I got my grandmas 84 300SD from my dad, I've driven since I graduated high school. When my grandma was very bad off with alzheimers. I worked the last 6 months of her life rebuilding the HVAC in the 300SD. I drove it to visit it a week before she died. When she saw me she had not clue who I was. But I told her I drove her Mercedes to visit her. She said "I drove a Mercedes." I told her yeah I just fixed her car. She said " Oh you fix Mercedes? My grandson fixes Mercedes. He has 3 of them. I don't know how he keeps them all going." I smiled and said "I don't know ether" That was our last conversation. She didn't recognize me, but she knew exactly who I am. and yeah I have 3 now. She really knew her stuff. I drive the 300SD when I need to spend time with grandma.
Hi Pierre. Ironically, I found you a few days ago while looking for the best way to sell my 1987 190D Turbo to pay mounting medical bills. It has just sat in my garage for probably a year. Saturday, after a few hours of consuming your content, I put the trickle charger on it and Sunday, my Wife and I took it for a few hours of fall foliage watching. At days' end, I put it back in the garage where it will be staying, only to leave for the occasional pleasure drive. I'll find another way to pay bills. THANK YOU!
You are so right. I inherited my parents 1980 300SD and it's my baby. My new washer purchased in March 2024 just broke. I remember my parents having Maytag washer and dryer and it never broke down for the late 1960's. I think they had it for 25-30 years.
I own a 1981 Mercedes 380 sl, she's a black and tan car and from 20ft away is beautiful. However, being a pre galvanized car, she has significant rot issues in her floors and the firewall. Pierre describes this car as the worst of the SL cars year wise. Here's the thing. I can't part with her , she's got soul. I only have 4000$ into her. I guess I have a long term friend with issues, don't we all :)
10%er here. £5000 for a low-mileage VG condition 280E, I then factored in another 5K for restoration costs over the first 5 years. I’m 55 and this will probably be my last car - it’s so good.
Took my 95,000 mile 116 300SD on a beautiful drive on our amazing roads outside of Vancouver yesterday morning with some other old car friends. Master Control Triple Calendar with moonphase -- old reference with red crescent moon date pointer. No computers on board... other than the dang phone to coordinate with the other drivers.
never was a Merc guy, not at all, but this spring randomly purchased a SL280 from 1997, no turning back now:) I really like that car, i love the sound of the stright six and the soft comfortably ride. Will probably keep it rolling the next decades in good condition.
Spot on Pierre. I spent endless pain staking hours restoring a 190e, replacing a broken transmission, putting the engine back together with new parts. Interior and exterior redo like a new old car. I drove 12 hours straight in bad weather when my wife was preganant with my daughter, just to tow the 190 back home on a trailer. All this for the love of the car really. Saddest day is the day I sold it. I know they made 2 million of them I can get another tomorrow, not the point. What hurt the most is the new young owner had hacked the front bumper to fit over sized wheels and tyres and now the transmission is broken after 7k km and it's up for sale broken once more. I don't think I want to do that again - lesson learnt. I'm the 10% that want to fix and keep them as treasured jewel(s). In reality we only need one car. They are addictive and hence a lot of hoarders exist. Bad hoarders keep them outside to rust in peace.
Pierre...I understand 100% your anxiety. I currently have 47 cars in my collection. I bought each one. They are MB, Jaguars, Rolls Royces, and Bentleys. They are all restored. My anxiety is I have no one to leave them to. My nephew and my nieces have no respect for them! If I left them tge cars, they would sell them for "pocket change" such as my 1962 190SL or 1961 XKE OTS! At 70, I need to face the future as as a realist, and just begin to start selling them!
It's a shame. There's very few of us younger generation (I'm 34) who appreciate what a car is, what it means, how it works, the legacy behind them. It would be a full time job to find mindful individuals to put them in good hands. On top of that, the way the world is now, it's hard for my generation to even make time to appreciate life. So many of us are caught in the rat race just to try and keep our heads above water, and as far as I can tell, most of the individuals who aren't struggling are internet stars participating in fads. Not all of them, but many of them. I hope you can find good homes who actually appreciate the meaning behind what they are.
Sorry to hear that; I purchased a well cared for 300SD (W116) in my mid-20s and have greatly enjoyed caring for it and refining it for more than a decade. There are some great informational resources out there but I agree, it seems like a small community of people in my age group who really appreciate the nuances and beauty of the mechanical aspects of these vehicles. A kind of slowness and diligence seems necessary for that to emerge, which is challenging in the world these days. But how rewarding for those who are lucky enough and inclined!
I’d they don’t appreciate them and would merely flog them then they shouldn’t have them. Start seeking out buyers who will genuinely appreciate them (and not deep-pocketed people who only want them as an investment). Then enjoy doing some good with the proceeds of the sales. That’s just my thought.
I have two beautiful daughters. The older one passed the driving test not long ago. She is enjoying our C126 already and I love watching her driving it. I hope they will inherit respect to classic cars I've got.
Thank You Pierre - this is an excellent perspective that is all but gone in today's "throw away world". To say "they don't make 'em like they used to" is Exactly the reason I feel like you do!
I took your advice three years ago, spent a year looking for a car to preserve. Found a great “total loss” w124 300D in the woods of NC. I drove it 10 hours to a wedding last month, over and over people asked about it, paying for fuel the attendant had watched me on the security camera. All these individuals thought driving a 34 year old car like this, cross country, was some kind of daring feat. In actuality it was really fun to bring back on line, more reliable transport than anything current and I got to socially interact with a bunch of people who would have never even spoke to me in an Audi A4. This was a great peek into your philosophy, thank you!
