I'm Baaaaaaaaaack! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dtanesq · #1 05-18-2002, 02:58 PM

I told you guys I'd come back to another Mercedes. Notice the new girl in my signature below....

Betty comes home tomorrow morning. For some strange reason, I've always wanted one and when this particular car came available, I had to snap her up. I've known this car for a couple of years. Gray with gray leather interior. Well under 100k, near perfect shape. Her former owner replaced her with a mid-90s E-class wagon. Perhaps she'll be a nice, calming influence on the jet-black Bavarian road warrior with ADD living in the other half of the garage!

Feels great to be back.

#2 05-18-2002, 05:25 PM

congrats

JCE · #3 05-18-2002, 07:57 PM

David:

A Wagon - fantastic. They look really nice. Are you going to Sportline this one? Maybe some of the suspension mods like ke6dcj has done? Can't wait to see her.

dtanesq · #4 05-20-2002, 01:39 PM

Betty is now in my stable. For awhile, anyway. She came home yesterday. She is better mechanically than I remembered, although I'd forgotten the year of make and the mileage was slightly higher than I remembered.

John, I would definitely like to install the Sportline suspension. I think the stock handling package in the car is too...soft. Also, plus one with lighter wheels is also the ticket. My driving impressions might have been unduly influenced by having just hopped out of my BMW when I got behind the wheel of the TE.

I lost operational control of the car. However that is much as I'd planned. My lady love went with me to pick up the car and she drove it back from Napa. By the time we were home, she was melted into the driver's seat (she figured out the seat memory function and programmed her settings into the "1" button). I was hoping that she'd fall for the car, since my plan is to have her drive it - for many reasons unnecessary to discuss here.

#5 05-21-2002, 11:51 AM

So which one is faster in a straight line, the 300 TE or the Bimmer?

I know the BMW has more HP, but it's a larger car than the W124, with less torque, too. Plus, the 300TE has the screaming 3.27 rear axle ratio, to its credit.

-Sam

dtanesq · #6 05-21-2002, 03:42 PM

The current answer is that I think (I can't confirm) that the E34 is a touch faster straight ahead. It definitely handles better and since I know my 5 is quicker through the twisties than my 300E sedan was, I suspect the same will be true of E34 v. W124 on the same twisties (Highway 1 above Bodega Bay). The wagon feels a lot heavier than the 5, but the 5 is not stock. There are suspension mods and BBS lightweight alloy wheels and very low profile tires on her. Beauty also has a performance chip which gives her 20hp over stock (to 210) and 20 more ft.lbs. of torque over stock. Dyno confirmed. Dropping the 5's transmission into sport mode it is a bit of a screamer. I think the E34 tranny is smart enough to know that the pedal is on the floor for a reason and it delays shifts until the engine has revved higher and it feels faster, even in economy mode. My car in current trim feels much like a 535i of the same vintage.

We'll see, though, once I get my hands on the wagon again. It's not much slower, but I can't quite confirm that. My ladyfriend now has it, loves it, won't relinquish it and isn't being blamed by me for not giving it up.

suginami · #7 05-21-2002, 07:22 PM

Excellent! I'd love to get my wife in a 124 wagon. I love the idea of having the third row seat, even though we have no kids. Just the possibility of throwing people in the back is exciting. I've also seen how cavernous the storage area is with the third seat stowed away, and the 2nd row seat folded down. Almost looks like a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood will fit back there.

Problem is, she's 5'1/2" tall (she claims to be 5'2"), and I don't think she could see over the steering wheel. She's sat in my car, a 93 124, and has no confidence to drive it.

I could try and get her in one of the new C-class wagons, but they're too new for my budget. I like to get my cars when they're deeeep in the depreciation curve.

I will admit, though, that last week at the Brea Mall, walking to Nordstroms in the parking structure, she saw an SLK - 230 Kompressor drive by right in front of us. She almost shouted "is that really a Mercedes?" "it's soooo cute". That's all she's talking about is when am I going to by her an SLK? I've never seen he so excited about a car before. Prior to this, car ownership to her was like owning a toaster oven.

CJ · #8 05-21-2002, 08:13 PM

Welcome back to the family. I have not heard from you for a while.