Casualty of northeast temperature fluctuation
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
most people who buy a lemon also don't drive it for 13+ years and over 100k miles before they decide to sell it.
but no, maybe he's right.
there is no car in the world that would have any of those things go wrong with it after being a daily driver for over a decade, especially living in a part of
the country with weather that gets bad enough to crack his dash.
as for your seats and steering wheel, how often did you treat them with leather care products? they're exposed to the sun, heat, cold, UV, and you've gotten in and out of your car over 20,000 times since you bought it, but the leather should have been able to hold up like new, you're right.
and the kicker is how dare mercedes not realize that cellphone technology would change, and that they should do something about your analog cellphone! i mean now that i think about it, they should have foreseen the fall of the tape and rise of the CD, and upgraded our stereos for us too! good call brah, i'm about to e-mail some customer service reps. or maybe i'll morse code them, they may not have foreseen that in the future there would be phones or-email..?
this car is so far from 'bullet-proof', it should be no problem to put a slug
through the engine block and call it a day, and spare us this misery.
you're so masochistic with this car, i'm surprised you don't drive around
wearing a leather gimp mask with a rubber ball strapped in your mouth.
SELL IT ALREADY!
but no, maybe he's right.
there is no car in the world that would have any of those things go wrong with it after being a daily driver for over a decade, especially living in a part of
the country with weather that gets bad enough to crack his dash.
as for your seats and steering wheel, how often did you treat them with leather care products? they're exposed to the sun, heat, cold, UV, and you've gotten in and out of your car over 20,000 times since you bought it, but the leather should have been able to hold up like new, you're right.
and the kicker is how dare mercedes not realize that cellphone technology would change, and that they should do something about your analog cellphone! i mean now that i think about it, they should have foreseen the fall of the tape and rise of the CD, and upgraded our stereos for us too! good call brah, i'm about to e-mail some customer service reps. or maybe i'll morse code them, they may not have foreseen that in the future there would be phones or-email..?
this car is so far from 'bullet-proof', it should be no problem to put a slug
through the engine block and call it a day, and spare us this misery.
you're so masochistic with this car, i'm surprised you don't drive around
wearing a leather gimp mask with a rubber ball strapped in your mouth.
SELL IT ALREADY!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 826
Likes: 4
From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
Come on you guys, don’t be mad at me.
I’m not miserable and I am not a hater. The car really was pretty good for the first 10 years. I’m just chronicling my experience. I said, “I am sure these things happen in other cars too, so I really should not be surprised”. You guys get so mad. I admit that when I first realized how many things were going bad for me I did get a bit frustrated, but I think I am past most of that now. In fact it really is getting to be funny how many things are wrong with my car. It still goes, so I’m driving on for now.
Maybe I did get a lemon, although I have seen virtually all of these things chronicled by others on many forums. Maybe I was just unlucky to get all of the problems. The wiring harness is associated with certain years, so that alone could have been avoided by purchasing an earlier year. I also said in the first post that if I had MBTex I wouldn’t have the leather problems. The head gasket seems to happen to all of the straight sixes, but I could have avoided that by getting a V8. The phone thing is kind of silly, but I do wish Mercedes had made a plug and play digital replacement of some kind. It seems like it would have been easy to do. Maybe I just got the wrong W124. Maybe you guys really should feel sorry for me and not make me feel so bad about having a bad W124.
I do have to say that my problems are not from poor maintenance. The car was always garaged, exterior was always waxed, a custom fitted sunshade from Mercedes was always in the window, the interior was always clean and I even treated the leather with Leatherique or simple leather wipes. All maintenance was done on time by the books at a big dealership, until about 96K miles, when it seemed they had lost their usefulness. I don’t think it is my fault that my car is self-destructing! Please don’t blame me. Actually, that was part of my frustration. I thought the car should be doing better, considering how well it was taken care of. I was wrong.
I think you guys are being mean to me.