My great grandmother loved her car, its mine now and im trying to take great care of it :) ( im scared of my camshaft). Oh! Mercedes also highered me this upcoming summer!
You’re so right. I wanted to preserve my 62 300SE I bought my senior year in 74. It ended up in my mother’s garage until 2014. She passed and we let it go to the young couple who bought her house. I loved that car and apparently this guy also. I hope he took care of it.
1985 380SL - 12 years 1985 300D - 5 years (just blew the fucking head gasket) 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser (8 years) 2010 Jaguar XXR -2 years. It is maginificent. Fear factor is moderate to high in terms of massive failure. LOVE my old Mercedes. LOVE my old FJ62. Jaguar is incredible.
I worked 20 years as a fine art appraiser and also appraised classic cars. I also collect racing motorcycles and vintage guitars. As a collector I know how hard it is to sell stuff but you have to have a plan. Your kids probably don't want your stuff. If you are getting on in years or have health issues start selling your collection while you are still alive. Keep your core favorites and sell the rest. In my work I saw time and time again that large collections of stuff are a burden to families. many times the stuff gets destroyed or the family is taken advantage of. My dad had a large stamp collection that took 5 years to liquidate. That was almost a full time job. I did keep his Caddy DHS so I get the comment about the family car.
Can’t imagine how hard it would be to “thin the herd”. Been fortunate to own my 560SEC for 22 years, 500E for 21 years, G320 for 11 years. Now a 2007 E63 AMG. I think I’m done; no more cars wanted or needed. Will be selling the G-wagen in the coming months.
Thanks Pierre for this insight .. there’s another category which I think is a recent phenomenon.. people who buy these cars for Instagram posts and social media posts just to look cool .. they’ve little appreciation of the engineering or the history / design elements of the car ..
speed queen still makes a washing machine like what you described. I love mine. Full water to the top. Load done super fast. Dials and knobs not digital!
9:00 I think your analogy of old dryers or refrigerators is good, but I think there is a key distinction with vintage appliances vs cars. Both vintage cars and appliances are desirable due to their aesthetic, quality and operating characteristics. But the difference with appliances is that appliances such as fridges and dryers have gotten functionally better over the past few decades. They have become more water and energy efficient and feature packed. Is this a good thing? for most people yes, for some no. But the fact of the matter is, appliances (aside from bespoke fridges and ovens) are hidden from view behind cupboards, inside separate washrooms, or are designed to be as un-obtrusive as possible. Its in their nature to be "unimportant" and that's why people feel little attachment or reason to restore or continue using old ones, and prefer modern ones with "amenities". That leads to minimal spare parts, bits or care for these machines. Cars on the other hand are status symbols, they are desirable, they have character and despite being technically seen as "tools" for a job like home appliances, they aren't actively hidden, or hushed. They are proudly shown when you drive them around. I bought my first car a w116 280se at the start of this year, and I've been following the procedures to restore this thing to a tee. Although not from my family line (several hardships lost our original 280se, 300d and 190), it represents my late father's car, and that is what keeps me going. Motivation I think is hard for many people, and what ultimately drives a lot of people to leave these cars unrestored. The idea of driving an old beautiful car is fun, the actual maintenance, searching for parts, cost of parts and this and that, is the- not fun part for most people. If you can make the maintenance and restoration fun, then you are onto a winner. So far I am finding the restoration fun, as much as I hate the ACC on the w116, I am slowly working my way through it.
I got tired of leasing boring cars. I purchased a 2006 w215 for a daily driver and I maintain it and fix the parts that need updates. Join me on my journey. Pierre good luck with your daughter and teaching her about old Benz.
In 1957 my parents were new to America and were given a used Frigidaire refrigerator. My dasd is now 94 years old and thet fridge is still running in his garage. I'm sure it's not cheap to operate, BUT it continues to do the job it was made to do. MBs of a certain era have that same ability.
As to nobody taking care of the cars I've sold. 5 or 6 times I have gotten a DMV notice that my car was in a junkyard within a year of me selling it. It still blows my mind that people are so, I don't even know the word for it 😮💨
I purchased my w116 300sd from the original owner who felt the same way about only selling to someone who would take care of it. Since I purchased years ago it's always been garaged and maintained well. But unlike the Ferrari owners, I actually drive it semi weekly. From the way the doors open and close, to the way the hood pulls work, to the way all the interior materials feel, to the way it's rattle free after 45 years, you can really tell that the w116 was built to last as long as it was taken care of reasonably. Once the maintenance is caught up, no excessive maintenance or expense is needed to keep one of these running well.
I think I'm in a class of my own, I bought my W123 300 TD as a personal learning challenge to teach myself to work on, maintain and care for an old Mercedes. My W126 300 SD I picked up in order to rebuild and now drive it year round while the 300 TD is a summer/ road trip car.
I was just in the junkyard today and saw five W126s, including an '82 380SEL (with only 85k miles and the NICEST Palomino leather seats I have ever seen), a fully loaded grey market '85 500SEL from Mexico, and the 956th 380SEC made for the US market. All super esoteric cars and none beyond saving. But there they are, getting ripped to shreds. Why, oh why?
