Practically NO MAINTENANCE ever!!

[radiovic]

Was told a story today (having been telling a few colleagues about my impending purchase) about a 2004 e320 cdi estate with 200,000 miles + on the clock

Apparently its owned by a farmer locally----who has barely spent a penny on the car after the 1st year of ownership---im told its had no more than 2 or 3 oil changes in the last 100,000 miles!! and thats about it --no money spent on anything else---either it breaks and he doesn't bother/he can live without the broken function or it's still working!

Its never washed and regularly tows a large horsebox type trailer

It looks a mess but is mostly rustfree --- and is in daily use for all purposes

i was glad to hear this---makes a refreshing change from the usual tails of doom and gloom and shows what a neglected Merc can still be capable of

Made me think to of all the Mercs in less advanced countries that seem to plough on regardless despite minimal maintenance ---on a holiday in Tenerife all the taxis were Mercs many having in excess of 400,000Km on the clock

cheers
Vic
DERRY NI

 

[allias]

Trouble is that weather does own this to cars. You can find cars with 0.5 mln miles but those had more then just a penny for maintnance.

In countries down south you find high milage with no problems and cars will be in better condition. No cold start, no rust, better roads, not so many trucks...

 

[grober]

I'm afraid I don't believe this sorry. It tows a horse box and has never had the brakes discs and pads renewed for an MOT ? Maybe hasn't graced the hallowed portals of a Mercedes dealer but being a farmer DIY or " service by barter" is distinct possibility? Someone's having a laugh I think.

 

[JohnDeere8530]

being a farmer myself I can believe it. I own a lot of vehicles and as such have a full time mechanic who does all the servicing/repairs. This is done routinely either by computer in the vehicle flagging it up or chart on workshop wall.

My house keeper has a Honda Accord (1996) it is owned by me, therefore the servicing is done by the farm. Looking back at the servicing records apart from oil changes, brakes and tyres (4 sets) it has never ever had any other work done to it. Even has the original wiper blades, exhaust and bulbs !

This car is used daily has to drive 1 mile each way up a muddy rutty farm track covered in corrsosive cow muck and at present it has done 172,367 miles.

Pretty good going I think, only a Jap car is capable of such a feat, my Merc, Audi, Range Rover & BMW are nowhere near as reliable

 

[markjay]

Can you please post the registration mark of said vehicle?

Just want to make sure I don't by it second hand by mistake!

 

[Colin_b]

A few years ago I knew an old chap who had an elderly base model 190. It was used just for pottering around town, so old but not a high mileage. He did all his own maintainance, but as cheaply as possible. He didn't believe in dealers!

He never use new parts when second hand was available, repair rather than replace, that sort of thing. Fair enough, his wartime upbringing, I guess.

The odd thing was oil. Regular changes, fine.. but the old oil was poured in demijohns, allowed to settle for a year or so. Then carefully decanted and re-used. Some had at least 3 or 4 uses. Struck me as false economy, but the car didn't seem to mind.