Maybe I did get a lemon, although I have seen virtually all of these things chronicled by others on many forums. Maybe I was just unlucky to get all of the problems. The wiring harness is associated with certain years, so that alone could have been avoided by purchasing an earlier year. I also said in the first post that if I had MBTex I wouldn’t have the leather problems. The head gasket seems to happen to all of the straight sixes, but I could have avoided that by getting a V8. The phone thing is kind of silly, but I do wish Mercedes had made a plug and play digital replacement of some kind. It seems like it would have been easy to do. Maybe I just got the wrong W124. Maybe you guys really should feel sorry for me and not make me feel so bad about having a bad W124.
I do have to say that my problems are not from poor maintenance. The car was always garaged, exterior was always waxed, a custom fitted sunshade from Mercedes was always in the window, the interior was always clean and I even treated the leather with Leatherique or simple leather wipes. All maintenance was done on time by the books at a big dealership, until about 96K miles, when it seemed they had lost their usefulness. I don’t think it is my fault that my car is self-destructing! Please don’t blame me. Actually, that was part of my frustration. I thought the car should be doing better, considering how well it was taken care of. I was wrong.
I think you guys are being mean to me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
What's in Des Moines, business or pleasure?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
Ksing, we aren't being mean, most of us are just tired of your threads that voice only displeasure with the W124 ON A W124 FORUM. How do you expect us to react?
All of us have issues with our W124's but we don't post on EVERY problem like you do. We WANT to keep our cars so we ask how to fix them here, fix the issues and move on. Those of us that don't, move on to other brands and join those forums. Which guy are you?
Maybe you should watch the Secret
All of us have issues with our W124's but we don't post on EVERY problem like you do. We WANT to keep our cars so we ask how to fix them here, fix the issues and move on. Those of us that don't, move on to other brands and join those forums. Which guy are you?
Maybe you should watch the Secret
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
Ksing, we aren't being mean, most of us are just tired of your threads that voice only displeasure with the W124 ON A W124 FORUM. How do you expect us to react?
All of us have issues with our W124's but we don't post on EVERY problem like you do. We WANT to keep our cars so we ask how to fix them here, fix the issues and move on. Those of us that don't, move on to other brands and join those forums. Which guy are you?
Maybe you should watch the Secret
All of us have issues with our W124's but we don't post on EVERY problem like you do. We WANT to keep our cars so we ask how to fix them here, fix the issues and move on. Those of us that don't, move on to other brands and join those forums. Which guy are you?
Maybe you should watch the Secret
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
I’m not miserable and I am not a hater. The car really was pretty good for the first 10 years. I’m just chronicling my experience. I said, “I am sure these things happen in other cars too, so I really should not be surprised”. You guys get so mad. I admit that when I first realized how many things were going bad for me I did get a bit frustrated, but I think I am past most of that now. In fact it really is getting to be funny how many things are wrong with my car. It still goes, so I’m driving on for now.
Maybe I did get a lemon, although I have seen virtually all of these things chronicled by others on many forums. Maybe I was just unlucky to get all of the problems. The wiring harness is associated with certain years, so that alone could have been avoided by purchasing an earlier year. I also said in the first post that if I had MBTex I wouldn’t have the leather problems. The head gasket seems to happen to all of the straight sixes, but I could have avoided that by getting a V8. The phone thing is kind of silly, but I do wish Mercedes had made a plug and play digital replacement of some kind. It seems like it would have been easy to do. Maybe I just got the wrong W124. Maybe you guys really should feel sorry for me and not make me feel so bad about having a bad W124.
I do have to say that my problems are not from poor maintenance. The car was always garaged, exterior was always waxed, a custom fitted sunshade from Mercedes was always in the window, the interior was always clean and I even treated the leather with Leatherique or simple leather wipes. All maintenance was done on time by the books at a big dealership, until about 96K miles, when it seemed they had lost their usefulness. I don’t think it is my fault that my car is self-destructing! Please don’t blame me. Actually, that was part of my frustration. I thought the car should be doing better, considering how well it was taken care of. I was wrong.
I think you guys are being mean to me.
Maybe I did get a lemon, although I have seen virtually all of these things chronicled by others on many forums. Maybe I was just unlucky to get all of the problems. The wiring harness is associated with certain years, so that alone could have been avoided by purchasing an earlier year. I also said in the first post that if I had MBTex I wouldn’t have the leather problems. The head gasket seems to happen to all of the straight sixes, but I could have avoided that by getting a V8. The phone thing is kind of silly, but I do wish Mercedes had made a plug and play digital replacement of some kind. It seems like it would have been easy to do. Maybe I just got the wrong W124. Maybe you guys really should feel sorry for me and not make me feel so bad about having a bad W124.
