I'll take the '84 or the '86 on a 600 mile trip on a moment's notice.

Sure, sometimes you'll have some issues, but, they normally won't strand you. On the last trip with the '86, it cracked the #6 injection line and eventually lost all pressure to #6. Had to drive it on 5 for about 150 miles and order the injection line from the dealer in Raleigh. Two days to get it.

I agree with the problems of obtaining parts.........sometimes it's difficult.

I take my '59 on long trips all the time. Any car that is properly serviced and runs well around town ought to do just fine on a trip.

Len
'59 220S Cabriolet - been to Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Birmingham, Jacksonville, Raleigh, Knoxville, Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston among others

I'd drive my SDL anywhere anytime. I have been doing one or two long trips(500+ miles)a year for the past couple of years. Always ran perfectly.

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

After I bought my 71 220D and changed all the consumables: belts, hoses, filters, tires, shocks, motor mounts, brakes, etc. I went on a 300 mile trip to a MB event. It was great, cruising at 75, running with the current cars, and getting stares. It was wonderful with vent windows again. I'd jump in the car now and go anywhere, I consider it that dependable, as it is so simple....

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71 220D 169K wrecked
83 240D 118K sweet 4 speed
91 350SDL (one of the 60% good engines) 156K
84 300d (loaner to my sister) 189K
79 300SD (partswagen)
86 420SEL partswagen
70 220d (partswagen)
68 280s GASSER!!! under construction now
85 300sd 310K miles winter beater car retired
93 300d 2.5 turbo 168K wife's car
83 280SL euro 5 speed 155K
69 250S newest project 54K

i would not hesitate to hop in my 84 500sec and head for california tomorrow. my tires might be a concern, but that is all.

a newer car can break down too.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

[QUOTE=fj bertrand;1370841]After I bought my 71 220D and changed all the consumables: belts, hoses, filters, tires, shocks, motor mounts, brakes, etc. I went on a 300 mile trip to a MB event. It was great, cruising at 75, running with the current cars, and getting stares. It was wonderful with vent windows again. I'd jump in the car now and go anywhere, I consider it that dependable, as it is so simple.

VENT WINDOWS!!! True Classic Motoring without equal!!!

I took my 420SEL to PA in 2005 for a total of 3000 miles including local driving there; no problems at all. I also have driven this car on some 500 miles round trips, again with no problems. If the car is in good condition, it is just as dependable as any other car ... parts of some types could be hard to find tho. I also would not hesitate to drive my 92 300CE anywhere; in fact will probably drive it to PA in May 2007 for a vacation trip there. It only has 90K on it and has been well maintained.

All of my Mercedes have new tires, which is one thing you definitely need to consider if your tires are pretty old.

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)