THE_Liam's Mercedes thread - New Benz!

[THE_Liam]

The Focus isn't more powerful, 2bhp less lol...but then it does only have half your engine size.

I've already seen DV6s on 250k+ lol, modern cars can be just as reliable if they're looked after, even the ones people tell you are unreliable.  However it'll never see 30 years old, its just a midrange family hatch...will get scrapped at around 10-15 years old due to being uneconomically viable to fix as parts and labour are so expensive these days.  Money no problem you could keep a modern car going just as long imo...  

But back on topic, I honestly didn't realise diesels were so bad on fuel back then, why did anyone bother buying them!?  Been cheaper to run a petrol surely.

2 reasons, diesel was cheaper than petrol in Europe, and shocking though it may sound Tom, this is still the most economical W124. The 200E is about equal power wise, and will do 22-23mpg round town and maybe 35mpg on a run, but it's coarse and needs revving hard to shift a big car like this, the 230E isn't much better and gets 1-2mpg less.The 260E and 300E are six cylinder cars and far better to drive, but both will struggle to beat 18mpg in town and 30mpg on a run. This will do better on fuel than a 200E but it's still quite smooth and refined. If you're used to modern four cylinder DI engines you'll be shocked at how smooth an old six cylinder IDI is.

Even my smaller, lighter, manual 1.8 petrol 190E has never seen more than 37mpg, and averages about 22mpg round town. Old Mercedes are not economical cars, but the fact that in 11k and a year, ignoring servicing (which all cars need) mine owes me £77 in maintenance does help. The quality of these things is staggering and that's why I love them. 

However, the lively, connected feel of a well set up Peugeot on a B-road is why I love them, so I need both.