guydewdney,

Many thanks- I hope this can cut down on diagnostic charges. For Now Clair Mercedes of Westwood,MA has only taken the car out for (2) 10 minute drives- shoulld I tell them to drop the pan…or would you still not be able to see any damage?
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sbourg, I tend to agree with you at this point. This car was a sort of experiment to see if she could maintain a nice car. Her previous Dodge caravan was so thrashed that it had almost no working interior controls- useless headlights, and was filthy- to the point of being infested with maggots several times (Sad but true). I never once saw her clean the interior of that car and it was a 1995. After that she leased a Saab at an unbeatable $199 a month. for 3 years. The car got dents that she did not remove until she returned it to the dealer- and I was the only person who ever made any attempt to clean her car.


Her E420 ends up being a dirty tea mug container most of the time with scattered papers, kids half eaten lollipops and candy tossed in the seat map pockets. I am the only person who washes her car, and Rarely does she give me the opportunity to do so. As a result the car sat covered with salt most of the winter and her car (Originally the car is from from Mild Atlanta) now has first signs of rust on the trunk lid.

I still do love the car and think it is a great driving car and a real bargain given the mileage and condition of the interior. I do warn her that she will end up driving a Honda.

Leasing though more expensive is likely her best option- but she will never get another leasing deal for a decent European car at $199 a month.

I should add though that I merely flew to Atlanta and purchased the car for her- but she paid for it. I did make sure it had a warranty and when that came close to expiring we purchased an aftermarket warranty so she would not get hit with huge unexpected expenses.

Another of my ex-girlfriends had a Toyota Celica…I must have spent $200 a month on massage to correct my back after riding in that car. Honda seats also destroy my back.

I drove the car to Boston from Atlanta- and other than a ridiculous speeding ticket I thought the drive was great. I certain would buy another1994-1995 E420 in the future.

I have to spend a good deal of time with her in her car (likes to take me out on errands) so I picked the E420 because the ride was comfortable and even quieter interior noise levels than my E500. I've always really liked the E420 /400E w124 model. I also was hoping the car would be bomb proof enough for her- and that because the car was a mercedes she might take more of an effort to keep it clean…and compared to the other roving dumpsters she drove, she does take more care of this car.

Sometimes it takes 2-3 cars before people learn to maintain them- and The car to her now is an extension of her appearance - that to her is a new concept. I got her 2 beautiful Fox Fur hats for her wardrobe ( remarkable deal marked down from $300 to gasp! 9.99) I said to her that the hats go great with the car....its a long psychological road to the concept of car care being akin to putting on make up for women. She has to incorporate car maintaince into her "make up" routine. I've explained- filthy rims are like unpolished shoes....it took a bit but she understands that now.

You can see why I don't want her driving my E500.