richyba
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2009
- Messages
- 231
- Reaction score
- 2
- Location
- Ireland
- Website
- www.4tours.biz
- Your Mercedes
- 1978 T1 307D,2005 Slk200K,1982 300DSLC (honest!) & 1994 410d Camper
First of all i have to say that I'am loving the W210 still, just passed our dreaded NCT with no issues but I have to say the bills connected with car ownership in our lovely country are getting me down a little.
I operate the W210 on a Limo licence as we also run coaches but really in some ways I'am forced into it as the private tax is horrendous here even on a 220 but the sting on that is the insurance for hire and reward of Eu1,000.00 but road tax only Eu88.00 so really it might as well be a Limo. Truth is we dont really get much work for the car and it is hard to justify the costs as there are plenty of S classes at silly money for the boys that are seriously into Limo work. I have just tested the old beast and insured it for another year but I'am seriously thinking of looking at a classic.
The advantages to classic (over 30 years) ownership here are huge, cheap tax and insurance etc but my thought is could I live with a W123 after the W210? My plan is possibly to look at doing a diesel conversion myself (I know a fella selling a rusty but mechanically sound 300D).
The good lady owns a SLK200 and we tend to use that for runs where luggage is not a consideration so the old beast would be for runs to UK and a bit of parts collection etc. Before anyone suggests a petrol they are really not in my religion as a workhorse being a bus man and a massive 410D enthusiast.
Anyone any thoughts or contemplated something similar? There are a couple of W116 conversions for sale at the moment but I do love the idea of W123 ownership and I have driven them in the past and loved them.
I operate the W210 on a Limo licence as we also run coaches but really in some ways I'am forced into it as the private tax is horrendous here even on a 220 but the sting on that is the insurance for hire and reward of Eu1,000.00 but road tax only Eu88.00 so really it might as well be a Limo. Truth is we dont really get much work for the car and it is hard to justify the costs as there are plenty of S classes at silly money for the boys that are seriously into Limo work. I have just tested the old beast and insured it for another year but I'am seriously thinking of looking at a classic.
The advantages to classic (over 30 years) ownership here are huge, cheap tax and insurance etc but my thought is could I live with a W123 after the W210? My plan is possibly to look at doing a diesel conversion myself (I know a fella selling a rusty but mechanically sound 300D).
The good lady owns a SLK200 and we tend to use that for runs where luggage is not a consideration so the old beast would be for runs to UK and a bit of parts collection etc. Before anyone suggests a petrol they are really not in my religion as a workhorse being a bus man and a massive 410D enthusiast.
Anyone any thoughts or contemplated something similar? There are a couple of W116 conversions for sale at the moment but I do love the idea of W123 ownership and I have driven them in the past and loved them.