Bought 1984 300SD in Maine, found on Craigs list, 214K on broken ODO, was really the only car in Maine close to me that I could drive away for around 3K$. Very bad paint, front suspension track rods gone, drivers seat control module did not allow recline, transmission jerk shift, but good brakes, tires and engine ran well. Still driving it a year or more later, has no rust, do not drive it if roads are wet and salted. Did a ton of maintenance since I had no idea what had been done, great car up to around a total of 7K invested, though I do a lot of work myself.
A 5% of the 10% here - I actually bought the car with pursue of wrenching on it as garage therapy. Slowing fixing all smaller and bigger issues. 1985 SD. Between repairs I daily it as much as I can. I really enjoy driving it even though it is slow, but it can keep up with the traffic in southern California.
I bought an almost 30 year old W202. Not a collectible, hardly anybody likes these cars, but it was loved by its preivous owner (who died), and I will take care of this car.
202s really are like some kind of unlovable middle child of the Benz World. I don't know why, feels atleast in the US they didn't get the attention that 190E did in terms of enthusiasts.
I didn't know your dad had a '76 280. I've got a '75 so I know what he means... but I've mechanically sorted it and it's in great shape. Thirsty and slow, but dead reliable. There's something about it that makes me want to keep it for the long run with my '79 300SD. We are all in on taking great care of durable, quality stuff in every area of our lives. I love to fix things. Very little "new" stuff around. The rock is disposing of us because we keep making crap and throwing it out.
Hey Piere, what about the guy that stumbles across some diesel Mercedes, and slowly sorts them out, into a halfway decent car. I do not like perfect examples. I have one that I had repainted and put it back together, and did it right. I don’t like to drive it because it’s a garage queen, no rust. W115 240d. I have a 1970 220 that is pretty solid, but has some surface rust. It’s a survivor that runs well, and I love driving it. People love it too. It has a good patina look. What do you think of that guy? I have to many, 5 of them and I’m retired. I tinker away, and slowly peck away at them. I love it!
I think I’m the 5% of the 10%. Got a decent 380SL daily driver on Craigslist for cheap, and have been slowly having it repaired by a great Indy mechanic on a regular basis. First was wires, dizzy and plugs. Then fuel pump and accumulator. Just did timing chain and tensioner, full brakes all around and new tires. Next year I’m planning suspension work, new seat covers, and fresh rag top. Then on to FD and injectors in 2026. Lots of little bits I fix myself where I have the time and skills.
I'm 58. I've been an Australian Ford guy my whole life. 20 years ago I discovered Mercedes Benz. Never paid much interest to them before. Too expensive. Knew nothing about them except they made an excellent 5 cylinder diesel. Being a diesel mechanic myself, Massey Ferguson and Case International trained, I was curious when a big silver Merc showed up at a local dealer. I opened the bonnet and hello, a V8 petrol. I love V8's so I bought it. It was an '81 380 sel. A really nice fast car. I sold it 16 years later after buying an '83 380 sec, that I drive now on weekends.
Working hard staying on that 10%….for my C123-280 CE and W116-350 SE. It’s not easy but it worth it, cannot put here in words what these cars mean for me!
I traded an old Guzzi for a 75 SLC. I believe this will be my last car. Though getting the cats out and some other projects are just out of my economic reach right now. So now I drive it …
I've own my beloved Baby Benz with the M103 for almost 30 years now, took it across the Pond with me and brought it back when I came back Stateside and it's a semi- daily driver . The problem with owning a classic is two fold: a. as you mention finding shops that work on it is already a problem. Have to be honest on this one I'm lucky since I do it myself. b. and this is the most important one, each passing day critical Mercedes parts are NLA, aftermarket is following suit, hording only helps so much, so the day when an owner will no longer be able to fix it is coming, unfortunately. I predict that in about a decade, with the exception of very very few models (think really expensive like a W198) parts and donor cars will be NLA, period.
I am a 90 percenter. I have all the seats out of the vehicle, except the drivers, for to fix some rust spots - rolling restoration. It now looks like the mad-max pursuit special interior after the apocalypse hit. I was driving and several F150s tailgated me - and it hit me: a you tube series "Mercedes Apocalypse" the 300cd always being chased by F150s in a countryside gone wrong. Everyone here drives an F150, easy to get footage with the local boys in their big rigs chasing the MB. Then footage of 300cd escaping, shots of the turbo winding and whining up, each episode has some moral to the story etc. Watch some old chase movies, Vanishing Point, Roadwarrior etc to get familiar with the tropes and clichés. F150 Apocalypse? MB star with B52 engine nacelles attached to the bottom spires.
I've owned 9 "Old" Mercedes over the years, all bought used, none under 15 years old when I bought them. (from a '72 220D to the '90 300SL) To your point about people rather wanting to part out a high mileage Mercedes: Would I drive a 300K mile Mercedes? Absolutely! Would I BUY a 300K mile Mercedes? Absolutely not. When you by used, you are buying the previous owner(s) as much as you are buying the physical car. At 300K, it has likely been owned by a cast of characters, at least one of which was negligent/abusive.
