Old Merc smoker?
09 October 2002, 12:19 AM
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Currently in Cyprus for a short holiday with a mate of mine, over for a pal's wedding.
As is the case of many countries, EVERY taxi in the place is some form of Mercedes saloon. Now we have hired a jeep for a few days, so havent really had the need to use a cab. But now the jeep has gone back, we have been using the Merc taxis to get around.
Went out on a trip to the beach yeaterday. Flagged a cab down. Late E class, 250D, the late 80's-early 90-s version before the 4 headlight model. The thing gleamed inside and out, and felt as tight as the day it left the factory. Mileage? 975,000km.
On the way home, another E class, similar year and condition. The clock read 215,000km. Asked the driver about the car, and mentioned the mileage. He wound his finger in a circle and held up 1 finger. Actually 1,215,000km. THe car felt as tight and rattle free as the last. Amazing.
Now I fancy one, for me a great motor for smoking to and from work in and general quality, cheap and depreciaton free motoring. Anyone had any experiences of these motors, particuralaly the late diesel 250-300 models?
As is the case of many countries, EVERY taxi in the place is some form of Mercedes saloon. Now we have hired a jeep for a few days, so havent really had the need to use a cab. But now the jeep has gone back, we have been using the Merc taxis to get around.
Went out on a trip to the beach yeaterday. Flagged a cab down. Late E class, 250D, the late 80's-early 90-s version before the 4 headlight model. The thing gleamed inside and out, and felt as tight as the day it left the factory. Mileage? 975,000km.
On the way home, another E class, similar year and condition. The clock read 215,000km. Asked the driver about the car, and mentioned the mileage. He wound his finger in a circle and held up 1 finger. Actually 1,215,000km. THe car felt as tight and rattle free as the last. Amazing.
Now I fancy one, for me a great motor for smoking to and from work in and general quality, cheap and depreciaton free motoring. Anyone had any experiences of these motors, particuralaly the late diesel 250-300 models?
09 October 2002, 09:17 AM
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The W124 80s E-Class Mercs (and the 80s S-Class) are generally reckoned in the trade to be the best-engineered and built cars ever -- apart from the first Lexus LS400 models.
A mate had an F-reg 280E petrol auto that had 190,000 miles up when he bought it in '95. The only sign of age was the steering wheel was completely smooth, and the driver's seat was a bit saggy. He ran it for three years without spending anything other than oil & filter changes, a set of plugs and I think he changed the autobox fluid. Great cruisemobile.
The diesels are supposed to be even tougher ...
A mate had an F-reg 280E petrol auto that had 190,000 miles up when he bought it in '95. The only sign of age was the steering wheel was completely smooth, and the driver's seat was a bit saggy. He ran it for three years without spending anything other than oil & filter changes, a set of plugs and I think he changed the autobox fluid. Great cruisemobile.
The diesels are supposed to be even tougher ...
09 October 2002, 02:38 PM
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Hey I got married in Cyprus 2 years ago, and the wedding car was on old (i'm guessing circa 1978) stretch merc.
again it was gleaming, been round the world about 50 times, and extremely quiet!!!!!
i think these things thrive on high mileage!!!!
I also remember seeing **** loads of old merc taxis in tenerife in the early 90's!!!
that must say something, surely!!
;-)BB
again it was gleaming, been round the world about 50 times, and extremely quiet!!!!!
i think these things thrive on high mileage!!!!
I also remember seeing **** loads of old merc taxis in tenerife in the early 90's!!!
that must say something, surely!!
;-)BB
09 October 2002, 03:47 PM
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Just been in another Merc smoker, only a mere 600,000km on this one.
Driver spoke good English. Told us that the engine (5 pot diesel 250, 6 pot for the 300) easily lasts a million without being touched, usually more.
Cris: 500E still a nice idea. But you know I'm a tight get, and 18mpg does not sound good. Although 300bhp+ does.
Driver spoke good English. Told us that the engine (5 pot diesel 250, 6 pot for the 300) easily lasts a million without being touched, usually more.
Cris: 500E still a nice idea. But you know I'm a tight get, and 18mpg does not sound good. Although 300bhp+ does.
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