W124 question

[bpsorrel]

Had this crazy idea....

I fancy getting a diesel (300?) W124 coupe and using it to drive to and from our usual holiday destinations (Europe, Russia) instead of the horendous flying esperience.
Also, I could then sell the Nissan and not keep a car in Russia any more.

But, would a 124 coupe be up to this type of thing? For the rest of the time it would be garaged and just run occasionally to keep it going ok.

Am I mad? (in a coma or travelling in time... - Life on Mars quote, couldn't resist! )

 

[Smiley]

that is quite a crazy idea as there is no such thing as a diesel w124 coupe
Saloon + estate but no coupe or cabriolet in diesel form.
Why not use an estate; you could sleep in the back.
The flying experience may not be great but London - Moscow driving experience wont be fantastic either; esp in the winter.

 

[wemorgan]

I feel that a well maintained old car should be reliable for that journey.

But is your body as equally well maintain for the experience of driving all the way to Russia!?

In all seriousness, if you're planning on only driving 4-6 hours a day then it could be an enjoyable experience. I'd like to visit Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine et al, having a car would make that easier for you to do on the way.

 

[blondebier]

How many times a year would you do this?

Have you done the drive before? I'd probably drive it in your modern equivalent first and if you like that then think about the W124 option.

If it were me though I think I'd take the plane every time...

 

[SilverSaloon]

as with others, no diesel coupe.

why a diesel in particular and why a w124?

A W124 would do it with ease and just as good, if not better than a modern equvalent though.

 

[Sorry Pete]

It can (and has been done):

[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-CXjr1Bij9I&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-CXjr1Bij9I&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

And you're not crazy, I've thought of doing this myself. I've also thought of putting-on a Garret/Holset turbo as the 12v 300D is not the fastest. But I would take the plane

 

[219]

Nah ! Get a black W126 or W140 , black out the windows and drive down the middle of the road with your headlamps on full beam and everyone will assume you're a Godfather of the Russain Mafia

 

[grober]

I reckon the best bet would be the straight 5 cylinder DIESEL unit found in the CLK/E CLASS/ML/JEEP CHEROKEE lighter and easier to fit than a st6 / V6 with plenty power/good economy.

 

[kth286]

could have the LPG gas added providing refill stations on your routes.

running cost equivalent to 40 mpg in UK

 

[bpsorrel]

Why the 124? Well, I saw so many in Lisbon in great condition and rode in a few well used taxi 124s which really impressed me! Also, I really want a classic car and one that could possibly do the drive. I thought there was a diesel coupe, but I stand corrected on that one! Driving to Russia and having the car there would mean I could sell the car that is garaged there and also sell the garage (which are worth a fortune mow!). MBs are well respected in Russia and gives some street cred too! Am I up to it? In small doses, yes! I was thinking a few years back of driving a car to our place in Russia and selling it 'till I found out how much the import tax is! So yes, I think doing the drive would be fun - probably from Finland and down through St Peterburg to Moscow region and on to Vladimir. It's do-able, but I'm not sure if the 124 could cope? Had thought about a CLK too (and even a Volvo C70 D5..), but I really like the 124 coupe and the comfort level inside!

 

[Smiley]

Without any more than putting some winter tyres on my 212k mile 124 I would head off tomorrow confident that I would arrive in Moscow. I would be more concerned about my stamina to keep going than the car's ability to get there!

 

[Smiley]

ps have you thought about a beaten up old Lada or Volga you could blend in with the locals then.

 

[bpsorrel]

ps have you thought about a beaten up old Lada or Volga you could blend in with the locals then.

I had - for about 10 seconds! Being able to go for more than a few miles without breaking down is quite important to me! :bannana:
We have a friend in Russia who has a 90s Volga and I think he repairs it almost everyday!!

Actually, to blend in with the locals where we stay I'd need a BMW X5...

 

[Smiley]

I had - for about 10 seconds! Being able to go for more than a few miles without breaking down is quite important to me! :bannana:
We have a friend in Russia who has a 90s Volga and I think he repairs it almost everyday!!

Actually, to blend in with the locals where we stay I'd need a BMW X5...

....with 23 inch wheels, blacked out windows and a blue light on the roof?

Only a few years ago I had a ride in a 3 year old 40k km Volga and it was really really unbelievable; the gearbox crashed into gear, the transmission whined, the engine misfired and would not idle, one window was jammed open, one of the rear doors would not open, the heater was jammed on full, it overheated, exposed wiring to the stuck on (a la 1960s morris minor) heated rear window, it wandered around the road, it was touch and go whether we would make it to our destination. The owner had bought it new but did say that it was already 3 years old when he bought it - been sitting in stock unsold (wonder why).

 

[bpsorrel]

Yeah! The quality of those cars (and Ladas) is trully appalling! That's why the Koreans and even Chinese are getting a strong hold in the Russian car market now. We have a good friend who has always been a die hard Lada buyer, loyal, patriotic, whatever you want to call it, but for years only bought Ladas. This year, he changed cars and bought a Hyundai! Even he'd had enough of the c**p dished out by Russian car companys! I hope for the sake of all those thousands of car workers in the Volga region that Renault can turn around the build quality before it's too late! (somehow I doubt it - Russians are not the best workers in the World! "It'll do" is the motto there!!!)