Started off buying a 1975 230.4, still working on it but making slow progress. Next picked up a 1970 220D for parts. Stripping that one really sold me on these cars.

It took me maybe 3 hours to pull the engine and trans and I was slacking. Pulled the whole rearend and suspension in an hour. So easy to work on these cars. Simple, reliable, durable design. Last car I pulled the drivetrain was a 1995 Taurus SHO. Took me a whole weekend.

Last weekend I picked up a 1976 240D as a transplant recipient for the 220D motor. Originally I was going to fix and sell it but probably won't now. May end up keeping it for a driver.

I really like my Toyota Tacoma, it's got 257K on it and running strong but there's very little I can work on. Forget about trying to diagnose engine problems! These old Mercedes are something I can work on... I like that.

Amen. My wife's Audi A6 has developed an ignition miss, which can only be diagnosed by the OBD system. It's coding for a plug change and possible other problems (at 36000 miles?). I was able to fix my '69 Benz by patient elimination of suspect parts - and a lot of help from posters on these threads. I can't even SEE the spark plugs on my wife's car...

I remember my first car, 1957 Chev wagon, straight six, three on the tree, really easy car to work on. Got it dead, got it running. From there things slowly got more and more complicated, less and less I could work on.

My wife's Maxima kept dying and had to take it in to get a diagnosis. My old Chevy would have been easy.

I know that new cars require less maintenance and are more reliable. However, I guess it never mattered to me since I did all my own work. I know my old 57 Chevy would have never run the 257K my Toyota has without a complete rebuild.

A buddy relayed a story where somebody in a 92 S class got the drivers mirror torn off. its tied into the CAN (the computer system??) and the car shut down and went into limp home mode....

__________________
MB-less

they are so easy, I love them. I can basicly dive into any part and know that with my utter lack of knowledgy I will still manage to get everything working again

I've been looking at the 80's 190e for a daily driver. Pretty common for parts, not bad looking either. Just depends on how complicated they are to work on. My 115 series cars are simple.

My father has owned Benz's since 68 with 190D (bought used) then a 72 220D (new).
I learned to drive in that car. Oh..... the memories.......
I found a nice 73 220D that I am restoring and will be giving to him soon. It's been a trick to keep 2 MB's hidden from when he stops by I'm a 2nd generation Benz nut.

__________________
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
-Arthur C. Clarke

"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people. I require the same from them."
--John Wayne.

OBK member#16
77 300D
75 300D (rusty parts car)
73 220D (Dad's)
98 Jeep Grand Cherokee
82 Kawasaki M1