That saying is very true, "Once you have had a Benz, nothing else compares."

The C280 is my Wife's daily driver, but just like anyone else, she is hooked! She won't consider driving anything else. I enjoy the car 99% of the time. (Nothing on this planet is perfect given enough time)

Its just different, sort of puts a (non-condesending) smile on your face as you role down the road! Funny how the simple things in life can make people Happy.

Cheers

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Ross Newcomb
96 C280, Greenish Black

Ross,

you hit the nail on the head on that one. I've had my first car (190E)for 6 days now and I have to say that after riding in friends Hondas, Mazdas, and even Volkswagens that I could not drive a cookie cutter automobile. Yes my car is almost 10 years old...the design looks it too but, I don't care.....I could have bought a passat with a VR6 that was in my price range but being honest to god, the benz rides better, looks better (look at any MB from the side save the ML's) and is obviously made better. Has anyone else noticed how well the MB's designs are executed compared with other makes, I'm talking about the overall silhouette of the vehicle....timeless styling is something Mercedes has accomplished time and time again!!! Too bad someone in a position of power got greedy and decided to make the ML series (cookie cutter,poor poor quality,cheap in almost everyway) I've also heard through the grapevine that the upcoming E class will have the door close of the old 201 and 124 series cars!!! They listened to peoples distress about the newer C class and E classes (among others) not feeling as solid. It has been discussed on this forum many a time!!! When it comes down too it, if its my money its going to be MBZ!!!

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'91 190E 2.6

ketoj,

I hope you are enjoying your CLK. I have had mine for about a year and a half now.
I fell in love at first site with the shape of the car. I get many compliments on it. Mine is silver/charcoal.
I hope you have better luck with the reliability of the car than I did. I have had so many things go wrong I won't bore anyone with the list.
I kind of breaks my heart in way. It is like finding out your beautiful new girlfriend who is a model, is rich, smart and funny has the clap (or some other form of VD). You don't want anyone else to know, and you really like her, but she has some "problems", and there doesn't seem to be a cure. What do you do then ?
I still really love to drive the car, and can't help but give a backward look after I park it, but lately the car I see parked in my garage is the service loaner from the dealer. My latest service episode has had my car in the shop for THREE weeks.
Don't mean to bring anyone spirits down, I'm just a little on edge about the whole MB service / reliability subject.

Anyway, enjoy your car and good luck.

I agree that Mercedes are great driving cars. Just today I drove my 1997 Integra, the handling differences are as clear as night and day. The Mercedes is 11 years older but feels much more connected to the road and more solid than my Integra (which is supposed to be a great handling car). The steering is much more solid and responsive compared to the loose unconnected feel of my Integra. It really surprised me switching over for the day.

Also, my stepbrother almost bought a BMW 323i because Mercedes didnt have a comparable product (he didnt like the looks of the C-class) but now he is seriously thinking of getting the new C-class.

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Adam,
1986 300E

I bought my 420SEL two years ago (now has 180,000miles / 300,000km). Before that I drove an 87 DeVille that my wife parent's gave us when we got married (they had owned it since new and put only 10,000 miles on it in 9 years). I thought that was the sweetest car in the world. Then we graduated from university and both got jobs, me downtown Halifax, and her outside of the city. Since we lived in between we needed another car. I started looking for Caddys since that is what I loved. I was really dissapointed. I couldn't find a single one that had all of the options ours had and that was anywhere near as well kept and in as good a condition. One day we were driving past the local Mercedes dealer and I remembered being 16 and driving my uncles 560SEL and 560SLs (he also had a 600 which he had stretched 86 inches into a huge limo). I decided it wouldn't hurt to pop in an take a test drive of something. The only thing near my price range was an immaculate '83 380SEC with about 150,000 miles. They let me test drive it and I was hooked on Benz. Like I said it was the only thing near my price range, but being in such great condition it was at the high end of my price range. I kept looking and one day saw an ad in the paper for a 420SEL. I called the guy up and went to see it that night. I bought it two days later. I got a great deal (even thougha few things need to be fixed, like sunroof, driver's window and driver's lock). I have been driving my dream car for two years now, have gotten those problems mostly fixed, driver's lock and sun roof being the only exception due to cost. I was really surprised how well the car cleaned up. The previous owner had a family and kids fo the car was kind of a mess inside. I bought some leather cleaner and vinyl cleaner from the MB dealer and went to work. It looks almost brand new. In fact I just recently won third place at an MBCA club car show in Niagara on the Lake. Great car! Fast as hell. I'll never drive anything else. Did I mention our Caddy was stolen? I didn't shed a single tear over it. From day one with my Benz that Caddy started to look and drive like a piece of junk (even though it wasn't as my wife would often tell me when I made fun of her for driving it.) I'm looking forward to long years with this car. I hope everyone else enjoys their Benz as much as I do mine.

