Per the Moderator "suggestion", I am dropping engaging in car comparison and am starting admiration of what I have like we see in other threads.
I am automotive enthusiast and DIY-er. I owned tens of cars starting with 2-cylinder Fiat 126 to 12-cylinder BMW 750iL, till I ended up in conclusion that Mercedes offer everything you might desire from family car.
Not widely know in America -Mercedes manufacture hundreds of different models of cars, vans, SUV, trucks, military and special purpose vehicles.
So we own several MB vehicles in the family. Our most used is 1998 E300D that makes honest 35-36 mpg at 70 mph. That drops to 28 mpg when I start driving above 80 mph, but I don't complain.
Dual zone, automatic climate control, charcoal cabin filters. Interior that allow talking with rear seat occupants at 80 mph, superior handling and ride comfort.
The engine is 20-years old technology, but I don't complain about acceleration with 174 HP diesel.
I can't afford 21-Century technology like Jack does, since it was never sold in CA and newer car import is slightly more than I would like to spend on the car.
Pessimist sees dark tunnel, optimist sees a light at the end, realist sees lights of coming train.Engineer sees 3 idiots on the tracks.
I'm not familiar with the Fiat 126......how does it compare to the Fiat 500. I had the 500 backin 1965 for a while. Seems like every time I drove it, something fell off of it...but it kept running
I had visions of really making a screamer out of it....putting a VW transaxle and engine in it but thank goodness, I never did complete the rebuild. Probably would have cost me a fortune and not worked out anyway. Memories.......
hershey - albuquerque, nm Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
The original Fiat 500 was a grandfather of Fiat 126.
Fiat 126 offered more comfort and FRONT trunk that could accommodate a bit more than a grocery bag. Basically the same class cars, but of different era.
I guess you have heard that new Fiat 500 (?) is car of the year in Europe?
I guess it is only the matter of time till somebody puts the 500 HP Hayabusa engine in one, like they already do in Smarts.
I got the 87 Mercedes 300SDL I purchased in February back a couple of weeks ago from the German Mechanic I was referred to for the resurrection of this oldie but goodie. Some would say i was nuts to purchase anything with 241,000 miles on it, but I was pretty impressed with the performance before I took it to him, but now I'm really happy.
It's amazing what a quality piece of equipment will come back to when serviced and updated. I had him replace all fluids, hoses, belts, several switches, (1) window lift, (1) window lift motor, both motor mounts, valve adjustment, inspect the drive line & steering system, transmission, rubber drive line joints, exhaust system, injectors (all good), glow plugs (all good), a new drivers seat frame and repair some wiring and it's good to go almost like new.
I spent several hours with a bar of saddle soap cleaning up the leather interior and cleaned all the carpet.
All that's left is a new set of tires come fall.
It now handles beautifully and best of all gets just under 25MPG running across thedesert at 75 to 80 MPH.
The quality sure is apparent and I think I'm going to enjoy this.
Roger
* This post was
edited 05/02/08 07:45pm by rchonly *
I drive my newer E320CDI simply with the saving I made with my previous BENZ.
My first Benz was a 1989 W124, 260E, purchased in 1991 from a bankrupt accountant. It had 16,000mi at the time.
....and I still have it. My wife uses it regularly when she want to a good ride:
Not bad for a 500,000k car.
I got the 87 Mercedes 300SDL I purchased in February back a couple of weeks ago from the German Mechanic I was referred to for the resurrection of this oldie but goodie. Some would say i was nuts to purchase anything with 241,000 miles on it, but I was pretty impressed with the performance before I took it to him, but now I'm really happy.
It's amazing what a quality piece of equipment will come back to when serviced and updated. I had him replace all fluids, hoses, belts, several switches, (1) window lift, (1) window lift motor, both motor mounts, valve adjustment, inspect the drive line & steering system, transmission, rubber drive line joints, exhaust system, injectors (all good), glow plugs (all good), a new drivers seat frame and repair some wiring and it's good to go almost like new.
I spent several hours with a bar of saddle soap cleaning up the leather interior and cleaned all the carpet.
All that's left is a new set of tires come fall.
It now handles beautifully and best of all gets just under 25MPG running across thedesert at 75 to 80 MPH.
The quality sure is apparent and I think I'm going to enjoy this.
Roger
The 1986-'87 300SDLs can cost a lot of money to keep on-the-road, but are relatively cheap to do if you DIY. They are a good choice in the MB turbodiesel powered line-up. It's incredible a car that big gets almost 30 mpg on the highway, but it does.
I drove my '83 300SD to 305K, and it was in perfect mechanical shape when I bought a new '99 MB E300TD Turbodiesel 9-years ago. Very inexpensive car to operate, and very safe to ride in.
I drove several old beaters to and from work. Wifes car was an Olds 88. When we sold our motorcycles and bought a TT, we needed a TV, so bought an ML320 Mercedes to use for towing. After wife drove it, she told me to sell the Olds, as the ML was now HER car. Got over 150,000 miles on it now, half of that towing all over North America. Lovely car.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded) Not yet camped in Hawaii, 4 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories. I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
Skid Row Joe wrote: The 1986-'87 300SDLs can cost a lot of money to keep on-the-road, but are relatively cheap to do if you DIY. They are a good choice in the MB turbodiesel powered line-up. It's incredible a car that big gets almost 30 mpg on the highway, but it does.
I drove my '83 300SD to 305K, and it was in perfect mechanical shape when I bought a new '99 MB E300TD Turbodiesel 9-years ago. Very inexpensive car to operate, and very safe to ride in.
What is your definition of "lot" ?
30SDL have the same drive-train what 300tdt I used to own. Engine mounts were $9 while for newer one I paid $90 at discount retailer.
PS rebuild kit was about $30, while on newer one the only option is get rebuild pump for $400. The list might go and go. In 1990-s Mercedes wanted to compete with cheaper brands and substitute some materials and labor. That unfortunately show up on their reviews.
Still with some luck excellent vehicles and premium part prices go with premium vehicle.
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