No longer a Daimler man - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Botnst · #1 01-23-2008, 05:43 PM

Some dumb bastard ran a stop sign and creamed my E320 last Fall. Insurance totaled it. I bought it back and repaired it. Repair was good -- you literally couldn't tell my old paint from the repaired spot. Car tracked perfectly and handled flawlessly. Possibly unrelated issues began last month -- air flow meter, cruise control, timing issue, "check" light kept coming on. A look at the wiring harness and a twist revealed severe cracking -- confirmed my Sum of All Fears. Not worth the repair, IMO. It still runs, though idle is hellishly rough. So I started shopping for a replacement.

The best buy for what I wanted (an interstate road warrior) was the Lincoln LS. That is a nice car in a V-8. Then I decided to buy cheap and get a car that I could devolve to my youngest kid (who starts driving full time this summer). And I drove some Hondas and liked the Accord. Looked at some in the $5-$8k range/100,000 miles. There are some pretty nice ones out there. I was going to look at yet another Accord this morning and the salesman -- as salesmen do -- said he just got this Avalon in .... I drove it. It feels well constructed and responsive. 2001; 53,000 miles; $11.5K with trade in. So, WTF?

I intend to get into another M-B if the stock market regains it's loss. But at this point, I don't think so.

Mistress · #2 01-23-2008, 05:47 PM

i told them it was an accident but no one believed me...

Eskimo · #3 01-23-2008, 06:28 PM

Bot,

I thought of you not that long ago when I looked at a '93 300D - W124 chassis with the fuel-thrifty OM602 2.5 liter turbodiesel. Properly sorted out, I think one of those would make an absolutely kickass vehicle for the sort of driving you had discussed on the forum at the time your E320 got crunched.

It was a very near thing, but I couldn't quite bring myself to pull the trigger on it.

PaulC · #4 01-24-2008, 02:00 PM

I like that generation Avalon. Just-right size and power and fairly Euro in style. The new Avalons seem to be trolling for the LeSabre crowd.

MTI · #5 01-24-2008, 03:24 PM

Top 10 Things About Owning a Toyota

10. Increase HP easily with self adhesive "TRD" stickers
9. Easy access to spare parts at "Midnight Auto Supply" stores nationwide.
8. Won't embarras owner as being a "show off" at AARP meetings.
7. Pedestrians with bad eye sight might mistake you for a BMW or Mercedes.
6. Very easy to visualize what you and your car would look like in a different color or trim level, or with different passengers, while driving anywhere.
5. Pride in knowing that you're driving an almost Lexus.
4. Lovely aroma of top grain vinyl in cabin.
3. Being able to laugh and wink knowingly when you hear the word "sludge."
2. Description of your car not going to be much of help tracking you down after felony.

1. Oh, what a feeling!

beevly · #6 01-24-2008, 04:24 PM

I'm really liking this new Subaru. The W210 sits in the garage, safe from ice and road salt, I only drive it once or twice a week these days. I love the ride and feel of it but this Subie is a better daily driver for my winter climate. It's like driving a go-kart, a completely different animal. A cheaper one too, I'm hoping.

It has an aux port for my iPod, if the dog wants to come along he can, and I don't give a hoot where I park it. If I could only have one car, this would probably be the better choice. Glad I can have more though.

iwrock · #7 01-24-2008, 04:26 PM

Oh no, Bot has left us...

LUVMBDiesels · #8 01-24-2008, 08:48 AM

I am sorry for your loss...

When Bruno died the other week. I ended up renting a 2008 Accord to drive back to NY. Talk about souless! I tried to like it because it was quiet and everything worked, but I just could not. I will take an 80's vintage MB or BMW any day over a new toaster from Japan.

sfloriII · #9 01-23-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

... Possibly unrelated issues began last month -- air flow meter, cruise control, timing issue, "check" light kept coming on.

That's pretty much what sank my 124 for me. Endless attempts by my mechanic to fix what he never really knew was wrong in the first place. My check engine light was on for well over a year and a few thousand dollars. I took it to the corner gas station and they fixed it finally for a couple hundred dollars-- oxigen sensor. Sheesh.

So the Benz whent bye bye and the VW is the answer. Sure, it doesn't have the drivability and perks of the Benz, but it sure is a lot less expensive on the wallet!!

Welcome to the "former owners" club, Bot!!

suginami · #10 01-23-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

I was going to look at yet another Accord this morning and the salesman -- as salesmen do -- said he just got this Avalon in .... I drove it. It feels well constructed and responsive. 2001; 53,000 miles; $11.5K with trade in. So, WTF?

Good call, Bot.

