Car for euro road trip

[Will]

Seen it, nice but probably quite juicy, will do my mate with more cash though

What's your honest guess of the fuel consumption of an LS400 out of interest (no googling/cheating).

One of the most fuel efficient cars that I have owned for it's size

Leagues ahead of old-school 80s MBs in that respect.

Will

 

[st4]

What's your honest guess of the fuel consumption of an LS400 out of interest (no googling/cheating).

One of the most fuel efficient cars that I have owned for it's size

Leagues ahead of old-school 80s MBs in that respect.

Will

Early 20's to the gallon, teens when driven hard

 

[buccal]

When did you have an LS Will?

 

[Tiff]

This would be the sort of thing I'd be after...

Mercedes 300D A Legend! For Sale (1989) on Car And Classic UK

 

[Tiff]

Mercedes 230TE (W123) 7 Seater Estate For Sale (1981) on Car And Classic UK



Beeeeautifooool!
WANT!

SKINT

 

[Stratman]

£500 ^^^

 

[Lugy]

Buy my W140 In Kosovo you'll get mistaken for a mafia member

Failing that buy a SAAB 9000 Aero, yes it is FWD , get the turbo rebuilt to 18T spec by Turbo Technics (£300 approx), get a 3" JT exhaust (£300), a nice big FMIC (£120), maybe some Seimens Deka injectors (£150) and finally a T5 suite map to Stage 4/5ish (£14.99 ). You could get bits cheaper if you shop around. After that you'll have something with 340-350BHP/400lb/ft, on the move most things will struggle to keep up with it, it'll probably go quite a bit faster than 155MPH on the 'bahn, it'll be comfy - Aero seats could well be the best seats ever fitted to any car - and it'll still have a ginormous boot.

 

[Adam230K]

Early 20's to the gallon, teens when driven hard

On motorways (which you will be doing) mpg can go as high as mid 30's. As with any V8.

But then again, if you got a cheap diesel, you'd be achieving 50 mpg etc. so its your call.

 

[trapperjohn]

Agree with Stratman. Very tempting at 500. Space, pace and style.

 

[Will]

When did you have an LS Will?

Years ago! Weird car, bought on a whim.

It was back in about 2003/2004 from memory.

Was a really nice clean one too

Will

 

[LTD]

Agree with Stratman. Very tempting at 500. Space, pace and style.

.... and needing some TLC.

Hardly the greatest start for a road trip is a broken car.

 

[trapperjohn]

Its only broke a bit! I know a very nice man who does head gaskets

They can do the TLC when they get back, and just think the head gasket would not go on the way there or back.

Might just have a punt myself.

 

[Sp!ke]

I had a fab time doing a road trip across Europe a couple of years ago in my old W123. Despite its age it lapped it all up and didnt miss a beat.

Cost a whole load in fuel though.

Here it is on a beach in Montenegro. The car hides its size well (yes that is a full length roofbox) I removed the middle row of seats for the trip and installed a fridge in its place.

They all drive W123's in Eastern and Central Europe so you'll find lots of experienced bush mechanics as well as a surplus of second hand spares should you ever require the need.

 

[Howard]

There's a Mutant Ninja Turtle with a surfboard on its head looking over the boot !

 

[219]

They all drive W123's in Eastern and Central Europe so you'll find lots of experienced bush mechanics as well as a surplus of second hand spares should you ever require the need.

And remember a W126 is just a BIG W123 . There are so many common parts all over the cars - anyone who can fix a 123 will be equally at home working on a 126 .

 

[peterg1965]

What a great thread. ***, I envy you for having the opportunity to do such a trip. I would love to as well but I am probably 20 years too late, unless I do it in my 50's!

Good luck, whatever car you choose and whatever route the trip takes you.

 

[Iain]

Mercedes W123 280TE Estate. Exceptional condition For Sale (1983) on Car And Classic UK
Shame it's a tad dearer than what you want to pay!

 

[219]

It may just be the pictures , but that car looks as though it may be sitting a bit low at the back end suggesting possible problems with the SLS . Having had three of these cars ahd had to replace rotten hydraulic pipes on all of them , I'd be wary of this possibility .

It does look very nice though .

 

[lynall]

Your miles per day on non motorway will be very low.

We just did nearly 2k germany and back motorway everywhere and whilst mpg was ok at 29 the average speed was 53mph and this was 75/80 all the time., probably stopping every 100 miles or so for a break.

Plus doing 300/350 miles a day is pretty bloody boring.

We did another 600 or so miles after pic was taken and i think mpg dropped to just under 29.

Youve got to drive the 113 v8 pretty slow to get over 30mpg but it is possible.




Lynall

 

[BTB 500]

We drive to the South of Germany and back at least once a year using motorway all the way. As Lynall said, you are unlikely to average much more than about 60 mph.

Example - if you do 300 miles at a constant 75 mph, just two 15 minute stops will drop the average speed to 66 mph.

In reality you will never maintain high speeds for long periods of time ... you do get traffic (even overnight, when we travel) and roadworks etc. These further affect the average speed.