Older Cars

[Viscount]

I have a 2003 R230 (V6 3.7l) with nearly 80k miles; had it 5 years and love it but it has been the 2nd car as we also have a newish C Class Estate. My wife wants to downsize the C Class (to B or A probably) and we are therefore thinking about using the R230 for longer journeys. Other than a small dog which fits in a carrier behind the passenger seat (secured by the luggage straps which it thankfully has), we would just have our own luggage which will easily fit in the boot. To date, the R230 has been pretty much trouble free.

So, what are the views on the pro/cons of using the R230 more and for longer journeys ( might be 160 mile round trip or perhaps away for a few days doing perhaps 100 - 200 miles per day)? Thanks!

 

[00slk]

For a start there are no cons for using the r230 at all. Just pro's.
Oh okay, maybe there is one disadvantage, you wont be able to pick up hitchhikers...............

 

[mioba]

no cons on a well maintained car.

Eg. My w220 is from 2004 and been maintained regardless of cost. done 68k miles.
for a long trip of 800 miles (Nottingham-Munich) there is nothing I am more happy, confident and reassured to get in for a non stop (bar fuelling drives).
Mercs are made by Germans and they (the cars) are happiest on long drives!

 

[Blobcat]

Cars are much better being used, I've done a run to Le Mans and back in a R230 SL500 and it was the ideal vehicle for the journey.

 

[00slk]

Cars are much better being used, I've done a run to Le Mans and back in a R230 SL500 and it was the ideal vehicle for the journey.

Much better than an SLK ..............running for the door

 

[Blobcat]

Much better than an SLK ..............running for the door

I agree






(Less worries in an SLK though)

 

[LostKiwi]

I've taken our 230 to the far north of Scotland and the south of France. It has 114k on it now.
It's a great continent crusher and with the roof down a lovely boulevard cruiser too.

The only thing I would say is have breakdown cover for any issues with ABC.

 

[00slk]

I agree






(Less worries in an SLK though)

Just when you could have knocked me over with a feather Blobcat.............You redeem yourself with your last comment.......

 

[00slk]

I've taken our 230 to the far north of Scotland and the south of France. It has 114k on it now.
It's a great continent crusher and with the roof down a lovely boulevard cruiser too.

The only thing I would say is have breakdown cover for any issues with ABC.

It started well Kiwi, then you went a spoilt it

 

[DSK]

Look after your car, do the weekly checks even if they don't need doing, you get to pick up on things very early this way. If its not been problematic to date then you're starting with a good base. Just stay on top of it.

I slowly changed all my fleet for older stuff and did 1,000 miles a week for 10yrs prior to lock down without a break down or a glitch. (Only the newer stuff caused me niggles and problem headaches). I also saw a chap on a daily basis about the same time as me on the A3 always zipping along at around 85mph in his pristine 1991 silver Ford Sierra commuting in/out of south London for about 7 years.

Any car is only as good as its built and maintained.

 

[Viscount]

Thanks all. Most encouraging. I do have RAC cover and I do NOT have ABC! I find the ride with the more basic suspension just fine. The car had all the roof workings and seals replaced just prior to my ownership (previous owner left it outside and the boot leaked and ruined the lot apparently) and I've had the expense of the braking system pump (or whatever it is exactly) replace about 2k miles ago (nearly £2k) so I'm hoping I'm going to be OK. I keep the car garaged generally and on an intelligent charger, otherwise I do get messages about reduced systems like not being allowed to operate the roof.

Thanks again and happy to hear more!

 

[MBDevotee]

Keep it well serviced, and enjoy it!

 

[LostKiwi]

Thanks all. Most encouraging. I do have RAC cover and I do NOT have ABC! I find the ride with the more basic suspension just fine. The car had all the roof workings and seals replaced just prior to my ownership (previous owner left it outside and the boot leaked and ruined the lot apparently) and I've had the expense of the braking system pump (or whatever it is exactly) replace about 2k miles ago (nearly £2k) so I'm hoping I'm going to be OK. I keep the car garaged generally and on an intelligent charger, otherwise I do get messages about reduced systems like not being allowed to operate the roof.

Thanks again and happy to hear more!

Ah missed the V6 bit!
Definitely use it.
For comparison... We have an old 2001 E Class. We bought it with 114k miles on the clock and it's now 165k. Most of those miles are to and from the southwest of France (we have a holiday home there).
It's been superb.
I also have a 129. That has been to Montpellier and across to Avignon and does the trip to the southwest of France every year. That has 144k miles and is now 28 years old.
I used to use a Smart Roadster all the time. With over 100k miles on the clock it not only did a trip to Chamonix but another trip to central France as well as another to our holiday home.

 

[s5tuart]

My R129 had regular trips to Portugal.
no breakdown cover needed
It was indestructible!

 

[Paul Garrett]

no cons on a well maintained car.

Eg. My w220 is from 2004 and been maintained regardless of cost. done 68k miles.
for a long trip of 800 miles (Nottingham-Munich) there is nothing I am more happy, confident and reassured to get in for a non stop (bar fuelling drives).
Mercs are made by Germans and they (the cars) are happiest on long drives!

Yes they are the perfect car for a long drive esp driving over to the continent , driving my W220 in Germany felt like it was coming home and was very happy on the autobahn

 

[Garista]

I got my 1990 300 SL after it spent over a year in a field due to the pandemic. I drove it from London to south Burgundy no trouble.