How many Mercs have you had - and why?

[sib]

Just wondering - with my current thought of buying Merc in a couple to few years - how many Mercs have you had?

Was chatting to a sub-contractor at work today - he had a 190E - bought it when he was 30 - and it was his 50th last week - and has had nothing else between now and then other than Merc. Said he'd had 2 x 190Es, 3 x C Class, 1 x E class and 1 x ML. Currently, he has his 3rd c-class, a 56 plate C200.

So, i'm guessing ownership is addictive??

So, what made you buy Merc in the first place and what's their appeal to you now??

I had a meeting today with work and was looking at the German prestige cars on the way there - Audi's are the more modern looking in my opinion but are now 10 a penny really - nice though like, BMWs are slightly different again but don't look that prestige really - just good quality in my opinion - wheras Merc look 'special' if you ask me!

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Quality, engineering, ride dynamics, handling without being a gocart, cabin quality. Beautiful marriage of 5 speed autobox to that torque rich engine. The propellor acting as gunsight on the bonnet................admiring looks from other drivers I could go on and on

 

[TheScrapman]

Quality, engineering, ride dynamics, handling without being a gocart, cabin quality. Beautiful marriage of 5 speed autobox to that torque rich engine. The propellor acting as gunsight on the bonnet................admiring looks from other drivers I could go on and on

Yeah, the major selling point for me is the Mondeo gunsight at the end of the bonnet

Seriously though, up to the mid/late '90s, they are very simple, but well made cars. Modular in their design, old tried and tested technology. For a home mechanic, they are the perfect vehicle.

I've now had 1 w123, 3 w126's (all SEC's) and 3 w140's. Oh and my wife now has a w168 (early a-class)

The A-class drives lovely and my good lady is very happy with it, but it has really rubbish build quality and it certainly won't last like the others.

 

[sib]

The A-class drives lovely and my good lady is very happy with it, but it has really rubbish build quality and it certainly won't last like the others.

Interesting point. Are new Mercs as good as old in terms of quality??

You hear of these old 1980's Mercs with 500k on the clock, of mostly trouble free motoring.

Will the current range still be soldiering on in 30 years time??

 

[psmart]

admiring looks from other drivers I could go on and on

..... I get that with the Prius, and driver courtesy, ie. they let you out of junctions in the roads

.... Mercs are addictive though, I find myself looking to replace the ML270 in January.....

 

[television]

I had a 250CE 114 for a while during the early 70's but I needed an estate when I went to Sweden and the 123 280TE was the best in its class. I ran that a few years and a 300TE 124 was offered to me at a silly price and only 1 year old as it was an import from Germany and the Swedes have this funny thing, and only for the best part buy "Svensk såld" cars. I loved that car and fitted the plastic sides and I had to sell it when I came back to the UK in 1996. The 129 320SL was bought in 2005 as I thought that I owed it to myself before I snuffed it, finding myself still here a bit later I got the SL500 230 but I am going to stick for a bit with that.

 

[jberks]

I'm on my 3rd. The old Man is on his 6th and I got the bug from driving his.

You always look forward to a journey in a merc. They always make them nice places to be and you always feel looked after by them. Despite being a lot more common and cheaper these days (we had a 123 in 1980 and they were so rare in those days, you'd get people looking to see who was getting out!) people do percieve mercs as a step up from Audi and BMW. You see it in the way you're treated - they may not be any better in reality but they do have more class. You cruise along in a merc and people move out of your way, naturally. I discussed it with a friend recently and he admitted that whilst it wasn't a conscious thing, he does move over for a merc.

I admit that they've lost some of the appeal since they made clicky rather than clunky doors and went more obviously high tech - I liked the old fashioned interiors where window switches were on the centre console and the heater was controlled by big clunky knobs - even if you knew there was a computer sitting behind them. No TV screens and flashy graphics, just simple readouts. But I guess thats progress.

I'll still have another. Anything else (this side of a Bentley anyway) just feels like a step down.

 

[jon cash]

I caught a mild mercedes flu when i was about 15 and a family friend turned up to a party in a 1992 W140 300SE, Then when i was about 16 another relation of mine bought a 1993 W124 320CE Sportline and i must admit i sat in that car for hours and then he let me drive it was awe inspiring, Now i have the pleasure for selling and servicing these cars as my livelyhood.