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Jason Priest
1986 420SEL

I have my MB for two years now. It all started with my wife's car shopping for a SUV. She always loved the Honda CRV, and insisted on buying one. We test drove it and like all Hondas, it rode fine but not exciting. Then we got to look at the price tag with all the options we wanted. It was almost $30K, and its still a Honda! My idea of Honda is that its a great car for under $15K and I refuse to pay anything over that for any Japanese cars. So we looked at Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Range Rover and Jeep, and ended with huge disappointment with the built and design of some of these vehicles. Then we stopped by the MB dealer with her thinking its probably out of our price range but test drove the ML regardless. Boy did she fall in love with the vehicle on the first test drive. All those years she thought MB are for rich old guys, now she swears up and down she is wrong and will never drive anything else. Then when I was looking to upgrade my car, she insisted me to get the R129 instead of the 993 that I really wanted. Hey, my R129 may not handle like the 993, but the comfort, timeless design and attention I get is just the same. Then one day while surfing the net, I discovered this forum. I got so addicted I check in on this site 3-4 times a day and learn so much about MBs. I think both of my MBs are very well built, given a lot of complaints I heard about the ML. We have nothing of the sort and extremely pleased with it. Now I cannot think of myself not owning a MB ever, they are the best built vehicles on the road. It still brings music to my ears the way the door sounds every time I close it. Nothing can compare to that "thump". The only other car on my wish list is the CL500. As soon as I figure how to get rich, the CL will be the first present for myself. Until then, I just have to "suffer" in my R129.

95 R129
98 ML320

quote:

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Originally posted by SHYNE:
ketoj,

Your CLK must look slick!!! Those cars look smart right out of the gate. Understated aggresiveness with nothing overdone. Those have to be some of the cleanest lines around with nothing much comparable to it. What do you think? I'm pleased you finally came to your senses and went ahead with the merc. I doubt you'll regret your decision. Later!!!
Mike Mckinney

---

Mike
I couldn't have described the CLK any better. It is truly a work of art and the lines are downright sexy. Thousands of miles in a couple of weeks have shown no problems only a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and engineering.

Jerry Keto

my first benz, my 87 300e, is the best car i have ever owned! and still own. i cant belive i still look foward to driving it every chance i get. plus i love to work on and upgrade it.
i would personally preffer to drive a benz for the rest of my life.
great cars!
adam

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87 300E
BLACK GOLD WITH CREAM INTERIOR, SPOILER, AIRDAM
CLEAR MARKERS

87 420SEL
BRONZE WITH CREAM INTERIOR

Agreed,

On all points above! If I stare long enough at the whole MB lineup for the past 40 years, I appreciate the engineering, mechanical and style, more and more. If I do the same for anything in this country or Japan, I reject it more and more. There is a reason someone can be driving a 30 year old Benz and people will stop and look and say to themselves, "They must be Rich!". They know that the car is the pinnacle of automobiles, even if the person happens to be are 4 years old.

People just don't realize that the pre-owned models are some of the best buys you can purchase, and they won't break the bank either (usually). If you find the model you like, chances are you will love it even more as time goes on, not with standing repeat mechanical failures! People just tend to own Mercedes Benz longer too, nothing compares.

When I start the engine on our C280, you can just "Hear" the quality as well, it sounds more like a high dollar Turbine engine than a straight six! I had never heard such a melody before I heard that car start up for the first time, silly as that sounds.

Sorry for the Ranting and raving!


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Ross
96 C280, Greenish Black

[This message has been edited by roas (edited 11-15-2000).]

My first was a 91' 190e 2.3 with 61k. It was a very unreliable car as far as electrical items were concerned. It overheated, the a/c quit and it had been wrecked! I bought it on a rainy day in March and did not notice the paintwork. However when every thing did work I fell in love with the solid feel you recieve when flying down the freeway! I just bought a 84' 300d that seems to be very reliable (except for the a/c) and have a whole new feeling for MB again! I see why people keep these models a long time. I hope to see more diesels from MB in the future!

Joe

I purchased my '86 300E in March. I was a little nervous about maintenance and repair costs. So far it has been very reasonable. It had 188K miles. I've been driving it about 90 miles a day to work, round trip. Excellent car. Previous car was a Volvo 240 with high miles(255K), which was sold to a releative. Engine/drivetrain on these cars I think is every bit as durable as an MB. The Volvo was fantastic, just loved it. The 300E is faster, more comfortable, same gas mileage(how can that be?), and far better ride quality. Just when I feel like complaining about a long commute, I realize it's the most relaxing part of my day. I have already put 29K on it in 9 months. Its a real keeper. High speed interstate driving in a 300E is fantastic.


-Blake
'86 300E (217K)

To all,


I recently got a hand-me-down an '85 190E 2.3. Before that I was driving a 1990 Honda Accord, and thought that it was the sweetest ride: Comfy, roomy and looks great. It all ended when I crashed my Honda. ( Boy, was I pissed) So anyhow, on with the Benz, it took some time for me to get accustomed to it, but once that was out of the way, it all got better right there.