Amigo yo tengo un Mercedez 350 SEL año 1976 y m gustaría saber cuál es la cantidad de precio de entrada Alós inyectores y cuánto de salida tiene dos reguladores en la línea de entrada y en la de salida gracias
Well, I'd like to think I'm part of the 5% but I'm probably somewhere between the good 5% and the bad 5% 😆 I have a W201 turbo diesel, and a W124 that's getting a 606 turbo diesel. For the most part the modifications I do, I try and do them with the mindset of how would the MB engineers have done this if they had the technology. That said the W201 is going to stay "stock" for as long as I can keep it that way. I say "stock" for a reason. For example, I just rebuilt the turbo, and the injectors for it. I used 7Diesel injectors and reshimmed them with spring steel shims from McMaster-Carr... Not stock, but it does the same job. The compressor wheel was (slightly) bent and eroded so I used a compressor wheel from Black Mamba that was a drop in replacement. I had it assembly balanced, but between the way BM, and Garrett balance their components, it didn't need balance and would have been fine in any orientation. Not stock... but does the same thing. I added an oil separator to the PCV to keep from feeding the turbo oil mist that erodes the compressor wheel. Stuff like that I consider close enough to stock to be stock. I fear for when the transmission lets go, because at that point my options are rebuild an inefficient trans, or put something different in it, and I will probably put something different in it, but if I'm going to do that, I'm not going to stop working on it until it works like it came that way. Same deal with my W124, while I'm modifying it, I'm also not going to let it become a basket case of gremlins. It's getting a 722.6 controlled by PCM Solutions TCM2800 and the injection pump is controlled by Baldur's DSL1 (among other things), all communicating over CANBUS. The shifter is from a later model with a 722.6 that fits the opening. When you get in the car, you wouldn't know it's not factory... Yes, I know this is a bit sacrilege but the original motor was abused by the P.O. and had rod knock. I wanted to have a little fun with it putting it all back together 😁
Point is always MONEY.And take John Woods whom u mention, HE does great work. And those cars can meet the "keep in family" criteria you mention. But the MONEY u have to possess in order to purchase one And I would by from the owner he buys from, and havr the work done properly...but he has the contacts/reputation etc, so he gets them at lets say "wholesale " price. And does a great job. And must of course mark it up So...for the enthusiast who wants a great car to start off with, the market is v v restricted.
I own a 500E and a 190E invested heavily in both cars, and clearly they a now nowhere near halfway through there lives. Definitely can be handed down to the next generation, when the time is right
In my case, I've owned a w 124 300D for 7 years. Omg what a car!! 1986 high-mileage but great condition!! It belonged to a Mercedes mechanic. 300 D is highly reccomendable imo
My idea of high and low mileage is very skewed. (I blame my mates who are kilometer kings, and some others who exclusively see 100,000+km as a lot. (62,000mi) How many miles do you have on your 300d?
@@sscrystal10 Impressive numbers, I think that's probably somewhere in the mid range. I've seen these diesels on scrapyards with as little as 150,000mi and some still driving everyday on veg oil with 400+mi. My 280se has 200,000km or 125,000mi, with many more to come, I don't see many other petrol models being driven with such low mileage, most with low mileage are already scrapped (or garage queens).
It comes down to parts. Had to dispose of a great whirlpool mm190ed fridge, 45 years old simply because the compressor is no longer available. A microwave needed a no longer available cable connector. Cars have to be functional. We are close to a time when 20 year old cars will be useless just because a small critical sensor or computer or connector is no longer made.
Should add my 2010 350 ml will be a forever car only if it can be keep road worthy. Similar for the 2002 sl500 which not as functional everyday driver although much fun to drive.
I prefer to own the cars long term as I can improve them over time and enjoy them. That ranges from the 450SLC that i've owned over 20 years to the 240D I've owned 6 months. The 450SLC has been part of my life so long I can't see myself letting it go, and I just drove it 3900km in a road trip. Most of my cars have higher mileage as I like to use them and it is the experiences you have with them that is the best part of ownership.
I wouldn't owning a nice w123, w124,w126. But I don't want get a bank loan to buy one, or drive 10 hours to go see a car, that is not worth buying. I don't mind buying a rusty MB, but it must be priced right.
I'm part of the .025% that is doing something different with my Fred Flinstone 450SL that was handed to me by my former boss who I pushed him to purchase in 1994..............I curse him every day rebuilding while I unfold the secrets I find..........
1%er of the 10% here. Coming from TDI bought a 300k+ mile 300D and drive it daily, I do all the work myself and only upgrade things that matter, like spending more than half the car's value on a new pump with new elements, etc. on 3rd year and yet to meet another lunatic like myself out there in the wild
I own a very nice W123, and I'm the type of owner who will put more money into the car than its worth simply for the love of the car. Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of owners of these cars do not have the desire or means to maintain them properly, or to do restoration work. As elitist as this sounds, we need higher prices to incentivize restoration work and parts availability on these cars. It's sad that Mercedes sedans which are some of the best cars ever made languish as beaters just because they are cheap.
I got my grandmas 84 300SD from my dad, I've driven since I graduated high school. When my grandma was very bad off with alzheimers. I worked the last 6 months of her life rebuilding the HVAC in the 300SD. I drove it to visit it a week before she died. When she saw me she had not clue who I was. But I told her I drove her Mercedes to visit her. She said "I drove a Mercedes." I told her yeah I just fixed her car. She said " Oh you fix Mercedes? My grandson fixes Mercedes. He has 3 of them. I don't know how he keeps them all going." I smiled and said "I don't know ether"
That was our last conversation. She didn't recognize me, but she knew exactly who I am. and yeah I have 3 now. She really knew her stuff.
I drive the 300SD when I need to spend time with grandma.
That is.a beautiful story. My parents are gone now, and I still drive the 1979 240 D that they bought new.
Im driving my w140 to the grave. Working overtime to keep it maintained by a specilist. Keeps me away from drugs😂. Love the vidz .
There is nothing. like a W140 on the open road. You may have to drive 70 but you know it can go 130 with no problem.
