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+--- Thread: How far do you trust your car???????? (/showthread.php?tid=3603)
How far do you trust your car???????? - DavidLee - 05-03-2012
Hey I was just wandering how far all you members out there would trust your car on a 'there and back' road trip? 100 miles? 500? 1000? 3000? the sky?
My two daily drivers are a 87 190E 2.3 with 280K and a 87 300D with 300K. Ive had both of mine recently (in the last year or so) on multiple 500-1500 mile trips with out any problems (chose to replace a collapsed lifter once on a trip in the 190) both always get me there and back with out much complaining. They have both been very good cars to me (other than a radiator and a trans. replacement in the 300D) but I can overlook that at 300K. I have the #22 head and a smooth quiet eng. so I think im in pretty good shape.
The reason I was wandering is because Ive read a number of posts on here from people scared to drive their car 200 miles alone or people that haven't even got on a freeway with theirs yet.
Im not in anyway making fun of or ridiculing the cars with those problems, Im just wandering how common of a story it that with these old oil burners.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - sassparilla_kid - 05-03-2012
I took my car on a 350+ mile round trip about a month or so ago, and that was with a bad axle and through some pretty nasty storms with the car fully loaded with full tanks of diesel and veg, with bad tires. I'm not sure I would do it again right now, at least not until I get my broken exhaust fixed (keeps rattling, extremely annoying) and figure out whether my car is actually overheating or if its just a faulty gauge. Also I think I need to swap on my new wheels with better tires before going on any long trips again.
After all that stuff is fixed I wouldn't hesitate to take my car more than 1000 miles, if not more, as long as I have a jug of motor oil in the trunk, a jug of antifreeze/water, a tool box, and money to pay for diesel after I run out of veg!
I would go further but I'm starting to have transmission issues, after I pick up the manual 4 speed I'm getting from deliveryvalve and hopefully get an overdrive unit hooked up to it I would drive anywhere in the continental US
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - Hercules - 05-03-2012
!982 300sd,with 1985 engine trans,and diff. Weekly trips 300-400 mi. O-8,000 ft. elevations,1/3 third freeway 70-75mph,1/3 mountain driving,(passing most other cars while climbing),1/3 high desert. Miles per gallon (31). Well over 500 thousand miles.
Burns 1qt. oil every 2,000 miles.
This Mbz runs Smoother, quieter,handlers better,stops faster and has much better engine performance than when new!
Next goal, 33-35 miles per gallon,with still better engine performance. Note:Almost completely stock,including exhaust.
The best car I have ever owned and the most dependable,but I do keep up the maintenance plus upgrades.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - vstef_is - 05-03-2012
1977 w123 300D daily driver, with well over 300K miles on the tach, doing regular weekend trips of 500+ miles plus the infamous European Road Trip last October which was 3000+ miles in four days of driving (about 800 miles or so per day)
Haven't had much trouble. I did go to the seaside with a bad axle, but got there and back. I did loose some tranny oil and filled it up. Most recently the alternator stopped working, so the last 50 miles were done in pitch black. Fixed it when I got home.
I'm generally very pleased with the car. IMHO the biggest compliment you can pay a car - is to drive it. And should my plans involve long trips - the car ought to handle them. Which it does, because I'm usually changing fluids, stuff, and worn out parts on a need-to basis if not pro-active.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - majesty78 - 05-03-2012
Drove mine about 35.000 miles in the last 16 month.
Some quite long roadtrips (~1000miles in ONE day)
Never had or have any concerns about durability.
Once on my way to workshop the turbo went pop but I still reached the workshop.
But on the other hand I only needed a towing car once in 16years since I have the driving license and that was because of a broken tyre due to hitting a big stone and having no spare wheel with me.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - Simpler=Better - 05-03-2012
I used to make weekend trips from RI to Rochester, NY. About 400 miles each way, plus running around once I was in Rochester. Had the alternator go out once, but just drove it home in the daylight :p
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - yatzee - 05-03-2012
Not far. The fuel economy (22mpg at the best), the fact that it's an old oil burning car (1l per 600 miles or so), and the fact that it doesn't have a great radio mean that I take the Jetta TDI (44 mpg) when ever I go for a long drive.
