I plan to go for a trip (6 hours one way) and have to decide to take my w209 or get a car rental.

There was an old saying that it's good to drive the car for a long trip to "clean the system". Is there any truth to this? In the last 2 years, I do usually local short trip with this car.

 

Not sure how much it really helps. Some people still do what are called Italian tune-ups to get cars to run better. But I think the idea was to burn off carbon deposits, which modern engines with quality gas don't get a lot of. But even so, why rent a car? I've taken mine on several trips of 1,500 miles each way.

 

Yes, I remember now, the Italian tune up.

Less wear and tear on my own car. Also, I will save gas for this 1,200 KM trip. This will be a mundane 5-hour drive each way.

 

I buy cars to drive. Why would I want to rent an appliance when I can drive what I chose? as for the "Italian tune-up", well, I do that in my daily commute.

 

The Italian tune up is probably a myth or maybe for older cars.

I personally do not mind to rent for these road trips. I make this trip often and the wear and tear do add up. Also, depend on the rental, sometimes half the rental cost can be accounted for by the better gas mileage of the rental (usually a 4 cylinders). During the trip, I just set the cruise control to 110-120 kmh all the way.

 

The Italian Tune-up is not really a myth. In the old days, with carburetors and fixed valve timing and no gasoline additives, running an engine at WOT with high RPMs and keeping the temperatures up would help burn off deposits and keep the furthest travel points of the cylinder walls in contact with the piston rings. Nowadays, modern injection systems, adjustable valve timing, and fuel additives, engines don't really need this to clean out deposits, but is still good to exercise all the moving parts to their full travel ranges.

 

2 people sure go for it. The 209 is a reliable car if well upkept. However if you have 4 people then no. I buy cars to drive them. If you cannot drive your CLK then fly.

 

I'd say go for it.

I used to not drive my W209 all the time to save the miles but then I came to my senses. If I don't drive it, it just sits there and collects dust. Depreciation already takes it toll on the car, so why not just drive it until the wheels fall off?

I drive it everywhere now! It's a great car.

As for the "Italian tune-up", I redline my car a few times a month just to make sure things are working. Also, so I could hear my exhaust note

 

Agreed. This trip will not qualify as Italian tune up because there will not be any high-rev driving in this trip.

Also, there is no forecast for snow in the destination so I will drive my car.

 

That's when you slow down a little and go full throttle up to the speed limit and let off hahaha

 

Wrong thread delete please

 

I have driven mine from Houston to Des Moines twice now 2k round trip each time never any issues. I like driving on the Kansas turn pike and if you have the distronic cruse you will like that.