Who's got the most miles???

[Grey Ghost]

Let's find out whose 123 has accumulated the most mileage.

My car's clock just turned 158,000 miles, making her one of the young uns (under 8,000 miles per year for her former owner). I've driven her 13,000 miles in the last four months I've owned her.

As special recognition, the member with the most miles will be granted special recognition in the 123 Character Club (whether or not their car has a name)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

1985 300dt (w123133);
My Donka too is a young Lady.
She is just 19 years of age and has travelled 288K miles.
She really wantis her 500K badge.
Her engine is virgin except fro timing chains and alternator brushes/regulator.
Naturally she has had the regular brake and suspention service.
Her exhaust is still the stuff she came to the party with.
She demands to have hands on with clay and No. 26.
She has never given me 30 mpg in town so we settle for 22.
She is a teetotaler and has NEVER tasted motor oil.
Me thinks me go to her house(garage) on rub her with her California Dust Mop.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman on The Gulf Coast, Don :p :p :p

[zak]

My red baron (euro, 4spd) has only 138k miles and all is original.Except the rust.
I had a 1979 300TDT that had just over 300k miles when the rust got to be too much for my wife to handle.

[Robby Ackerman]

369,000 miles on our '83 300 D. Our son is using it at med school and drives it between our Virginia home and Cambridge, MA. The car looks good and everything on it works.

[GrayStar]

Well, I just may have the least with only 96,000 miles on my 1983 300D Turbo Diesel. It looks just as young too. Brag ! Brag!

[VLayton]

"Heidi" my 1981 300TD has 352,169, due to rise again soon.

"Madeleine" my 1985 300TD has 243,xxx and counting daily.

The rest is boring, but over 1.1 million miles sit in my coral.


Vince

[Grey Ghost]

Vince Layton has TWO fine ladies in his stable

I nominate him to be another Charter Member of the 123 Character Club

[Grey Ghost]

Robby and Vince - congrats, you two are the high-mileage leaders presently

Is there a practical mileage limitation for these cars? What tends to go first (that's too expensive to justify fixing)?

[Grey Ghost]

tell us more about your 300D...you and sbiggers should get together (see Diesel Discussions under the topic "Tire Rotation" -- he just bought a 300D with only 59,000 miles!!!)

[Grey Ghost]

Sokoloff has 340,000 miles on his trusty 240D! (read it in another thread). What's interesting about that mileage is that it's ALL HIS.

So far, the "mileage hound" award belongs to Robby A...

[Grey Ghost]

here's a post from a thread in the spring of 2004:

Re What makes the 123 diesels sooo nice

I too love the 123. I purchased my first in 1993. It had 123K miles on it. I still own it, and it now has 437K miles on it. My kids learned to drive in this car. I now own a second (Same year and model) I have put over 100K on it. It's been 11 years in the same model and make and I still love it. I also agree with you 100% regarding repairs. For the most part it is a joy to work on.


__________________
G. Roy

[4point5]

207k on my 84 300TD. With a new pair of hydro pneumatic struts in the rear, I am ready to hit 400k...

JAS

[VLayton]

In my humble opinion, one never can reach a point where there is no justification for more w123 money, unless there is more than 35% surface or 5% structural rust. Previous MBs have gone 3/4 a million on the first engine, rebuilt and exceeded 1.3 million! It's easy to spend $7000 on rebuilding or buying a new engine, isn't it that much wiser of an investment if you know you can easily get 300k if you care for it? They say the average car costs it's owner $0.501 per mile. It seems to me one could pour $40,000 into a w123 every 100,000 miles (which would take great effort or carelessness) and still come out "average".

Vince

[docphiliowa]

"Little Jerry" (1983 240D) just turned 385,000 miles on my way to work two days ago.

I have an application in for the "500,000km" badge, and will proudly post a pic here when it arrives.

[Johnson Chan]

My 84 300D turbo has 130,xxx or so miles.

My 92 300D 2.5 turbo has 360,xxx or so miles. <-- Got totaled in a car accident 1 month ago, insurance didnt want to put money into it. So the 123 will be driven more from now on.

