Two (or Three) types of Mercedes owners??
 

Since the newest MB I own is 13 years old, and the oldest 25 yrs, and all diesels, I feel somewhat alien to those owners of the MB SUV as I can't really stomach SUV's or their reason for existance. I really don't consider those SUV's as real MB's as they are so out of character of the line. Also, I can only tolerate MB or VW diesel owners and, no ford, GM or cummins. Am I prejudice?

I could care less about gas MB's of the last 10-15 years as imho they can't hold a candle to the 60's thru 80's cars.

I would like to own a 6.9 of some design someday.
But as for the latest MB's they don't seem to have soul as the old cars. Maybe it's because its impossible to work on them like in days of old.

THere is nothing like re-ringing your engine!!

I agree with you about the older models being superior in many ways, but I don't agree with your sweeping comments about SUVs. I think the Mercedes G-Wagen is an excellent, good-looking, and well-built vehicle. They are also not a product of the recent SUV "fad"....Mercedes has been selling them in Europe and other parts of the world since the late 70s. Mercedes is a HUGE supplier of trucks, vans, busses, military vehicles, utility vehicles, etc. in much of the world. They have somehow cultivated a "luxury-only" image in the US for some reason, but that's not the case elsewhere.

On the other hand, I do NOT like the ML at all! Unattractive, boring, and cheap-looking. It has no "Mercedes-ness" about it at all...It's not even built in Germany...They are made in Alabama. I guess I'm just a staunch purist when it comes to that.

I also think American truck companies have come a LONG way with diesel engines. You can't beat a Cummins engine for towing heavy loads--they're LOUD as hell, but they're very strong, and built like tanks! The Ford diesels are nice as well.

Mike

I want to put a cummins diesel in a Unimog. Can you imagine what a Cummins would do on a transmission with a 14 to 1 first gear ratio!?!?!:eek: :D They were already pulling train cars and such with a 80hp inline 6!

That would be quite a beast! :D

Mike

Somehow, I know that is deeply true.

the 463 is definitely an old school benz, in the built like a bank vault tradition. as are the unimogs. i rather like the 21 (new E class.) although it can't hold a candle to a 124 or 126.

so not all merc trucks are fashion items

Here's one for ya'll:).
TWO 50 gallon fuel tanks. You will have the biggest truck on the road with this baby - bigger than a Hummer:).

big Ford

I will contend that the ML is probably the least Mercedes-like of my fleet as far as interior appointments and build quality.

But beyond that, it does everything it's designed for marvelously! ;) Including off-roading (which some of these wannabee SUVs don't do well at all).

And honestly, I just wanted something to haul music equipment and soccer gear on weekends, but didn't want to resort to a minivan.

I could have gotten some other SUV, but I chose to stay with "the marque"...

...though in reality, the ML was my FIRST MB purchase...the other two followed a few years later... ;)

I think Mercedes fall into two categories: "smart people's cars" and
 

"rich people's cars." Very little stuff made later than 1985 interests me.

Those wacky MLs. It is just hard to appreciate them until you are on ice and snow covered roads.
In the forest.
In the night.
In the dark.

Dunno about you but I take the ML over the 400e for road trippin any day or night. :cool:

I used to have a link to an outfit based in Alaska that had GMC trucks like those. Awesome trucks!!

Ford F650...

...when you want to take a road trip but hate to leave the house behind! :cool:

Yes, you are prejudiced, but not all prejudice is bad;)

My newest MB is a 1985 and they're all diesels. However, you are overlooking one model. If I thought it made economic sense, I would buy a motorhome on a Sprinter chassis. If I had a business that required a van, I'd also buy a Sprinter in a heartbeat. There's a closer evolutionary connection between the current Sprinters and the early diesel 207-409d vans than there is between the ML and the early G-wagons.

By the way, if you follow the links that Ghurka posted in the diesel forum some time ago, you will discover that the early vans and G-wagons are still being built with the 616 engines in India. Some of them are even turbocharged. So lots of people in the biggest democracy on earth, must agree with your prejudices.

I have a 1979 300TD, non-turbo wagon, and a 1989 300SE. I have a special fondness for the Luddite qualities of the diesel.

On the other hand, the W126 is a very nice car. With the inline six, silky smooth, and the vault-like feel of it, it's a great car, especially on the road. I think it is on the cusp of MB's push toward more plastic and more electronics.

The old W123 wagon is more utilitarian, and in many ways, I trust it more. They both feel solid to me, but there are more annoying plastic things on the 89, for sure. Both still maintain the handsome MB look, especially the prominent grill. I thought, stylistically, that MB lost something when it inset the grill and positioned the star on the hood with no chrome under it.

Joe B.

Gents-

I'm posting as I've got three MBs of different style and type as well as a non-MB SUV. All were purchased used with low mileage.

We're on our 5th Mitsubishi Montero and I doubt I'd ever (within reason) consider not having an SUV. Seattle's not snow or real winter country, but we ski and it's indispensable. Can't imagine taking any other type of vehicle to Home Depot or rainy wet soccer games. Reasonably priced, unbelievable reliability and repairs/parts readily available.

The Benz fleet meets different emotional/psychology needs. The 6.3 is just amazing and ours is not perfect. Very good, but perfection in a 34 year old car is an elusive pursuit. But it's a head turner, goes like hell and never ceases to put a grin on my face. Classic "3 box" styling, wood, leather, chrome. You get the drift.

The E420 is a sleeper. Looks like all other 124's. Powerful, but more refined than the 6.3 it's the daily driver and not really practical -V8-for that, but what the heck. Again, grins aplenty. It, like the 6.3 is a "driver's car".

The W210 is a bit too refined and is the spouse's DD. Nice solid car but not too inspiring. I actually preferred driving her I30t Infinity to the E320, but after driving the E420 for a week she started looking around at low mileage E320s and there you have it.

Ciao for now,