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Running a luxobarge long term 2007 ML320CDi

  • 13-10-2016 11:00am
    #1
    traco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,707 ✭✭✭


    I have this from new and its been well minded. I've toyed with getting rid of it several times due to the tax but what would you get for it and then what would you replace it with?? I've effectively written it off value wise so in my head all it costs per year is tax, insurance, maintenance and fuel so maybe €250/€300 per month depending on what its doing mileage/fuel wise.

    Any new thing with PCP etc is going to cost way more than that and I can't see them having the same level of comfort or build quality even if people say the mid noughties mercs weren't great. Personal experience with almost 185k kms on this one suggest different apart from the rear bulb holders (muck and sorted by me) and the partronic sensors (muck and to be replaced) all else has been fairly good.

    Herself drives it 90% of the time and has no desire change, still loves it. So I am wondering what should I start doing to keep her going for another 10 years. More frequent oil changes by me, body care and maintenance etc considering its in daily use.

    So fire in your PM suggestions and maybe I can get this tree wilting, polar bear killing chelsea tractor to 20 years old and knocking on 500k kms!


Comments

  • #2
    fancy pigeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,866 ✭✭✭fancy pigeon


    Keep it, continue looking after it and treble the mileage on it.

    I have a fairly old 2.2 Merc as a daily, I've put a lot of time and effort in. It's a reliable sod of a car that I know will just keep on going, I can't see why yours wouldn't be any different


  • #3
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    traco wrote: »
    So I am wondering what should I start doing to keep her going for another 10 years. More frequent oil changes by me, body care and maintenance etc considering its in daily use.
    You have already written what you need to do - keep up scheduled maintenance and occasionally put it up on lift and check for corrosion, leaky rubbers etc


  • #4
    traco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,707 ✭✭✭traco


    Cheers lads - more or less keep doing what I've been doing but that nearly feels like I'm neglecting it. I think I should spend some time and money on detailing and protecting the paint to keep it nice and prevent any tin worm appearing around window frames or behind trim etc.

    This is her today after a blast to Dundalk and back in the rain this morning.
    th_FA8AEEC0-B35B-4FA4-8441-AAFA96A92446_zpsre6dop6g.jpg th_4CA4DB2F-67CF-4FCB-BD0D-63E114F716B9_zps24xwjpyn.jpg th_96A7DAF5-8D32-412D-A074-25D5F5C8258D_zpsgiua7vtx.jpg


  • #5
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    They still look well given they're 9 years old now. Definitely don't look dated anyway. Hopefully it keeps going for many more km's!


  • #6
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    You can start a thread in Detailing about how to look after and protect the paint.


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  • #7
    traco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,707 ✭✭✭traco


    biko wrote: »
    You can start a thread in Detailing about how to look after and protect the paint.

    I've been in there a few times, lots of great info. It could do with a full paint detail for its 10th birthday and a treatment.

    It could be an idea to start one allright might ask Curran for his 2c. I don't want to be braking out a DA polisher and pads every 6 months though.


  • #8
    MercMad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,266 ✭✭✭MercMad


    Certainly still a great looking bus, far nicer than current equivalent. Spend the few bob and a bit of time getting it to sparkle. Mechanically these are pretty solid but if it were mine I would buy the Inlet Port Shutoff Motor bypass and then EGR delete straight away. It will run better and cleaner and have more power. You will also avoid future issues with both, which are hideously expensive.


  • #9
    traco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,707 ✭✭✭traco


    MercMad wrote: »
    Certainly still a great looking bus, far nicer than current equivalent. Spend the few bob and a bit of time getting it to sparkle. Mechanically these are pretty solid but if it were mine I would buy the Inlet Port Shutoff Motor bypass and then EGR delete straight away. It will run better and cleaner and have more power. You will also avoid future issues with both, which are hideously expensive.

    Thanks a mill - that's the kind of advice I was hoping to get. She threw up a wastegate actuator error two weeks ago that I cleared and I've given her a few hard drives since and no return of teh fault so it may have just needed a proper blast.

    Any gearbox maintenance tricks as sometimes she can be a bit notchy the odd time, might need a fluid change or maybe a better grade. These 7 speeds can have valve block issues in the box I think also so anything to aid or prevent that would be worth considering.


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