Titivating my Mercedes 124
Discussion
RoverP6B said:
OK, so more like 900 quid all-in... a bit more expensive, but considering what some people spend on running newer cars, it still doesn't seem the S124 has cost you that much to keep running all these years. What's the mileage on it now?
It's coming up to 374,000 miles. All in it costs 32p per mile. Since I started keeping records just over three years ago, it has done 66,000miles at a total cost of £21,000 of which fuel was £11,500 (at 31mpg).
That includes tax, insurance, tyres, service and repairs, fuel and unnecessary impulse purchases with only a vague connection to the car and limited practical utility (snow chains, ski holders, that sort of thing).
I'd say the 124 is as close to indestructible as cars get. If it's still good mechanically, the rest can be sorted out, as long as any rust is nipped in the bud - and even if the drivetrain dies, that can be replaced too... this car is a little piece of history in its own right, and if ever you decide to let go of it, I'm sure others would gladly take it on. 31MPG doesn't sound great for a diesel though... I wonder how much worse an E320 would be?
I ran a 320 TE for a couple of years before this one and it gave me 21 or 22mpg. I had to fill it up every three days, it was a total bore.
My wife gets 35mpg out of it. But my driving is either heavy traffic or pressing on a bit too much. I think the economy tails off quite sharply over 85mph. Certainly, when I have run it through France at a steady 100 with the roof box on the economy has been woeful.
My wife gets 35mpg out of it. But my driving is either heavy traffic or pressing on a bit too much. I think the economy tails off quite sharply over 85mph. Certainly, when I have run it through France at a steady 100 with the roof box on the economy has been woeful.
r129sl said:
I've ordered a new tailgate (£397 plus VAT) and handle (£30 plus VAT). They arrive at the end of the week. I'll leave it with the Man on Friday. And with a bit of luck it will be ready next week in time for a family trip to Bath and back the weekend after next.
Thankfully my 1979 SLC is fitted with those old-fashioned parking indicators. They work really well, but I have to remember to give them a chance to get back in the passenger seat before I drive off.olly22n said:
r129sl said:
It's coming up to 374,000 miles. All in it costs 32p per mile.
Since I started keeping records just over three years ago, it has done 66,000miles at a total cost of £21,000 of which fuel was £11,500 (at 31mpg).
That includes tax, insurance, tyres, service and repairs, fuel and unnecessary impulse purchases with only a vague connection to the car and limited practical utility (snow chains, ski holders, that sort of thing).
So 9.5 grand for 3 years and 66k? Sounds cheap to me.Since I started keeping records just over three years ago, it has done 66,000miles at a total cost of £21,000 of which fuel was £11,500 (at 31mpg).
That includes tax, insurance, tyres, service and repairs, fuel and unnecessary impulse purchases with only a vague connection to the car and limited practical utility (snow chains, ski holders, that sort of thing).
I’ve just been reviewing the costs of running the cars:
190 is 27p per mile and since June 2015 has covered 45,500miles.
124 is actually nearly 32ppm and has covered 65,000 miles.
210 is 30ppm and has covered 21,000 miles in a little over a year.
129 is an excruciating 61ppm and has done less than 26,000 miles Since June 2015.
190 is 27p per mile and since June 2015 has covered 45,500miles.
124 is actually nearly 32ppm and has covered 65,000 miles.
210 is 30ppm and has covered 21,000 miles in a little over a year.
129 is an excruciating 61ppm and has done less than 26,000 miles Since June 2015.
That is about 60,000miles a year. There are two drivers (me and my wife). We have two commutes of 30miles each way (I am always late so she prefers to commute without me). I cover a lot of miles for work. We drive on holiday: last year saw Provence, French Alps, Wester Ross, Shetland and northern Germany. We drive places at weekends. We live in Northumberland: everything is a long way away and driving is so easy here.
Here's the sunset in Northumberland tonight:
Here's the sunset in Northumberland tonight:
We took the car up to Gleneagles in early June where my brother was hosting the whole family for the weekend. Between the two of us I think we had the fastest and the slowest, priciest and cheapest cars in the car park. Although the concierge was extraordinarily complimentary about the Merc. Both of us felt somewhat non-U, seeing as neither car is a grey SUV with black wheels.
r129sl said:
I’ve just been reviewing the costs of running the cars:
190 is 27p per mile and since June 2015 has covered 45,500miles.
124 is actually nearly 32ppm and has covered 65,000 miles.
210 is 30ppm and has covered 21,000 miles in a little over a year.
129 is an excruciating 61ppm and has done less than 26,000 miles Since June 2015.
The moral of this story is that you need to drive the 129 more.190 is 27p per mile and since June 2015 has covered 45,500miles.
124 is actually nearly 32ppm and has covered 65,000 miles.
210 is 30ppm and has covered 21,000 miles in a little over a year.
129 is an excruciating 61ppm and has done less than 26,000 miles Since June 2015.
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