Well I am not saying all the gas Mercedes are bad, my mother had a 420SEL with 320K miles when it was totaled. The car never had any major problems, but she also got it with under 100k on it from original owner and all the service records.
Basically I have found that a bad mechanic can really screw up the 117 engines to the point where it is not worth repairing. Thus getting back to "There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes." Trampas -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Donald Snook Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 10:25 AM To: Mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Vergasser vs. Diesel, was 87 TD for sale Trampas wrote: "My wife is now saying she wants a Honda mini-van as that the Mercedes are not reliable cars, note the 420SEL has been towed at least 10 times in last 5 years. I am very picky about the cars, in that I do all the repairs and will spare no expense to make it perfect, just ask Rusty. That being said, the quality of the 420SEL has made me see that a Honda might be the best thing. Currently the 560SEL which we have had for year and half is starting to shape up as a problem car, I have done everything under the sun to get the idle smooth and it still has miss and low idle. I am starting to think that the fuel distributor is leaking causing the problems." If you want a 126 gasser (that is more reliable than your 420 and 560), maybe you should get a 300SEL. The engine is a little underpowered, but very reliable (once you get the valve seal problem fixed). I really like my car (although I wish it was more powerful). If getting a more powerful 126 means trading power for reliability, then I will stick with underpowered. This is funny that this is coming up now because I just got back from a one day 400 mile speed run yesterday. I had to drive 200 miles to a hearing and turn around and drive straight back. The 126 (even with the 3.0 6 cylinder) is such a great highway car. I left a little late to arrive on time and I was really pushing it on the interstate. I almost always drive 80 mph on the interstate, but I was a little behind and I had to drive about 90 for nearly two hours minutes. Didn't phase that car at all. I got this car one year ago this month. In that time, I have put 14,000 miles on it. The only problems I have had was the (really bad design) hose from the thermostat to the block ($230) and I need to replace the monovalve. Other than that, it has been perfect. I get 20-21 mpg on the highway (although yesterday I bet it was more like 17 at 90mph.) Donald H. Snook 1990 300SEL 134K _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
