The deal is done! I bought Rabih's 1984 280GE. You have probably seen it here before but I will post a pic anyway. Bright red, SWB, five speed, leather Recaros, jump seats, 9000lb winch, roof rack with cargo box 104k miles, looks immaculate in pictures.
Now it is just a matter of getting it home to MN. Then I will probably haul it to CO in a couple weeks. Is there a better vehicle for Colorado???? I think NOT.
I was back to looking for a 99-00 G500 when Rabih listed his 280 on ebay. A little honest evaluation of my needs and the trucks actual usage brought me to the 280. I want something durable, simple and easily repairable if need be. The G500's are sweet machines but they have just gone too far towards being road cars. I am really looking forward to my simplistic old G[:)] I have always wanted to try a SWB as well. I have a LWB, it has all the goodies, leather,sunroof,cruise, burled walnut[:p]. Funny, those are the things that attracted me into the G320 from my very basic five speed 300GE. I seem to have come full circle. Just my humble opinion but, after owning a few G's, I find that the ones I liked the most, had the least modern features. It just seems to suit the truck better.
I was back to looking for a 99-00 G500 when Rabih listed his 280 on ebay. A little honest evaluation of my needs and the trucks actual usage brought me to the 280. I want something durable, simple and easily repairable if need be. The G500's are sweet machines but they have just gone too far towards being road cars. I am really looking forward to my simplistic old G[:)] I have always wanted to try a SWB as well. I have a LWB, it has all the goodies, leather,sunroof,cruise, burled walnut[:p]. Funny, those are the things that attracted me into the G320 from my very basic five speed 300GE. I seem to have come full circle. Just my humble opinion but, after owning a few G's, I find that the ones I liked the most, had the least modern features. It just seems to suit the truck better.
Well, in a way, it’s wisdom.
Going back or using classics ( timeless ones ) really has a own kind of thrill. To get that feeling, it is necessary to own the latest to know that the real tough stuff has a own kind of magic.
Driving SWB is pure, I know why I spent a fortune to bring my 350 SWB to a Standard the car never had before, I like it more than my G 500, sounds crazy ( for some ), but that car has something it is not easy to write about and I think it is the same with the 280 GE. I had one, SWB, 10 years ago and I still miss it. Unfortunately the 460 here are more or less wrecks, but finding one in mint condition is a dream.
Well, like Rolex watches, pure, tough, classic … made to survive everything .....for some it is simply the best. Same with the older G’s, their ‘newer’ owners know, that this kind of quality has made Mercedes Benz legendary, and today’s world is modern, but silly.
Going back or using classics ( timeless ones ) really has a own kind of thrill.....and today’s world is modern, but silly...
I've been having similar discussions regarding photographic equipment with another friend lately.
I think you summed it up remarkably well, Thomas. Your point about knowing the new to apreciate the old is equally as insightful and universally applicable.
Good choice Brent, a 463 G320 LWB and a 460 280 GE SWB is propably best of both worlds! The 280 GE looks a bit like our 300 GDs brother, I have leather Recaros up front too. Ahh, okay, you have a winch but mine is a convertible[8D]
The swb's are qicker and a lot more handy and manoverable. But the short wheel base also gives you less time to control the car in critical situations. And you'd defineatly don't want your cool new truck looking like this:
This winter I'll take both my sisters to a big, empty snow-covered parking lot and learn them how to controll the 300 GD going sideways. I've done it a lot myself, and beeing a young driver I know practicing these situations has helped keeping my first 3 1/2 years and 120.000 kms accident-free!
But I bet you know how to go sideways, with a Porsche 928 and a Buick GS 455[:D]
Linear Mode