[familydieseldr]

Our 1983 300TD has 330,000, I drive it almost every day, expect to get to 500k in about 2020.

Our 1985 300SD has 250,000, not driven too much any more, probably give it to the daughter when she gets old enough to drive it.

FamilyDieseldr

[batwing54s]

I have an 83 300TD that is just about to turn over to 66,000 (count'em) miles. I've owned the car for 18 months and got it with 54,000 miles. It seemed too fantastic to beleive, but with the car came some the records and I called one of the dealers noted in the maintenance manuals and verified it with the service department.

The car came from the desert southwest and was in almost flawless condition when I got it. Wheel wells and doors appear as I expect they did in '83. The paint is original as is the interior. My mechanic claims he changed the original refrigerant in the a/c to the modern refrigerant. I put new tires on it in December '03.

[Grey Ghost]

let's see some pictures of that beauty....must be oh-so sweet!

in washing the Ghost this past weekend I noticed several new rust spots forming...most disturbing...

[oldsouth]

1995 S350 - 278,000 Purchased new
1998 E300D - 118,000

[D.L. SWINFORD]

Donka II is so Full of CHARACTER and sweet
He only has 288K miles he is so neat
I drive him every day
just to keep him my way

Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don

Until Then Joy

D.L. Swinford, Chairman of 123 Character Club
Your Moderator :p :p :p

[JoshuaJeeper]

My poor little white 1985 300TDT has 201K miles on it but the previous owner thrashed this deprived W123. At 187K, I rebuilt the engine because he thought that this diesel could do 12,000 miles without an oil change and every bearing but one disinigrated and I am rebuilding the transmission right now due to it being run on zero vacuum and ran dry twice (that I know of *raises eyebrow*). But this car has been a trooper and is going strong. I'm applying for my first badge now!

Also if anyone has a palamino colored cargo carpet for cheap, please let me know.

[Grey Ghost]

what is your car's name?

Spiderman, you are too much! It's great to have you back on the Forum!!

[JoshuaJeeper]

The previous owner called it the weisel wagan (wine hauler + diesel), but my girlfriend frequently calls it "the ambasader" (still not entirely sure why). As for myself, I haven't come up with a suitable name for this bulletproof vehicle I've aquired.

[Grey Ghost]

once you settle on a name, let us know...I'm pretty sure we could float you into the 123 Character Club on the basis of your protective attitude towards that fine machine of yours

[JoshuaJeeper]

I shall keep the 300TD's name of the "Ambasador" since I have the meaning behind the name now. I find it very suitable and the name falls under a more "personal" meaning to back it up (which I shall keep to myself).

Thank you for your interest including me in the club! How does the "Ambasador" and I join!

Long live the W123 diesel!

[Grey Ghost]

you're in...very little (actually no) resistance encountered. In light of your circumstances, we have waived all of the usual fees and required paperwork!!

Next time you're driving through Spring, Texas, give a BEEP BEEP for our Chairman, Don (Spiderman) Swinford

[H-townbenzoboy]

My 300D has 346K miles registered on the odometer, but it works intermittenly, so it really has more than 346K.
-Joe

[Richard Jordan]

Our '83 has 211,000 miles and the '87 has only 180,000. My father in VA owns an '85 300D with 356,000. Our plan is to give our daughter (13) the '83 when she learns to drive. Then "daddy" gets to go buy a R107 SL.
On the subject of names for cars. We simply call them the blue one and the white one. The color/shade of the blue one matches the color of our house, which has white shutters and trim which matches the '87.

[BPWolfe]

1981 300TD
347k miles, 250K badge
Runs fine but the aluminum trim needs polishing!

Brian

Owner of "The Tank"

[Grey Ghost]

BPWolfe is the newest member of the 123 Character Club (see thread)

[Robby Ackerman]

If anyone knows how to polish that aluminum trim let me know.

