I enjoy it, and I think many enjoy it because you always have something to look foward to fixing, which means spending more time tinkering on your beloved car, gradually getting it to the "all systems go" phase. But, I hardly think burnt out ACC bulbs are going to compromise the safety or integrity of the vehicle, nor will a burnt bulb cause problems with the engine, transmisson, or braking system which are much more important than some silly ACC bulb.

__________________
'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

so many things to do, a little at a time....

__________________
91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

When I was a non-money-having high school student, I always drove beaters where many non-essential systems (and sometimes the essential ones) didn't work. I'd buy the cheapest old car available, use it until something expensive broke, and then junk it and get another one. I got used to it, so driving a vehicle like that doesn't bother me.

Now that I'm a little higher up the socio-economic ladder, I'm able to keep a vehicle running longer and actually do more than basic repairs. I can even work on getting things like odometers and windshields fixed. I'm with H-TownBenzBoy in looking forward to fixing the next thing, making my car better little by little.

I suppose I could be like others in my income range and have a new car and a car payment. It probably wouldn't be much more expensive than throwing my time and money at old Benzes, but I think it would be boring having a Honda or something that has everything working all the time, and you take it to the dealer under warranty if something goes south, and having the same car every other Joe on the block has.

BTW, I'd love to have a '56 VW An older man I used to work with bought a '61 new when he was stationed in Germany. As of 2002 (last time I saw him), he still had it, and was restoring it.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Some may think I am missing all of the fun but everything on my car works -- all of the stuff in the various lists, previously posted by other forum members. Most everything worked when I bought it and the few things that didn't work, I fixed. Now I can concentrate on driving the car (that is the point, right?).

I do have to put up with wrinkled door pillars and a cracked dash, both common problems, from what I read here. The cracked dash has a cover over it so I can't see the cracks; I suspect I may never replace it. The door pillars I can't see when I'm driving. The body has a few small dings but no rust that I can see.

Aside from the safety stuff, the important things to me are the cruise and the air, because this car is gonna see a lot of highway miles this year. I like to be comfortable as I sleep down the freeway.

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

What doesn't work on mine?

Radio.
Cruise.
AC.
Right side backup and high beam lights.
Ventilation fan.
Windshield washer.

Fortunately my vacum system does work.\

Not much else on the car. It's pretty basic.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Engine at 297,500, burns NO oil.

Big oversized steering wheel still works...

Both side mirrors work manually and electric on pass. side.

All lights work. Including interior map light!

Braking and Tranny as good as new!

****

Driver seat needs extra cushioning.
Sunroof is PITA; (works via manual sliding for open & close.)
AC needs to be checked out soon.
Vac locks on doors intermittant.

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

All vacuum locks___Yep
All dash and console bulbs__Nope
Cruise Control___Yep
Climate Control___Yep
Air Conditioning___Yep
Power Antenna____Nope
OEM Radio___Nope
Uncracked seatbelt buckles, Map Pockets and MakeUp mirrors__Map pockets cracked
Dash Guages__Yep
Sunroof___Yep
No rust___Nope.

I still have becker radio but replaced it with a Kenwood, still have original speakers. Map pockets are cracked on drivers side and First Aid Kit top is cracked

__________________
1999 C230 Kompressor (The Queen)
1984 300d (Driscella) - Sold

All vacuum locks N
All dash and console bulbs_Y_
Cruise Control__N_
Climate Control_Kinda_
Air Conditioning_Kinda__
Power Antenna__N__
OEM Radio_hell no i got a brand new alpine deck__
Uncracked seatbelt buckles, Map Pockets and MakeUp mirrors_the back ones are fine but the front steat belts are cracked_
Dash Guages _Y_
Sunroof__dont have one_
No rust_none what so ever__

All Vacuum Locks- YES
All Dash and Console Lights- YES
Crusie Control- YES
Climate Control- YES
Air Conditioning- YES
Power Antennna- YES
OEN Radio- Replaced, YES
Seatbelts, Map Pockets, Vanity Mirrors, & Seatback netting- AS NEW
Dash Gauges- YES
Sunroof- YES
No Rust- NONE, CA rust free car.

The only cosmetic flaw is a chip I just got on the front of my hood. I had the car dent pro'd to remove a few small dings, pinstripes re-done, bundt's refinished, front seats resprung and covered, rear seat top dyed to match to cover sun fading, new rear parcel shelf, and window frame moldings are un-warped. Im a happy camper. I do need injectors though... thats driving me crazy.

__________________
Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu