Hello all. Wife and I are thinking about taking an extended trip from North Carolina to Washington State to Southern California and return home using the southern route. Of course there will be a lot of detours and stops along the way. Looks like about 6600 miles and 14 to 16 days. We will be driving the 84 500 SEL with about 267K miles on it. For the last 70K it has been OVER maintained. Uses about 1 qt oil in 1500 miles when driving 70+ mph but no oil between changes if all driving is 55 or less. Now, my question is AM I CRAZY?????
I guess one opinion I would like to get is about the timing chain. It was put in with all new guides about 72,000 miles ago in 2002. The last time I checked chain stretch was about 12K miles ago and it had about 1 deg of stretch and guides look good and only starting to turn light brown. I think it should be OK. I think I have read that 100K was getting about time for a new one. Car runs great and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
Anyone have any thoughts about the trip and/or the timing chain? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Paul

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

Couldn't hurt to check your chain stretch again. I, too, have heard the every 100,000 miles or 10-15 years rule of thumb.

Should be a fun trip! Bring spare oil, filters, tools, etc.

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82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

We just came back from a 4500 mile trip in our '97 CL500 with 142000 Miles. Carefully prepared doing all of the normal maintenance things. Had a problem with an upper control arm not being secured but no other problems. Car ran like the proud beast that it is. One thing jumped out however, after we left Seattle we never saw another Benz or German car again until So Cal! So you would be on your own to find even a mechanic that even works on Benzes. We kept track of every drop of gas, got 21.989 miles to the gallon at an average of $3.89 per gallon. We spent about $760 on gas but enjoyed every minute of the trip.
My advice to you, replace all belts, hoses, new coolant, new t'stat, new plugs, all vacuum lines, service transmission, have good tires. You know what has to be done to make this a memorable trip.
We are thinking of a cross country run in 2015!
Anziani
'95 E420 132K
'97 CL500 142K

James Dean and anziani, Thanks for the replies. Here are some mileage numbers (Miles on the part or service) for some of the various parts that have been changed.

Tires 20,000
Comp Tune Up 14,000
Belts 17,000
Trans Rebuild 6,000
Radiator 36,000
Radiator Flush 17,000
Water Pump 17,000
Front Wheel Bgs 22,000
Rear Axles & Bgs 50,000
Diff service 2,000
Front end rebuild All within the last 50,000
Drive shaft 27,000
A/C Compressor 14,000
Ign lock cyl 3,000
F & R Pads & rotors 15,000

Like I said, I over service this car. I enjoy it. It is more like a hobby to me.

I have tools, jumper battery, spare parts in the car at all times and AAA and a cell phone.

I think we are looking at about $1400 for fuel and the same for lodging. We don't eat very high on the hog so food shouldn't be to much. We are planing to leave with no plans except to head west and stop when we see something interesting. Just a slow leisurely trip.

Paul

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

I'd throw a quart of oil in the trunk and wouldn't look back. Sounds like you have a clean machine there, and with only 1° of stretch you ought to be A-OK

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Looks like you've got everything covered. We noticed that the motels got very reasonable after you are out of the big cities. We were disappointed in the food however. Only one memorable meal in 2 weeks, but then we know good food and recipes and don't eat fast food. We usually ate whatever the motel offered for breakfast (coffee and roll), skipped lunch and tried to find a nice dinner. We carried plastic bottles with our favorite bulk wine loaded. When one gets into Mormon or Indian country one must be inventive.
Good luck and if you get to the Plam Springs area, contact us.
Anziani

It will do fine. My dad takes his 420SEL on trips regularly with 310k on it and it has never had an issue. We maintain it to "normal" levels. It had a head job about 90k ago or so.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Just did a ~4000 mile trip myself. Los Angeles > Phoenix> Alberquerque> Lubbock> Dallas and back

I took no precautions other than checking the spare tires air pressure.

Of course, the caveat is that I maintain my car well enough to not worry about things going wrong because they should have been spotted at the last service.


95 E320 sedan.
27.5mpg for the trip. < That was a brilliant surprise. I did use a lot of hypermiling techniques throughout.

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