Mercedes Owner Defined

[rich.g.williams]

Need help of others to get at this.

I'm thinking owning a Mercedes is not to be taken lightly. Jump in and go with no thought for the car won't necessarily work in the long run.

Owning a Mercedes tells something about the owner in part because the owner needs ability to own such a car.

Struggling to see what I'm getting at .....

 

[Blobcat]

Need help of others to get at this.

I'm thinking owning a Mercedes is not to be taken lightly. Jump in and go with no thought for the car won't necessarily work in the long run.

Owning a Mercedes tells something about the owner in part because the owner needs ability to own such a car.

Struggling to see what I'm getting at .....

Used to be, anyone (and everyone) can (and does) lease one these days…
They were an aspirational vehicle and built on sound engineering principles… that doesn’t sell in todays world so it’s fill them with tech that people think they want and put them out on a 3 year cheap lease to keep the factory producing.

 

[rich.g.williams]

Used to be, anyone (and everyone) can (and does) lease one these days…
They were an aspirational vehicle and built on sound engineering principles… that doesn’t sell in todays world so it’s fill them with tech that people think they want and put them out on a 3 year cheap lease to keep the factory producing.

That's about getting the cars out there, after the lease is over then comes the true ownership I'm referring to ownership for the long haul.

 

[Blobcat]

That's about getting the cars out there, after the lease is over then comes the true ownership I'm referring to ownership for the long haul.

That’s not for the yoof, only those on this forum…

 

[rich.g.williams]

so it’s fill them with tech that people think they want

I see in the electronics a lot about what the design engineers personally want to do.

As regards "is it needed" a large percentage of design decisions might not pass this as a test.

 

[Wighty]

I think most people have no practical ability to even hang a shelf , let alone tinker with cars and that goes doubly so for the young .
Forums like this attract people who are willing to have a go right up to the professional take stuff apart people .
A lot of the cars owned by people on here are older and the owners have a go at saving money by keeping these older cars on the road .
I’ve had both my cars over 12 years now and have attempted all servicing and repairs for the last 7 years (not managed or done everything) . I simply would not be able to afford to keep them on the road if they both went to the garage for everything.
Of course thanks to everyone on the forum who has helped us collectively save money over the years

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

^+1- very true; S124 owned for12 years, S210 owned for 14 years and the current S212 for 7 years - as the man said buy them and keep them terrific value for money

 

[rich.g.williams]

I think most people have no practical ability to even hang a shelf , let alone tinker with cars and that goes doubly so for the young .
Forums like this attract people who are willing to have a go right up to the professional take stuff apart people .
A lot of the cars owned by people on here are older and the owners have a go at saving money by keeping these older cars on the road .
I’ve had both my cars over 12 years now and have attempted all servicing and repairs for the last 7 years (not managed or done everything) . I simply would not be able to afford to keep them on the road if they both went to the garage for everything.
Of course thanks to everyone on the forum who has helped us collectively save money over the years

For me engineering has always been a pleasure so I appreciate all of you enthusiastic owners who are able and prepared to take on what is a commitment.

Taking the car to my local garage is not done lightly, I trust them but am reluctant to part with the car much as a dog contemplating parting with a bone.

I have seen good Mercedes go down hill because the owner just cannot handle looking after the car that's the gateway and is what sets you people apart.

Many times with Mercedes cars (and this is my third) I have had that sinking gut feeling wondering how to progress situation, issues that have caused this:-

- transmission problems
- searching for a noise I can't find
- battery drain problems
- electronics typically ABS/ESP
- power steering

My worst short term experience is deciding to replace both track rod ends. The nearside was not too difficult, got it apart with a puller. The offside l could not split the cone apart, tried everything even got the blowlamp going (had to stop heat too close to seals etc), went in search of special tool was presented with various types, one like a chisel to hammer - discounted hammering, found a really strong tool from "Machine Mart" in Cardiff like a massive clothes peg looked good, tightened it up seemed good then "crack bang" ball joint taper did not split , the tool had snapped in half (unknown to me it was made of cast iron). Took car to garage and they did it in half hour.

Humility is needed as a Mercedes owner for sure .

 

[rich.g.williams]

^+1- very true; S124 owned for12 years, S210 owned for 14 years and the current S212 for 7 years - as the man said buy them and keep them terrific value for money

This is an amazing achievement Malcolm - one is enough for me, a second one is possible but would mean concreting part of the front garden and I can't bring myself to do that lol

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

This is an amazing achievement Malcolm - one is enough for me, a second one is possible but would mean concreting part of the front garden and I can't bring myself to do that lol

Not quite, only have the S212 now they were all owned in succession apart from a 2 year overlap with the S210

 

[rorywquin]

I think most people have no practical ability to even hang a shelf , let alone tinker with cars and that goes doubly so for the young .
Forums like this attract people who are willing to have a go right up to the professional take stuff apart people .
A lot of the cars owned by people on here are older and the owners have a go at saving money by keeping these older cars on the road .
I’ve had both my cars over 12 years now and have attempted all servicing and repairs for the last 7 years (not managed or done everything) . I simply would not be able to afford to keep them on the road if they both went to the garage for everything.
Of course thanks to everyone on the forum who has helped us collectively save money over the years

But presumably you enjoy working on cars.