I do have to say that my problems are not from poor maintenance. The car was always garaged, exterior was always waxed, a custom fitted sunshade from Mercedes was always in the window, the interior was always clean and I even treated the leather with Leatherique or simple leather wipes. All maintenance was done on time by the books at a big dealership, until about 96K miles, when it seemed they had lost their usefulness. I don’t think it is my fault that my car is self-destructing! Please don’t blame me. Actually, that was part of my frustration. I thought the car should be doing better, considering how well it was taken care of. I was wrong.
I think you guys are being mean to me.
It seems to look great on the outside. Pretty low miles...you could probably sell it and get another one similar on EBay for a couple thousand more. It wouldn't be the same color, but then you are probably tired of looking at it by now, anyway. Do you have an idea how much money you would have to spend to fix it to the condition you desire? Maybe it's not that much.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
2007 GL500, 2007 E280
If your over your w124, Buy another car you said it treated you good for 10 years and thats great 
But when things start to go wrong continuesly its time to bail, If you still like the W124's buy another one if not buy a 3 Series like you said you would.
No Point on Dwelling and feeling self pity for yourself that your car has so many problems with it
Get on with your life and do something about it
But when things start to go wrong continuesly its time to bail, If you still like the W124's buy another one if not buy a 3 Series like you said you would.No Point on Dwelling and feeling self pity for yourself that your car has so many problems with it
Get on with your life and do something about it
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
I thought we chased this stuff out a long time ago.
Fix it, or quit it. Pay to play (Zorro?). Just please leave, you are not adding to these forums whatsoever. As you stated, many of the problems you have are well documented on these forums, you found them! SO USE THEM! Fix it one more time, and another, then again, or lets say until the enthusiast thinks everything is fixed; that is never. I feel bad that you want to quit on her, if anything sell it and buy a another one. However Hondas and Toyotas seem like they suit you perfectly, then again...thats just me...
Fix it, or quit it. Pay to play (Zorro?). Just please leave, you are not adding to these forums whatsoever. As you stated, many of the problems you have are well documented on these forums, you found them! SO USE THEM! Fix it one more time, and another, then again, or lets say until the enthusiast thinks everything is fixed; that is never. I feel bad that you want to quit on her, if anything sell it and buy a another one. However Hondas and Toyotas seem like they suit you perfectly, then again...thats just me...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,494
Likes: 17
From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
May will be twenty years from when I purchased my 300CE new.
Mechanically other then normal maintenance and performance mods, I had the head gasket replaced.
Other failings were the gears in the seat belt presenter and in the odometer.
Car has not been garaged for eighteen years...leather as new, woods refinished and paint very respectable.
One thing about the W124 is that it will always be more noticeable then a Honda Accord
Mechanically other then normal maintenance and performance mods, I had the head gasket replaced.
Other failings were the gears in the seat belt presenter and in the odometer.
Car has not been garaged for eighteen years...leather as new, woods refinished and paint very respectable.
One thing about the W124 is that it will always be more noticeable then a Honda Accord
Last edited by RBYCC; Feb 5, 2008 at 09:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 826
Likes: 4
From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
Since adjusting to the fact that my car is simply getting pretty old and it is deteriorating, even though it is a W124, I decided I needed to change my philosophy about maintaining my car. For the first 10 years, I tried to keep everything just like new. I can be quite fastidious about things, including my car. I spared no expense and was a dedicated detailer. After I saw the error of my thinking, I decided I needed to adjust to the facts. I decided I would try to avoid fixing things unless it was absolutely necessary. I will provide a list of examples that I hope will illustrate my change in thinking.
1. I have a leaky AC compressor, but I made it through last summer with a recharge and I don't need it for the winter so I didn't replace it yet. I will try again to make it through the summer with only a recharge, rather than replacing the compressor right away.
