My MB is a '96 W124 E320 coupe, just coming up to 18 years.

Spent (invested? hopefully) some money in her this year, CHG started to seep so whilst stripped she had a new timing chain, oil cooler and water pump.

Drivertrain never been touched other than overservicing, engine as sweet as new.

Sent her in to the little body shop i use for a touch up here and there as needed for the usual dings dongs and chips, also reinforced the jacking points which were starting to look weak, followed by top up of the rustproofing the whole underbody.

Cheap to run too, LPG converted 4ish years ago so she costs about the same to run as a modern Diesel clone but without the tractor soundtrack..;)

Just about to pop over to my venerable MB indy (the reason we still run MB) to collect her this afternoon, the drivers window mechanism started to clickover at the top of travel, so new gear set and motor now fitted...luckily MB parts situation is brilliant and reasonably priced for most things.

Going to invest in a SS exhaust probably by the end of this winter, pipe near rear box looking thin, this will my first SS exhaust experiment.

Not been a cheap car to own but then keeping a car like this in good condition was never going to be cheap, though i believe costs effective, don't much care for most newer cars, without the badge you'd struggle to tell 'em apart.

Probably worth about half what we paid for her 11 years ago, kept in her present condition she might gain value as many of her siblings have been trashed or chavved, not bothered about selling and i'd rather sell cheap to the right sort of chap than a hgh price to someone who wouldn't deserve her.

Here's to another 11 years with her as my daily driver, still surprises some when she picker up her skirts and goes.

Edited by gordonbennet on 03/12/2013 at 14:32

M-B W124 E280 Estate. 1994, 174K on the clock. Owned since 2007, putting approx. 55K on the clock.

Engine still strong. One hefty bill when the HT wiring loom went haywire, a well known 'issue' with older 1994-1996 vintage petrol M-Bs, where the wire insulation crumbles away and the car goes into limp mode.

Gearbox, the optional 5-spd, is on the way out though. Slow to engage Drive, slips a lot in reverse, and generally lethargic. That said, its been like that for nearly a year and not got significantly worse, so some life left yet.

Will keep her running until something major occurs. She cant be worth more than £750 realistically. But what a car, best I've ever owned. Been to Italy (twice), Belgium, Bordeaux, SW Ireland, lots of jaunts from Hants to the Lakes and Cornwall, plus countless load-lugging and tip duties - the ultimate "hack".

The seats and upholstery are peerless. No sag in either front seats, the rears, including the two child boot seats, could pass as nearly new. Same goes for the switchgear - faultless.

I couldnt entertain owning a car without proven reliability and known ownership costs now. M-B parts are easily available and reasonable, the independent garages I've used have all been decent. Mine's now looked after by a specialist in Aldershot, no complaints so far.

Whatever comes next has incredibly big shoes to fill.

Edited by Sulphur Man on 03/12/2013 at 16:21

1998 A6 2.8SE with 5HP19 g/box, [as fitted to all decent German cars of that age ;-)] bought at 77,000 in 2003, coming up to 130,000.

6 spark plugs, a CV boot, small bush somewhere on the front susp, replacement discs/pads and a few oil changes. Oh, and a new windscreen last year to make it feel new. Feels as though it will last another 15yrs.

My other car, on the road all the year round but not driven every day, is an extremely reliable well built [Canley with LT77 box not the Speke disaster on wheels] unrestored 1980 TR7 with 30 consecutive MoTs.

Quality remains long after the price is forgotten. Depreciation? Measure in hundreds, not thousands. Unfortunately neither will appreciate - like the RRs in the BMW museum [well worth a visit while SHMBO shopping]

Walked past a 98 E Merc the other week - ravaged by rot round the wheel arches.

I have a 1994 Peugeot 405 MI16. 160,000 miles, and still going strong. I think it qualifies as a daily driver, although its not my only car. It my only front driver, so i need to rely on it over the winter. Its stood the test of time really well,, but i hope to give it an easier time in the future.

Engine and box all original, and most things still work (Do old Peugeot heated seats ever work?) and a very enjoyable drive

My 1.8 petrol Toyota Carina E, 1997, is on 184,000 miles and I do 50 miles a day commuting in it. It just passed its MOT, although it did need a new brake light bulb!