Slightly Off Topic, Other cars

[peterm]

Seems that a lot of us have other daily drivers, are they mostly mercedes or are there other passions?  Lets hear what else is in the driveway.  BTW the average Autoweek reader owns 5 cars

Peter M

02 Carrera c4s
00 s430
98 ML 320
93 Audi 90cs

[hauser]

My '69 280sl only sees the outside of the garage if weather permits. Depending on what I have to do that day determins what I will drive. If I have to haul something I use my 1990 Toyota 4X4 extra cab. If I want something sporty then my 1995 E320Coupe. The family hauler is a 2003 Honda Odyssey with the DVD entertainment package. Excellent for the kids! Or my former family wagon a 1999 ML320.

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[n/a]

We subscribe to Car Craft, so we only have three headaches-on-wheels. At least they're all rag tops.

'86 VW Cabriolet - the high-gas-price heap
'68 280 SL - the medium-gas-price heap
'68 Olds 442 - the low-gas-price heap. 7.5 liters and 500 foot pounds of pure fun!

We did recently come close to buying an early ('83) Porsche Cabriolet, and I think one will join the stable eventually (mainly to replace the VW). There's one non-convertible in the woodpile I'm not mentioning, but it's really my college-aged son's bomb.

I'll attach a pic of the two 68s. The VW, BTW, just happens to be  red.

John

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John Livingston
Newport News, VA
1968 280SL 4 speed manual

[n/a]

Our daily drivers are a 2000 VW Eurovan and a 2003 Chevy Silverado.  The two MBs, a 2004 230 SLK and the 1965 230 SL sit in the garage until the time is right.  Although recently my wife is driving the SLK more and more because, as she says, it gets better mileage [:p].

Dan

1965 230 SL Euro 4 speed
2004 230 SLK

[SL113fan]

- '70 280SL
- '73 1800ES Volvo
- '79 450SEL
- '80 635CSI Euro BMW

The 450 has the best ride/handling tradeoff (in my opinion), while the 1800 is the most all-around fun to drive (excluding all of the attention it gets).

[mdsalemi]

Ford Taurus
Ford Escape

(Wife works for Ford...)


Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[n/a]

we've got 2 dailies, a 2002 saab 9-5 aero sedan, and a 2000 saab 9-3 viggen conv, both cars are the top of the saab line with emphasis on sporting characteristics.  The other car is a 1967 saab sonett II 43'rd of only 258 made, this car has a fiberglass body, and a 2-cycle engine, oil injected, maybe 67 horsepower, but only 1500 lbs, so it is a very sporty car to drive.

All cars in our stable have manual transmissions, if that says anything.  We've been thinking of adding a 69-73 911 S targa, preferably a 73 1/2 car, if we locate the right one....

many photos at http://www.eigs.net including the barn that houses the old cars, and 2 massive projects, one is a kitchen romodel of our 1811 dutch colonial farmhouse, the other is moving an even older barn to an adjacent property.



-Lewis


66 230 sl 113042-10-016238
67 saab sonett II #43 of 258
00 saab 9-3 viggen conv
02 saab 9-5 aero

[Jonny B]

Still shy of the Autoweek average but:

1967 250SL Auto
1999 SLK 230 5speed
2001 E320 4 matic wagon
2002 Mini Cooper S 6 speed - tag "ITS A GAS" and it really is!




Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Malc]

Er
1962 MGA
1974 BMW 2002Tii
1974 BMW 3.0Csi (in rebuild process)
1988 Saab 900 16v (Her in doors daily driver)
1990 Saab 900 16v (Him in doors daily driver)IE me
1986 Land Rover 110 Defender County (tow barge, junk hauler)
1988 Lancia Delta Integrale (Stage rally car)

Malc
Scotland
(too mucch scrap, not enough time???)

[German Dude]

I hesitated for a second to post it because I have only one (1!)other car... German gas prices and lusting after a car not everyone drives left only one choice:

Citroen XM Station Wagon Turbo Diesel.
Actually, there were fewer made of this car than of the 230 SL! Only about 15,000! Plus it gives me about 44 mpg, at the same time offering trunk space comparable to a Suburban.

It compares to my 230SL: It makes me smile when I drive it, it makes my wallet cry when it's in the shop.



Juergen
64 230SL #2933, 4sp, signal red, white hard top
93 Citroen XM station wagon

[Mike Hughes]

1934 M.G. L-1 Salonette
1937 M.G. TA
1951 M.G. TD
1951 M.G. TD (yes, a second one, not running!)
1954 M.G. TF
1966 M.G. MGBGT
1967 M.G. MGB (roadster, RHD, built on my birthday in 1967!)
1987 Jaguar XJ-6 Vanden Plas
1989 Merkur XR4Ti (Like a Sierra XR4, or a Sierra Cosworth, but with a 2.3L 225 HP 4 cyl. turbo)
1995 Isuzu 4wd Pickup
2002 Isuzu Trooper
2003 Tilt-Load trailer!