I can do most things (car related) and did my own service repairs etc when I could not afford to pay others but, I hate working on cars so wouldn’t want to own something I have to work on.

 

[Wighty]

But presumably you enjoy working on cars.

I can do most things (car related) and did my own service repairs etc when I could not afford to pay others but, I hate working on cars so wouldn’t want to own something I have to work on.

I get satisfaction fixing anything from the house roof , washing machine , car problems and everything in between , but if I had a lot more money would I still do them ?
Maybe some of them I would in the summer when the weather is nice ?
I‘m just lucky that a can do them . If I couldn’t I doubt I would be retired .
Some of the prices I hear friends and neighbours paying are absolutely eye watering .

 

[rorywquin]

I get satisfaction fixing anything from the house roof , washing machine , car problems and everything in between , but if I had a lot more money would I still do them ?
Maybe some of them I would in the summer when the weather is nice ?
I‘m just lucky that a can do them . If I couldn’t I doubt I would be retired .
Some of the prices I hear friends and neighbours paying are absolutely eye watering .

Me too - I’ll always do it myself if I can (I don’t like paying others to do what I can) but I draw the line at being under cars and on roofs.

Unlike my neighbour (72) who was on his roof again yesterday to save money then he’s was telling me that he is suffering with arthritis and is going for cortizone injections into the joints and even considering knuckle transplants (OMG). I mentioned that while he is lying in hospital in a full body cast, he’ll have time to enjoy thinking about the £200-00 he saved by fixing the roof himself.

 

[Mr Greedy]

Me too - I’ll always do it myself if I can (I don’t like paying others to do what I can) but I draw the line at being under cars and on roofs.

I love working on my car, but having done the lot on previous cars, I have to agree with this. For safety and avoidance of sheer pig headed jobs (usually due to access), I now don't do any jobs on the car that require getting under it. Plus all the crap dropping in your face that, even with eye protection, still makes it's way past. These days, if it can't be done by laying next to the car and reaching under it, I won't do it. The thought of getting squished motivates me to open my wallet.

I will do roof work, but only after pricing the job up with contractor vs the cost of me doing it with full scaffold and proper safety, plus whether a trade will eff it up vs can I find a trade who will do it properly vs me doing it properly. In this regard it's a lot like changing brakes on the Merc. I'll strip, clean everything, including removing arch liners, inspect brake lines, all sliding pins, clean alloys off the car, full grease everything correctly with the correct grease. This doesn't get done at a garage.

I'm currently compromised to dry days also, as no garage. Once I've re-landscaped the drive I'll be able to securely get a large gazebo for multi-day spannering works, but a warm dry garage would make longer term older Merc ownership much more bearable.

 

[rich.g.williams]

I love working on my car, but having done the lot on previous cars, I have to agree with this. For safety and avoidance of sheer pig headed jobs (usually due to access), I now don't do any jobs on the car that require getting under it. Plus all the crap dropping in your face that, even with eye protection, still makes it's way past. These days, if it can't be done by laying next to the car and reaching under it, I won't do it. The thought of getting squished motivates me to open my wallet.

I will do roof work, but only after pricing the job up with contractor vs the cost of me doing it with full scaffold and proper safety, plus whether a trade will eff it up vs can I find a trade who will do it properly vs me doing it properly. In this regard it's a lot like changing brakes on the Merc. I'll strip, clean everything, including removing arch liners, inspect brake lines, all sliding pins, clean alloys off the car, full grease everything correctly with the correct grease. This doesn't get done at a garage.

I'm currently compromised to dry days also, as no garage. Once I've re-landscaped the drive I'll be able to securely get a large gazebo for multi-day spannering works, but a warm dry garage would make longer term older Merc ownership much more bearable.

Bricks is the answer

 

[s5tuart]

I lack the knowledge ( enthusiasm) to work on my own car.
But I am able to save money on plumbing, electrics and most DIY so that helps when keeping a weather eye on my meagre savings.
I do enjoy cleaning the car though so at least it always looks shiny.

 

[Blobcat]

Bricks is the answer

View attachment 85759

Brick can (and will) crumble - they are not recommended (or made) to support a vehicle

 

[SL63 Mark]

Brick can (and will) crumble - they are not recommended (or made) to support a vehicle

One good wiggle and it'll fall off. Looks to be on a slope as well.

Use axle stands. Bricks are not designed to support a load like that, they are made of fired clay of varying consistency and hardness, they require mortar and correct laying, and support to form a wall. Old bricks perish and crumble.

 

[rich.g.williams]

Brick can (and will) crumble - they are not recommended (or made) to support a vehicle

Notice the axle stands also in the photo. There were many good bricks but point taken.

 

[rich.g.williams]

One good wiggle and it'll fall off. Looks to be on a slope as well.

Use axle stands. Bricks are not designed to support a load like that, they are made of fired clay of varying consistency and hardness, they require mortar and correct laying, and support to form a wall. Old bricks perish and crumble.

Notice the axle stands also in the photo. There were many good bricks but point taken.

Yes it was on a slope.