The handling of the Benz was way better then the Honda, even tho the Benz is 14 years older than the Honda. Amazing, eh? This Benz is a 5-speed, so I was able to use that to stir my soul, and to my surprise, it rode quite well. At times, I couldn't tell if the engine was on! And this car had 235k miles on it!


Before, I was doubting the Benz, because I thought it'd make me look old, (I'm only 20 by the way) and that it was expensive to maintain. To my surprise, it's not that much more expensive to maintain than the Honda, but you get much more quality parts and reliability. As it turned out, I stood out among my friends, who had brand new supped up Integras and Civics as being the guy who has the most class. After driving their car and driving my car, I'd have no second thoughts about my Benz. It is one absolute awesome car!


I do truly agree that MB is one of the best cars out there. You do pay a little more, but that little more takes you a long way, looking good, riding nice and being protected by one of the safest cars.


My friends sometime clown on how old my car is, and how they'll smoke my car. I just challenged them to a head-on collision. I know I'll walk out of there.

Happy driving,
vu

First Benz Story
I told a friend that I wanted a 69 Firebird to hop up or something fun and he told me he had an 85 MB 500 SL Euro model he could no longer afford to maintain. It hadn’t run in 2 years, needed exhaust, tune up and the driver’s window was stuck down. Interior and exterior were in bad shape. I wound up buying it and having a friend’s father (retired shop owner who loves Mercedes) help me fix it up. It’s been 2 years and although it’s not cheap or easy, I have become a huge fan of Mercedes Benz. Now I want a collection back to the 60’s!

I never thought I would be able to afford a Mercedes but I have found that if you buy an older one, they can be relatively inexpensive. Buying a good one is important because repairs can be very high. But they run forever and the quality and solidity is unlike any other. The one I have is lowered and has AMG 16” wheels, 50 series tires, complete AMG aero package, blacked out trim and it just looks awesome. Handling is great and the motor sings, easily running at triple digit speeds. Even though it’s 15 years old, I have had no problem locating and curing the few squeaks and rattles. It is solid and quiet which is quite unusual for a convertible. I rubbed out the whole car by hand and the paint looks a mile deep. I enjoy every minute I spend fixing it up and there is still a lot of opportunity to do so. My fiancé thinks I am obsessed. Perhaps I am, but the feeling I get from looking at and driving it can barely be matched. Now I want to trade my Bonniville in on a late 80’s 300 SE or something similar. She thinks I’m crazy but to me it’s just a matter of time.

Steve

ok here is my story
I purchased my first Benz in May of this year - '95 E320 with 80k miles. Without a doubt the best car I have ever owned. I do not think there is a better engine than that inline 6. My first drive in a Benz was a 1959 s220 (I think it was an s - it was a four door with an inline 6). I drove it in 1982 and it ran better on the interstate at 80 mph than the brand new Ford Farimont that my father owned at the time. In addition, it got all kinds of gas milage with the 4 sp overdrive on the column.
I will agree with vu - Hondas are excellent little automobiles but they really can't compare with a Benz. They take very little maintenance, are cheap to run and will go forever it seems. Also, I do not see where the Benz costs anymore to maintain than the Jap cars I have owned. I have owned Mazdas, Nissans and mostly Hondas and when it is time to purchase parts the Benz is about the same BUT the Benz is by far the easiest to work on. They engineer them to be easy to maintain and get to everything - again, I am biased toward the inline 6 - I would probably not feel the same way with something like the 500E . I plan on driving a Benz for the rest of my life and will more than likely always own a Honda for scooting around town.
engatwork
'95 E320 95k miles
'97 Honda CRV 75k miles

My first two cars were Caddy's and I thought I'd always drive Cadillac. Big Pimpin in a ragtop Eldo, red on white. Loved that car. But MAN!!!! what a totally different league. I bought my first MB in March 99. 91 300E Black/Grey, Love at first sight Looks, rides, handles, and performs better than a majority of new cars today-IMHO. Everyone thinks that it is almost new. I tell strangers that its a 95 and they still think it looks newer. It really makes you feel proud when you are constantly turning peoples heads everywhere you drive.
To set myself apart from the abundance of stock 124s, Upgrades were a must. Exterior wise: 17" AMG 5spokes, Xenon Euro HLs, 95 corner/tail lenses, black grill insert, debadged, and lightly tinted. Interior: Burlwood trim, Burlwood 95 steering wheel, Burlwood center storage compartment, opening armrest,MB fiber optic Head Unit and 6disc changer, and a few different shift knobs for different moods. Upgraded suspension and more to come.
Obsessed with MB and don't need to see a shrink.
Driving was NEVER this much fun and enjoyable!
NOTHING ELSE MATTERS...

Bill