W115 240D..aka the 2nd mercedes.

[matyas]

Well, I have been back in Hungary for a month and a half (I am from Hungary, just living in Finland), and I had a chance to drive my mother's car. The car is a w115 240D (originally a w114 with a 2.8 double carb engine, later refitted with a 2.4 Diesel, and had a manual transmission installed due to the silly automatic gearbox...as some of you have probably noticed from the pictures...). I know you are not allowed to post your relatives' cars, but I think this deserves a place here.

The car is superb. No way around it, I fell deeply in love...and broke my heart again when I came back to Finland I started driving it to work on the basis of "I will use it rarely"...which later hooked me so badly, I didn't even want to take the tram/bus ever again It's not an especially powerful car, but it still goes quite well. Not to mention, in Budapest most guys drive above the speedlimit while I like to stay within it. In this car, only the most moronic drivers honked at me...everyone let me in. It was a really nice experience. I would love to bring the car to Finland, but I can't afford the transportation costs...and I would rather get a car straight from Finland (w126).

Anyway, after driving this car I came to 3 great conclusions:

1. I will cry a little inside if I can't drive a pre 1990 mercedes. I miss my 280SE

2. I cannot look at an ecobox without thinking "WHY??...You could have done so much better, for less money...ah well, the more for me!"

3. I would rather make cuts on food, women, computers...a lot of things, than not owning a car like this.

3 and 1/2. I hate Finnish insurance. Insuring the 240D is around 40e for a year, tax is around 10e a year in Hungary. Insuring the 280SE was 1200e for a year in Finland.

And now the pictures:














And now...some engineering pornography:

The roof-opening hook:


The original radio (working...the lining under the glovecompartment needs work):


The engine:


And one last shot for all you skeptics out there:

Car + my phone:

[Jupix]

Originally Posted by matyas

I hate Finnish insurance. Insuring the 240D is around 40e for a year, tax is around 10e a year in Hungary. Insuring the 280SE was 1200e for a year in Finland.

That is a bitch, but you can take a pre-1977 and have it registered as an oldtimer. That should cut down on costs. The first W126's will be oldtimers in two years.

[matyas]

Originally Posted by Jupix

That is a bitch, but you can take a pre-1977 and have it registered as an oldtimer. That should cut down on costs. The first W126's will be oldtimers in two years.

Museoajoneuvo = oldtimer? If so, you can only drive it 30 days a year. In Hungary there is no limit, as it is assumed that they aren't daily drivers.

[Jupix]

Originally Posted by matyas

Museoajoneuvo = oldtimer? If so, you can only drive it 30 days a year.

No one keeps a record of your driving.

[matyas]

Originally Posted by Jupix

No one keeps a record of your driving.

Neighbours might

[argatoga]

Originally Posted by matyas

Neighbours might

http://forums.finalgear.com/question...icament-39135/

[Jupix]

Originally Posted by matyas

Neighbours might

Just don't tell them it's registered the way it is

[Der Stig]

Originally Posted by matyas

Story of my life- sans insurance issues, but I trade that for parking space

I sympathize with you very much. I just need a big, graceful diesel sedan (or coupe- only sold in the US though) in my life. I've always wanted one and this summer, I passed over several (although crude) examples. This coming summer, however, I will have a larger budget. I hope you can find an example as nice as that one, or your W126.

[public]

http://www.nettiauto.com/mercedes-benz/230/2807641

How do you like this W123? It's, uh, a bit Metallic Pea, but looks rather sturdy.

[matyas]

Originally Posted by Jupix

Just don't tell them it's registered the way it is

Wouldn't they notice from the black plates?

And Public, I really like the w123, but for that money, I would rather save 600e more and buy a w126. However being an unemployed teekkari (technical student), it's pretty much on hold right now.

[Jupix]

Originally Posted by matyas

Wouldn't they notice from the black plates?

I refer you to an earlier post about this.

[Posmo]

Originally Posted by matyas

Wouldn't they notice from the black plates?

And Public, I really like the w123, but for that money, I would rather save 600e more and buy a w126. However being an unemployed teekkari (technical student), it's pretty much on hold right now.

The black plates don't signify a museum registration. They are just plates that you can get for cars pre-71. You can have a museum registration with standard white plates.

[Spectre]

Originally Posted by matyas

2. I cannot look at an ecobox without thinking "WHY??...You could have done so much better, for less money...ah well, the more for me!"

You are by no means alone in thinking that. And the more you discover the real bargains of the car market, the more you'll think that.

[sifu]

bargains? in Finland.. not likely

[matyas]

Maybe not the kind that Spectre is getting, but you can get an awful lot of car for 4000e...no need to buy a 18,000e new eurobox.

[zookiemike]

YOUR KILLING ME!

I had a 76 4spd 240 d that had 76k on it when i was about 18.

Not many know about the starting knob

[matyas]

And even less know about the reverse gear, or what the "salter" is for

[Posmo]

W114/W115 dials give me orgasms. It's a shame that yours has the newer style ones. They still look fantastic though

[Donington]

Sweet! I love old Mercs so much, and the colour is lovely and retro. Well, actually It looks just like that Merc the political prisoner gets bundled into at the start of Call of Duty 4 but that's all good.