Driving automobiles





MERCEDES-BENZ – Experiences with early '70s models?

I’m looking into buying an early ’70s 200 series Mercedes, and I have some
questions.

1. How reliable are these cars? Of course they are Mercedes, but everyone
   has a run of lemons now and then.

2. How much do they generally cost to maintain? Are repairs rare but
   expensive? Frequent but cheap? Frequent but expensive? How about routine
   maintence?

Thanks in advance,
Graham
’69 VW Squareback

Graham E. Thomas                  *  Nacho, Nacho Man!
Georgia Institute of Technology   *  I wanna be, a Nacho Man!
Internet: grah…@oit.gatech.edu  *      - Homer Simpson  

posted by admin in Uncategorized and have Comments (3)






3 Responses to “MERCEDES-BENZ – Experiences with early '70s models?”

  1. admin says:

    In article <2usapo$…@phantom.oit.gatech.edu>,
    grah…@phantom.oit.gatech.edu (Graham E. Thomas) writes:

    I’ve had two 200 series mercedes from the early 70′s, In my family
    when I was growing up. They where a 4.5 V-8, and a 6.? V-8, both
    where exceptional.

    They weighed well in excess od 4,000Lbs, but could still easily blow
    off Corvettes and the like :)  I’m not sure of the top speeds
    probably no greater than 135 for the 4.5, and 145 for the 6.?

    We had both cars for approx 4 years, they NEVER broke down,
    misbehaived, or gave any sort of trouble.  From what my parents tell
    me they were expensive to service, but were only serviced as required
    by the manual, never anything unscheduled.

    Sean Alexander

  2. admin says:

    kmor…@advtech.uswest.com (Kevin Morgan) writes:
    >I am thinking about buying a 93 Mustang Cobra, it only has 3500 miles on
    >it.  The previous owner put larger tailpipes on it and performance shocks
    >and springs for the suspension.  Any mustang owners perceive this as a
    >smart purchase since 93 was the first year they came out with this model
    >and it has the old body style?  BTW they are asking $20,000, I looked and
    >the blue book is only $14,500.      
    >Kevin

    I wouldn’t buy it. If they put performance stuff on it, they probably
    voided the warrenty. They are asking way over blue book. It only has
    3500 miles on and they may have flooged the crap out of it before it
    was properly broken in. Your choice, man but I wouldn’t do it. For
    $20,000 you could get one of them new fangled Z28s brand new.

  3. admin says:

    In article <kmorgan-290694111…@hyatt.advtech.uswest.com>  
    kmor…@advtech.uswest.com (Kevin Morgan) writes:
    > I am thinking about buying a 93 Mustang Cobra, it only has 3500 miles on
    > it.  The previous owner put larger tailpipes on it and performance  
    shocks
    > and springs for the suspension.  Any mustang owners perceive this as a
    > smart purchase since 93 was the first year they came out with this model
    > and it has the old body style?  BTW they are asking $20,000, I looked  
    and
    > the blue book is only $14,500.    
    > Please e-mail all comments and suggestions back. thanks in advance.

    > Kevin

            Only a Ford fool would pay $20,000 for a cobra.  The Cobra is  
    kinda rare for that year, and I suppose that would make it a good  
    investment.  However, for $20,000 you could get a Firebird Formula with  
    275 horses.  I don’t look at a Cobra driver and think "wow – what awesome  
    exclusivity he has.  I’ll never see one of those again."  Remember, you’re  
    only dealing with a horsepower increase of 25, so now it’s 240.  Still  
    pretty weak for anything more than $15,000 (used).  One thing though – the  
    stock cobra sounds good – terrific exhaust note- so the one with larger  
    pipes might sound even better.  I’d say talk him down and then think about  
    it.
                    Good Luck
                                            Mike