Faults:

Chassis sub-frame rubbers - 2000.

Battery died (7 plate, refillable) - 2001.

Distributor points, spark plug leads - 2002.

Wheel wearings x 4, brake front discs - 2003.

Tyres x 5 replaced - 2004.

Dash lights died; Replaced SONY radio with original Becker Mexico cassette - 2005.

Major rust in rocker panels/door sashes cut out - 2007.

Replaced carpets myself, stenciling/cutting out old carpet on new carpet, re-sewing the plastic edges - 2008.

Brake booster hoses replaced - 2010.

5 new Michelin tyres, valve stem seals replaced - 2014.

Gearbox is currently VERY slow in the 2-3 gear-change. Sunroof water drain points need cleaning out. Air con needs re-gassing. Dash cracks and dash wood need attention.

General Comments:

The Parchment MBTex (MB 147) upholstery makes "Gretchen's" interior a light, airy place to be when it's clean.

I never get tired of looking at Paul Bracq's classic, clean design, especially from the front or the right hand side. Stone Pine Green metallic (MB862) was available only May - September 1972 in the W108 shape, plus her chassis number 12102 is only 120 cars from the end of production, with 625 Australian Build Code too. Probably one of the last RHD ones made. I really enjoy seeing other W108s on the road.

My partner much prefers her late model Toyota Corolla for features and cheaper running costs, but I'll be keeping my "Junior 6.3" for many years to come.

Faults:

Had to replace the engine mountings and the timing chain.

General Comments:

I'm a classic car collector and I'm the second owner. First owner had it for 30 years. Otherwise the normal services which is cheap because there are no gadgets, electronic goodies that can fail. Inside and outside it still compares with the latest Mercs and the quality is miles ahead of the new cars!

Faults:

Nothing. It is just going and going. Still without rattles and a wonderful delight despite its age. A real collectors classic!

General Comments:

It is built to last a lifetime!

Faults:

Front shocks replaced - LH binding, rear require replacement. Just due to old age.

Some cam wear, but not problematic.

Replaced RR wheel bearing due to rumble.

Drivers seat slightly unstable.

General Comments:

These are a great looking and reliable car. They are not as collectible as the 280SE (W111) Coupes and Cabriolets, but then they are about 10-15% of the price.

Parts are available, but will cost an arm and a leg. They are simple enough to be tinkered with by a competent home mechanic.

Automatic 4-speed (MB's first, apparently based on a 1939 Packard design) is pretty primitive. Doesn't like down shifting under load and doesn't like shifting up when 3rd is selected (revs quite alarmingly - if you don't realise this is normal).

No torque converter, but has a 'fluid flywheel' (fluid coupling) 1st gear engaged until about 15 km/h is reached, or about 1 sec when 2nd is engaged. This also is normal.

Luxury cars when released, so are relatively uncommon. I love it.

Faults:

Nothing has really gone wrong so far. I bought the car a year ago (for € 8.000,=) in a near perfect and all original state.

The car was first sold in (dry and warm) Italy, so the car has no rust at all. I did change all, read all, the rubber parts however which were still the original and quite dried out.

During this operation a little leakage of the fuel pump was mentioned, and so the fuel pump was replaced as well.

The front shock absorbers and the steering bearings were replaced as well, as they had some wear.

General Comments:

After the above work was done (which cost just over € 6.000,=) the car looks, feels, smells and drives like a new car. Unbelievable that this still exists; A 36 year old car which can be driven like you just bought it new.

It's fast, very comfortable and has quite some power (170 HP) for it's weight (1.460 Kg). Even the fuel consumption is moderate on long distances.

The car has a beautiful dark green colour with a cognac colour Mercedes-tex interior and a heavy wooden (original) dashboard, and looks very classical.

Feel free to ask questions at nijenbrinks@hotmail.com

Faults:

This car has not needed any parts in the last 2 years.

General Comments:

A delightful car to drive. Everyone who sees it loves it.