Hi Pierre. Ironically, I found you a few days ago while looking for the best way to sell my 1987 190D Turbo to pay mounting medical bills. It has just sat in my garage for probably a year. Saturday, after a few hours of consuming your content, I put the trickle charger on it and Sunday, my Wife and I took it for a few hours of fall foliage watching. At days' end, I put it back in the garage where it will be staying, only to leave for the occasional pleasure drive. I'll find another way to pay bills. THANK YOU!
You couldn't buy a brand new car today for $100,000 that's made 1/10th as well as your W201.
@@jeffcullen6573So true!
You are so right. I inherited my parents 1980 300SD and it's my baby. My new washer purchased in March 2024 just broke. I remember my parents having Maytag washer and dryer and it never broke down for the late 1960's. I think they had it for 25-30 years.
We need minimum repairability and reliability standards for cars and appliances. And mandatory dipsticks would be a great start.
I own a 1981 Mercedes 380 sl, she's a black and tan car and from 20ft away is beautiful. However, being a pre galvanized car, she has significant rot issues in her floors and the firewall. Pierre describes this car as the worst of the SL cars year wise. Here's the thing. I can't part with her , she's got soul. I only have 4000$ into her. I guess I have a long term friend with issues, don't we all :)
10%er here. £5000 for a low-mileage VG condition 280E, I then factored in another 5K for restoration costs over the first 5 years. I’m 55 and this will probably be my last car - it’s so good.
Took my 95,000 mile 116 300SD on a beautiful drive on our amazing roads outside of Vancouver yesterday morning with some other old car friends. Master Control Triple Calendar with moonphase -- old reference with red crescent moon date pointer. No computers on board... other than the dang phone to coordinate with the other drivers.
never was a Merc guy, not at all, but this spring randomly purchased a SL280 from 1997, no turning back now:) I really like that car, i love the sound of the stright six and the soft comfortably ride. Will probably keep it rolling the next decades in good condition.
Spot on Pierre. I spent endless pain staking hours restoring a 190e, replacing a broken transmission, putting the engine back together with new parts. Interior and exterior redo like a new old car. I drove 12 hours straight in bad weather when my wife was preganant with my daughter, just to tow the 190 back home on a trailer. All this for the love of the car really. Saddest day is the day I sold it. I know they made 2 million of them I can get another tomorrow, not the point. What hurt the most is the new young owner had hacked the front bumper to fit over sized wheels and tyres and now the transmission is broken after 7k km and it's up for sale broken once more. I don't think I want to do that again - lesson learnt. I'm the 10% that want to fix and keep them as treasured jewel(s). In reality we only need one car. They are addictive and hence a lot of hoarders exist. Bad hoarders keep them outside to rust in peace.
Pierre...I understand 100% your anxiety. I currently have 47 cars in my collection. I bought each one. They are MB, Jaguars, Rolls Royces, and Bentleys. They are all restored. My anxiety is I have no one to leave them to. My nephew and my nieces have no respect for them! If I left them tge cars, they would sell them for "pocket change" such as my 1962 190SL or 1961 XKE OTS! At 70, I need to face the future as as a realist, and just begin to start selling them!
It's a shame. There's very few of us younger generation (I'm 34) who appreciate what a car is, what it means, how it works, the legacy behind them. It would be a full time job to find mindful individuals to put them in good hands. On top of that, the way the world is now, it's hard for my generation to even make time to appreciate life. So many of us are caught in the rat race just to try and keep our heads above water, and as far as I can tell, most of the individuals who aren't struggling are internet stars participating in fads. Not all of them, but many of them. I hope you can find good homes who actually appreciate the meaning behind what they are.
Sorry to hear that; I purchased a well cared for 300SD (W116) in my mid-20s and have greatly enjoyed caring for it and refining it for more than a decade. There are some great informational resources out there but I agree, it seems like a small community of people in my age group who really appreciate the nuances and beauty of the mechanical aspects of these vehicles. A kind of slowness and diligence seems necessary for that to emerge, which is challenging in the world these days. But how rewarding for those who are lucky enough and inclined!
I’ll take a few and cherish them. I’m 38 and available for adoption.
@@toddr3093 😂😂😂
I’d they don’t appreciate them and would merely flog them then they shouldn’t have them. Start seeking out buyers who will genuinely appreciate them (and not deep-pocketed people who only want them as an investment). Then enjoy doing some good with the proceeds of the sales. That’s just my thought.
I have two beautiful daughters. The older one passed the driving test not long ago. She is enjoying our C126 already and I love watching her driving it. I hope they will inherit respect to classic cars I've got.
I still have my 72 280se 4.5!
Thank You Pierre - this is an excellent perspective that is all but gone in today's "throw away world".
To say "they don't make 'em like they used to" is Exactly the reason I feel like you do!
I took your advice three years ago, spent a year looking for a car to preserve. Found a great “total loss” w124 300D in the woods of NC. I drove it 10 hours to a wedding last month, over and over people asked about it, paying for fuel the attendant had watched me on the security camera. All these individuals thought driving a 34 year old car like this, cross country, was some kind of daring feat. In actuality it was really fun to bring back on line, more reliable transport than anything current and I got to socially interact with a bunch of people who would have never even spoke to me in an Audi A4. This was a great peek into your philosophy, thank you!
My great grandmother loved her car, its mine now and im trying to take great care of it :) ( im scared of my camshaft). Oh! Mercedes also highered me this upcoming summer!
You’re so right. I wanted to preserve my 62 300SE I bought my senior year in 74. It ended up in my mother’s garage until 2014. She passed and we let it go to the young couple who bought her house. I loved that car and apparently this guy also. I hope he took care of it.