2. My transmission slips, but I managed to adjust the vacuum modulator and the Bowden cable to firm up the shifts and get by so far without a rebuild. before I changed my approach, I listened to the dealer and had them replace all the leaky seals. I was stupid. Now I have a leak free trans that slips and needs a rebuild. What a waste!
3. My head gasket and front timing cover leak, but I can simply add a little oil on occasion and keep a cardboard sheet under my car in the garage. I don't have oil in my coolant and I don't seem to be blowing white smoke out the exhaust, so I am waiting until it gets worse. Who knows how long I can go. My friend's 190E went 60K miles or more with oil in the coolant and he made it to over 300K miles.
4. My wiring harness is clearly in bad shape, as can easily be seen at exposed areas of the wires. Since I don't have to move it around on a daily basis, I have been hoping it will be OK until it has to be replaced when I have to fix the head gasket and timing cover.
5. I had to replace the exhaust, but I went with an aftermarket replacement for half price rather than being absolutely determined to maintain my car like it just came from the factory. My Indy was the one that reminded me that my car was getting old and that it might not be worth it to spend the money for a factory exhaust.
6. I fixed the steering wheel with shoe heel repair. It is OK, although I would have gone for a new burl and leather wheel back before I changed my thinking about maintaining the car.
7. The phone, well I unplugged it the other day since all analogue service was discontinued in January 2008. I will have to get a traditional cell phone like the rest of the world. I can even get a Nuvi 360 with Bluetooth and a compatible digital phone to move into the modern world. I just have to get accustomed to the idea that I have an overhead phone command center that is useless. I guess nobody else will ever realize that it is broken or even what it was for.
I guess all of this is a little like adjusting to the fact that I am 52. I am no longer a competitive college wrestler. I would likely not be able to complete an Ironman race in the same time I did back in 1988. I can’t squat and deadlift 500+ pounds like I did when I was 21 years old. I can still do some things better than many or even most, but physically I am not what I was when I was young. The only thing that gets better as I am getting older is how great I think I was when I was young. Let me see, how much could I bench when I was young and how fast could I run those quarter mile repeats or mile repeats?
As for not contributing, well I think my list above is contribution on its own, but to really evaluate my contribution you would have to look back over at least 6 years on this forum and as many as 8 years or maybe more on other similar forums. It took me a couple of years to find these forums after I found my car.
You know I owned a 1984 Ford E350 4x4 for almost 20 years. I sold it to a friend for his business and I still see it driving around. The truck had a big-block 460 V8 motor and an old fashioned 4-barrel carburetor. I had to replace the carburetor. The paint was fading on that too. I did have low miles, but considering it was a FORD (Fix Or Repair Daily), not a W124, that thing was pretty good.
1. I have a leaky AC compressor, but I made it through last summer with a recharge and I don't need it for the winter so I didn't replace it yet. I will try again to make it through the summer with only a recharge, rather than replacing the compressor right away.
2. My transmission slips, but I managed to adjust the vacuum modulator and the Bowden cable to firm up the shifts and get by so far without a rebuild. before I changed my approach, I listened to the dealer and had them replace all the leaky seals. I was stupid. Now I have a leak free trans that slips and needs a rebuild. What a waste!
3. My head gasket and front timing cover leak, but I can simply add a little oil on occasion and keep a cardboard sheet under my car in the garage. I don't have oil in my coolant and I don't seem to be blowing white smoke out the exhaust, so I am waiting until it gets worse. Who knows how long I can go. My friend's 190E went 60K miles or more with oil in the coolant and he made it to over 300K miles.
4. My wiring harness is clearly in bad shape, as can easily be seen at exposed areas of the wires. Since I don't have to move it around on a daily basis, I have been hoping it will be OK until it has to be replaced when I have to fix the head gasket and timing cover.
5. I had to replace the exhaust, but I went with an aftermarket replacement for half price rather than being absolutely determined to maintain my car like it just came from the factory. My Indy was the one that reminded me that my car was getting old and that it might not be worth it to spend the money for a factory exhaust.
6. I fixed the steering wheel with shoe heel repair. It is OK, although I would have gone for a new burl and leather wheel back before I changed my thinking about maintaining the car.