Toyota Avalon's are great cars. I've driven one of that example. Very roomy inside, extremely well put together, moderately powerful V6 engine, and will likely go 200,000 miles without needing much work.

When my former 2000 E430 was totalled, I decided to go with a 2003-ish Honda Accord with a V6. I looked at two examples with the purpose of buying and driving home, but they weren't even close to as advertised, and when I got back home dejected after rejecting the second car, my lovely wife tells me,

"Mata Mercedes Benz o katta hou ga ii n ja nai n desu ka"?

Not being an idiot, I quickly check out autotrader.com, and see this beautiful burgundy number (bordeaux Red) in Beverly Hills, and that's all she wrote. I drove her home.

Botnst · #11 01-23-2008, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

Good call, Bot.

Toyota Avalon's are great cars. I've driven one of that example. Very roomy inside, extremely well put together, moderately powerful V6 engine, and will likely go 200,000 miles without needing much work.

When my former 2000 E430 was totalled, I decided to go with a 2003-ish Honda Accord with a V6. I looked at two examples with the purpose of buying and driving home, but they weren't even close to as advertised, and when I got back home dejected after rejecting the second car, my lovely wife tells me,

"Mata Mercedes Benz o katta hou ga ii n ja nai n desu ka"?

Not being an idiot, I quickly check out autotrader.com, and see this beautiful burgundy number (bordeaux Red) in Beverly Hills, and that's all she wrote. I drove her home.

Paul, you had one very direct impact on my perspective and several indirect ones. For those reasons I value your opinion to a degree that would probably embarrass you.

The first was the very concise and tight argument you offered several years ago concerning auto depreciation. In a paragraph you put in words what I had subconsciously thought but never articulated. It was a Jim Jones moment and I drank the Koolaid. The rest, of which there were more than a few, were your personal, subjective experiences with various cars -- they were close enough to my own that I accepted your opinion on cars that I haven't driven. I've been looking for the right V-8 Benz ever since. Only timing has been wrong. Depending on the stock market, I could be into a new Benz in as little as 6 months or as long as a year. I am hooked on MB despite having bought a different car as a Daily Driver.

What is it about Benz driving that I liked in the W124? The feeling of control. I could always tell exactly how the car was behaving -- no question. No other car has ever been so honest whether in mundane city driving or high-speed runs on gravel roads through hills of clay. I have driven a few later Benz's and felt that same or similar direct feedback honesty. I can only imagine how much fun that must be in a big V-8!

Anyway, thanks to you and Larry Bible, with whom I have never corresponded. Your comments, insights, and advice, available through the online searches here at MBshop, are golden.

suginami · #12 01-23-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Paul, you had one very direct impact on my perspective and several indirect ones. For those reasons I value your opinion to a degree that would probably embarrass you.

Thanks, B.

You are a very kind man.

You don't know what that does to my low self-esteem.

suginami · #13 01-23-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Paul, you had one very direct impact on my perspective and several indirect ones. For those reasons I value your opinion to a degree that would probably embarrass you.

The first was the very concise and tight argument you offered several years ago concerning auto depreciation.

...... I've been looking for the right V-8 Benz ever since. Only timing has been wrong. Depending on the stock market, I could be into a new Benz in as little as 6 months or as long as a year. I am hooked on MB despite having bought a different car as a Daily Driver.

What is it about Benz driving that I liked in the W124? The feeling of control. I could always tell exactly how the car was behaving -- no question. No other car has ever been so honest whether in mundane city driving or high-speed runs on gravel roads through hills of clay. I have driven a few later Benz's and felt that same or similar direct feedback honesty. I can only imagine how much fun that must be in a big V-8!

(In my best Arnold Scharzenegger accent):

"Listen to me now and believe me later".

I consider the W210 E430 as reliable as any car on the market. The V8 is so smooth and powerful, it will knock your dick in the dirt.

As soon as you get the where with all, run to your local convenience store, pick up the Auto Trader, and scan the Mercedes ads.

These E430's are shamefully undervalued.

I picked up my Bourdeaux red 2001 E430 for $14,650, if I remember correctly, and I've never looked back.

Zeus · #14 01-24-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

(In my best Arnold Scharzenegger accent):

"Listen to me now and believe me later".

I consider the W210 E430 as reliable as any car on the market. The V8 is so smooth and powerful, it will knock your dick in the dirt.

As soon as you get the where with all, run to your local convenience store, pick up the Auto Trader, and scan the Mercedes ads.

These E430's are shamefully undervalued.

I picked up my Bourdeaux red 2001 E430 for $14,650, if I remember correctly, and I've never looked back.

I'll chime in with a 'X2'.