We left Maryland for the 800 mile trip to Florida in Penelope, our ’82 300SD with 210k miles. Four of us and a trunk full of xmas presents and luggage. At a steady 70-72 mph with the cruise on and the CD blasting Christmas tunes, the first day went easily. The next day was even better – warmer weather was coming and we even had to turn on the AC. Passed up an old 300D, but saw nary a 126 the whole trip down. Mileage averaged 25, a bit less than Hans (strangely, Penelope runs at 2900 rpm at 60 while Hans runs at 2600), but pretty darn good considering a big car hurling down the freeway with four people in comfort. My son used the cig lighter in the rear door to plug in the inverter and laptop, and all were happy and rested. At the in-laws, the patriarch nodded approvingly at the expensive Mercedes in his driveway (ha, if he knew what I paid!) and marveled at the ride on the way to the video store. But the hard part was just starting.

After a nice visit, I trundled off to…OMG, U-HAUL! Yes, it was time to put Penny to the test. I had installed a class 2 hitch and light kit and now backed her up to a 5x8 trailer. Back to the house, all was well, aside from a bit of shaking from the trailer - she could barely feel its 1100 pounds. Then the load up. Furniture, boxes, tools. Maybe 600 pounds. And so we left Florida with four people, a trunk full of stuff and a trailer (note to self: air shocks would be a good idea). 6000 pounds is a lot for 125 hp (especially up interstate on-ramps), but there was never any doubt that the car would eventually get there. The PO had adjusted the ALDA and Penelope has instant power from idle on up, though she smokes a bit and uses a little more fuel. With 150 pounds on the hitch, she pulled the trailer like she was born to it (I waved at the big rigs with their turbo-diesels racing by). I kept the speed at 60 (hedonist me, with the cruise control). The temp was up by 5 degrees (still never over 90C), which I attributed to the added heat from the transmission (we picked Penelope over Hans because she had a new transmission installed by a Mercedes dealership and has only 25k on it). Up hills and down, interstate and city (those brakes are AWESOME), never missed a beat. Or a diesel stop. 16-17 mpg was all she could do, but I comforted myself knowing that I was still getting nearly twice what the big SUVs were getting. Diesel ranged from 2.20 in Florida and Maryland to 1.80 in South Carolina. Penelope used only a pint of oil in 1700 miles. We were passed by a 300TD that had four 6 gallon diesel jugs on a hitch-mounted carrier and before I could comment, the smell of French fries wafted through the vents. A WVO wagon carrying enough fuel for 1300 miles. Only one other 126 diesel passed us, a rough-looking car with a soot- blackened rear-end going about 80. Didn’t even wave, though he might not have seen us because of the trailer.

I had concerns. A 23 year old car we’d only had for a few months and towing a trailer back 850 miles. Breakdowns in Backwater S Carolina loomed. I had tools with me, but limited due to the weight. As it was, I never opened the tool box. Penelope now has passed the test and has my respect.

Hope everyone else’s travels were as uneventful as mine.

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1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer

Count me impressed!!

I'm not sure if I could put my 84 through that just yet.

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1998 W202 C230 - The money pit of late.
1984 W126 300SD (356,800 miles) Gone to the wrenchapart
1984 W123 300D Gone to the wrenchapart
1972 W108 280SE 3.5 (sold but not forgotten)
1986 Buick Grand National 3.8l Turbo (86k miles)
1966 Glassic Model 'A' Replica http://www.glassicannex.org

http://banners.wunderground.com/weat...Round_Rock.gif

good for you for using the old girl for what she is made for-

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

Very impressive! Congrats on a successful trip. Sounds like one of those instances whereupon, arriving home, you didn't want it to end. (That happens to me ALL the time.)

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Chris

'04 ML500 - 53k, Inspiration Edition, Desert Silver
'11 Audi A4 Avant - Brilliant Black
'87 300SDL sold
'99 C280 Sport sold
'85 190E 2.3 sold