7. The phone, well I unplugged it the other day since all analogue service was discontinued in January 2008. I will have to get a traditional cell phone like the rest of the world. I can even get a Nuvi 360 with Bluetooth and a compatible digital phone to move into the modern world. I just have to get accustomed to the idea that I have an overhead phone command center that is useless. I guess nobody else will ever realize that it is broken or even what it was for.
I guess all of this is a little like adjusting to the fact that I am 52. I am no longer a competitive college wrestler. I would likely not be able to complete an Ironman race in the same time I did back in 1988. I can’t squat and deadlift 500+ pounds like I did when I was 21 years old. I can still do some things better than many or even most, but physically I am not what I was when I was young. The only thing that gets better as I am getting older is how great I think I was when I was young. Let me see, how much could I bench when I was young and how fast could I run those quarter mile repeats or mile repeats?
As for not contributing, well I think my list above is contribution on its own, but to really evaluate my contribution you would have to look back over at least 6 years on this forum and as many as 8 years or maybe more on other similar forums. It took me a couple of years to find these forums after I found my car.
You know I owned a 1984 Ford E350 4x4 for almost 20 years. I sold it to a friend for his business and I still see it driving around. The truck had a big-block 460 V8 motor and an old fashioned 4-barrel carburetor. I had to replace the carburetor. The paint was fading on that too. I did have low miles, but considering it was a FORD (Fix Or Repair Daily), not a W124, that thing was pretty good.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,734
Likes: 65
From: Hotlanta
AMG
I'd rather be in St. Croix, trust me. Do you scuba? Sorry our paths won't cross this time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,734
Likes: 65
From: Hotlanta
AMG
FWIW, "being mean" and teasing are two different things in my book. I hold no ill-will towards you or anyone else that decides to chronicle their ownership experience.
But, if you're serious about feeling bad, whining on an MB forum to MB enthusiasts is yet another lesson in futility. HEY! I think I may have pinpointed your issue.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
Since adjusting to the fact that my car is simply getting pretty old and it is deteriorating, even though it is a W124, I decided I needed to change my philosophy about maintaining my car. For the first 10 years, I tried to keep everything just like new. I can be quite fastidious about things, including my car. I spared no expense and was a dedicated detailer. After I saw the error of my thinking, I decided I needed to adjust to the facts. I decided I would try to avoid fixing things unless it was absolutely necessary. I will provide a list of examples that I hope will illustrate my change in thinking.
1. I have a leaky AC compressor, but I made it through last summer with a recharge and I don't need it for the winter so I didn't replace it yet. I will try again to make it through the summer with only a recharge, rather than replacing the compressor right away.
2. My transmission slips, but I managed to adjust the vacuum modulator and the Bowden cable to firm up the shifts and get by so far without a rebuild. before I changed my approach, I listened to the dealer and had them replace all the leaky seals. I was stupid. Now I have a leak free trans that slips and needs a rebuild. What a waste!
3. My head gasket and front timing cover leak, but I can simply add a little oil on occasion and keep a cardboard sheet under my car in the garage. I don't have oil in my coolant and I don't seem to be blowing white smoke out the exhaust, so I am waiting until it gets worse. Who knows how long I can go. My friend's 190E went 60K miles or more with oil in the coolant and he made it to over 300K miles.
4. My wiring harness is clearly in bad shape, as can easily be seen at exposed areas of the wires. Since I don't have to move it around on a daily basis, I have been hoping it will be OK until it has to be replaced when I have to fix the head gasket and timing cover.
5. I had to replace the exhaust, but I went with an aftermarket replacement for half price rather than being absolutely determined to maintain my car like it just came from the factory. My Indy was the one that reminded me that my car was getting old and that it might not be worth it to spend the money for a factory exhaust.
6. I fixed the steering wheel with shoe heel repair. It is OK, although I would have gone for a new burl and leather wheel back before I changed my thinking about maintaining the car.
7. The phone, well I unplugged it the other day since all analogue service was discontinued in January 2008. I will have to get a traditional cell phone like the rest of the world. I can even get a Nuvi 360 with Bluetooth and a compatible digital phone to move into the modern world. I just have to get accustomed to the idea that I have an overhead phone command center that is useless. I guess nobody else will ever realize that it is broken or even what it was for.
