[Guest (MBNZ)]

Although it's embarassing for me, I think this story is worth telling, so here it goes:<br>
<br>
I was in a hurry today, parked my '84 300TD curbside in front of my house and rushed in with the vanilla ice cream the whole family was waiting for. Unfortunately, I forgot to shift to the P position, and our road goes downhill...<br>
<br>
About half an hour later (we had just finished our banana splits), the doorbell rings and a neighbor from way down the street (200 yards or so) asks if that silver-blue Mercedes belongs to me? Then I noticed it wasn't in front my house anymore!<br>
<br>
Turns out that the laws of gravity had taken over at some point, and my car rolled down the hill, until it hit the brick-covered wall of said neighbor's house, after smashing a small utility pole (cable tv) and shredding a rhododendron bush.<br>
<br>
The result:<br>
1 broken utility pole<br>
3 cracked bricks<br>
1 very visible dent in the wall (~1 inch deep)<br>
1 mis-aligned garage door (next to said wall) <br>
1 destroyed rhododendron bush<br>
0 persons hurt (luckily!)<br>
<br>
Damage to the Merc: NIL!<br>
All that's visible are a few scratches in the rubber on the bumper, and a few rhododendron leaves still caught in the front axle...<br>
<br>
If anyone had doubted that these cars are bult like tanks, this is the final proof!<br>
<br>
I wonder how a Honda would have looked after such an incident... (aside from the fact that you can't pull the key from a Honda, or any newer car, if the shift lever is in a Drive position).<br>
<br>
Looking forward to 15 more years with my Diesel!<br>
<br>
-- Werner

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Reminds me of when Santa's Reindeer got lost looking for the brick 'Schmidt House!' Glad no one was hurt! Be sure to check your shock absorbers' condition behind the bumper. That is what took the impact. If collasped it may be a good idea to replace just in case of another incident!

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Are you sure that the cars of that vintage have shock absorbers. I have a 1983 300CD. I didnt notice them.<br> <br> Good that your benz isnt hurt. How much will it cost to repair your neighbors house? Try binding the wheels against the curb next time =).<br> <br> My friend has a honda accord coupe. He got rearended at school today by a 1980s bronco full sized. It messed up the tailight, ruined the truck and bumper...probably 2k of dammage.<br> <br> Another friend hit a guard rail because he slipped on some ice with his accord sedan, and it did 3k of dammage, front was trashed, along with the whole right side.<br> <br> My diesel is a tank too. I love it. Strong. I never get door dings hahaha.<br> <br> Take care,<br> <br> Austin

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Hello Werner, <br> <br> that's quite a story and makes me feel even stronger about my recent decision to purchase one of these classic wagons. i'm changing over from a volvo 240 wagon to the 300TD and am looking for advice as to what to look for (or look out for) in my search. there have been a few on ebay that i've considered and one right now i'm looking at seriously, but i'm never quite comfortable in buying a car without having driven it. the 300td makes feel that it's probably been well cared for, but i don't simply want to buy someone else's headaches. any suggestions?<br> <br> Kevin in boston

 

[Braingears]

Urban Assault Vehicle

When I was in high school, I had a 300D. Let me tell you that there is very little that would slow this down. You can take 90 degree turns at 60 MPH and the wheel wont slip. I've even driven it in 2' of water. It just gurgled. The only thing I don't recommend is to sit your butt on the hood. You may leave a permanant seat.

Chuck

 

[Greg S.]

This is sort of MB related... my uncle told me of a time when he was in Germany, not long ...

This is sort of MB related... my uncle told me of a time when he was in Germany, not long after the war, and some poor fool lost the brakes on his tank (a real tank, you know wih a gun turret etc). Anyhow, the tank passed through a church from one corner to the other (cant remember if it was brick or stone) before coming to a stop, nobody got hurt either. Maybe it was divine intervention??
[^]