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[Mike Hughes]

Glad to see another M.G. lover in the group!

quote:Originally posted by Malc

Er
1962 MGA
1974 BMW 2002Tii
1974 BMW 3.0Csi (in rebuild process)
1988 Saab 900 16v (Her in doors daily driver)
1990 Saab 900 16v (Him in doors daily driver)IE me
1986 Land Rover 110 Defender County (tow barge, junk hauler)
1988 Lancia Delta Integrale (Stage rally car)

Malc
Scotland
(too mucch scrap, not enough time???)

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[Mike Hughes]

What color is your ES?  I owned one of the last 10 made, a Sun Yellow example with Black Leather interior and the 4sp w/overdrive trans.  It was called "The Yellow Submarine" and was my first new car.  That Volvo was the only car I ever sold that I wish I had today.

quote:Originally posted by SL113fan


- '70 280SL
- '73 1800ES Volvo
- '79 450SEL
- '80 635CSI Euro BMW

The 450 has the best ride/handling tradeoff (in my opinion), while the 1800 is the most all-around fun to drive (excluding all of the attention it gets).

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[Cees Klumper]

Mr. Boring here:

'97 Mercedes C180 (great mileage, great performance, great comfort, great family car)

Cars I have also owned:

Opel Manta
Jaguar XJ6
Plymouth Fury
Ford Capri
Mini (2x - one race monster and one parts car)
DAF (2x - one daily driver and one parts car)
Triumph Spitfire (2x)
Volvo 240 Family Truckster
Nissan Pulsar
Ford Pinto (self-ignited!)
Ford Mustang
Buick Century
Audi 80
BMW 316i
Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV (1966 and my first ever car; oil slick still on the street in front of my old house)
Alfa Romeo GTV 2 liter turbo V6 (1996 and torched on the streets of Amsterdam one night)
Fiat 5-cylinder Turbo Coupe (1998)
Mercedes 300D
Volvo Amazon (1966)
and one Kawasaki KLR 650, many Yamaha's and a Garelli

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[SL113fan]

1800ES: Cypress green with the orange-tan leather interior; 4spd+O/D; and 43K on the clock.  I still see many well-preserved examples advertised for sale on the West Coast.

[CarlG]

94 SL500 (Wife's daily driver)
98 E320 Wagon (My daily driver)

1967 230sl (stick)

[ja17]

Currently
1955 Mercedes 190-SL (first car when 16 years old)
1965 Mercedes 300-SE (108 chasis, stick  and no air suspension 2700 made)
1969 Mercedes 300-SEL 6.3
1970 Mercedes 250-C (modified for club racing)W113 engine, stick lightened "Microbeast"
1974 Mercedes 450-SLC all euro specs (245 hp with stick!)
1984 Mercedes 300 D turbo
1984 Mercedes 280T Wagon (W123 chasis) wife's
1986 Ford Ranger Pick-up (motorized wheel barrow for around the hosmestead)
2002 SLK 32 AMG (350 hp) weekend driver.

Noteable vehicles from past:
Mercedes 1933 380-K Cabriolet "A"
Mercedes 1950 170-V sedan
Mercedes 1963 300-SL roadster
Mercedes 1968 250 modified W114 SCCA Pro-Rally Car.


Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Ben]

Wow !  Nice lists !

I've just one other car at the moment, a 2003 CLK200 KOMPRESSOR Elegance. Nice car, smooth auto and looks sweet !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[70chevelle]

1970 Chevelle
1970 280SL Auto/Air/Mexico
1999 C230 Kompressor
2003 Dodge Durango
2005 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan

Now I need to build another garage!

[Ed Fisher]

Current "vehicles" include:

1958 Triumph TR3A (awaiting restoration)
1964 230sl (just purchased)
1965 Ford Mustang 6cyl. hardtop
1968 Chevrolet Camaro convertible (in restoration)
1981 Kubota L245 tractor
1984 Kawasaki 1100 LTD motorcycle (24,000 miles)
1985 BMW 325e (vacation car, 40,000 miles)
1985 Toyota Supra (commute car, 177,000 miles, original brake pads, first clutch at 130,000, never been into the engine)
1986 Toyota Supra (son's car, just painted last week)
1992 Toyota 4x4 pickup (fishing truck, 48,000 miles)
1993 Nissan Maxima (wifes car, 180,000 miles, runs perfectly, looks great)
1993 Nissan Maxima (too good to pass up, one owner car, 103,000 miles, and I loved the reliabilitiy of my wife's car)

All cars are under roof. It helps to have a little land.  All cars are Texas rust free.  May have to get rid of a couple as the stable is getting too big and I am getting less and less time.  The lower mileage Nissan and perhaps the 230sl may be going up for sale soon.