1985 380SL - 12 years
1985 300D - 5 years (just blew the fucking head gasket)
1988 Toyota Land Cruiser (8 years)
2010 Jaguar XXR -2 years. It is maginificent. Fear factor is moderate to high in terms of massive failure.
LOVE my old Mercedes. LOVE my old FJ62. Jaguar is incredible.
Hey Pierre! I'm in the second half of that third group 😁 thanks for your vids!
I worked 20 years as a fine art appraiser and also appraised classic cars. I also collect racing motorcycles and vintage guitars. As a collector I know how hard it is to sell stuff but you have to have a plan. Your kids probably don't want your stuff. If you are getting on in years or have health issues start selling your collection while you are still alive. Keep your core favorites and sell the rest. In my work I saw time and time again that large collections of stuff are a burden to families. many times the stuff gets destroyed or the family is taken advantage of. My dad had a large stamp collection that took 5 years to liquidate. That was almost a full time job. I did keep his Caddy DHS so I get the comment about the family car.
I daily drive a 1979 300SD and I want my son to inherit it someday. I maintain it not just for me to use, but for him to eventually enjoy.
Can’t imagine how hard it would be to “thin the herd”. Been fortunate to own my 560SEC for 22 years, 500E for 21 years, G320 for 11 years. Now a 2007 E63 AMG. I think I’m done; no more cars wanted or needed. Will be selling the G-wagen in the coming months.
Thanks Pierre for this insight .. there’s another category which I think is a recent phenomenon.. people who buy these cars for Instagram posts and social media posts just to look cool .. they’ve little appreciation of the engineering or the history / design elements of the car ..
speed queen still makes a washing machine like what you described. I love mine. Full water to the top. Load done super fast. Dials and knobs not digital!
I'm one of those 10 percenter that bought a w126 300SD and restored it (mostly) and have it as my daily.
9:00 I think your analogy of old dryers or refrigerators is good, but I think there is a key distinction with vintage appliances vs cars. Both vintage cars and appliances are desirable due to their aesthetic, quality and operating characteristics. But the difference with appliances is that appliances such as fridges and dryers have gotten functionally better over the past few decades. They have become more water and energy efficient and feature packed. Is this a good thing? for most people yes, for some no. But the fact of the matter is, appliances (aside from bespoke fridges and ovens) are hidden from view behind cupboards, inside separate washrooms, or are designed to be as un-obtrusive as possible. Its in their nature to be "unimportant" and that's why people feel little attachment or reason to restore or continue using old ones, and prefer modern ones with "amenities". That leads to minimal spare parts, bits or care for these machines. Cars on the other hand are status symbols, they are desirable, they have character and despite being technically seen as "tools" for a job like home appliances, they aren't actively hidden, or hushed. They are proudly shown when you drive them around.
I bought my first car a w116 280se at the start of this year, and I've been following the procedures to restore this thing to a tee. Although not from my family line (several hardships lost our original 280se, 300d and 190), it represents my late father's car, and that is what keeps me going. Motivation I think is hard for many people, and what ultimately drives a lot of people to leave these cars unrestored. The idea of driving an old beautiful car is fun, the actual maintenance, searching for parts, cost of parts and this and that, is the- not fun part for most people. If you can make the maintenance and restoration fun, then you are onto a winner. So far I am finding the restoration fun, as much as I hate the ACC on the w116, I am slowly working my way through it.
I got tired of leasing boring cars. I purchased a 2006 w215 for a daily driver and I maintain it and fix the parts that need updates. Join me on my journey.
Pierre good luck with your daughter and teaching her about old Benz.
In 1957 my parents were new to America and were given a used Frigidaire refrigerator. My dasd is now 94 years old and thet fridge is still running in his garage. I'm sure it's not cheap to operate, BUT it continues to do the job it was made to do. MBs of a certain era have that same ability.
I have an 81 240D I can’t wait to bring to you!!! Hopefully next year.
As to nobody taking care of the cars I've sold. 5 or 6 times I have gotten a DMV notice that my car was in a junkyard within a year of me selling it. It still blows my mind that people are so, I don't even know the word for it 😮💨
I purchased my w116 300sd from the original owner who felt the same way about only selling to someone who would take care of it. Since I purchased years ago it's always been garaged and maintained well. But unlike the Ferrari owners, I actually drive it semi weekly. From the way the doors open and close, to the way the hood pulls work, to the way all the interior materials feel, to the way it's rattle free after 45 years, you can really tell that the w116 was built to last as long as it was taken care of reasonably. Once the maintenance is caught up, no excessive maintenance or expense is needed to keep one of these running well.
I think I'm in a class of my own, I bought my W123 300 TD as a personal learning challenge to teach myself to work on, maintain and care for an old Mercedes. My W126 300 SD I picked up in order to rebuild and now drive it year round while the 300 TD is a summer/ road trip car.
I was just in the junkyard today and saw five W126s, including an '82 380SEL (with only 85k miles and the NICEST Palomino leather seats I have ever seen), a fully loaded grey market '85 500SEL from Mexico, and the 956th 380SEC made for the US market. All super esoteric cars and none beyond saving. But there they are, getting ripped to shreds. Why, oh why?
