They are out there but not active on this forum as it seems more geared towards the older cars. Benz World and MB World is where you will find the younger crowd that likes the newer cars.

Does that make me part of the "younger crowd"? Wo-hoo! 50 is the new, ... how does that go again? I forgot. Time for a nap anyway.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

been my experince in life,mankind has lost morals and values.Same for companies run by these men.No longer pride in the machine,but how fast the owners,can get wealth.Building parts in cheap countries,where they can for go laws against polution.Parts are thinner,and lighter,more electronic junk to justify price increases.
So glad I got a newer engine,car payments are as high as a mortgage.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

Although I empathize, I have been in the automotive OE parts business for decades, including building components in the US, for Mercedes-Benz.

The problem with the ideal of build it better, build it here, is that the competitors do not. If you're automaker A, who decides to have all of your parts overbuilt, manufactured in the US (or Germany, your choice), the car completely US (or German) content, you will find that there is no way to cover your costs and sell your car. Sure, you will find buyers for a few, but amortizing all of the tooling, engineering, fixed and variable costs involved in designing and manufacturing the vehicle will escalate the price so high compared to those who build and sell 1mm/year vehicles, again you will not be able to stay in business. Look at the production numbers of the Maybach, or any of the Mercedes models that approach $200k, it becomes a very limited production vehicle, and even Mercedes-Benz would not be able to afford the engineering, or even to product these high-end cars if they didn't build a million of their other cars to cover costs.

Unfortunately, to be in the car business (or any other) you need to follow the customers and what they are willing to buy/pay. We the masses, the consumers drive the automakers' product offerings with our wallets. When the far-east started eating Detroit's lunch, we had to adjust our cars' perceived quality to compete, or go out of business. When the same companies went after the German luxury makes in the '90s with cheaper luxury cars, Mercedes had to adjust their product also or disappear. Mercedes still (IMO) designs and produces some of the best vehicles in the world, but not without limits.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

When I drive a rental car, it makes me think how nice, quiet, and speedy they are. It seems that technology has advanced—air conditioning is really cold. When I get back home, I notice the diesel is a little noisy and slow. Down the road for a minute, I like the feel of my Mercedes—big steering wheel, heavy doors, nice ride, the smell of the horsehair cushions (especially if it has not been driven for a week.) I like that purr and that little idle vibration from the engine. The slowness is no big deal and not bad at all. The transmission shifts with a little bump every time exactly where I would have shifted it myself if it were a manual transmission. This is a special car and a lot of fun to drive. Then I think, the rental car was nice, but it makes a good rental car, and not a car to keep. My Mercedes has a soul, but not the rental cars.

I rode around in GLK 350 diesel in Germany, because my co-workers knew I drive a Mercedes. They asked me what I thought. I said it was a cheap Benz: cloth seats, plastic dash, no self closing doors. We also had an Audi A6 diesel. The A6 was a better car with more features (even self closing doors) and did 130 mph with no problem.

Do the turn of the century Mercedes have the same soul as the old ones? The people who made my Mercedes have been long gone. I think the newer ones cannot be the same. Are they like throwaway appliances? They probably drive like rental cars. For the price, I think it worthwhile checking them out anyway. Hopefully those are the best cars in the world yet, especially the e-class and s-class.

Whenever I drive a rental car, I immediately notice how inferior they are in terms of ergonomics and how I can feel every bump in the road.

I don't think there are as substantial groups of enthusiasts for newer "old" Mercedes cars. Some of these cars are close to functional obsolescence. And, many of the jobs are beyond a DIYers capability. That said, I have seen some of them from time to time and been impressed at how much car you can get for so little cash.

Dkr.

This is a great discussion. I have a 2011 GL 350 and a 2012 Sprinter and I will say they do not have the mechanical discussion when you drive them they totally have a personality you do not get from an Asian car for example. I guess what some find quirky I find interesting. I concur my 124 is the best, sweet humming non turbo diesel, from the moment you put the key in the door you feel the mechanical robust construction. If you are listening closely you will pick up on little cues when something needs attention.

I had a new E class as a loaner and my only complaint was there was zero feedback in the steering, but man is that chassis stiff and tight.

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1995 E300 (W124)
1999 ML430 (w163)
2011 GL350 (x164)
2016 Sprinter 144" 4X4 lowtop (906)
2004 E500 (W211) 4matic Wagon (Gold)
2004 E500 (W211) 4matic Wagon Avantgarde (silver)

Get off my lawn

You need a shaking cane emoticon.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I would say if the new old cars had one of our beloved diesel engines or something as simple in them without all the computers and electronics it would be easy to go buy one. I do not have the same enthusiasm buying these new old cars like I did in 2001 when I bought my 1984 300SD. I had complete confidence in buying that car, and I still have confidence in my car. As far as today's new old cars, I feel I am taking a risk buying one.

I have to agree, with 10+ airbags, emission controls that will shut the cars down, everything controlled based on functioning computers and sensors, and good communication between components, it's either pre-2000 or new with warranty for me.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff