That is sick!

I was pretty disappointed with the w210. Felt that it was a major step down in most areas. I'm guessing w211 will be even worse.

Not sure if a Credit Union would finance a 95?

In a way a 95 would make sense because I can use my current on as a parts car.

I live in NYC, but I put about 12,000 miles a year on it, including long trips. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it cross-country this morning if I needed to. It's only come close to being t.o. once in four years.

In short: I'm not a fearful little limp-wrist.

magnum visibility is appalling. Sharp looking vehicle, but dont try and see out the back.

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I daily drive one with even more miles than spdrun. And I don't have public transportation near me.

I think you over rate the reliability factor of new cars compared to a maintained old one. I just had a hell of a time jump starting a new honda with a push button starter yesterday.

Ive had a few disasters, but most were fixable in a day or two by myself in the yard. Not so with a brand new car.

The suggestion of finding a nicer example of his current car with lower miles is completely legitimate

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Frank Lloyd Wright had the rear window of his custom Lincoln Continental filled in because he says "I never look back." And this is a man who designed the iconic Guggenheim Museum. If no rear visibility was good enough for him...

Well, you are afraid of a newer car...

I really like the w211 cars and from what I have seen so far are turning out to be good, reliable cars. Two items I could do without on them are the air bags springs and the SBC system. Other than these two items our 05 E320 wagon has been a great car after I put a low mileage engine in it.

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Jim

well, he wasnt infallible.

Restoration of drooping Fallingwater uncovers flaws amid genius

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Why do you think that it was named Fallingwater?

I daily drive a 126 coupe, and have for years. Until July of this year, when I got her a 1994 G-wagen, my wife daily drove 124 wagons for 17 years.

We owned three 124 wagons, two 1995s and a 1992.

Anyone who says a 124 is not a practical daily driver, is hallucinating.

Modern cars are great and all, I rent current-model Benzes every year on my European holidays. But how many of you have had to MAINTAIN them, and pay for it? A few multi-thousand-dollar dealer repair bills after the modern cars come off warranty will feel like an ice-bucket challenge of cold water dumped on your head, and will cool off y'all's ardor for the newer cars.

There's good reason that newish Benzes cost mere peanuts these days.

Cheers,
Gerry

Because new Benzes don't have the daunting annual price increases that were witnessed in the older models. As an example, a 1972 350/450 SL retailed for about $10,500. I remember looking at a brand new 1976 450 SL at a Mercedes dealer which, courtesy of an unkind dollar/deutschmark exchange rate and some good old-fashioned Stuttgart hubris, stickered at $16,500.

Such substantial price increases pulled up the value of late-model used Mercedes at the time. Today? Too many new Mercedes produced, coupled with much stronger competition, hampers resale value. Consumer fear of Mercedes after-warranty repair costs certainly plays a factor as well - as it always has.

Additionally, a very important quality of a practical daily driver is the degree of active and passive safety designed into the car. The 124 was designed over thirty years ago, and was deemed a reasonably safe car for its time. Today? Time has marched on, and even the most modest brands offer vehicles which are safer than the old w124.

Museum pieces belong in museums, not on the road.

your point is valid, and appropriate for new drivers, and paranoid drivers.

sure, a modern multi-airbag equipped vehicle has better protection in the accident.

sure, a modern multi-airbag equipped vehicle has more fuel economy, and power capability.

sure, a modern multi-airbag equipped vehicle has handling and control better than the old 124 could ever dream of having...

but is all that stuff needed?

I think, that barring a meteor strike, or airplane crash into the roadway, (which airbags are useless against) a driver with full awareness of the roadway, and intelligent attitude on the drive...
the handling on the 124 is stable, solid, nimble, reliable, and supremely safe on any roadway at any speed.

sure... an icy patch on the road, could send you careening across the center into oncoming traffic and the lack of side airbags could be a factor in the accident... but if the conditions warrant icy... you better be driving with extreme caution! intersections allow opposing velocity vehicles to intersect paths... pay attention to them!

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Re: the wino in the F-250 who blows the red light at an intersection. Even a highly-experienced driver can be caught unawares and has few options other than to rely on the design of the car under such a scenario.

That's not the way most accidents go down, actually.