I guess all of this is a little like adjusting to the fact that I am 52. I am no longer a competitive college wrestler. I would likely not be able to complete an Ironman race in the same time I did back in 1988. I can’t squat and deadlift 500+ pounds like I did when I was 21 years old. I can still do some things better than many or even most, but physically I am not what I was when I was young. The only thing that gets better as I am getting older is how great I think I was when I was young. Let me see, how much could I bench when I was young and how fast could I run those quarter mile repeats or mile repeats?
As for not contributing, well I think my list above is contribution on its own, but to really evaluate my contribution you would have to look back over at least 6 years on this forum and as many as 8 years or maybe more on other similar forums. It took me a couple of years to find these forums after I found my car.
You know I owned a 1984 Ford E350 4x4 for almost 20 years. I sold it to a friend for his business and I still see it driving around. The truck had a big-block 460 V8 motor and an old fashioned 4-barrel carburetor. I had to replace the carburetor. The paint was fading on that too. I did have low miles, but considering it was a FORD (Fix Or Repair Daily), not a W124, that thing was pretty good.
1. I have a leaky AC compressor, but I made it through last summer with a recharge and I don't need it for the winter so I didn't replace it yet. I will try again to make it through the summer with only a recharge, rather than replacing the compressor right away.
2. My transmission slips, but I managed to adjust the vacuum modulator and the Bowden cable to firm up the shifts and get by so far without a rebuild. before I changed my approach, I listened to the dealer and had them replace all the leaky seals. I was stupid. Now I have a leak free trans that slips and needs a rebuild. What a waste!
3. My head gasket and front timing cover leak, but I can simply add a little oil on occasion and keep a cardboard sheet under my car in the garage. I don't have oil in my coolant and I don't seem to be blowing white smoke out the exhaust, so I am waiting until it gets worse. Who knows how long I can go. My friend's 190E went 60K miles or more with oil in the coolant and he made it to over 300K miles.
4. My wiring harness is clearly in bad shape, as can easily be seen at exposed areas of the wires. Since I don't have to move it around on a daily basis, I have been hoping it will be OK until it has to be replaced when I have to fix the head gasket and timing cover.
5. I had to replace the exhaust, but I went with an aftermarket replacement for half price rather than being absolutely determined to maintain my car like it just came from the factory. My Indy was the one that reminded me that my car was getting old and that it might not be worth it to spend the money for a factory exhaust.
6. I fixed the steering wheel with shoe heel repair. It is OK, although I would have gone for a new burl and leather wheel back before I changed my thinking about maintaining the car.
7. The phone, well I unplugged it the other day since all analogue service was discontinued in January 2008. I will have to get a traditional cell phone like the rest of the world. I can even get a Nuvi 360 with Bluetooth and a compatible digital phone to move into the modern world. I just have to get accustomed to the idea that I have an overhead phone command center that is useless. I guess nobody else will ever realize that it is broken or even what it was for.
I guess all of this is a little like adjusting to the fact that I am 52. I am no longer a competitive college wrestler. I would likely not be able to complete an Ironman race in the same time I did back in 1988. I can’t squat and deadlift 500+ pounds like I did when I was 21 years old. I can still do some things better than many or even most, but physically I am not what I was when I was young. The only thing that gets better as I am getting older is how great I think I was when I was young. Let me see, how much could I bench when I was young and how fast could I run those quarter mile repeats or mile repeats?
As for not contributing, well I think my list above is contribution on its own, but to really evaluate my contribution you would have to look back over at least 6 years on this forum and as many as 8 years or maybe more on other similar forums. It took me a couple of years to find these forums after I found my car.
You know I owned a 1984 Ford E350 4x4 for almost 20 years. I sold it to a friend for his business and I still see it driving around. The truck had a big-block 460 V8 motor and an old fashioned 4-barrel carburetor. I had to replace the carburetor. The paint was fading on that too. I did have low miles, but considering it was a FORD (Fix Or Repair Daily), not a W124, that thing was pretty good.
I would just continue to fix the little things and drive it, or trade it in- but don't expect more than about $4500 on trade. Now, that puts things in perspective. What other car can you buy for $4500 that would be better than what you have?
