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I am new to the Forum, and looking for your thoughts.
Here is my situation. I was looking for an affordable MB for my daily commute on the notoriously bad New Jersey roads. I was scanning through Craigslist and came across an ad for a mint condition, ultra low mileage 1995 E320. The pictures posted showed a flawless car with just 39k miles. I bought the car without even having seen it, just based on the information and pictures the owner had shared with me. The story goes that the original owner was a physician in PA who babied the car, always garaged it under cover, and it appears that the car has rarely, if ever has seen rain. I bought it of a MB service advisor who bought it of the original owner. All services have been done by the book, albeit I have no documentation, just the word of the previous owner. The car was stored under cover at the MB dealership.
Now, here's my problem. When I picked up the car I could not believe the condition of the car. For a 39k miles car it is absolute immaculate. It is totally stock, unmolested, the front seats have been covered with custom made seat covers. There is not a scratch in the interior wood or paint, everything works as it should. It's just a total time capsule. The engine bay is spotless. There is the factory grease and stickers all over, apparently never been touched or cleaned or even exposed to any forces of nature. Wow, it's a total collectors car and should really be placed into someone's collection.
I am so amazed by the condition that I really don't want to drive the car on NJ's road as my daily driver and commuter. Given the conditions of the NJ Turnpike, 78 and other major roads I'm taking, this beauty will disintegrate in less then 12 month and will just be another beaten up NJ car with all its pains and flaws.
So here's my question to the forum and MB lovers. Should I keep the car and drive it daily as intended, or should I sell the car, preferably to a true collector to preserve this beauty for future generations?
I am a big MB fan, and it would break my heart to sell this unique car. What does the forum recommend I do?
I know of one with 15,000 KM, kilometers not even miles.
The low mileage unicorns exist.
These are well built, it won't fall apart that quickly. The suspension will get beat up but the bushings are rubber and will need servicing anyhow. Just wash it often in the winter.
Post some pictures! Maybe someone will be tempted to take it off your hands.
After I've driven the car for almost a week now, I have decided to keep the car. It is such a pleasure to drive, and I have had so many compliments that I would curse myself later if I were to sell it.
As suggested by ptoro01, I will take good care of the car, and hope that NJ will be easy on its paint and body. And I will stay away from supermarket parking lots and similar "hazards".
I will very likely change the front speakers out and possibly have the iPod upgrade done to the radio. Other than searching for some AMG Monoblocks I will leave everything else stock.
I look forward to go to a local meet in Spring and will post some better pictures once I have washed and detailed the car. This may be a few weeks down the road though.
Car looks great and I think you made the right decission.
As I am in the market for one myself, and being German and therefore very ****, looking for a W124 E320 in excellent to pristine condition myself, would you mind me asking what you paid for this car?
I would drive it all the time.
Easy enough to put a thick coat of wax on it and treat the underbody to survive the winter attack. and if you clean it off (rinse the salt) you will not find that much damage from the winter salts on the road.
I wouldn't use it as a daily. Too many disposable cars around to be had for next to nothing to ruin this one on the East coast. Old cars, even when immaculately preserved age quickly when subjected to regular duty.....almost like they catch up to their actual age. I've seen it happen many times. Keep it as your weekend ride...or at least summer only ride. I saw that car for sale and was tempted.
02-06-2017, 09:39 PM
