My 260E is a cat's whisker from the big 200,000. The car is driving pretty well, the engine seems happy, etc. Drinks a bit more oil than seems totally reasonable (by 2000 miles past an oil change, starts to leak or burn about a quart every 500-700 miles) but overall seems to be running well.

I'm afraid that I don't have very good records of previous maintanence under previous owners (bought the car ~6 years ago at 152,000 miles.)

Since then we replaced a good bit of suspension stuff, most of the fuel system (water in the gas thanks to a stupid gas station,) converted the A/C to R1234 (or whatever it's called,) and some other misc. stuff.

So that's the car's status/background.

I'm curious what you guys have to say about potention troublespots to look out for/pre-empt?

Also, this nearly 16 year old car has an awful lot of mileage?how much more is it likely to be good for?

Thanks,

jeremy

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jeremy wood
'88 260E ~200,700 miles
- All stock, except for Blaupunkt "Miami Beach"

Jeremy,

I just traded off my 87 260E on my girlfriends CLK320 and it had 310,000+ miles. It had one valve job and the usual maintenance items done, including the R134 conversion, radiator, alternator, suspension components etc. but nothing major. Never had any tranny problems and was stilling running on the original transmission.

The only thing I can say you'll need for sure will be a valve job at some point. When I traded mine in it was consuming about 1 quart per 1,000-1,200 miles, which is still within MB specs. I believe specs allow 1 quart per 800 miles. Someone else could probably varify this.

A really solid car that drove down the road, quiet, straight, true and without complaints. It was one of those cars that sat outside all winter and never failed to start and run. Oil changes every 3,000 firm, tranny at 15,000 firm, lfushed coolant and all fluids each year etc. I really enjoyed that car and if I had enough room would have kept it.

Hope this helps. Drive it and enjoy it!

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Brian W.

01 S55 AMG Silver
01 CLK55 AMG Silver

That sure sounds promising!

My dad just told me that as a graduation present (college has gone by much too quickly) he's going to pay to get the old Panzer repainted.

A paint job that should last for the next 15 years, I hope. Okay, maybe it's unrealistic to think that I would still be driving this car that long from now. However, I haven't seen any compelling reason not too. Well, until I make lots and lots of money, and buy all my favorite benzes.

Mmmm 500E, etc...

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jeremy wood
'88 260E ~200,700 miles
- All stock, except for Blaupunkt "Miami Beach"

You're right about driving it for a long time...if you wish. Typically you may "out grow" the styling if something newer tickles your fancy. But these cars were manufactured to driven for a long time. If you ever look at eBay motors, you'll see how many more Benzs there are than any other import. Then check out the individual sales. You'll notice most of the Benzs are 10+ years old, compared to all other manufacturers. Most of the other car sales are newer models. You just see more older Benzs still running down the road. Personally I love the W124 body style, certainly the 500E, enough to drive me to purchase my 300TE with 190,000+ miles. A very strong motor that personally I have nothing but good things to say about it. I only hope this engine at about 200,000 miles lasts as long as my 260E did!

If you have the room, you may still be driving it 15 years from now. Wonder what this board will look like then?

Take care!

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Brian W.

01 S55 AMG Silver
01 CLK55 AMG Silver

Well, you're right about tastes... I've been taking a interested look at the new Mazda MX-8. Quite the polar oposite of the Benz, techno-agressive versus classic restrained (with that trademark Mercedes highway zoom.)

A tangent: My folks are from Iowa, I was born in Wisconsin, actually (parents went to grad school there)

How are you benz's holding up in the salt and other winter fun?

I remember the old car my parents brought out to California had a fatastic "see-through" floorboard setup...

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jeremy wood
'88 260E ~200,700 miles
- All stock, except for Blaupunkt "Miami Beach"

The see through floorboards...was that an option or just a mod? lol The only rust I've had is on the 260E just under the trunk button. This was from hauling construction materials in the trunk and then ignoring the abrasion for a long, long time. A friend took care of it for $50 and you could not tell. There were a few bubbles starting the the drivers side A pillar but had not come through yet. I have had the following in Iowa winters: 88 260E with 310,000; 90 300E with 125,000; 92 400E with 113,000 and the 300TE but it has only about 1,000 miles in the Iowa winter. It has spent its entire life in the south so it should be good for a long time!

Where in Iowa? I'm in Iowa City, home of the Hawkeyes... U of Iowa. My sister lives in LaCross...a teacher.

A Mazda huh? I have no idea what that looks like but I have been considering an M5. There is a beautiful 98 on eBay right now. But I will always have a Benz. And the newer the model I buy, the more I like the older Benz's. Is that crazy? I really am fond of the older build quality. My 99 CLK drives me crazy with the squeeky interior...but it is fun to drive!

Take care!

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Brian W.

01 S55 AMG Silver
01 CLK55 AMG Silver

I've heard very good things about the M5. I wish that I could ponder such things in the realm of reality, rather than pure fantasy.

My parents grew up in Cedar Falls. My grandparents (well, 2 of them) taught at UNI. I go there about once a year to see the folks. Cedar Falls is a nice town. I haven't been to Iowa City (well, I might have gone when I was a few months old, I'm not sure.)

Huh, I guess MB is better about rust than Fiat (yeah, my dad's car was a Fiat.)

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jeremy wood
'88 260E ~200,700 miles
- All stock, except for Blaupunkt "Miami Beach"