Million Mile Car - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #46 09-16-2015, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otto huber

I wish that I could find the source, but the sentiment was that cars built too well affect the bottom line, as in planned obsolescence keeps profits high. Ironically, the reputation that MB established in the 1980's probably helped keep them afloat while they were producing sub standard automobiles in the late 90's and early 2000's.

So you're saying that this president was looking back and decided this. OK, I'd buy that but they were built according to the model they adhered to at the time. It was no accident.

atypicalguy · #47 09-18-2015, 12:19 PM

They last awhile as long as someone sinks the required money into them. I just replaced the head on my 85td. I ran it low on coolant on the highway in 2005 and drove it until cyl 4 started losing compression this year. Intake valve seat in 4 was totally shot and too cracked to rebuild. It was a late night mistake; never happened before or since but one oversight like that costs you a head or a motor. That is what gets most of these motors in the end - a leaky heater core, radiator or mono valve or a hose goes bad due to lack of preventive maintenance or the ps belt eats the oil cooler line because motor mounts are shot and it's rebuild time. Most folks don't want to put the money in, but a few, like this cpa, do it.

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dieseldiehard · #48 03-21-2017, 06:38 PM

OOPS make that a 140 chassis, my bad.
VERY hard to believe. but it looks pretty poor so maybe they DIDN'T slip on a digit?
I sent a inquiry asking if that was the correct mileage. lets see what they say...

OK. found the seller's contact info was "unavailable, message not accepted for policy reasons" and reported this to ebay.
I also saw a CarFax and it shows a rollback! on two occasions. it was 208,500 on 4/2001 then 173,500 on 9/2008.
BUYER BEWARE!!!!!

1993 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series 4 door | eBay

dieseldiehard · #49 03-21-2017, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

(cut)
Having seen 123s with really good interiors listed in the 270k range. Maybe the seat was changed though.

It almost scares me to see torn drivers seat bolsters and windlace worn out in the drivers area on cars claiming under 200k etc on ebay.

Hey! My '79 300TD with over 367K on the actual correctly reading odometer has great looking seats! All original too! I did have felt pads placed over the springs though at about 225K. Well, the drivers side bolster is starting to stretch a little but no splits and no cracks, a testament to MB-TEX of course!

If I didn't own a few other cars I would have easily run over 400K on the old wagon. Been to Texas from California twice and until a few years ago was used almost daily as a commuter. Until I bought the '95 E320 wagon that is. LIke it sooo much better for long drives even though its a gasser.

Oh, and the windlace on the '79 is flapping in the breeze on the front, both sides. And the rear cargo area needs recarpeting, as does the spare tire cover (to be honest it looks pretty awful in the rear!) but I haul all manner of junk, old wheels tires, appliances, logs you name it so it will never be pretty again. The old gal is more of a truck now than a passenger car!

I replaced the NA engine with a '85 turbodiesel at about 220K and upgraded the exhaust line and glow plug system, that was shortly after I bought it around 1990 then I found the engine I was sold was using oil and had a cracked ring so I had it rebuilt. Its still a strong running, no-oil burning non smoking car!
DDH

97 SL320 · #50 03-21-2017, 07:53 PM

Any car can reach high miles if it is repaired as needed / parts changed before they break. However, doing this in an area where road salt is used will be more difficult as the car will rust away before high miles are reached.

dieseldiehard · #51 03-22-2017, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldiehard

OOPS make that a 140 chassis, my bad.
VERY hard to believe. but it looks pretty poor so maybe they DIDN'T slip on a digit?
I sent a inquiry asking if that was the correct mileage. lets see what they say...

OK. found the seller's contact info was "unavailable, message not accepted for policy reasons" and reported this to ebay.
I also saw a CarFax and it shows a rollback! on two occasions. it was 208,500 on 4/2001 then 173,500 on 9/2008.
BUYER BEWARE!!!!!

1993 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series 4 door | eBay

The seller is a nutcase!

after I asked what the true mileage was he said it was as listed. I said that was wrong because the Carfax showed otherwise. He replied to me saying:
" If there's a mistake in the listing and you notice it just mention your sarcasm is not needed thank you"

THEN, after I pointed out there is a S on the trunk lid and asked if it was a S320, S420, S500 or S350 he came back saying:
" the s model was the newer model that came out after this"
Clearly the seller has no earthly clue as to what he is selling.
AVOID!!!

t walgamuth · #52 03-22-2017, 09:11 PM

The 617 turbo motor will go through a head gasket around 275 to 300K miles. I have seen it more than once. The natural movement of the parts causes wear around the head gasket and it will start leaking a little.

If you're pulling the head you may as well do the valves as a minimum, and check all your cam chain guides....but if it has been cared for the bottom end should look like new at that mileage.

ngarover · #53 03-22-2017, 10:31 PM

looks clean. it's been repainted obviously, including the engine bay. The Fender screws where painted over. If he had engine out to that kind of cleanup, I would expect other things where replaced at the time. Wish mine looked this nice

t walgamuth · #54 03-23-2017, 01:05 AM

Indeed he has kept it like new. An excellent choice!

barry12345 · #55 03-23-2017, 11:13 PM

Changing the oil at 2.5K reliably does help a lot. Not too long before this cars introduction even more frequent changes where recommended by some manufacturers.