Note : Posts moved from the
W124 purchase thread Distance covered: 12,000 KM (in about 21 months of ownership – translates to a healthy 20 km per day average – I have been using it almost everyday!)
The Best Thing about the Car: The attention it draws to itself and that 3 pointed star!
Case-in-point: I had parked the car near the Worli seaface in a no-parking spot. When I came back, I found the traffic policeman and his tow truck standing next to the car. He said that they had towed away 3 cars parked next to mine, but decide not to tow mine away because the fender might get damaged!! I paid the fine (100 bucks) and thanked the man for his concern!
The Worst Thing about the Car: The attention it draws to itself and that 3 pointed star!
Case-in-Point: I have had the 3 pointed star stolen 6 times so far. I’m normally a person of calm disposition, but seeing my car vandalized gives me the murderous intent that a fidayeen would be proud of. I have successfully caught a gang of school kids who were trying to take the rear monogram off my car, and handed one of them to the local police station. I did not make a report, but hopefully, scared the kids enough.
Trips made: I have traveled to Hyderabad (a 1600 km roundtrip), Goa (a 1300 km roundtrip), Mahabaleshwar (Twice), Alibagh, and more than 5 times to Lonavala.
Fastest I’ve been: 190 kmph
Average Mileage: I’ve been religiously keeping a track of the mileage and I am satisfied. In winter, when I don’t use the AC much, it averages 7.6 kmpl whereas the summer average drops to 6.8 kmpl. On the highway, with the AC on, it averages a healthy 10.6 kmpl. For a car that weighs nearly 2 tons, I’d say that’s decent.
Modifications/Additions: Absolutely nothing. Period.
Big repairs: Apart from initial hiccups soon after I bought the car (battery needed to be replaced, fan clutch also – total cost 11k), the car hasn’t sprung any big surprises on me yet.
On the return journey from Hyderabad, the ignition coil system developed some problems and the car started vibrating heavily at low RPM as only 2 cylinders were firing. With over 400km to go and absolutely no workshop nearby (it was a Sunday and even the Pune workshops were closed), I drove on with only 2 cylinders. It is truly to the credit of German engineering that the car could make it all the way to Mumbai (cruising comfortably at 120 kmph on the expressway, in fact!). I then took the car to Autohanger who gave me an estimate of 36k for getting the car fixed. Not believing these chaps, I waited for my usual mechanic to come back to town, and he had a look and fixed the car for 800 bucks (yes, 800 rupees only!!).
Apart from that, I’ve had the car serviced twice, each time on average costing about 13k (including car waxing and complete interior cleaning (steam/polish/vacuum etc)). Recently, I had the main rear suspension bushes changed because of the noises (included in the servicing cost). For a 13 year old Mercedes, I am very happy with these kinds of costs! (knock on wood)!
Gripes: - I am not very happy with the hardness of the clutch. My mechanic tells me its natural for a car that’s 13 years old and has run as many km as it has. Beckham would be proud of my left foot’s muscles now
- The engine is noisier than I’d like it to be, and I’ve had many people enquire whether it’s a diesel. Interior noise is much lower though. However, it does have a nice growl when you floor the pedal
- The insurance covers only 50% of pretty much everything that can break in the car; because of its age (glass, rubber, plastics are 50% anyway!). It’s very frustrating.
- There’s an irritating creaking noise that comes from the driver’s side A-pillar. I will get to the bottom of it soon.
- The doors were a big let down for me. They are unusually hard to close and the hinges creak a bit despite a lot of greasing. Apparently, a common problem with this model – Can anyone confirm this?
- Power windows keep developing some problem or the other. I’ve given up now.
- The number of times I’ve had monogram’s stolen is seriously not funny (the damned things cost 1.5k each!!)
- Mumbai’s weather seems to be causing problems with the paintwork after 13 long years – I noticed some corrosion near the tire well and in some other nooks. I have got the areas painted and am keeping a close eye on the issue.
Likes:- The car seems to go UP in value with time! I’ve received offers above my purchase price!!
- The simplicity of design and the lack of unnecessary electronics make it super reliable (It hasn’t let me down yet!).
- Mechanically, this is a tank. The engine is bulletproof and I’ve driven it for 400km with only 2 cylinders firing. Unbelievable. It’s also pretty sprightly for a car its size and age. I recently timed a 0-100 kmph run at 11 odd seconds.
- I can never feel safe in any other car on the road now. Honestly, I feel that one could drive this thing into a wall and emerge unharmed. The fact that it still continues to be one of the safest cars in the world is great to know. On the highway, its weight is a great advantage as it stays planted at high speed. The braking is also expectedly top-class, as I’ve had the opportunity to find out!
- When I bought the car, I was told that the ICE was only a tape player. After about 3 months, when I was getting the wheel’s balanced, I was sitting down on the floor next to the boot when I noticed, to my utter delight, a 10 CD changer stuck deep inside the roof of the boot! Woohoo!!
- I’ve heard my friends and family say that the rear seat is to die for. I believe them. However, no way I’m letting go of the steering anytime soon
- I love the AC. It’s very effective and I sometimes need to switch it off, even in summer. The dual climate zones thing doesn’t seem to work though – something I need to fix