Bought 1984 300SD in Maine, found on Craigs list, 214K on broken ODO, was really the only car in Maine close to me that I could drive away for around 3K$. Very bad paint, front suspension track rods gone, drivers seat control module did not allow recline, transmission jerk shift, but good brakes, tires and engine ran well. Still driving it a year or more later, has no rust, do not drive it if roads are wet and salted. Did a ton of maintenance since I had no idea what had been done, great car up to around a total of 7K invested, though I do a lot of work myself.
A 5% of the 10% here - I actually bought the car with pursue of wrenching on it as garage therapy. Slowing fixing all smaller and bigger issues. 1985 SD. Between repairs I daily it as much as I can. I really enjoy driving it even though it is slow, but it can keep up with the traffic in southern California.
I bought an almost 30 year old W202. Not a collectible, hardly anybody likes these cars, but it was loved by its preivous owner (who died), and I will take care of this car.
202s really are like some kind of unlovable middle child of the Benz World. I don't know why, feels atleast in the US they didn't get the attention that 190E did in terms of enthusiasts.
I didn't know your dad had a '76 280. I've got a '75 so I know what he means... but I've mechanically sorted it and it's in great shape. Thirsty and slow, but dead reliable. There's something about it that makes me want to keep it for the long run with my '79 300SD.
We are all in on taking great care of durable, quality stuff in every area of our lives. I love to fix things. Very little "new" stuff around. The rock is disposing of us because we keep making crap and throwing it out.
Hey Piere, what about the guy that stumbles across some diesel Mercedes, and slowly sorts them out, into a halfway decent car. I do not like perfect examples. I have one that I had repainted and put it back together, and did it right. I don’t like to drive it because it’s a garage queen, no rust. W115 240d. I have a 1970 220 that is pretty solid, but has some surface rust. It’s a survivor that runs well, and I love driving it. People love it too. It has a good patina look. What do you think of that guy? I have to many, 5 of them and I’m retired. I tinker away, and slowly peck away at them. I love it!
I think I’m the 5% of the 10%. Got a decent 380SL daily driver on Craigslist for cheap, and have been slowly having it repaired by a great Indy mechanic on a regular basis. First was wires, dizzy and plugs. Then fuel pump and accumulator. Just did timing chain and tensioner, full brakes all around and new tires. Next year I’m planning suspension work, new seat covers, and fresh rag top. Then on to FD and injectors in 2026. Lots of little bits I fix myself where I have the time and skills.
I'm 58. I've been an Australian Ford guy my whole life. 20 years ago I discovered Mercedes Benz. Never paid much interest to them before. Too expensive. Knew nothing about them except they made an excellent 5 cylinder diesel. Being a diesel mechanic myself, Massey Ferguson and Case International trained, I was curious when a big silver Merc showed up at a local dealer. I opened the bonnet and hello, a V8 petrol. I love V8's so I bought it. It was an '81 380 sel. A really nice fast car.
I sold it 16 years later after buying an '83 380 sec, that I drive now on weekends.
Working hard staying on that 10%….for my C123-280 CE and W116-350 SE. It’s not easy but it worth it, cannot put here in words what these cars mean for me!
I traded an old Guzzi for a 75 SLC. I believe this will be my last car. Though getting the cats out and some other projects are just out of my economic reach right now. So now I drive it …
Truth… I know where I fit into this group!😁I’m in search of more storage for them…
I've own my beloved Baby Benz with the M103 for almost 30 years now, took it across the Pond with me and brought it back when I came back Stateside and it's a semi- daily driver . The problem with owning a classic is two fold: a. as you mention finding shops that work on it is already a problem. Have to be honest on this one I'm lucky since I do it myself. b. and this is the most important one, each passing day critical Mercedes parts are NLA, aftermarket is following suit, hording only helps so much, so the day when an owner will no longer be able to fix it is coming, unfortunately. I predict that in about a decade, with the exception of very very few models (think really expensive like a W198) parts and donor cars will be NLA, period.
I am a 90 percenter. I have all the seats out of the vehicle, except the drivers, for to fix some rust spots - rolling restoration. It now looks like the mad-max pursuit special interior after the apocalypse hit. I was driving and several F150s tailgated me - and it hit me: a you tube series "Mercedes Apocalypse" the 300cd always being chased by F150s in a countryside gone wrong. Everyone here drives an F150, easy to get footage with the local boys in their big rigs chasing the MB. Then footage of 300cd escaping, shots of the turbo winding and whining up, each episode has some moral to the story etc. Watch some old chase movies, Vanishing Point, Roadwarrior etc to get familiar with the tropes and clichés. F150 Apocalypse? MB star with B52 engine nacelles attached to the bottom spires.
Better half of the 10%ers here. I never thought of it that way, but I will take it👍
What auction site is he referring to?
I've owned 9 "Old" Mercedes over the years, all bought used, none under 15 years old when I bought them. (from a '72 220D to the '90 300SL) To your point about people rather wanting to part out a high mileage Mercedes: Would I drive a 300K mile Mercedes? Absolutely! Would I BUY a 300K mile Mercedes? Absolutely not. When you by used, you are buying the previous owner(s) as much as you are buying the physical car. At 300K, it has likely been owned by a cast of characters, at least one of which was negligent/abusive.
Amigo yo tengo un Mercedez 350 SEL año 1976 y m gustaría saber cuál es la cantidad de precio de entrada Alós inyectores y cuánto de salida tiene dos reguladores en la línea de entrada y en la de salida gracias
Well, I'd like to think I'm part of the 5% but I'm probably somewhere between the good 5% and the bad 5% 😆 I have a W201 turbo diesel, and a W124 that's getting a 606 turbo diesel. For the most part the modifications I do, I try and do them with the mindset of how would the MB engineers have done this if they had the technology.