Ed Fisher

[Joe]

Not sure how Autoweek would rate my collection. I really am a car enthusiast, but the lack of a garage prevents me from owning anything really nice. I have to keep the 230SL under a canopy.
Joe

1965 230SL Euro
1996 Grand Cherokee
1997 Chevy S-10
1995 Ford F250
Roughly 50 Cushman scooters, 1941 to 1965
1977 Vespa Rally with sidecar
Five Simplex motorbikes
Seven Harley Davidson small bikes and scooters
Two Whizzers
About 14 Triumph motorcycles, 500 - 750CC, 1963 - 1978
Six BSA motorcycles, from Bantam to 650CC
Tessy Super scooter from Germany
Another half dozen misc. motorscooters

Notable cars I've owned:
About a dozen Volvos, from 444 to 122S, 1956 - 1964
Porsche 356 Super 90, 1960
Datsun 240Z, 1971
P.O.S. Fiat X 1/9 (only other convertible)
MB 450SL, 1978
MB 220D, 1970
MB 280C, 1974
MB 300 D Turbo, 1985

[gwuisman]

My current cars:

1970 280sl
1988 VW GOLF II VAN (wife's car, in its last year, cosidering VW Polo 1992)
1994 BMW 520i Touring Executive E34(family car: great automatic gearbox, smooth suspension with automatic level correction, very quiet inside, every time a pleasure to drive in also when not driving yourself and fast, but that is only usefull when driving in Germany, design like the Pagoda: Paul Bracq)

Other cars owned:

2CV
Renault 4
Peugeot 404
Peugeot 505 sedan (interior design: Paul Bracq)
Peugeot 505 familiale automatique (interior design Paul Bracq)

I left Peugeot because they all got cooling and rust problems when getting older. On the other hand: very spacious cars in relation to their price, cheap maintenance, easy to repair yourself, like the 2CV and the Renault 4 also already classic models when new.

G.Wuisman
1970 280sl

[gwuisman]

This weekend my ‘fleet’ had the maximum of four cars for two days.

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I wrote in my previous post in this thread that my wife’s Golf II needed to be replaced because of the poor technical condition. I had an option on VW Polo but it was sold before I could take a closer look. When my wife and I visited friends they asked us if we knew someone who would be interested in a BMW 315 dating 1982.I said that we could be the persons.

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So we went to a garage in Katwijk, a village at the North Sea. There she was: 12 years of dust in and outside, flat tires and no keys to open the doors. We asked why the car was not driven that long period. The answer was simple. When dad died in 1992 the seven children could not agree on who would get the car. This seems strange because the car was well treated. It was always cleaned with pure rain water and when the weather was bad dad took the bus. In 10 years he drove only 40.200 kms.

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After two years of paying taxes and insurance for a car nobody drove in mother decided to end the insurance and to pros pone the licence plate year after year. Then mother got a light form Alzheimer and moved to an elderly home. She threw the keys of the car in the dustbin. The children had no interest in the car anymore. In the meantime the children got their children and some needed storage. So the car had to be sold. I asked a guy of a scrap yard to have a look at the car. He was enthusiastic about the car and said I would never do a bad deal by buying it for the agreed price of Euro 500. He was right: he had to put on the car a paper 'not for sale' as more than ten ten people wanted to buy the car.

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It took me three weeks of administrative battle to get the right car keys from BMW and to transfer the license plate on my name. Next the scrape yard man put the car on his auto ambulance and took it to his yard. Thanks to my knowledge gathered on this site – many thanks to posters in question – I instructed him to carefully give the car her life back. All liquids were changed (the gas tank was still full with 55 litres), the pistons injected with special oil for some days, the engine turned by hand a few times, a new battery installed and new tires mounted (the old ones dated 05 1982 and looked brand new). On the first stroke the engine fired. The only problem left was the high idle revs. I was advised to run a can of WYNN”S Carburettor Cleaner through the engine. I did and the problem seems to be solved.

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I took the car home and cleaned it with my oldest daughter during a whole Saturday. A new car was born. It is so shiny and well preserved that it is as if it comes right out of the show room.

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My wife got so excited about the car the first day she used it that I got kisses by phone. Never had before! And what about her nineteen year old Golf II? We gave it on the 8th of november as good as possible repaired to our oldest daughter together with the address of the scrap yard. Our 'fleet' shrinked back to three cars.

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Is there a relationship between the BMW 315 (E21) and the 280sl (W113)? Yes there is: Paul Bracq. He was the designer of the BMW 3 and 5 series in the late seventies of the last century. Perhaps that is why the car felt good from the very beginning.

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Gerard Wuisman
1970 280sl

[n/a]

Here's what I have in addition to my 71 280SL:

2003 E320 sedan - my daily driver
2004 E320 wagon - my wife's daily driver
2001 911 Carrera - when I feel the need for speed

Regards,

Ouzo

[gugel]

1999 Mercedes ML320  105,000 miles   1st owner
1972 BMW 3.0CS       225,000 miles   2nd owner (since 1975)

1965 Euro 230SL      94,000 km = 58,400 miles  4th owner (since 2001)

Although I know it's heresy in this group, I have to say that the ML or the CS is the most fun to drive, depending on what kind of driving it is.  Of course, the Pagoda with the top down beats either of the others on a nice day.  Both the BMW and the Pagoda are beautiful cars, which is a large part of the reason I bought them.

Chris Earnest