My parents got our first ever MB back in '83. It was an offwhite 1975 200. loved that car a lot because of its smooth ride... We kept that car until 1996 where-in we sold it to buy a 1978 200 (w123). The sedan served me well during college. Until the gas prices went up. I had to buy a Honda just to save some money. The sedan became a second car in the garage. This is what i had until back in 2002 where in i sold Honda (my daily driver) to get a 1979 300TD. Served me well.. but now it is in a shop getting a much needed surgery on its body... hopefully it would come out well and would serve me for a long time!..

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Mike

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1975 200 - Sold (no pix);
1978 200 - Sold - http://www.pbase.com/hboy/redbaron
1979 300TD - Sold
http://www.pbase.com/hboy/greenwagon
http://www.geocities.com/hboy726/300TD.html
1985 230E - now my daily driver...

A former Chevy nut here. I bought my Benz, a '91 300SE, from a lady I used to rent a house from. My son started working for her while we were renting and he still works for her. He borrowed the Benz from her (she has a heart of gold) when his ride went down so he could get to school, work, etc. One weekend I borrowed it from him and absolutely fell in love with it. Soon after I found out that she had it up for sale, but it wasn't being advertised as such, it was a "spare" car for her family as she had bought a 2002 E320 and kept the 300 because she didn't like the "trade-in deal". I jumped at it paying the $5500 she was offered as trade-in. It had 182,000 miles on it when I bought it in November of '03 and has 210,000 clocked now. I've put about $700-$800 into parts for the suspension and have it just about perfect now. I never would have dreamed of owning a Mercedes, let alone having one 13 years old in near new condition. It runs smooth, plenty of power for me, comfortable ride. My daughter will be learning how to drive soon and have already thought about looking for another Benz for me and letting her drive the 300. I would not have to worry about her in it because I know this particular car and more importantly the safety reputation of a Mercedes. I'll never go back to the "Big Three".

Some ideas I've entertained.....a Unimog dump truck to drive for work and converting a wagon into a Benz pickup truck to pull my boat, I saw a completed conversion on the net.

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1991 300SE (my ride, 279,000 miles, looks almost new
1954 Cadillac (21 yo son's car, he bought when age 15)
1972 SeaBird 19 ft runabout (old but solid, slant six, Volvo sterndrive perfect condition, undergoing complete overhaul and refit)
1998 Toyota Rav4 (my sons daily driver when he is in the Continental US, PROUDLY serving in US Navy)

I bought my first Benz (91 300E) in Oct. while on vacation in Florida. The car was in excellent condition and loved the ride. Since I flew down there from Maine I had to drive the car home. Within 40 miles the engine light came on and the car died on the highway at 70mph. Pulled over and it started right up so I got off at the next exit and checked the fluids.Oil was way low. Put 2 quarts in and was on my way. About 100 miles later blew a heater hose and temp light came on. Ever tried finding a heater hose at a 7eleven. Found a piece of pipe and heater hoses and patched it up. 3 times from Tampa to SC car stalled at highway speeds and pulled over and started right up. Stopped overnight in SC next morning (a sunday) car wouldn't start. Called a garage that was open and towed it there. They couldn't find the problem GRRRR. Stayed overnight and towed to a Benz dealer Mon. morning. Found the problem in 15 min. Timing sensor bad. Of course they didn't have the part so had to overnight it and fixed the next day. $430 So by now I am not to sure about this Mercedes Benz midlife crisis. The good news is I drove from SC to Maine without a problem after that. I loved driving through the night. Didn't get tired at all driving my new Benz. I liked it so much I bought another one (87 300E)on ebay to use as my winter car because the one I got in Florida was almost showroom condition. Still working on getting the 87' ready for inspection but having a great time. Hope i can keep up the enthusiasm.

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Vin