Do people think your old Benz is new? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pentoman · #1 08-07-2002, 06:03 PM

Recently I gave a lift to someone I didn't really know, and as he sat down in the back seat he took a look around and said 'Does this have Satellite Navigation and TV?'

Hehe.. a 1986 190E.. It *is* fully optioned, in as-new condition and I keep it super-clean, but I don't think that was an option back then!!

later

Russ

Holson Adi · #2 08-07-2002, 06:56 PM

Definitely not!!! Not with that 5-cylinder diesel engine making that noise!
The car looks quite nice from the outside though. Despite some minor rust spots around the wheel wells..

#3 08-07-2002, 07:20 PM

Back in 1999, before the W220 came out, some guy pulls up next to him in Montana in a newer SUV and asks him "Wow, is this the new Mercedes?" and my dad merely said "No, it's used".

Kind of funny that someone would think that a W126 could pass for new that long after production ended.

Most people think the car is a 1990-1993. I guess that's fair enough, considering that W126 production continued through 1991.

-Sam

placo1 · #4 08-08-2002, 12:04 AM

Moraine,

I think you hit the nail on the head.

I'm sure many of us on this forum have MB's which look nearly brand new but really are over 10 years old. However since we enjoy taking care of our cars and it's fun rather than work the results show!

Subman · #5 08-08-2002, 02:59 AM

I get that all the time. People tend to think my car is a 98. They always ask me how much it is worth, I try not to answer that question but when I tell them they never belive me. People think I am driving a 98 Mercedes that is worth 35K when I drinve a 94 (sorry I dont realy know the exact worth of my car).
I find it funny how people dont know much about Mercedes and just stero type every car.
Subman

#6 08-08-2002, 05:15 AM

I get that all the time. I did a few extras to my car, like S600 grille and super white lights (xenon look) and people ask if its a 98 model or so. Then they really suprised when i have 311,000 miles on my car and barely any rock chips, etc. thanks to a paint job at the dealer last year, lol.

G-Benz · #7 08-08-2002, 11:31 AM

My wife just got a ticket yesterday in her 95 SL

for driving along a shoulder to avoid a seriously long line of traffic...

...the police officer commented on how nice it looked and figured it to be a 2001 model!

I think the fact that MB keeps a particular body style running for several years with very subtle upgrades each year has the masses confused as to which model is new and which is not. Plus, they look great decades after they roll off the showroom floor.

Most other cars look seedy within three years of normal wear and tear...

Ashman · #8 08-08-2002, 11:59 AM

I get that all the time, most people don't even know my car is onlya 300, most think its a 500.

Anyway, I wish it was a 500, but yeah Most people are shocked to hear my car is 10 years old.

Alon

190dee · #9 08-08-2002, 04:16 PM

Yes, this is very nice indeed. IMO benzes are designed in a quite ageless design which keeps them looking very competitive to new cars.

Of course with a little elbow grease

dwight hinton · #10 08-08-2002, 06:39 PM

Sam,

I enjoyed seeing your 84 380SE photo. We had an 84 380SE from 1986 to 2000. While I do enjoy my 500E and Dad his E-55, every time we pass a Nice 126, we both get misty eyed and one of us will always remark, "certainly do miss that car"...or "that's the classiest body MB ever made"

I used to take a lot of heat for my driveway which contained a 300DT, 300E, 380SE, 74 Carrera Targa, and yes a minivan. After extensive negotiating with my wife, I released nearly all the above in exchange for purchasing the 500E.

Keep it and Enjoy it.

Dwight

#11 08-08-2002, 06:39 PM

In photos, the fairly square 1981 300SD can look fairly new, but standing and looking at it there are simply too many things that date it too the 1980s.

However, my 1987 Jaguar XJ6 is frequently mistaken for a new car by those who don't know anything about jags. Pretty good deal, a $5,000 car that most people mistake for a $55,000 car. (And, the 1979-1987 body style is the same, though the nicest interior features are only on the 1986-87 Series III XJ6).

Hi-Power · #12 08-08-2002, 09:37 PM

It happens to me frequently... Doesn't matter my 1986 300E is half my age, everybody thinks it's a newer model. I have heard people guessing from a year 1990 to even 1995.

So sad it only happens with my car

with my person everybody tells me that I look much older

Kestas · #13 08-09-2002, 10:21 AM

Your average person just doesn't know their Mercedes. People have no idea how old my car is. I definitely avoid answering how much I paid for it (it was recently bought used). But I do enjoy telling them it sold for 80 grand brand new.