I agree with J Berks regarding the step down feeling, and even at that bentley are only rebodied VW, I every now and then have a luxury brand such as Lexus (toyota with wood) BMW or Audi traded in and i enjoy driving them but i am usually more than happy to get behind the wheel of the three pointed star after a few days fling with something outside my brand of choice.

Cars today have a much shorter lifespan in my opinion but i find mercedes new car quality far superior to their rivals, I now all about the dark years of mercedes build quality because i also have to deal with the 4-10year old trade ins but i have to say for a brand mercedes has a certain loyalty that has to be experienced to be appreicated.

Now at 30 i hope to have many more years ahead of me converting my friends, family and customers to the mercedes way of travelling and i must admit it is getting better and better with every new model that mercedes is bringing out. Friends that have been fans of BMW are coming round to my way of thinking and are all the better for it.

Build quality and engineering simplicity that made the brand what it is today, may never return to W140/123/124 standards but that is the way of the world and now mercedes ownership is more attainable to a much broader customer base which as far as i am concerned can only be a good thing.

i love my merc's and i think that they are the best semi mainstream car available for the money today. And even the guys that once where BMW men are coming round now that there BMW is the new Mondeo of choice.

I love my job and enjoy almost every day because i get to do something that i love and hopefully in the future mercedes will always stand for Quality, Comfort, Stlye and suprizeing ecomnoy even from those marvellous V8's.

To many happy more years of mercedes.

 

[simon_wall69]

Had two 190ds, a 300d, a 240d, an e300d, an e300td and a w123 300d. All of these to save money and the (environment??) by recycling chip fat to run them on.

Also had a 280se, 560sel, c180, 190e and an e200 that ran on lpg (apart from the 560)

I like the style of them, especially the w123 and w126 and the quality is fantastic.

Not a big fan of the new cars but they are mightily impressive. I would love to own a w114/115 - the best looking saloons ever.

 

[stever]

3 x W123s here.

 

[100%Bitch]

I've had 3 after moving over from Audi. I think they are just sooooooooooo sexy and they just seem to have a certain graceful air about them that other marques don't have. People seem to look at a Mercedes, whereas other cars just drive by.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I've had 3 after moving over from Audi. I think they are just sooooooooooo sexy and they just seem to have a certain graceful air about them that other marques don't have. People seem to look at a Mercedes, whereas other cars just drive by.

Mmmm. Low profile, eh Helen?

 

[100%Bitch]

Mmmm. Low profile, eh Helen?

I blend into the background quite well. :roll:

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I blend into the background quite well. :roll:

Did someone say something? :???:

 

[Uncle Benz]

Had a few...

2000 SLK 230K still got
1998 CLK 320 Gone...
2004 ML270 Gone...
2000 C200 still got
2003 C32 still got
2001 CLK 230K Gone...
1983 280 GE Gone...
1982 280 CE still got
2007 ML320 CDi still got
1990 190E Gone...

Sorry for the random order - just the way they came back to me.

Why? Just love 'em!

 

[pma]

I have had 4 new & 1 secondhand mercedes my last which I still have 2008 E-Class will be my last Mercedes I buy.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I have had 4 new & 1 secondhand mercedes my last which I still have 2008 E-Class will be my last Mercedes I buy.

Sounds ominous?

 

[jubhi]

Bought my first merc last year after driving my dad's. Just bought the Mrs an A-Class.

Will be sticking with Merc, there isn't anything better.

100% Bitch hit the nail on the head, there is something special about Merc's that other cars just don't have. A Merc is a Merc at the end of the day, they are always the benchmark and miles ahead of the competition.

 

[GeorgeA]

I'm on my first and only regret I didn't buy one sooner.

Will I go for a W211 or W219 next? I really need to stop looking and dreaming. I guess a W204 would be the order of the day.

In any event it will not be my last MB.

EDIT: Sorry missed out the why?
For many years, at least 20, I always liked the look of the C Class but always had too many bills to pay so always put off buying an MB. Wish I had pushed the boat out sooner, I was just too cautious as it seemed a bit of a personal extravagance. Don't make the same mistake as me - if you have the inclination then go for it. You only live once.

 

[doversole]

Spent a long time looking and pondering.

Weighed up the pro's & con's, test drove five cars before settling on my '99 W202.
My first Merc, she drives real fine, just hit 77k and no major problems. The spotless 'on the nail' main dealer service history helped me make my mind up. 3 years into ownership and she hasn't dropped a stitch. I like the build, ride, comfort and pedigree - and to think,
I never used to let MB drivers pull out of turnings!

It sure won't be my last.

DoverSole