With that said - if the MB was my only vehicle, it would be going on 650 mile runs once a month or so along with the regular day to day.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - JustPassinThru - 05-03-2012
(05-03-2012, 05:15 AM)majesty78 ...Once on my way to workshop the turbo went pop but I still reached the workshop...
Er...would you care to elaborate? Does this have anything to do with the extended-tip wheel?
I drive my '85 300D about 400-500 miles a week. About half of that is freeway (I-5, I-405, and State Routes 512, 16, 507, and 167) and most of the rest is 50 MPH country backroads, with maybe 5% in Seattle, Tacoma, and suburbs. After the initial fix-up, which included a vacuum pump overhaul and fresh brake pads, plus all fluids changed, ALDA feed tube cleaned out, replace the sealed-beams with H4's et cetera, it has required no repairs. In 32,000 miles. Just steady, as-the-opportunity-arises cosmetic restoration and regular maintenance, though I did install fresh nozzles anyway. On a fresh oil change and valve adjustment, the only reason I would hesitate to hop in it and drive to Mexico or Florida is, I haven't done the soundproofing yet. The W123 cabin is kinda noisy. But I have finished soundproofing my right front door and the floor area around it, and can already tell that, when I'm done, all that will be audible will be the slightest purr from the drivetrain, plus on the freeway the playful white noise from the wind caressing the outside rearview mirrors, plus whatever comes through the windows and roof from traffic. It doesn't have the soundproof glass that the newer MB models have.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - willbhere4u - 05-03-2012
If Armageddon happens my 240d will be my car of choice its my most trusted car and with 30mpg its the best mpg and it will run on anything that burns plus it the easiest car in the world to work on I once replaced the 4spd transmission in an hour and a half with hand tools!
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - majesty78 - 05-03-2012
@Justpassinthru
No, this was with the previous oem turbo.
I gave it a quick WOT at about 90mph when a boost hose came of an overrevved the turbo....
Unless, I should not have written my previous post. Today the tumble flaps in intake manifold gave up on the CDI. I don't know yet if the mechanics is sticking or the electronic actuator motor gave up...
Must be Murphy's law....
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - Kozuka - 05-03-2012
I drove 250 miles from about 1,117ft to 7,000ft steep uphill climb most of the way & it was a heavy rain storm most of the way with a bad axle, leaking power steering, leaking oil, vibrating driveshaft, dry-rotted tires, duct-tapped Turbo inlet, untested on the freeway. She didn't let me down...
But on the flip side, I was pulling onto the freeway in 3rd going about 80-90ish, it was about 103F outside, and thats how I destoryed my last engine..
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - serverman777 - 05-03-2012
90 in 3rd? what was the RPM 8 Grand?
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - Kozuka - 05-03-2012
Probably closer to 3800-4200 @ around 70-80. I happened pretty fast & I don't have a automatic anymore (which you could pull around 65 in 3rd since you could top out at around 120, my 4-speed 45-55 is about 3000 & I don't rev over that anymore really). I just remember pulling and then clack-clack-clack.. Tons of black smoke from the unburnt fuel and the whole car shaking itself to death. It still got me home though haha.
I also had a w116 300sd that I drove everywhere for a year, never had any problems.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - serverman777 - 05-03-2012
I had a front caliper bolt fall out one day. It locked up the roter and I was stuck on the side of the road. Laralan had to come and save me...
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - DavidLee - 05-03-2012
Hey Kozuka, You have a 190E 16v Cosworth with a om603 Diesel in it?
Am i reading that right?
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - Kozuka - 05-03-2012
Yeah, I'm still working on all the parts to make it move. There is a few threads with pictures on here and around the web.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - DavidLee - 05-03-2012
(05-03-2012, 01:00 PM)Kozuka Yeah, I'm still working on all the parts to make it move. There is a few threads with pictures on here and around the web.
Was it a running driving 16v when you got it?
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - Kozuka - 05-03-2012
No it's a salavged pos with 200k that the po overheated the engine I've been trying to piece together all the parts for a few years, everytime a running one turns up on craigslist I get temped though haha.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - JustPassinThru - 05-03-2012
(05-03-2012, 11:15 AM)majesty78 @Justpassinthru
No, this was with the previous oem turbo.
