Does it ever bring tears to you eyes when you are working on you MB at wonderful a job the engineers did designing these vehicles to not only be fabulous to drive and look at, but also to maintain?

I did the pads, rotors, and hydropneumatic spheres on my W123 wagon a couple weeks ago. I was dreading the job because it sounded complicated and have most recently done similar jobs on my GMC Suburban where you just about have to dismantle entire systems to do the simplest job... Or wrestle your way into impossibly small spaces to do simple things.

I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy each of these jobs was and at how wonderfully well engineered and thought out each of these assemblies were... Especially the fitting that holds and tensions the front hub. Wow. I get dewy-eyed just thinking about it.

__________________
Mike

1980 300SD
1981 300TD
1998 E320 Gasser Wagon
2000 SL500

I've been brought to tears by my benzes before, but not from their engineering marvels.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Yes, I think I cried when I tried to replace the oil cooler lines.

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

It was a moment of joy tonight when we fired up the project SD for the first time, after months of work. Everything worked as it should....amazing experience!!!

__________________
-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)

Congratulations... I've experienced the same with vintage motorscooters... It's a great feeling.

__________________
Mike

1980 300SD
1981 300TD
1998 E320 Gasser Wagon
2000 SL500

I use to get teary eyed when I use to have to write a check to the mechanic, until I found MB Shop.

Now I get all teary thinking about all the male bonding that has developed .

most things seem to have been well thought out in the design. There are a few things that are a PITA.

wouldn`t trade is for anything though.

charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

They are truly well engineered and mechanic friendly. Especailly the 123 diesels. They were built to be run forever.

In owning and working on thirty of them for thirty years I have very very seldom ever broken a bolt, such is the quality of the bolts.

I just love them.

Tom W

__________________
[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.

Only a few things will make me cry in a bad way:

W123 oil cooler lines
W123 617 turbo starter R&R
W124 evaporator
W124 119 power steering pump R&R
Anything related to the later Becker audio systems

Note that I've never owned a W140.

But the standard-issue maintenance items on the W123 and W124 are easier than on any car I've ever seen. Oil changes can easily be done in a nice shirt if you are careful. The coolest thing is doing brakes on the W124 - it takes longer to jack the car up and remove the wheels than it usually does to replace the pads and rotors.

Even the much maligned vacuum system is great - I would much rather diagnose and fix a 25 year old vacuum system than 25 year old electrics.

I just wish the front rotors were easier to change.

__________________
Ron Schroeder
'85 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
'83 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
Some former WVO vehicles since ~1980:
'83 Mercedes 240D
'80 Audi 4000D
'83 ISUZU Pup
'70 SAAB 99 with Kubota diesel
'76 Honda Civic with Kubota diesel
'86 Golf
Several diesel generators
All with 2 tank WVO conversion
LI NY

Very easy on the W124 - good thing since they wear so quickly, but you're right, the 123 isn't as easy. Might be the only task that's harder on the 123 than the 124.

Haven`t been more teary eyed than when the timing chain broke 8:30am one morning doing 65mph west bound I80 40+ mi east of Winnemucca, Nv. that`s the biggest town past the last Prarrie dog town.

got towed in, then had to rent a car, drive 170 mi to Reno rent a U-haul, drive back, winch the car on. then haul it back to Reno, over the Sierra to Santa Cruz,Ca. about 500 miles.

Pulled eng in driveway, drove to Los Angeles (about 400 mi) to pick up my Metric Motor. (cried again$)

R&R engine in drive way, replaced everything I could think of. $$$$.

But as PAWOSD said, it was a moment of joy when the eng came to life when I turned the key.

Then I forgot all the blood, sweat and tears I went through.
OH I LOVE YOU BABY.

Have you hugged your Mercedes today?

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works