I may give up my 1995 E320

[ksing44]

I am just getting very frustrated about the potential expense of fixing the common issues that occur at about 100K miles. My front timing cover just acquired a leak and it sounds like it might be best to just go ahead and do the head gasket at the same time. I have also been encouraged to do the wiring harness, if I move it all around during the head gasket job. I just did the water pump and the throttle actuator on the transmission, so I will have spent quite a bit of money when I get done with all the repairs.

Although I always thought and wrote that I would just fix whatever was broken, so I could keep the car, now I am thinking about just getting rid of it. I am really starting to think that these cars are junk and it is making me feel kind of sick. The car should not self-destruct at 100K. If a car is so well made with such fine materials and superb engineering, then why does it fall apart at 100K. My car has been pampered in every way. Fully dealer serviced, garage kept, sun visor at all times, and meticulously cleaned and waxed since I purchased it 8 years ago with only 18K miles.

I am thinking about letting my wife get a new Honda minivan with my car as trade. I will just drive her 5-year-old Honda Accord. I will miss the joy of driving the W124 and the pride of ownership, but I am just losing my love because of the costly repairs. I am afraid it just will not stop costing me more and more money to keep it nice. There is the rather crumby AC system, which could really cost me in the future and there is that crazy vacuum system that could fall apart and cost tons of money. I am also very disappointed with things like the steering wheel, which feels like it is just crumbling in my hands. Oh yes, and that fine leather seating that is really much more cracked than it should be, considering how carefully my car has been maintained. I am starting to think “F” this car, although it never left me stranded. That would absolutely end it for me. If this W124 is one of the finest that Mercedes every made, then I definitely don’t ever want to own another Mercedes.

Disappointed!

It looks good, BUT…