No kidding? I've never heard or read that ANYWHERE else. I enjoy these little pearls of wisdom from you, you're so BRIGHT!

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TXBill



Former owner of a few diesel MB cars
1998 Lexus ES 300 In Chicago We Trust

I never said I made it up.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

To add fuel to the topic.

Drove the W124 last night on the blown head gasket one too many times. Completely emptied out the coolant tank this time around, and I barely got it home before temps got to unforgiving levels. Oh well, guess I'll paint the calipers this week while I think up some options...

Car isn't worth anything now in it's present condition, and I'm facing a $2k repair (will deal with the slipping tranny later). Spent the night mulling over a replacement car, only to determine that I can't get much if I don't want to carry a car note.

Decided that I spent too much in replacement parts over the last two years to just dump the vehicle (not to mention the parts from eBay I have waiting to be installed)...so it's bite the bullet and press on. Once I get the head gasket and tranny done, I should be able to squeeze a few more years out of the old gal...and STILL not be making any monthly payments...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Look at it this way.

You can spend $5k on a headgasket and trans, or $5k on another W124. The other W124 will probably not be in as good of shape as your currantly is, will have maybe slightly less miles, and will need a couple grand worth or work.

After fixing your car drive it for another five years or so and sell it for a few grand.

Makes sense to me.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Let me cut and paste this and send to my wife! (LOL)

Actually, she has been pretty understanding about the whole issue, and already knew I had no intention of parting with the car anyway. She just waited patiently for me to tell her what strategy I would propose...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

You should be able to have your head gasket replaced for about $1,200, and my independent Mercedes tech installs rebuilt transmissions in your car for about $1,500.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Well if coolant is mixing with the oil I wouldn't run it. You will could spin a bearing and be looking at a rebuilt engine at that point.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200