[Sysco Kid]

The best temporary solution I have found is
a touch of wd-40 on a rag. I really hides the oxidation

[GrayStar]

Robby....Sorry for this late come-back, but I was a little busy the past few months. I found a product called TRIM SHINE. It is manufactured by Stoner, 1070 Robert Fulton Highway, Quarryville, Pa. 17566 AKA www.trimshine.com. Like anything you put on that oxidized aluminum, it will not last forever. However, it will last for about two or three weeks. It comes in a spray can so all you need to do is spray some on a clean cloth and apply. This is the best I found to date. It also works on vinyl, plastic and rubber.This product is good for new trim since it protects trim from UV sunlight and enviromental damage. If you have questions, their number is 717-786-0804 Mon.-Fri.,8am-5pm ET. I hope this helps.

[heavyrunner]

I bought this car from the original owner with 144,000 miles on it in 1993. It has never left me stuck except for once when the battery was low because of a poor replacement alternator I had to put in because it was the only thing avaliable in the remote Big Smoky Valley of W Central Nevada.

I have 380,032 miles on it now. I just replaced the injectors for the first time and it runs great!

If anybody can give me some advice about finding someplace that can get the front end aligned correctly I would greatly apprediate it. Mercededs in Las Vegas can't seem to get it right, even though all my suspension parts, including coil springs have recently been renewed.

The driveline became worn and ran wobbly at about 340,000 miles. That was difficult to diagnose, and I had to get a driveline from a custom rebuilder, as Benz does not consider that as a rebuildable part.

[Elias Viking]

Anyone have any special tips on how they got over 300,000.


Elias Viking

[H-townbenzoboy]

If anyone knows how to polish that aluminum trim let me know.

Try PB Blaster. One of my forum members found it at Advance Auto Parts and has a picture of how it worked.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1250347&posts=12&fid=10

[Raven]

My Daughters MB has 285,000 looks brand new looking into fixing trans

[VLayton]

My Daughters MB has 285,000 looks brand new looking into fixing trans


Good testimonial for newer diesel motors. See, it just takes time to rack up that many miles, 14 years. In 2020 I expect there will be accounts of CDIs hitting quarter/one-third million plus. (But by then the W123's Will have 35-45 years of experience and may have lapped a million........ twice! AH HA HA HA HAA!!!) :p

[Paul Persico]

83 300D Turbo.

Paul Persico

[Grey Ghost]

Paul, good to hear from you my friend, and I am on one knee in awe of your mileage. I will update your number in the 123 Character Club.

[Robby Ackerman]

Well I'm up to 383,000 from 369,000 when this thread started.

[oldsouth]

I'm over 300,000 as well. See signature line. Will be applying for the 500,000 kilometer medallion soon! :)

[Grey Ghost]

well done, men! While I'm approaching 200,000, GG is still a babe compared to these veritable road warriors. Anyway, another update for the 123 Club (Robby's). Note that having a super hi-mileage 123 is one of the ways you can gain admission without bestowing a proper name on your oil burner...

p.s. sorry OldSouth, but your car is too recent for membership!

[mgburg]

Hey, Heavyrunner (Re: Post #34 - 02-25-2006):

You might want to check to see if the bearings are properly tightened (King-nut & cotter-pin). I had a '69 Chevy that didn't take any alignment well until it was found that the bearings weren't "torqued" properly. REGARDLESS of the parts replaced and how intensive the "alignment procedure" you'd go through, if the hub isn't set-up/tightened onto the front spindles properly (i.e.: slop, wiggle, etc...), no matter what procedures are performed and parts replaced, you're chasing your tail trying to get the car to go straight. Any reputible (sp?) "front-end" shop should be able to fix you right up. The procedure shouldn't take more than 20 minutes. Once the bearings are "torqued" properly, THEN you can do an alignment. Not before.

Good luck. :D

[Paul Persico]

Update on my 83 300D turbo mileage. My mileage just passed the 453,000 mile mark and the car still runs strong and starts fast.


Regards
Paul Persico

[Masonball]

1979 300D with 446,xxx. It's running pretty strong, and it's for sale.

[omegabenz]

I bought my 1983 300CD with 450,000 miles on it sept 2000, then I sold it in March of 2008 with about 515,000 miles on it. Car was perfect, I never got around to doing all the badges, but I really took care of that car well.