I gave it a quick WOT at about 90mph when a boost hose came of an overrevved the turbo...
Ah, I see. *whew*.
Murphy's Law, or The Midas Curse or something like that, seems to operate for me thusly: if I openly announce over on Benzworld that there is a Benz newly arrived in a nearby wrecking yard, and so, does anyone want me to pull parts from it, ...2 out of 3 times, the yard crushes the car within 24 hours
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - w123love - 05-03-2012
My Sister and I regularly drive her 84 300TD back and forth between Amarillo TX and San Diego. We have been fortunate to have no problems (except the cruise control being a nuisance!) on those trips. Knock on wood. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive from East to West and back as long as I have a gallon 15W-40 in the trunk and an iPod hook up. Our theory is, if you take care of your car, your car will take care of you.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - DavidLee - 05-03-2012
w123love wrote: If you take care of your car, your car will take care of you.
So true my friend.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - majesty78 - 05-03-2012
If you take to much care if your car some people may find you kind of "freaky" ^^
Or your girlfriend may dismiss you *lol*
Both not happened to me yet, I'm just saying...
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - JustPassinThru - 05-03-2012
I am fortunate to live around people who appreciate cars; one neighbor has one of those little Honda wireless-throttle sportscars, two others own Harley's, another is an ex-Air-Force-MP who supplements his retirement income by buying, fixing up and selling cars out of his driveway, and directly across the road from me is an independent trucker who keeps his black Kenworth spit-shined. As for my girlfriend, she owns a VW GDI. Worst problem I have in that department is her dog, a spayed female cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Scottish Border Collie. We have a raised bed for my back seat in which it rides. Usually sitting attentively, facing forward, right paw on the driver's seat armrest, resting its muzzle on my right shoulder. The dog has bad breath. I'm told that one of us looks a bit disgusted and the other looks quite intelligent. I'll get a photo.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - DavidLee - 05-03-2012
I also realize not everyone was able to buy there cars in tip top shape only needing routine maintenance.
I know alot of people bought their cars not running or bearly running and have had to make due with the resources they have available to them.
I personally bought mine almost not running, with a promise that all I needed was a new turbo and everything would be fine.
the car was dripping oil out of the exhaust for god sakes, when I bought it. but for some reason I still bought it.
might I add from a guy who let me know he was moving out of the country next week. basically, Don't worry about bringing it back.
I was lucky and thats all it did end up needing. but the exhaust and vacuum lines were clogged with oilly nasty stuff for awhile after.
thats back before I knew about ALDA systems and how they worked.
so I was still like WTF for a while afterwords
then after time nature ran its course and everything cleaned itself out and started preforming.
by the time I knew what stuff to do to get my car going good, it was already going good on its own.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - martureo - 05-03-2012
I've been driving mine as a DD since I've had it. Right now I drive to work/live during the week and then drive to my home on the weekends. Usually 120 mile round trip to work. This week I had a funeral to attend so I (without hesitation) drove to work Monday morning, drove home Monday night, tried to drive my wife's 95 E300 to the funeral (150 miles away) but it was being starved for fuel so we turned around and drove my 84 300D to the funeral. Then I drove it back home yesterday and drove to work this morning.
So something like 500 miles in the past four days and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I got 27 mpg on the last tank too! The car has unknown miles but I'd put it between 280k-340k miles. Engine hasn't been touched but I had the trans rebuilt last year due to massive leaks.
Oh and the E300 I mentioned my wife having. We bought it from a PP member in Kansas sight unseen and I drove it back to the DC area through a snowstorm. Now you know how I feel about these cars.
RE: How far do you trust your car???????? - larsalan - 05-04-2012
Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I've done alright on long trips. Keep oil, coolant, water, trans fluid, steel wire, heater hose, duck tape, gloves and a toolbox. We've had our moments but, if there's a serious problem with your vehicle you kinda better know about it before committing to an out of town trip. Otherwise just roll with it. Oh and always have a spare and a plug kit too