That said the W201 is going to stay "stock" for as long as I can keep it that way. I say "stock" for a reason. For example, I just rebuilt the turbo, and the injectors for it. I used 7Diesel injectors and reshimmed them with spring steel shims from McMaster-Carr... Not stock, but it does the same job. The compressor wheel was (slightly) bent and eroded so I used a compressor wheel from Black Mamba that was a drop in replacement. I had it assembly balanced, but between the way BM, and Garrett balance their components, it didn't need balance and would have been fine in any orientation. Not stock... but does the same thing. I added an oil separator to the PCV to keep from feeding the turbo oil mist that erodes the compressor wheel. Stuff like that I consider close enough to stock to be stock. I fear for when the transmission lets go, because at that point my options are rebuild an inefficient trans, or put something different in it, and I will probably put something different in it, but if I'm going to do that, I'm not going to stop working on it until it works like it came that way.
Same deal with my W124, while I'm modifying it, I'm also not going to let it become a basket case of gremlins. It's getting a 722.6 controlled by PCM Solutions TCM2800 and the injection pump is controlled by Baldur's DSL1 (among other things), all communicating over CANBUS. The shifter is from a later model with a 722.6 that fits the opening. When you get in the car, you wouldn't know it's not factory... Yes, I know this is a bit sacrilege but the original motor was abused by the P.O. and had rod knock. I wanted to have a little fun with it putting it all back together 😁
Point is always MONEY.And take John Woods whom u mention, HE does great work. And those cars can meet the "keep in family" criteria you mention. But the MONEY u have to possess in order to purchase one
And I would by from the owner he buys from, and havr the work done properly...but he has the contacts/reputation etc, so he gets them at lets say "wholesale " price. And does a great job. And must of course mark it up
So...for the enthusiast who wants a great car to start off with, the market is v v restricted.
All true.
I own a 500E and a 190E invested heavily in both cars, and clearly they a now nowhere near halfway through there lives. Definitely can be handed down to the next generation, when the time is right
In my case, I've owned a w 124 300D for 7 years. Omg what a car!! 1986 high-mileage but great condition!! It belonged to a Mercedes mechanic. 300 D is highly reccomendable imo
My idea of high and low mileage is very skewed. (I blame my mates who are kilometer kings, and some others who exclusively see 100,000+km as a lot. (62,000mi) How many miles do you have on your 300d?
@@ak_kalmar 270.000. I cannot complain in any way. Imo the previous owner cared like a baby. Everything works wonders. I'm happy with my car
@@ak_kalmar remember that these cars (200D 240D 300D) are still used as taxis in many countries like argelia, kenya, nigeria. These cars are good
@@sscrystal10 Impressive numbers, I think that's probably somewhere in the mid range. I've seen these diesels on scrapyards with as little as 150,000mi and some still driving everyday on veg oil with 400+mi. My 280se has 200,000km or 125,000mi, with many more to come, I don't see many other petrol models being driven with such low mileage, most with low mileage are already scrapped (or garage queens).
@@sscrystal10 Yes I am well aware, my grandfather drove a 300D to 1 million miles, I can stand by their reliability and endurance.
It comes down to parts. Had to dispose of a great whirlpool mm190ed fridge, 45 years old simply because the compressor is no longer available. A microwave needed a no longer available cable connector.
Cars have to be functional. We are close to a time when 20 year old cars will be useless just because a small critical sensor or computer or connector is no longer made.
Should add my 2010 350 ml will be a forever car only if it can be keep road worthy. Similar for the 2002 sl500 which not as functional everyday driver although much fun to drive.
Pierre if you had to keep only one car. Which one would it be.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I prefer to own the cars long term as I can improve them over time and enjoy them. That ranges from the 450SLC that i've owned over 20 years to the 240D I've owned 6 months. The 450SLC has been part of my life so long I can't see myself letting it go, and I just drove it 3900km in a road trip. Most of my cars have higher mileage as I like to use them and it is the experiences you have with them that is the best part of ownership.
I wouldn't owning a nice w123, w124,w126. But I don't want get a bank loan to buy one, or drive 10 hours to go see a car, that is not worth buying. I don't mind buying a rusty MB, but it must be priced right.
Well if you come to a fork in the road take it..was that Yogi Berra?
I'm part of the .025% that is doing something different with my Fred Flinstone 450SL that was handed to me by my former boss who I pushed him to purchase in 1994..............I curse him every day rebuilding while I unfold the secrets I find..........
News item this week was that 1 in 4 Americans think they have ADHD. Could the rise in “getting bored” of stuff be linked to this?
1%er of the 10% here. Coming from TDI bought a 300k+ mile 300D and drive it daily, I do all the work myself and only upgrade things that matter, like spending more than half the car's value on a new pump with new elements, etc. on 3rd year and yet to meet another lunatic like myself out there in the wild
I own a very nice W123, and I'm the type of owner who will put more money into the car than its worth simply for the love of the car. Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of owners of these cars do not have the desire or means to maintain them properly, or to do restoration work.
As elitist as this sounds, we need higher prices to incentivize restoration work and parts availability on these cars. It's sad that Mercedes sedans which are some of the best cars ever made languish as beaters just because they are cheap.
EVs are refrigerators.
Count me in the group of not afraid and happy to embrace non perfection.
Modern automobiles are garbage
Amen!
EV's have *Soulless Appliances* written all over them.
All my ladies have a soul. Different in their own special way.