Have u seen the Mercedes comercials where this benz has a million and change miles??

I was watch TV the other day and saw a Mercedes comercial. At the end was an elderly couple w/ a whit 1970's benz w/ 1 million miles!! Do you think the engine is original?? and tranny?? he must of replaced some parts...

[WANT '71 280SEL]

It is a 60's. They didn't have any fintails in the 70's. But yes, I did see that commercial. That stuck in my head also becasue that is the kind of car I was looking for when I bought my SD.
David

[fz500sel]

and did you see how many grill badges they had on that thing?!

The radiator must be choking for fresh air. I bet the things heats up quick in the winter tho.

[psfred]

Not unheard of -- I remeber the first time a finny made 1,000,000 miles back in the 70's.

Don't remember how much maintenance it had, but I'm fairly certain the engine has been rebuilt at least once, even a Benz with cast liners will need them replaced before then. The silicon/aluminum Reynolds process blocks may well go that long without rebuild, though.

Peter

[Peter Fearing]

I have a C280 with over 200K miles on it. Never been serviced except new tires, batt and brake pads. What gives? Could it be that all the BS about Mercedes being a really good car is true? I'd buy another one since I have never had any type of problem with it. BTW, have never changed the trans fluid. Car is perfect.

[psfred]

Properly serviced, they can last almost forever. Usually body rot kills the older ones, not engine failure.

For sure the W108 is a great car -- mine has almost 200,000 miles on it, uses a quart of oil between changes, and runs pretty damned good for being neglected for years. My 88 TE has 210,000, uses NO oil between changes (now that I replaced the leaking filler cap), has only had minor work (needs a new AC evaporator, ouch!).

Peter

From where I sit, ANY Benz made in the last 30 years, properly cared for is barely broken in at 200,000 miles.

About six years ago there was an article about a million mile 240D that MBUSA traded a new 300SD to the original owner to get the car for promotional purposes. I would have to dig out that magazine, but as I recall he put an MB Long block in it at 650,000 miles or so and that engine was still intact at about 1.1 million.

The article was in the Star Magazine along about mid 1996.

I used to drive diesels due to longevity. The original engine in my 240D went 380,000. Now the gas engines have just about as much longevity. My 16 year old 300E now has 267,000 miles, uses no oil at all and gives no signs of weakness in any way. It's very tight and solid.

Have a great day,

[3star]

In this month's Merecedes Enthusiast magazine, there is an article on a 1984 W123 with 907, 000 miles (1,451,201 km).
Engine has been rebuilt but most of the rest of the car is original.

[lietuviai]

Originally posted by psfred
The silicon/aluminum Reynolds process blocks may well go that long without rebuild, though.

Peter

Peter, you've got my attention on this one. What M-B models have these engines because I'm going to start looking for one.

[Hatterasguy]

lietuviai I'm not sure but I think the M119 might have those liners.

[Peter Fearing]

Lietuviai: The stock 2.8 engine used in the C280, W202. Not the V6. I have never stuck to the standard maintenance schedule advised in owners manuals but especially, I never let a dealer do my work if needed. Most good use and long milage comes from common sense driving. No a Mercedes is not a race car, hot rod, work vehicle. It will however cruse all day at 85mph like driving for 24 hrs. from Fl to Chicago, never shuting the engine off.

[MBDFahrer]

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/models/gallery/tv_commercial/commercial.jsp?msize=ll&mname=faithful For those that haven't seen it. or for those that want to see it again.

[turbodiesel]

BEST TV COMMERCIAL EVER!

[TX76513]

Thanks for the link? Was looking for "Nobody ever poses with a toaster"! Going to do some editing

in the mid-'80s, after which intrusion of electronics and other build-to-a-price compromises made the Mercedes a mere "mortal."

The super long-lived diesels all seemed to have some quirk in their use that contributed to thier records...like one guy in the Pacific northwest who commuted something like 600 miles a day for years. The diesels (think White Freightliner and Peterbilt) were MADE to perform and last under such conditions.

Saw the Enthusiast article on the long-lived 230(?) gasser. The owner lives in Malaya or some such place where road salt has yet to be seen.

I doubt that many (or ANY) current MB products will be million-milers a decade or so down the road.